Open Box mobo

[phillyman36]

Hey has anyone ever gotten an open box newegg mobo?. I know you dont get the accessories but does any one know if they are returned products that they test to make sure they work?

 

[o1die]

I've heard both yes and no on testing. I've bought about 10-12 refurbished boards from newegg, and only one failed within days. I returned it for a refund. Before ordering, compare the ports of the board to your current backplate. Try to match it as close as possible. For backplates, I've ordered twice from asrock america. They will send you one for $5 including shipping. I once requested one from DFI, and they mailed it free. If you order, I suggest you place an rma request from newegg the minute you receive it. Then you'll have close to 30 days to get it back to newegg. It expires if you don't use it. The boards only come with a 15 day warranty. Msi will service their boards simply by putting an rma request. They don't need a receipt, last time I used them. They go by the serial number on the board. Abit charges about a $25 service fee for used boards, if they're still within their 3 year warranty.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

I doubt that these open box items are fully tested in house. It's best to avoid this deal.

 

[o1die]

I use 2 asrock dual sata II boards, which are impossible to find new. Both were about $30 each shipped, and work fine. These will be throw away boards. Most folks don't even bother with warranty, as it can take 3 weeks to get a replacement. I recommend 2 identical less expensive boards over one high priced one. That way, when one fails, you can get your system running in about 30 minutes without having to reload windows.

 

[AAjax]

I have found that allot of open box mb's at the egg that are available in multiple qty's (it often says "limit 2 per cust") are new, but plain boxed mb's as of late. No frills just the board but in generic manufactures boxes with no model numbers on them. Not bad if all you need is a mb.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
I doubt that these open box items are fully tested in house.

They are not tested at all in-house. I've bought quite a few Open Box items and YMMV when it comes to getting a working item. It takes a certain kind of mentality to buy one of these.

The failure rate IMO is much higher than buying new. Just recently I had a DOA motherboard and DOA video card from Open Box. Earlier this year I had another DOA motherboard.

Do NOT expect to get anything but the bare part. Yes, sometimes you will get the whole retail package with all accessories included, but do NOT expect that.

Sometimes you can save a lot of money. However sometimes there is almost no money savings over new, and sometimes it even costs MORE than new. Bizarre but true. You have to pay attention to how much it costs new and determine if the savings are worth it for that difference.

You have a 2 week return period from invoice date. Newegg ONLY offers "return for refund" for Open Box items. This means you ALWAYS get the restocking fee. Add that to the shipping cost and the return shipping cost, and a motherboard that cost $60 shipped will end up costing you around $22 (shipping both ways, restocking fee) if it is DOA.

You have a 2 week period for Newegg to receive your RMA. "Officially" Newegg states that the RMA period does not get tacked to the end of any return period, but "unofficially" they don't seen to follow that rule as long as you request the RMA within 2 weeks of invoice date, and they receive the returned part within 14 days of your RMA request.

As mentioned by o1die, some manufacturers will warranty-service their parts, and some will not (without a fee). Add Biostar (and IIRC ECS) to the "pay to RMA" list. A long time ago I RMA'd an Open Box (back then, refurbished) Shuttle box and wasn't charged. I've heard Asus is good about RMAs too, though don't have personal experience.