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There's always a risk you're buying a headache, but as long as you have a decent return policy and the time to run it back, you should be fine. I've bought several "open box" motherboards on Amazon before and they all worked fine.
I always buy a bunch of amazon warehouse boards from amazon (picked up four last week, X470 boards etc) and they all work fine. Also the couple boards I've picked-up from Microcenter open-box worked great too so no experience with the returns though. Amazon return is pretty much no questions asked.
Hi, guys - feel free to reply - I didn't know who to ask or reply to.My daily driver is an open box Tuf Z690 from Microcenter. Working fine and they have never given me an issue on a return during the return window. Just check and see if it’s 15 or 30 days since sometimes the open box stuff is 15 days. Lastly if I know I’m going to keep it long term often I buy the 2 year protection on the mobo so now I’ve got 2 years to return it.
Same, and also from newegg, though I'm not sure I'd recommend them anymore.I always buy a bunch of amazon warehouse boards from amazon (picked up four last week, X470 boards etc) and they all work fine. Also the couple boards I've picked-up from Microcenter open-box worked great too so no experience with the returns though. Amazon return is pretty much no questions asked.
If there's a problem with a motherboard or CPU it's usually apparent pretty soon after building the system...
I've purchased quite a few open box motherboards from Microcenter in the past. They will usually let you look at it at the back counter by the hardware components prior to purchasing it. Even if they don't, it's a brick and mortar store that you can bring your item back to in the event that it doesn't work right.Hi, guys - feel free to reply - I didn't know who to ask or reply to.
I was trying to find ways to squeeze some parts I really want into my budget and although, there probably isn't a lot of $$ off open box, every $ counts and I noticed some stores near me have $20 off here or there. It would add up?
Anyway, ironically, I was looking at open box items and I was hoping to find an open box of a case I really want - and I narrowed it down to three different ones. But, alas.... I was looking at open box motherboards, too, but I was too paranoid/concerned about that.
My main question is, aren't you guys worried about warranty? How is the warranty handled for that? After the 15 days or whatever it is, you are stuck with the board? If you find a problem later - is it different than if you bought a board normally? Is it still with the motherboard manufacturer and won't they care that you bought it open-box? Technically, the open box had a 'previous buyer' - and who knows what they did with the board, right? I guess as long as it doesn't look like it was installed or touched - you're golden? I guess I could see someone returning it because they decided to go to a different form factor, switch Amd <-> Intel or decided they wanted a different brand/chipset.... - who knows. But, I would be concerned if it was actually used or put in a system. It's technically 'used' - and I am not sure a discount of $20 really satisfies me in that particular situation? Am I overly paranoid about it?
Thanks for any advice and ideas.
Yeah, that's about where I'm at. $40 to $50 discount isn't worth the hassle of combing over the board prior to purchase and the potential hassle if issues pop up during testing. For $100 savings, I'd do it though.I would only buy an openbox from Microcenter for something as complex a s a Mobo if they gave at least a hundred dollar discount
I stripped the screw trying to remover one of those am4 brackets. Pissed me off. I never had a issues with the other AM4 brackets but that cheapo Asus board gave me hell. I had to break out the Dremel to get it off.I have also had good luck with Microcenter open box boards.
As others have said, you can check out the board before you buy it, either at the open box table, or at the register. AMD boards will not have bent pins in the socket to worry about so that is a plus, but AMD boards might be missing the AM4 bracket. I have no idea why or how people lose things like that.
Two different times I did get a board with some sort of error/problem, but the price was so good I just RMAed the boards instead of returning them. The ones I had were Gigabyte which at the time went by serial number for warranty so things were easy. One had a dead RAM slot and the other had a dead network port.
If you are near the Chicago Central store you can get some amazing deals sometimes. Normally open box boards are maybe $30 to $50 off the full price but sometimes the manager there drops that in half to clear them out. This only happens maybe once or twice a month it seems. I got my Asus TUF X570 Plus Wifi that way for under $100 and it's been running fine since before covid hit. These are normally open box for about $150 to $160 even now.
You guys that buy the Warehouse deals openbox boards don't care that you have no warranty? 'Used' boards - no (manufacturer) warranty, right? I found a board at a good price on Warehouse Deals - but, got 'scared' I hesitated and it was sold. I just wasn't sure about picking a board with no warranty. Yes, there's a 'free return' policy through Amazon and that's good - but, you have to put everything together and be sure all is good under 30 days?I always buy a bunch of amazon warehouse boards from amazon (picked up four last week, X470 boards etc) and they all work fine. Also the couple boards I've picked-up from Microcenter open-box worked great too so no experience with the returns though. Amazon return is pretty much no questions asked.
I've not had to return a motherboard, other than one I thought supported my CPU but didn't, and that was in the amazon return window. All the other ones worked, although one came in the factory bag in a box they rigged up to fit, with standard packing material, a couple accessories, and the book.You guys that buy the Warehouse deals openbox boards don't care that you have no warranty? 'Used' boards - no (manufacturer) warranty, right? I found a board at a good price on Warehouse Deals - but, got 'scared' I hesitated and it was sold. I just wasn't sure about picking a board with no warranty. Yes, there's a 'free return' policy through Amazon and that's good - but, you have to put everything together and be sure all is good under 30 days?
Edit: Wait, you guys were approved RMAs even though they are open box? Confused.
Well, I am also worried about damage and the Amazon employees don't know how to notice that, perhaps? Like a bent pin in the cpu socket or something. It will still work, though, right? But, I don't want to spend $300 for something damaged but still working. Maybe, I'm just paranoid. It's also something that one should catch - hopefully, when proceeding with the build?I've not had to return a motherboard, other than one I thought supported my CPU but didn't, and that was in the amazon return window. All the other ones worked, although one came in the factory bag in a box they rigged up to fit, with standard packing material, a couple accessories, and the book.
