Community Newsletter: Q&A: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers
- 2/29/08 3:23 PM
You get what you pay for!
by HowardDerry - 3/1/08 6:52 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have no problem buying a refurbished computer. The point is buying one that will do what you want to do with it. Most of us who have at least a little knowledge of computers can read between the lines and see the things that a lot of people don't see. I work as a simple labourer but my knowledge of computers puts me in the position of giving advice to people who are not knowledgeable. I build my own systems and have done quite a few over the years. If you find a deal ask someone who knows about computers to read between the lines and tell you if it a good deal. The one mistake take people make is saying they want a computer for only internet use or just for business. Baloney! Go for a gaming system, the best you can get for the price you can pay. Whatever you do with it you can't go wrong. My rule of thumb about a computer is "It either works or it doesn't work" crappy parts builds crappy computers. As an example, look online for a videocard. You will see all the old cheap cards on sale or ones that are just passable for todays applications. The ones you should be looking for are hard to find. A sale is how companies get rid of old stock. Today there is no such thing as a GREAT DEAL. So do as your are doing now and ask someone knowlegeable. Is this a good deal or not?
Refurbished computers
by cloudgoron - 3/1/08 6:55 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm completely for the purchase of refurbished computers. I got my laptop for $599 and its retail price is around $1400. The only thing wrong with my laptop was that the headphone jack was busted in it. I got in a car-wreck 2 weeks later and guess what got damaged in the wreck... the headphone jack. So I'm completely happy with my refurb. Haven't had a single problem out of it. Buying a computer new, or for retail price, is just ridiculous, especially when you can either try to buy a refurbished one or build your own (not as easy with laptop, however).
Refurbished computer purchases
by dqdewalt - 3/1/08 6:56 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I often purchase refurbs but from Dell at outlet.dell.com. They are either slightly used (short term lease), previously ordered but not delivered, or scratch and dent (Have yet to find any of the scratches or dents). You are limited on options as you take what was configured but the warranty is full. The variety is good too. Just be sure to sort by price and look for the deals after 10 PM. They seem to add systems at night. Right now there is a $219 Dell Inspiron desktop (Celeron 1600) with Vista home basic, 250gb HD, 1 gb RAM, CDRW/DVD previously ordered or a $249 Dell Inspiron 530s with Dual core 1600, XP Home,1gb RAM, 250GB hd with DVD/RW. It's usually $35 to ship and of course there's tax. Some times they do have FREE shipping deals.
That's Dell though and NOT HP. If HP has a site like that, Why not go for it? Actually HP's site isn't as good. hp.com/go/businessoutlet but they do have some computers as low as $199.
It all comes down to how comfort you are with a used box and how good the warranty is. WIth dell you can get an unused dell for the price of a refurb.
Anyhow good luck!
Dell Outlet Is The Way To Go!
by jdcbomb - 3/1/08 7:41 AM In reply to: Refurbished computer purchases by dqdewalti too have to add to the chorus of satisfied dell outlet customers
i recently purchased a dell vostro 1400 laptop from the site, and the service was amazing
not only do you get your laptop twice as fast (because it has already been built)...you are pretty much guaranteed a good deal since basically all the "refurbished" are brand new...most are corporate surplus returns that may actually have never been used!
they often offer free shipping...with the standard warranty...even a 21 day return policy
i've been using this laptop for past few months now...and there has not been a single issue.
save money, get a great value, hassle free customer service from dell outlet!
My First Refurbished Computer - and it's great
by Bob Hoover Jr - 3/1/08 7:14 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had an eMachine T1440 that decided not to work properly anymore so I had to buy a new computer. Unfortunately, do to my economic situation, I could not afford a new computer nor did I really have time to wait for one to arrive via USPS/UPS. I ended up at MicroCenter, after reviewing their offerings online and found a couple of computers that would work for me. I came home with a refurbished (but not by HP) HP-Compaq D5000 SFF desktop and I'm very sastisfied with it. The only drawback was that there were no internal bays for expansion but I solved that by purchasing an external hard-drive case on eBay.
I upgraded from USB 1.1 to USB 2 and Windows-XP home to XP pro and stepped up to a Pentium 4 processor. The OS was another, major reason for getting a refurbished computer since I did not want to go to Vista, especially the 'home basic' version. I have to be able to help/support my wife on her computer which is also XP.
I do not currently have a modem for faxing but I can very easily add one in using an available expansion slot. But the biggest draw back to me is not having any kind of restore disk in case of serious problems. I have to check HP and Micro$ft to find out about one. I know that Microsoft has a CD with XP-pro on it for release with refurbished PCs.
None of the problems are a show stopper and I am very, very pleased with my 'new' computer. I think that buying one from a reputable dealer and is a brand name is fine. I currently plan to do so again.
