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Refurbished electronics
- Thread starter Oleg34
- Start date
BlueLineSwinger
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
- Messages
- 1,541
I think it largely depends on where you're getting them from and the rep of the company. Direct from the manufacturer is usually the best bet. Buying from some third party or retailer who repackages returns (e.g., NewEgg open box, Fry's rewraps) is more dicey.
I have a Tivo HD XL refurb that I bought direct that's been running just fine for over six years. I also have a direct-buy refurb Squeezebox Touch that's almost as old.
As far as PC manufacturers, I know Apple has a very good reputation for refurbs, sometimes even letting out units with bumped specs (i.e., the Apple refurb lottery). Not sure on other manufacturers, though I think I'd be wary of buying refurbs from consumer lines and would feel better about business/server lines.
I have a Tivo HD XL refurb that I bought direct that's been running just fine for over six years. I also have a direct-buy refurb Squeezebox Touch that's almost as old.
As far as PC manufacturers, I know Apple has a very good reputation for refurbs, sometimes even letting out units with bumped specs (i.e., the Apple refurb lottery). Not sure on other manufacturers, though I think I'd be wary of buying refurbs from consumer lines and would feel better about business/server lines.
It depends on what it is and what was wrong with it. I've seen cases where refurbs were better than what was available retail or from a distributor, as the products were repaired by the manufacturer, while the products in the other channels weren't and they had the defects or problems.
Things like hard drives, refurbish are a no no. Remember, the manufacturer will wipe the smart data and re certify the drive but it wont be like new. But you can get this data off the drive data area which requires some special programs. The drive could be many years old, they dont rewrite the drive so higher chance of drive losing index markers and such. Power supplies are another no no, they can replace the fuses and stuff, but there are stuff in there that can develop cracks. So cases with supplies are dicey. Things like monitors are safer bets as entire modular circuits are replaced when faulty and not just parts. I once got a cd writer from JDR for half price.. You dont usually buy such things either since what you write might not be read by other drives.. Yet for half the price of $1500 I bought it. Yea the kodak cd's cost $100 each.. Other than that I only buy stuff to play with, nothing serious.. I have usually found prices like 25-35% lower depending on how it looks.. Components are so cheap these days that you can chance it for good prices.. But if it lasts an year less than other wise, you end up eating a lot. Not a sure thing even with new stuff, but quality is bad and designed to be disposable.. makes me wonder about people paying 75% of retail for like samsung evo drives. Amazon or not, its not worth it. Money is an issue then you have no choice, but experience says you end up paying more in the end. But you might have money later and not now so you do it.
And yes something the company fixes returned stuff and sells it as used while in the store its still the unfixed stuff, missing a trace or something like that. We also need to think that a product testing during assembly is all automated, while refurbs are done by techs who handle returns, do they bother testing it? hundreds of units, all tested properly or do they just say they tested it? Some people would change parts in stuff and we might get 8GB instead of 32GB.. How to call the company and tell them this? Have problems with new stuff like this.. Also data centers sells stuff they take off line. They are used heavily for years and might work for many more years. We know they take care of stuff ie no extreme heat or cold, power variations and dropping it on the floor etc.. If price is right they might be better buys. And as always some get good stuff, the unlucky ones are in a world of hurt.. If your luck is usually good then its fine.
And yes something the company fixes returned stuff and sells it as used while in the store its still the unfixed stuff, missing a trace or something like that. We also need to think that a product testing during assembly is all automated, while refurbs are done by techs who handle returns, do they bother testing it? hundreds of units, all tested properly or do they just say they tested it? Some people would change parts in stuff and we might get 8GB instead of 32GB.. How to call the company and tell them this? Have problems with new stuff like this.. Also data centers sells stuff they take off line. They are used heavily for years and might work for many more years. We know they take care of stuff ie no extreme heat or cold, power variations and dropping it on the floor etc.. If price is right they might be better buys. And as always some get good stuff, the unlucky ones are in a world of hurt.. If your luck is usually good then its fine.