Multiple product hierarchies (creation of refurbished products section) - best solution?

[26ryan]

Hi all, I'm in discussion with a client who wishes to introduce a 'refurbished' products section to their website. This section will effectively replicate the structure of the 'brand new' products section. Unusually the key difference will be the fact that the 'refurbished' products section will feature significantly more products than the 'brand new' section, in the region of four times as many. As a guide the website currently stocks approximately 200 products across 8 core product areas. We have recommended that the two sections should be combined in order to prevent the creation of two separate product hierarchies. With 'brand new' / 'refurbished' products segmented via filter functionality. However the client is set on having two separate product hierarchies, i.e. a 'refurbished' section within a completely separate directory.

Just wanted to crowd source opinion, in additionally to gaining insight if anyone has experience of a similar request. What solution did you implement? My feeling is that there is a high likelihood over time of the 'refurbished' section growing in authority and starting to outrank the 'brand new' products section. Not to mention a key missed opportunity to group and build authority / content within one product hierarchy.

All thoughts and opinions much appreciated!

[EricaMcGillivray]

I'd worry mostly about it becoming a duplicate content nightmare. It would be better to have a choice to buy the brand new item or a refurbished one on a single product page. Think of how Amazon lets you select different versions of a books, movie, etc., different sellers, new/used, etc., all on one page.