I agree with the comments about HP and their 'service'. I sent an e-mail to them asking about the BIOS settings and was told they could not answer my questions since the service contract had ended several months ago. Not even an URL to go to!!!!! (except to sign up for their service program.) This is the 2nd time HP has pulled this crapola on me and I'll never get another HP product as long as there are alternatives. I can understand no major problem assistance but just a simple question can't be answered???????
I say go for it!!!!!!
Go Dell
by pt1209 - 3/1/08 7:16 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've bought nothing but Dell refurbs from Dells's outlet for years and they are absolutely perfect. I've only had one problem with a Dell Refurb desktop and they replaced it promptly. It's silly to try and get the newest and best for a month from the time you buy it it's nothing more then middle of the road. If you can wait for the free shipping offers they run on refurbs and grab one.
Refurbished computers.
by WaynrDude - 3/1/08 7:19 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I started my retail store 22 years ago. A white box clone computer or one that you build yourself is the best computers to have in my opinion.. You can build one yourself and then you know what you have and you have a better chance of fixing it yourself. You also have a better chance for finding parts for repair when you don't have a proprietary part which is usually found in name brand computers. For years I would not sell anything but a clone foot print machine.
Because of the Industry changes a clone has become more expensive in most cases than the "cheap" name brand computers so we started selling used or refurb name brand computers by the pallet load.
I don't believe people are using "refurb" correctly, most refurb computers were never broken. "Refurb" is used to describe a "used" system most of the time, a glorified word. If blowing out a computer and turning it on is refurbing I will stand corrected.
Our used or refurb computers are usually off lease computers. They come from leasing and businesses going out of business. I sell them because they are bargins. I have never had to replace a motherboard or power supply or the whole computer and we give 90 day warranty. Of course we test them and burn them in before they are sold.
We are selling HP-Compaq labeled computers so how old are they? Not too old because HP-Compaq have not been "one" for very many years.
Another point is, in 1998 a 128 meg stick of memory cost me $299 and I sold it for $399. Today I can sell you a complete 3 Ghz 512 Meg ram computer for $249. It runs three times faster than the computer I use daily and has double the ram in it. Unless your are gaming it will do what you need to do. It makes a great second machine also, some people are disconnecting their main computer from the Internet and having a second computer for email and surfing.
Why go and buy a new one. Chances are you will have to buy something with Vista on it, soon the only way to get a Windows XP computer will be to buy it used.
And as for cheap computers you get what you pay for. Emachines were cheap, when their power supplies bite the dust it kills the mother boards, which it should not do this. We have replaced 65 mother boards and power supplies in Emachines in the last six months. I guess if you buy a cheap one you can just throw it and your data away and get another one!
Who says that a new one is better than a used or refurb? Ask your big computer store to show you their stock room where returns are. I know all of them are not broke, but I have seen many pallet loads coming from one of the biggest computer stores. Thousands of horror stories on line about the largest supplier of computers in the world. Just Google a manufactures name and add the word problems after it. Better yet if you are going to buy a new one, put that specific manufacturers name, model number and add "problems" or "reviews" after it. That is how I decide what to buy or not to buy!
Happy Computing,
WaynrDude
Refurbished or Recertified?
by mrwelch98 - 3/1/08 7:20 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My primary living is made repairing pc systems and laser printers that were bought new. The manufacturers all send refurbished parts to fix the problem. I seldom get a repeat call for the same person using refurbished parts.
As consumers, we are all victims of mass production. And the prices we pay are not always at the checkout counter. It's after we get it home.
One manufacturer I do warranty work for can produce 1 computer per second. This of course is not from one facility but calculated from the output of several factories worldwide. But keep in mind that none of the manufacturers make all the components either. So this means that for instance, the company that supplies the hard drive or any other component is also producing hard drives or components at that speed.
Automation through the use of robotics does offer some consistency and a higher quality. In part, it contributes to a reduction of consumer prices. But it also removes one costly important factor... the human being.
In the old days, absolutely everything was pushed though Q&A before it went out the door. Today, we are lucky if they do random sampling. QA has to be done by people. In today's marketplace who do you think the QA person is? You can come and work for me since I know you work pretty cheap!
There are many reasons a computer system may be sold as refurbished or recertified.
* cosmetic flaws
* returned because the customer just didn't like it
* returned because it wasn't what they ordered
* returned to get something better.
* component failure
Replacement parts are supposed recertified or refurbished
* If the seal is broken on the packaging of the return part regardless if the part was returned unused or defective.
In order to refurbish or recertify anything...it has to be looked at and done by an actual human being. A machine can't do this.
The best suggestion I have is Buy The Warranty First...then select your computer or printer and consult your budget.
