certified refurbished EcoFlow River 3 Plus Portable Power Station + EB300 Extra Battery (LiFePO4 572Wh total) $270 + free shipping

Punker1234

Feb 20, 2026 12:19 AM

395 Posts

Joined Sep 2007

Punker1234Feb 20, 2026 12:19 AM

395 Posts

I just bought one of these and it showed up today. Man, this was clearly a beat to crap Costco return. it was covered in sand, huge gouges, 7 difference scratches and it smelled. Like water or mold or something. It had some oil on it and like a dried fluid on it. They didn't even wipe the unit down. I know people have had good experiences with these, but this was not what I was expecting from "certified refurbish"

1

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 20, 2026 01:15 AM

1,589 Posts

Joined Dec 2008

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 20, 2026 01:15 AM

1,589 Posts

Quote from Punker1234

:

I just bought one of these and it showed up today. Man, this was clearly a beat to crap Costco return. it was covered in sand, huge gouges, 7 difference scratches and it smelled. Like water or mold or something. It had some oil on it and like a dried fluid on it. They didn't even wipe the unit down. I know people have had good experiences with these, but this was not what I was expecting from "certified refurbish"

You sure it was Costco return? Those have the little boost power banks and the slot to charge them -- these aren't advertised as that model. These come with the large (almost 8 pound) EB300 additional battery that doubles the capacity to 572Wh. No matter which one you got, if it was from the official seller -- like the one I linked -- then you get 30 days to return (and seller pays the shipping).

Punker1234

Feb 20, 2026 03:04 AM

395 Posts

Joined Sep 2007

Punker1234Feb 20, 2026 03:04 AM

395 Posts

Quote from bcm00re

:

You sure it was Costco return? Those have the little boost power banks and the slot to charge them -- these aren't advertised as that model. These come with the large (almost 8 pound) EB300 additional battery that doubles the capacity to 572Wh. No matter which one you got, if it was from the official seller -- like the one I linked -- then you get 30 days to return (and seller pays the shipping).

Yea, it was the Costco unit. It's not this model with the expansion battery, but the unit with the 2 phone power packs. I figured it out because it came with the unit that goes on the top of the generator and then a separate one as well, and from what I understand, is only offered my Costco. I am going to return it, but I mentioned this only because if they didn't take the time to even wipe this thing down, covered in all kinda of stuff, not like normal wear and tear, like what the heck did someone do this stuff, it casts doubt in my head as to what their refurbish process actually is. This is an awesome unit though, so Im going to try to look for a new one.

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 20, 2026 03:47 AM

1,589 Posts

Joined Dec 2008

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 20, 2026 03:47 AM

1,589 Posts

Quote from Punker1234

:

...it casts doubt in my head as to what their refurbish process actually is.

I totally get it! EcoFlow on eBay sells two different refrubs: one with a green refurbished tag (in the main eBay picture) that says "very good" and one with the blue tag -- those are the ones that EcoFlow calls Certified Refurbished. And those come with a 2-year warranty whereas green "very good" ones only have a 1-year. I would be curious to know if yours was one of the green ones. That said, the condition you described is still well below what I would think even those should be!

Last edited by bcm00re February 19, 2026 at 08:51 PM.

Punker1234

Feb 20, 2026 04:08 AM

395 Posts

Joined Sep 2007

Punker1234Feb 20, 2026 04:08 AM

395 Posts

Quote from bcm00re

:

I totally get it! EcoFlow on eBay sells two different refrubs: one with a green refurbished tag (in the main eBay picture) that says "very good" and one with the blue tag -- those are the ones that EcoFlow calls Certified Refurbished. And those come with a 2-year warranty whereas green "very good" ones only have a 1-year. I would be curious to know if yours was one of the green ones. That said, the condition you described is still well below what I would think even those should be!

We think alike. I also noted "Very Good" vs Certified Refurbish" when I was browsing models, and noted the Cert Refurbish is more. That's ultimately what I bought thinking I'll likely get something in great condition or closer to new-ish. The irony is I wouldn't even describe the unit I received, a Certified Refurbish unit, as in Very Good condition. Maybe Good at best. Granted, this is my only refurb I've ever purchased from Ecoflow, but it genuinely seems like they took a returned or used unit, slapped a new box and accessories box in it and shipped it off. If im being honest, i'd guess half the units on the used market are in better condition than this one lol. That's where the doubts are creeping in.

But you're right, free return for 30 days.

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 20, 2026 04:17 AM

1,589 Posts

Joined Dec 2008

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 20, 2026 04:17 AM

1,589 Posts

Quote from Punker1234

:

We think alike. I also noted "Very Good" vs Certified Refurbish" when I was browsing models, and noted the Cert Refurbish is more. That's ultimately what I bought thinking I'll likely get something in great condition or closer to new-ish. The irony is I wouldn't even describe the unit I received, a Certified Refurbish unit, as in Very Good condition. Maybe Good at best. Granted, this is my only refurb I've ever purchased from Ecoflow, but it genuinely seems like they took a returned or used unit, slapped a new box and accessories box in it and shipped it off. If im being honest, i'd guess half the units on the used market are in better condition than this one lol. That's where the doubts are creeping in.

But you're right, free return for 30 days.

Wow, thanks for the info -- that is horrible I agree! I have read (on SD) that others who bought refurbs from the official store on eBay got items that really looked/seemed brand new. I am hoping you just had the bad luck of getting one where a lazy worker that just flat didn't do their job -- but I really don't know.

