In business field , does "clearance" has 2 meanings?

Question

What I know is: Clearance sale means the goods are in brand new good condition, only a sale to reduce inventory

But recently when I bought a mobile on the net, this word "clearance" seems to have tricked me. I was able to discover that this "clearance" means ......." By using reconditioned/clearance stock, we are able to offer you even further savings on your monthly line rental! These items are either ex-demonstration, trial or mail order returned"

Now I realized that I have not brought a brand new item.

So I want to clarify the meaning of this word. Thanks for helping in advance.

Answer 1

Clearance means 'to clear away'.

Any Company selling 'clearance goods' would need to explain where the goods have come from ...

No way are they 'defined' to be 'new' by simple use of the term 'clearance' ....

"These items are either ex-demonstration, trial or mail order returned" seems an adequate explanation to me.

As usual, "The devil is in the detail" ... a lot of 'special offers' have 'headlines' that are almost DESIGNED to be missleading .. and the 'small print' is usually EXTREAMLY small :-)