Dell Outlet - Any Experiences

[theknight571]

I'm looking to build/buy and inexpensive PC.

From an earlier post it was suggested that I look at Dells, which is fine.

I noticed that Dell has an outlet, and was wondering if anyone had any experiences with their Outlet / Refurbs.

Are they typically safe buys? or am I just buying someone else's problem?

Not sure I'll go the outlet route, just looking at all possibilites.

Thanks,

-TK

 

[KGB]

I've had nothing but good experiences with Dell Outlet.
I've purchased laptops (3) and servers (2) in the past few years.
Everything comes with the same warranties as their NEW stuff.

Go for it!

 

[bluemax]

The only downside to it is the lack of financing options, but if you've got liquid cash there's no reason not to!

 

[Vogel515]

The company I used to work for bought all their PC's through the outlet, we had very little troubles with them. That is actually an option I am looking at as well.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I'd stay away from the refurbs, but the open-box ones still carry the Dell warranty. Go for it.

- M4H

 

[drum]

paging Bamacre

 

[Athena]

I buy almost of my machines from the Dell Outlet. I have purchased numerous refurbs over the past 9 years and never had a problem. The machines are all tested before reboxing and come with the same warranties as new.

Once in a while, you can get a better deal on "new" with stackable coupons but, unless you need a very specific requirement that you cannot add yourself, the Outlet is the best starting point.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Haven't actually bought anything there yet, but I've heard all good things.

If you're not in any great hurry, make sure you search the site once a day for a week or two to snag the best deal, the prices and available stock seem to vary a lot. Also make sure you click on the link and see all the details, especially what "upgrades" come with it (when I was looking for laptops, you could sometimes find one with an upgraded screen and better battery for just another $10 or $20).

Some also come with upgraded warranties for the listed price. I think you need to add it to your cart and checkout before it shows you what it is though. You can always purchase the upgraded one if you want a better one.

 

[mithrandir2001]

I bought a refurbed XPS 410 in November from Dell Outlet. There was some very light wear on the case so you could tell it was not spanking new but the SMART info on the hard drive said it was powered up for only 14 hours. The interior was spotless and dust-free.

The PC comes in regular packaging and the manuals and stuff all come in the usual shrinkwrap. It's a step up from buying a store display.

Only "trouble" with the Outlet is that the pricing is fickle. Sometimes prices are very enticing; most often, however, they are just ho-hum. Got to be there at just the right time.

 

[Ken90630]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
There was some very light wear on the case so you could tell it was not spanking new but the SMART info on the hard drive said it was powered up for only 14 hours.

Not to derail this thread, but do you mind if I ask how you accessed the "SMART info" you refer to? I didn't know you could see how many hours it was powered up (and other info, I presume?). Just curious.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: drum
paging Bamacre

:laugh:

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I'd stay away from the refurbs, but the open-box ones still carry the Dell warranty. Go for it.

All of them carry a warranty.


OP, over 600 purchased in the past 30 months. That should tell you something.

XPS 410's and Precision 390's are the best buys, IMO (assuming you are looking for a desktop).

E520 and E521 if you absolutely need something cheaper.

 

[theknight571]

Thanks for the responses ... I'll definately keep an eye on the outlet.

Found a E521 configured like I was configuring the new ones for a nice price... didn't pull the triger though.

Questions:

1. How often is it updated? Once a day? Continuously?

2. Any experiences with the refurb LCD Monitors?

Thanks again for the help/information

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: theknight571
Thanks for the responses ... I'll definately keep an eye on the outlet.

Found a E521 configured like I was configuring the new ones for a nice price... didn't pull the triger though.

Questions:

1. How often is it updated? Once a day? Continuously?

2. Any experiences with the refurb LCD Monitors?

Thanks again for the help/information

I think it's updated minute to minute. I've bought 2 monitors(2001fp, 2407wfp) from the outlet, and they've been perfect in every way. No dead pixels or anything.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: Ken90630

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
There was some very light wear on the case so you could tell it was not spanking new but the SMART info on the hard drive said it was powered up for only 14 hours.

Not to derail this thread, but do you mind if I ask how you accessed the "SMART info" you refer to? I didn't know you could see how many hours it was powered up (and other info, I presume?). Just curious.

The popular SpeedFan utility has a tab which can retrieve the SMART info on your hard drives. Other utilities do this as well but SpeedFan works on my Dell where others won't.

 

[Ken90630]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
The popular SpeedFan utility has a tab which can retrieve the SMART info on your hard drives. Other utilities do this as well but SpeedFan works on my Dell where others won't.

Cool. Thanks.

 

[theknight571]

LOL... Killin me...

I'm hooked on the Dell Outlet... hitting refresh every few minutes.

Like the slots... the next one will be the winner...

Now to determine just when to cash out...

 

[theknight571]

Just an update for those that care... and or those that don't pfffffffffffffft.

I ended up with a E521 configured like I wanted, and a 20" Widescreen (E207WFP) monitor for $577 including tax and shipping.

Been using it for two days now, would have been more if the FedEx and UPS guys would just have gone to the neighbor's like they usually do, and I like it.

No problems with either refurb.

Thanks for the help.