Has Anyone Ever Built a System off of Ebay?

[micrometers]

I've been playing with hardware configs lately. Newegg seems to have all other sites beat...but ebay prices on a whole are cheaper, have more used and refurb parts available (YMMV but I have no problem with used or refurb generally), overall can probably knock $100 or so off of a similar build from newegg.

Anyone ever try it?

 

[nsafreak]

I would be extremely hesitant to do so, eBay doesn't exactly have the greatest reputation when it comes to returning items that don't work. And I could easily see some manufacturers not honoring warranties for items purchased from eBay. If I was building an uber cheap machine for very basic stuff then maybe, but something that I was going to use on a regular basis for gaming/editing/etc. no way would I even think of it. Saving $100 wouldn't be worth the potential hassle I could encounter.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ ebay has nothing to do with returning parts, thats all on the seller, if they have good reviews I wouldn't worry too much.

but yea, warranties is an issue.

 

[Scoobyboo]

I like warranties and knowing I can go to a store I trust when some hardware is acting up.
So on a whole computer, only saving 100$ while creating such a risk, is plain stupid in my opinion...

 

[DSF]

And I could easily see some manufacturers not honoring warranties for items purchased from eBay.

This would be my main question.

I don't really know how manufacturers handle that process. If they do honor warranties for parts purchased through eBay, then I personally wouldn't have a problem with it. It's a bit of a hassle going through an RMA, but it's not the end of the world if saving a few bucks is that important to you.

Now keep in mind, if you have to RMA several of the parts you buy, the shipping alone could eat into all that money you saved, not to mention the lost time, unless the company provides you with a shipping label.

I've bought a few computer parts through the forums here and haven't had any problems with them, but of course that was used stuff that I was getting fairly cheaply.

tl;dr:
I've never tried to put a build together purely through eBay and I don't think I would. I don't think the minor savings outweigh the peace of mind and ease of using a standard retailer or e-tailer.

 

[mfenn]

I don't really know how manufacturers handle that process. If they do honor warranties for parts purchased through eBay, then I personally wouldn't have a problem with it. It's a bit of a hassle going through an RMA, but it's not the end of the world if saving a few bucks is that important to you.

Most manufacturers have a clause in the warranty that says that it is valid only if the product is purchased through an authorized reseller. Now, there's nothing saying that an Ebay seller can't be an authorized reseller, but the likelihood is smaller and you'd have to really do your research on every Ebay seller. With somebody big like Newegg, MicroCenter, or NCIX, you know you're covered.

 

[ElFenix]

i wouldn't buy new parts off ebay, the rate of counterfeit electronic parts is just too high there. if i were buying used parts i'd stick to fs/ft here.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I would just avoid buying used period. So many people overclock their hardware and then dump it onto other people for a discount once it start running hot or showing artifacts under heavy loads that it just is not worth it. I would recommend just keeping an eye on the Hot Deals section in this forum and buy smart. You can save a good bit of money doing that and still get new stuff that you can RMA without issue.

 

[Blain]

I've been playing with hardware configs lately. Newegg seems to have all other sites beat...but ebay prices on a whole are cheaper, have more used and refurb parts available (YMMV but I have no problem with used or refurb generally), overall can probably knock $100 or so off of a similar build from newegg.

Anyone ever try it?

If $100 is going to break you, buy a pre-built Dell.

 

[philipma1957]

I've been playing with hardware configs lately. Newegg seems to have all other sites beat...but ebay prices on a whole are cheaper, have more used and refurb parts available (YMMV but I have no problem with used or refurb generally), overall can probably knock $100 or so off of a similar build from newegg.

Anyone ever try it?

I have purchased dozens of parts on ebay. You really need to know what you are doing when you buy from ebay. Some warranties are good some are not. Western Digital used to honor the warranty even if you were the third or fourth owner. Apple still honors the warranty even if you are the third or fourth owner.

Now newegg, buy.com, jr.com, macmall all sell on ebay.

mWave and superbiiz sell on ebay.

macmall has a great deal once in a while on ebay.

I have also had some issues with ebay.

I purchased 8 Western Digital re4 2tb hdds. From a good seller 1000 plus feedbacks all positive.

New sealed with 5 years warranty. $1200 all bad. Western Digital replaced all 8 of them. So you take your chances. If I had grabbed seagates I would have lost 1200. (since seagate has always wanted your purchase proof).

 

[bbhaag]

My father in law did about 6 years ago with a socket 775 intel. As far as I know he hasn't had any issues with it.
Like others have said though for the little difference in money it would be nice having the piece of mind going with a well known store like Newegg or Amazon.

 

[Sonikku]

Peace of mind is worth an extra $100.