Well yeah, but amd boards (which I got) don't have exposed pins in the socket, and anyway they accept pretty much any returns for almost any reason -- although they may ask you to pay return shipping for some returns. In my experience, most awd items are in very good condition, with a damaged or missing box, and maybe missing some accessories. I did have a space heater arrive damaged, but the shipping container was so damaged it was hard to say whether it was already like that. Amazon refunded me after I shipped the old and busted back.Well, I am also worried about damage and the Amazon employees don't know how to notice that, perhaps? Like a bent pin in the cpu socket or something. It will still work, though, right? But, I don't want to spend $300 for something damaged but still working. Maybe, I'm just paranoid. It's also something that one should catch - hopefully, when proceeding with the build?
Wow! What bracket?I bought about 15-20 open box motherboards from microcenter this year and two had issues. Returns process was as easy as anything else. They opened it up, made sure nothing was majorly damaged, and accepted both. I did this all in store though, YMMV online.
[Edit: Oh yeah, one was missing the bracket so check for that and missing screws. They may also be missing manuals, SATA cables, and similar accessory items.]
Geez, the same board here, open box (Like new; Used - Amazon Warehouse Deals) is $100 more than that. I am tempted, also, because that's $55 cheaper than the new - although, I can buy it locally. Supposedly, the only thing wrong with it is damaged packaging. I've been contemplating either this board or the Tuf Gaming for an additional $50 ($100 more over the 'used' board) more - but, really, I tell myself that's too much $$$ - I need a case and ssd, still.OP here, picked up an open box MSI Z690-A Pro DDR4 for $154. The discount off new was large enough to give it a try. Will try to build/test this weekend.
I would buy an Amazon warehouse board over an eBay one any day because you can always return it.Thoughts on ebay???
The bracket for the CPU heatsink on the bottom. For some reason people loose these, screws, or the plastic bits that OEM coolers hook into. I wouldn't worry too much as long as those are present, but I'd avoid ebay motherboards unless they're sold as new/used. Avoid parts only motherboards because people find interesting ways to screw them up (scratches with screwdrivers, knives, or whatever that destroy traces, etc.) I've also bought tons of used motherboards and haven't had an issue with a single one, and if it's new/used you can always return it if there is a problem.Thoughts on ebay???
I would buy an Amazon warehouse board over an eBay one any day because you can always return it.
Unless there is a specific board you are looking for that isn't available for older CPUs or something.
Hi. It's an 'open box' and the specifics that the seller uses: "“Pristine condition never used open box."The bracket for the CPU heatsink on the bottom. For some reason people loose these, screws, or the plastic bits that OEM coolers hook into. I wouldn't worry too much as long as those are present, but I'd avoid ebay motherboards unless they're sold as new/used. Avoid parts only motherboards because people find interesting ways to screw them up (scratches with screwdrivers, knives, or whatever that destroy traces, etc.) I've also bought tons of used motherboards and haven't had an issue with a single one, and if it's new/used you can always return it if there is a problem.
I had a friend who purchased open box ram from Microcenter and it was defective. In the long run it is really worth saving $20-$30? I'd rather pay extra for it being new and with a longer warranty. Edit: If it's $90+ less maybe I'd consider it.. assuming I had a good return policy.
D-EJ915I'll buy used boards from ebay or forums because people post actual pictures but a bit leery of doing it from big stores, amazon has sent me used motherboards when I purchased new ones so I am also not likely to buy from them lol. I bought a refurbished asus dual 1366 board from newegg like 10 years ago and never had any issues, it's been running 24/7 since then as my file server too so decent luck there. Oh, I did buy my 2nd c621 aorus xtreme as open box from newegg since new sold out everywhere and it was fine though the socket cover was not attached and it wasn't properly put back into the box so it was miraculous it was still working but not had any issues besides the crappy reboxing.
I think I've bought maybe 30 boards on ebay and the only ones that I had issues with were 1 I dropped the heatsink into the socket because I had it on the vrm heatsink lol so that was my fault, 2nd was a cpu mobo combo but the guy refunded me a bit because he didn't check the board and was selling for a friend and the 3rd was a new board which just didn't work which I got screwed there because I was being nice so lesson learned.
Nope, I was just buying some old overclocker boards for x58, x79, etc. to have some fun with. I also just spend entirely too much money on my hobbies but I'm not a person to subscribe to save up until you're old either lol.
The one I am looking at - is from an ebay store and he's sold other motherboards - mostly Intel Z490, Z590, a few Z690 boards. There's a picture of the box, of it in the box - and claim that it was tested - posted fine (and is in excellent condition) and then put back in the anti-static bag (& taped up). I just wonder why they didn't take pics of it while it was out of the box. Also, they state 'no returns' - but, ebay has buyer protection? So, ebay would cover me?I'll buy used boards from ebay or forums because people post actual pictures but a bit leery of doing it from big stores, amazon has sent me used motherboards when I purchased new ones so I am also not likely to buy from them lol. I bought a refurbished asus dual 1366 board from newegg like 10 years ago and never had any issues, it's been running 24/7 since then as my file server too so decent luck there. Oh, I did buy my 2nd c621 aorus xtreme as open box from newegg since new sold out everywhere and it was fine though the socket cover was not attached and it wasn't properly put back into the box so it was miraculous it was still working but not had any issues besides the crappy reboxing.
I think I've bought maybe 30 boards on ebay and the only ones that I had issues with were 1 I dropped the heatsink into the socket because I had it on the vrm heatsink lol so that was my fault, 2nd was a cpu mobo combo but the guy refunded me a bit because he didn't check the board and was selling for a friend and the 3rd was a new board which just didn't work which I got screwed there because I was being nice so lesson learned.