The fate of returned Apple products hinges on their condition, with unopened items often restocked while used ones are refurbished. Apple operates both physical retail locations and an online refurbished storefront, where it sells a variety of products, including refurbished MacBooks and used iPhones.
If a customer returns an unopened item to an Apple Store, it may be restocked, although this depends on the store's policies. However, a 15% restocking fee applies to these items, indicating they are typically re-entered into inventory. Conversely, any opened product is sent to an Apple refurbishing facility, where it undergoes comprehensive testing and repairs.
The refurbishment process includes functionality tests, cleaning, and quality inspections. Repaired products are then given new serial numbers and part numbers for any components that were replaced. Once refurbished, these items are available for purchase through Apple's Certified Refurbished online portal.