Punker1234

Feb 20, 2026 04:43 AM

395 Posts

Joined Sep 2007

Punker1234Feb 20, 2026 04:43 AM

395 Posts

Quote from bcm00re

:

Wow, thanks for the info -- that is horrible I agree! I have read (on SD) that others who bought refurbs from the official store on eBay got items that really looked/seemed brand new. I am hoping you just had the bad luck of getting one where a lazy worker that just flat didn't do their job -- but I really don't know.

I also read the same thing, and I don't think i recall a single bad story. But yea, this is one of those for sure. Again, it just makes me think, was this thing even tested at all? It probably was but you can see why I would doubt it. It literally had like stuck dried sand all over it and it smells like smoke or water damage - my nose can't quite figure it out. Never in a million years would I treat any of my device like this, nor would I even return an item to a store in this condition, even if defective. I would have thought the user, Costco or Ecoflow would have wiped it down or cleaned it prior. But the oil or whatever fluid is on it is just making me question it's reliability haha.

Anyway, I hope yours is brand new! Let me know how yours turns out.

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 20, 2026 04:47 AM

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Joined Dec 2008

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 20, 2026 04:47 AM

1,589 Posts

I actually haven't ordered one yet. I can afford to to be patient (because I don't really need it anytime soon) so I am trying to take it slow. That said, I am really tempted to buy this one. Smilie

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 22, 2026 05:03 AM

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Joined Dec 2008

bcm00re

Original Poster

Feb 22, 2026 05:03 AM

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In the end I actually bought a different model. Ecoflow ending up listing the River 2 Pro as Certified Refurbished for $239 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/14507492...SwQAVpibAn) so I elected to go with the slightly older model that has more capacity (768Wh) and a slightly larger 800W inverter. Hopefully I get a good, clean unit!!

1

Punker1234

Feb 27, 2026 07:11 PM

395 Posts

Joined Sep 2007

Punker1234Feb 27, 2026 07:11 PM

395 Posts

Quote from bcm00re

:

In the end I actually bought a different model. Ecoflow ending up listing the River 2 Pro as Certified Refurbished for $239 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/14507492...SwQAVpibAn) so I elected to go with the slightly older model that has more capacity (768Wh) and a slightly larger 800W inverter. Hopefully I get a good, clean unit!!

Nice man! HOwd it work out?

I contacted Ecoflow at your suggestion and while they did apologize, they basically said just to return it. They offered a replacement that would be in great condition but that's what I shoudl have received originally I'm doubting their process entirely based on the unit I received. All good. I'll shoot for a new unit this time around.

bcm00re

Original Poster

Mar 01, 2026 07:03 AM

1,589 Posts

Joined Dec 2008

bcm00re

Original Poster

Mar 01, 2026 07:03 AM

1,589 Posts

Quote from Punker1234

:

Nice man! HOwd it work out?

I contacted Ecoflow at your suggestion and while they did apologize, they basically said just to return it. They offered a replacement that would be in great condition but that's what I shoudl have received originally I'm doubting their process entirely based on the unit I received. All good. I'll shoot for a new unit this time around.

Mine looks pretty darn clean. I used a flashlight and looked inside all the ports, and everything appears to look brand new. It came in with a 30% charge so I plugged it in to the wall and it QUICKLY topped off to an 80% charge. I setup the app on my phone and changed the max charge from 80 to 100 and the unit was able to hit 100% charge. I'll leave it unplugged tonight and see where it's at tomorrow morning -- then connect something to it to test discharging. So far so good...

Here is another option for you:
https://us.ecoflow.com/pages/refurbished
I still think some yahoo employee just didn't do their job. I understand having concerns, but it would seem that the rest of the data appears to point to your situation as the exception to the rule.

Punker1234

Mar 01, 2026 07:49 AM

395 Posts

Joined Sep 2007

Punker1234Mar 01, 2026 07:49 AM

395 Posts

Quote from bcm00re

:

Mine looks pretty darn clean. I used a flashlight and looked inside all the ports, and everything appears to look brand new. It came in with a 30% charge so I plugged it in to the wall and it QUICKLY topped off to an 80% charge. I setup the app on my phone and changed the max charge from 80 to 100 and the unit was able to hit 100% charge. I'll leave it unplugged tonight and see where it's at tomorrow morning -- then connect something to it to test discharging. So far so good...

Here is another option for you:
https://us.ecoflow.com/pages/refurbished
I still think some yahoo employee just didn't do their job. I understand having concerns, but it would seem that the rest of the data appears to point to your situation as the exception to the rule.

I'm glad yours worked out!

You're probably right on the exception. The thing is, if this were for my fridge, cool. This is going to serve as the UPS for my server with $5000 of equipment. Just for fun, see the photos and let me know if i'm crazy lol. https://imgur.com/a/OBbfdHD

bcm00re

Original Poster

Yesterday 07:31 PM

1,589 Posts

Joined Dec 2008

bcm00re

Original Poster

Yesterday 07:31 PM

1,589 Posts

Quote from Punker1234

:

I'm glad yours worked out!You're probably right on the exception. The thing is, if this were for my fridge, cool. This is going to serve as the UPS for my server with $5000 of equipment. Just for fun, see the photos and let me know if i'm crazy lol. https://imgur.com/a/OBbfdHD

You are not crazy! It is like someone slapped an outgoing shipping label on a box that came back without even opening it. At least the company seemed to quickly step up to offer to make things right.

certified refurbished EcoFlow River 3 Plus Portable Power Station + EB300 Extra Battery (LiFePO4 572Wh total) $270 + free shipping

$279

$509

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