Valve could soon start selling refurbished Steam Decks, according to leaked data that was briefly posted on the Steam Database before the storefront scrubbed the site clean of said data.
The listings that were marked "Certified Refurbished" all included the three current models of the Steam Deck — 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB. We even had possible pricing for each model, which was uncovered by Steam DB creator Pavel Djundik.
- Steam Deck 64 GB - Certified Refurbished: $319
- Steam Deck 256 GB - Certified Refurbished: $419
- Steam Deck 512 GB - Certified Refurbished: $519
Those listings were as current as August 7, 2023, but had been taken down by August 8. According to PC Gamer, the store names had been “swiftly changed to the more generic "Unknown App" shortly thereafter, the descriptions were removed, and the store pages redirected to the storefront.”
What’s even more interesting is that while those refurbished prices weren’t final, they’re the same as the prices during the Steam Deck’s first-ever sale. So while it’s possible that Valve might not go the refurbished route, there’s a solid chance they will in the future.
Valve should seriously consider this option
The Steam Deck has been a huge success for Valve, so much so that a Steam Deck 2 is currently in consideration (though still a long way off). However, it’s still a pricey machine that those looking for a budget portable might otherwise avoid. Selling used or refurbished versions of its portable would be a solid idea, one that the gaming industry has embraced for decades.
Valve could easily repair Steam Decks, as most of its parts had already been made available through its partnership with iFixit. And most likely the cost of repairs is much cheaper due to this partnership, which could make a first-party refurbishing market quite profitable.
There could be worries about whether refurbished Decks will be covered under a warranty but, considering that even used consoles are usually covered under a warranty by the third-party seller, Valve would most likely have one of its own.
Regardless, it's an option that Valve needs to seriously consider because if it doesn’t sink its teeth into this market now, third-party sellers will be guaranteed to do it themselves and Valve will miss out on some serious profit.
