How can you tell if an OEM item is the real deal?

kjackson09

Member
Jan 16, 2005
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I am about to take the plunge and by the components for new build. I have to admit going into one the computer stores in my area (Toronto) has me a little weary. Unfortunately we do not have online retailers like NewEgg to purchase computer components.

Therefore, in order to get components at a decent price you are forced to buy from the small independent computer retail stores. I have already sent my specs off for a quote and the retailer to indicate which items were "retail" and which items were "OEM". All of the components except for the hard drive and optical drives are retail.

I have read several concerns of consumers being "ripped" off at these small stores because they might not be aware of what they are buying. The retail stuff is stright forward so I shouldn't have a problem there. But...........

How do I tell if the OEM stuff is what I wanted? How do I tell if it was a refurbished product? Are there obvious signs?

 

Matthias99

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2003
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How do I tell if the OEM stuff is what I wanted? How do I tell if it was a refurbished product? Are there obvious signs?

How do you tell if the 'retail' stuff is what you wanted? At some point, you have to trust somebody.

With some things (like hard drives, video cards, motherboards to name a few), you can check the serial number with the manufacturer, and they can tell you if it was an OEM or retail part, and how much of a warranty it has, when it was made, etc.

There's no way to tell if, say, the part was sold and then returned to the store and resold to you, unless they provide you with parts still in shrink-wrapped boxes (and even that's not a 100% guarantee; shrink-wrappers are not that expensive).