Is buying Refurbed hardware from Newegg advisable?

[imported_monkfish]

I see from tome to time items on Neweggs site in the Refurbished Category that look like a nice deal. However when you go to buy them you are notified that Newegg does not check that they are working, the manufacturer does. Is this a wise place to buy, say, a refurbed video card or hard drive?

 

[splice]

It can be. It's just the luck of the draw. Most items they allow you to return if they are DOA.

I've received several dead motherboard and some that mostly work (ie 1 dead PCI slot, etc..), but it seems that the majority of the stuff does fully work.

 

[MDE]

The only thing I bought refurbed from them was an Athlon 1800+ and it was dead, so YMMV.

 

[DaveSimmons]

search "refurb" in archived threads in General Hardware and Off Topic for many existing threads on this (some even including this post )

 

[jdiddy]

I've purchased a refurbed Abit IC7 Max3 and a Fortron 530watt power supply. Both have been running close to 6 months overclocked with no issues whatsoever. Both parts came with the full retail packaging, faceplates instructions sata cables the works. I would have no qualms ordering a refurb product from Newegg again.

 

[Algere]

If I could pick only one place to buy refurbs online I'd be NewEgg or from the actual manufacturers themselves.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Newegg Refurbs get a :thumbsup: from me got a BBA Radeon 9500 pro for $70 less than a new one cost at the time. Still working great.

 

[KillaKilla]

Some of the items are indeed DOA. However, you must remember, this is Newegg. So any DOA items can be returned for a refund/new item. I have a GF2Ultra from 3-4 years ago, going strong today. Came with retail box, nothing missing from the parts list.

 

[Oyeve]

I love Newegg. I've bought dozens of items from them and NEVER had a problem. Except the time I bought a refurbed high-end scanner. Didnt work at all and they had no more at the time so I sent it back and vowed never to buy refurbed again. Newegg did right by me but it was just a hassle to have to return an item.

 

[nick1985]

i got a 9700pro for $130 a couple weeks ago for a friend. works great.

 

[madthumbs]

I'd specifically avoid motherboards, drives, and monitors.

 

[rbV5]

So far my score is:
1 DOA CPU (mobile barton refund),

1 good 8500le(still running strong +1 year)
1 good ti4200 Gainward (still running strong +1 year)
1 good ASUS MB (main PC! 1+ year)
1 good Thermaltake Silent Boost +2 months)
1 good ATI eHome Wonder tuner card (1+ week)
1 good AIW Radeon (2+ years)

YMMV

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

Originally posted by: madthumbs
I'd specifically avoid motherboards, drives, and monitors.

me too, these components are just more likely to be problems i've heard a lot of people are complaining that newegg's refurbs are no longer much cheaper than new (like a barton something for 81 new and 80 refurb with shipping)

 

[chocoruacal]

For me, there's a little equation I run in my head...add the cost of return shipping to the refurb price. If that number is still at least 50% of the retail cost, then I go for it. I also consider the RMA policy of the particular company. If I see something from Abit, Kingston, Asus, etc., I don't hesitate to buy cause I know they'll RMA it if something going *boink*...refurb or not.