Almost as long as automobile manufacturers have been in existence, the rebuilding industry has been supplying parts to warehouses and installers. There have been many rules published that are directed at rebuilders, and it has been the Federal Trade Commission's job to set guidelines and enforce the rules governing the rebuilding and selling of used and rebuilt products. In 1962, the FTC published trade rules for the rebuilding industry; and in 1979, they were reviewed and republished. Only until recently have the rules been enforced strictly enough to force all rebuilders into compliance. Knowing what the rules are and how to identify products that do or don't meet the guidelines can be a benefit to all consumers of rebuilt products.
 
There are three basic rules set forth in the guides that every rebuilder must meet:

1. No representation can be made that a product is new or unused if any part of it is not.
2. The identity of the rebuilder cannot be misrepresented.
3. The word "rebuilt" and "remanufactured" cannot be used unless the product has been:

In an effort to save time and expense, some rebuilders have resorted to taking shortcuts and misrepresenting the markings or products that put them in violation of the FTC guidelines. The next time you purchase a rebuilt product, examine it closely to see if it meets the FTC conditions. A few noteworthy examples to ponder might be:

Knowing how to identify a properly remanufactured item assures that you and your customers will always receive a superior quality product.