Depends on who's doing it....

You're right - shoddy refurbishing companies are rampant on the web. But the top companies... my favorite is B & H Photo, do great work. Apple is excellent BUT... they charge so much for a refurbished computer you might as well buy a new one. I've had good luck with NewEgg but that was with peripherals. I've never bought a used computer from them. I had good luck with BestBuy... got a couple used laptops for my grandkids from them and both lasted for years. - JamesJM