ECS and Open Box bad idea?

[Sniper82]

I know ECS is probably the best low budget brand but its still not a very good brand. I can get the motherboard I am wanting roughly $20 less then buying new. I am on a budget and hate to spend $57 shipped for a board that I can get for $37 shipped. Extras don't bother me and I can think I can find a I/O shield to match it if it doesn't come with one.

Bad idea? Should I spring the extra for a new board which could be DOA aswell(but with warranty). Whats the best way to test these boards once you get them to make sure everything is fully functional? Prime95 for a day or two?

 

[VooDooAddict]

After the number of times I've tried to save that $20 and had it backfire ... Spend the extra $20 for the I/O shield and lower chance of DOA.

If it was like $89+ vs $39 ... well I might still be tempted to take the chance if there was no schedule contraints. If there are any schedule constraints spend the extra $$.

 

[Sniper82]

Well I looked and I have a matching I/O shield. I might just get new. Anyone buy open box mobo's here often?

 

[Zap]

I've purchased quite a few over the years (meaning dozens). Some seem brand new with all the stuff included and everything working fine. Others are missing everything (you get cardboard box and motherboard). Still others have issues or are just plain DOA. If purchasing on Newegg, know that they do cover it with a 15 day warranty. However, they've changed how RMAs are processed on open box items. They now consider an RMA for any reason for open box to be a "return for refund" meaning you will be docked a 15% restocking fee. So, if you end up with a DOA board you will get your money back, minus 15%, minus shipping to you, minus your shipping back to them. Needless to say I'm not too warm on Newegg open box stuff right now.

Another option for you depending on the board would be to find them on eBay. I've personally sold brand new ECS boards on eBay for really cheap (around $20). Why? Well, I got them basically for free from Fry's with their special combo deals. Indeed sometimes the combo deal is cheaper than buying the CPU by itself, plus anything I can sell the motherboard for would just be gravy. Why I say "depending on the board" is that you'd likely only find boards which have been included in recent bundle deals.

BTW, what type of board are you looking for? You may even be able to find a nice used on on the For Sale/Trade board.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: Zap
I've purchased quite a few over the years (meaning dozens). Some seem brand new with all the stuff included and everything working fine. Others are missing everything (you get cardboard box and motherboard). Still others have issues or are just plain DOA. If purchasing on Newegg, know that they do cover it with a 15 day warranty. However, they've changed how RMAs are processed on open box items. They now consider an RMA for any reason for open box to be a "return for refund" meaning you will be docked a 15% restocking fee. So, if you end up with a DOA board you will get your money back, minus 15%, minus shipping to you, minus your shipping back to them. Needless to say I'm not too warm on Newegg open box stuff right now.

Another option for you depending on the board would be to find them on eBay. I've personally sold brand new ECS boards on eBay for really cheap (around $20). Why? Well, I got them basically for free from Fry's with their special combo deals. Indeed sometimes the combo deal is cheaper than buying the CPU by itself, plus anything I can sell the motherboard for would just be gravy. Why I say "depending on the board" is that you'd likely only find boards which have been included in recent bundle deals.

BTW, what type of board are you looking for? You may even be able to find a nice used on on the For Sale/Trade board.

I am trying to find a cheap board on the forums here but not alot of mATX boards floating around. I am looking at this board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135023

It supports C2D both DDR and DDR2 and has PCI-E slot. Looks like a nice featured board if it works. I've looked on ebay and from what I seen I can buy retail new for the same or less. Of course most of them on there was new.

 

[Sniper82]

BTW most all Open Box mobo's have free shipping(for some reason).

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Sniper82
BTW most all Open Box mobo's have free shipping(for some reason).

That comes and goes.