Refurbished is fine - if purchased with care
by BunnyBuns - 3/1/08 7:24 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've been buying refurbished electronics, including a laptop and high end digital cameras, for about five years now and have been very happy with my purchases. I have three primary rules I follow: 1. The item must be factory refurbished by the original manufacturer, 2. The vendor must be reputable, and 3. Do your homework before you buy. Know exactly what item you want, know the product's and manufacturer's strengths and weaknesses, check prices from several vendors. Factory refurbished items usually have a warranty period, and reputable sellers usually have reasonable return policies. Make sure before buying, and you're protected by both. Also, reputable good sellers want your repeat business and for you to recommend them to others, so they'll make sure you're happy with the product.
Following my simple rules, I bought a refurbished Toshiba laptop four years ago, paid more than $400 less than I would've for a new laptop (while it may not be for some people, that's a lot of money for me), I've never had a problem with it, I use it almost everyday, it's working so well I don't anticipate buying new one anytime soon. I've bought three high end refurbished digital cameras that, combined, cost me less than one new camera. Again, I followed my rules, and I'm completely happy with my purchases. In fact, one seller, known for his great customer service, upgraded me for free to a much better camera when there was a problem with one I bought from him.
So, yes, refurbished is a great way to go if you're careful.
Re Furbs
by cpmgrp - 3/1/08 7:46 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've never had a problem buying a refurb (or recertified) product. They probably get more attention at the refurb center than a new one right off the assembly line. HP, Compac, Toshiba, Dell - really doesn't make much diff. They're all well-made, fast and have decent warranties. Why spend the extra money for a Sony or other expensive computer?
I also will buy a demo new car to save some money. Anything that's going to go wrong will do so usually within a short time and it will be fixed before you get it.
HP is great
by jjbalzano - 3/1/08 7:51 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The past 4 pc's (3 desktops and 1 laptop) have all been HP refurbished. The price was great and I still have the computing power that I need. The way I see it, there is no need to go "bleeding-edge" with a computer unless you need that much power for hard-core gaming. For most people who use it for e-mail and light "paperwork", a refurbished pc is the way to go. My daughter is in college and she broke the hinge on her 5 month old HP laptop. HP repared it with no questions asked. And we had it back in 3 days! I am an HP refurbished fan for life.
Refurbished Computers
by jbtwo - 3/1/08 8:08 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you can't afford a new computer, this might be the way to go. However, if you can get decent financing, such as Dell Computers no interest for one year program, that's an option.
While I tend to like HP's printers, I've never purchased their computers. But I have a problem with HP. Using their printers as an example, I traded in my old laserjet for their new all in one laser jet and paid a price slightly higher than what Costco offered ( without the trade-in). The point is that HP is not giving a great deal and you're paying for their current status as the front runner in the industry. And their product support is not optimal.
That being said, in general, looking at top manufacturers of any product, go with the second runner since they have more of an incentive to get you business and you'll probably get something that will accomodate you price point and fair financing arrangements so that it will become affordable and you'll also be ensured of getting the latest technology.
First! Remember the life of computer technology.
by nearone - 3/1/08 8:12 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Remember the 486 DX50. In addition to the Computer, the Video technology, the CD/DVD write speeds, everything including the speed of the memory is always changing.
The less cash you spend, the more cash you have for upgrading down the road.
I have 2 refurbished HP Laptops that have never had a challenge. I have 4 Epson RX700, refurbished, all in one printers. One of them failed and was replaced in a 24 hour turnaround after one telephone call to the 310 number. Reputable companies do not disappoint you. And, I bought all 4 printers at half price, refurbished at the Epson Store.
Even people buying automobiles get lemons. Remember the Pinto? But, there were many hundreds of thousands sold that did not have problems. The same will go for NEW or Refurbished and Recertified Computer equipment and periferals.
Don't waste you money on NEW when the exact same technology is available refurbished or recertified from reputable stores. (Fry's, Best Buy, Name Brand on line, etc.)
The few people complaining on this subject were not the masses. This just gives them a chance to vent. The rule is MORE LIKELY that you will get a fine machine and never have a problem. 100 people do not destroy the reputation of a company. I have a friend that bought a 2008 $80,000 BMW that has been in the shop over and over for problems. Does that make BMW a bad company?
Buy at the lowest cost. The technology is going to change and yours will be outdated shortly anyway. You will have more cash for the next one.
Refurbished HP Computers
by dvalle5747 - 3/1/08 8:23 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The last 3 purchases I have made for the business I am employed at (15 years), were refurbished HP Computers and haven't had any problems with said computers. I purchased directly from the HP Outlet and can state my employer has been very pleased with the outcome of these purchases and of course, myself. I highly recommend it.
Refurbished Computers
by kykats2 - 3/1/08 8:35 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I am speaking from experience. I returned a computer to Dell that had been in an accident. I had the accident insurance and they were great about replacing it with another computer. However, I have had it about a week and a half now and the LCD screen has had to be replaced twice already! I don't know if this is just a "fluke" or what, but I am not a supporter of refurbished computers. I have always avoided buying one and now I am convinced it is not a good idea unless you have no other alternative. Maybe I just got someone else's problem, but I have had several problems with mine!
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