Buyer Beware: Not Every “Rebuilt” Pump Is What It Claims To Be

We’re seeing a trend that needs to be addressed honestly: pumps being advertised online as “rebuilt” when they’re nowhere near factory standard—and sometimes not even fully functional.

At T&E, one of the key advantages of our pumps is that they can be rebuilt to like‑new performance without replacing every single component. When done properly, this is a major cost saver over the life of the pump.

But it only works when the rebuild is done right—and described honestly.

When “Rebuilt” Isn’t Really Rebuilt

Recently, we’ve had customers ask us to leave obviously failed parts in place during a so‑called “rebuild.” This includes broken shafts, washed housings, and completely worn out gears; Yes! You read that correctly, items that clearly need to be replaced in order for the pump to operate effectively and safely.

The reason we’re given is often something like:

“Don’t worry about that. It’s just going up on Facebook.”

In other words:

• They know the pump will not perform to factory standards.

• They have no intention of using it themselves.

• They still plan to list it as a “rebuilt” pump online.

On Facebook buy/sell groups, Kijiji, Marketplace, and similar platforms, we’re now seeing:

• Pumps advertised as “rebuilt”

• Key components never replaced

• Sometimes not even in working order

• Yet priced just shy of the cost of a brand‑new pump

That’s not just misleading—it puts buyers at real risk of overpaying for something that can’t deliver.  Not only are we asked to leave key components that are no longer effective or safe, but we are also seeing lots of pumps that were purchased second-hand, from the purchaser's perspective, who thinks they are entitled to a warranty because they were told the pump was rebuilt.

An extremely worn gear

Broken Shaft

Washed Housing

How This Hurts Honest Sellers Too

There’s another side to this that doesn’t get talked about enough.

Many owners do things the right way:

• They invest in a proper, complete rebuild

• They replace all the components needed to restore like‑new performance

• They list their pumps fairly and accurately when it’s time to sell

But when the market is flooded with half‑done “rebuilds” at inflated prices, it creates confusion and mistrust. Buyers start to assume:

• “Rebuilt” always means “questionable.”

• Every used pump is overpriced

• Every seller is stretching the truth

That’s unfair to the people who have genuinely rebuilt their pumps correctly and are being completely honest in their listings. The dishonest or incomplete rebuilds don’t just put buyers at risk—they also drag down the reputation of honest sellers and the T&E name itself.

Our Response: NTS Marking for Non‑Standard Rebuilds

To add transparency and help protect both buyers and honest sellers, we’re introducing a clear marking for pumps that pass through our facilities but are not returned to factory standard.

From now on, any T&E pump that is rebuilt in a T&E shop but does not meet factory standards—because the owner refused to replace parts that we know will affect performance—will be marked:

NTS – Not to Spec

If a customer instructs us to leave:

• Broken shafts

• Severely worn or damaged critical components

• Any defect that will compromise performance

…then that pump will be:

• Clearly marked NTS

• Documented as not restored to full factory performance

If you see NTS on a T&E pump, assume:

• There are known issues that were not corrected

• The pump will not perform like a properly rebuilt unit

• It should not be priced or represented as “like new”

This helps buyers spot compromised units—and helps ensure that properly rebuilt, honestly represented pumps stand out for what they really are.

Markings on a pump Not To Spec

A Key Limitation: NTS Only Appears on Pumps Rebuilt in a T&E Shop

It’s important to understand what NTS does not cover.

• NTS markings only appear on pumps that have been through an official T&E shop.

• If a pump is rebuilt (or partially rebuilt) in a third‑party shop or someone’s garage, it will not receive an NTS marking from us—because we never inspected or worked on it.

So:

• No NTS marking does not automatically mean the pump meets factory standard.

• It may simply mean we never saw it.

• It could be an excellent, properly rebuilt pump—or a problem waiting to happen.

This is why caution is still necessary, even when there’s no NTS stamp.

Your Best Tool: The Serial Number

Every T&E pump has a serial number, both on a tag and stamped into the pump. That serial number is your most reliable way to verify what you’re looking at.

If the pump has ever been through one of our locations, we can use the serial number to:

• Confirm whether we’ve ever worked on that pump

• Provide details of what work was done (repairs, partial rebuild, full rebuild, etc.)

• Tell you if it was restored to factory standard or marked NTS

• Clarify whether any major performance‑affecting issues were left unresolved

If you’re considering buying a “rebuilt” T&E pump from Facebook, Kijiji, or any marketplace:

1. Ask the seller for the serial number.

2. Contact T&E (or your nearest T&E location) with that number.

3. Ask:

   1. Has this pump ever been through a T&E shop?

   2. What work was done?

   3. Was it rebuilt to factory standard or marked NTS?

If we have no record of the pump, that tells you:

• It has not been serviced by T&E within our network

AND/OR

• Any work done was outside our system and not verified by us

What This Means for Buyers

Before you hand over money for a “rebuilt” T&E pump—especially one priced close to the cost of a new unit—keep these points in mind:

• “Rebuilt” is not a regulated term. Anyone can use it.

• Some pumps being sold as “rebuilt” are missing major repairs, including known broken parts.

• The NTS stamp is a clear warning that the pump passed through a T&E shop but was not brought to factory standard.

• No NTS stamp does not guarantee quality—it may just mean it was never in a T&E shop.

• The serial number + a quick check with T&E is your best protection.

This process also supports honest sellers:

• If they’ve invested in a proper rebuild at a T&E shop, the history will show that.

• You can confirm it was brought to factory standard and not marked NTS.

• Their fair pricing and honest description won’t be lumped in with misleading listings.

Final Thoughts

T&E pumps are designed to be rebuildable and cost‑effective over the long term. That system only works when rebuilds are:

• Done properly

• Documented clearly

• Represented honestly

Whether you’re buying or selling:

• Get the serial number.

• Check with T&E.

• Confirm: factory standard or NTS, and what was actually done.

It protects buyers from overpaying for incomplete rebuilds—and it protects honest sellers whose accurately represented, properly rebuilt pumps deserve to stand apart from the rest.