CONSUMER BRIEFS / GADGETS

Best Buy Co. has started selling refurbished Apple Inc. iPhones for $50 less than the new model price.

The previously owned phones began selling in 350 U.S. Best Buy stores Tuesday, with 8-gigabyte iPhones going for $149 and 16-gigabyte versions going for $249. All 1,000 stores will be participating by the end of the month, according to Scott Moore, marketing vice president for the company’s mobile division.

The purchase requires a two-year service contract with AT&T; Inc., the phone’s sole wireless service provider in the U.S.

Competition to sell the iPhone is increasing as the device becomes more prevalent in stores. AT&T; sells refurbished models over the Internet.