Purchase BFG cards on eBay -- safer because of lifetime warranty?

[WhipperSnapper]

Is it safter to buy used BFG cards off of eBay because of the lifetime warranty? Will BFG honor the warranty on a used card? And is there a danger of getting a card that was noticeably overclocked and that thus has a voided warranty?

I'm open to the possibility of buying a card of of eBay, but one of the large dangers with the purchase of an expensive electronics component is that it may not be working properly (hence the reason for its going on eBay). Also, in the case of a graphics card, one reason for the listing might be that it's a bad overclocker. That doesn't bother me so much as long as it performs according to its proper specifications, but in the case of BFG, would its having been overclocked be noticeable and would it thus void the lifetime warranty?

 

[JBT]

Acording to BFG the warrenty is NOT trasferable to a 2nd party. Whether you would be able to slip that past them incase it dies I have no idea.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

Is it safter to buy used BFG cards off of eBay because of the lifetime warranty? Will BFG honor the warranty on a used card? And is there a danger of getting a card that was noticeably overclocked and that thus has a voided warranty?

I'm open to the possibility of buying a card of of eBay, but one of the large dangers with the purchase of an expensive electronics component is that it may not be working properly (hence the reason for its going on eBay). Also, in the case of a graphics card, one reason for the listing might be that it's a bad overclocker. That doesn't bother me so much as long as it performs according to its proper specifications, but in the case of BFG, would its having been overclocked be noticeable and would it thus void the lifetime warranty?

XFX has a double lifetime warranty, meaning the original purchaser and the next person to buy the card off the original purchaser.

So you'd be safe doing that.

XFX...
:evil:

*Edit*
I suppose you may be fine getting a BFG as well. I heard they have great customer service, so I'm sure they've taken care of people who were not the original purchaser before. I wouldn't bet my money on it though.

 

[BlackPear1]

From their warranty statement - "BFG Technologies is proud to warrant the original purchaser of the graphics card included in this package ("Product") that the Product will be free from defects in material or workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the product...", Maybe they are flexible, but like Avalon I wouldn't count on it. Also, their warranty (like everybody else's) excludes damage due to modification or operation outside of mfr specs.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

bump

 

[compgeek89]

Well, they dont require a receipt or anything, just the card, so it's not like they could know you're not the first owner.

 

[Snowice]

Originally posted by: compgeek89
Well, they dont require a receipt or anything, just the card, so it's not like they could know you're not the first owner.

qft

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: compgeek89
Well, they dont require a receipt or anything, just the card, so it's not like they could know you're not the first owner.

provided the original owner didnt register it....

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: ExarKun333

Originally posted by: compgeek89
Well, they dont require a receipt or anything, just the card, so it's not like they could know you're not the first owner.

provided the original owner didnt register it....

Or RMA it previously...

 

[Auric]

Caveat: "free from defects in material or workmanship", which is practically subjective. If a solid state part initially works and for a short time thereafter, it is generally unlikely to fail within its reasonably expected duration of use (before obsolesence). If it does and the company refuses responsibility it would be either impossible or prohibitively expensive (totally unpractical) to try proving a defect. In any case, lifetime should not even be considered the end-user's but the company's. In fact, the product will be virtually worthless (not even worth paying shipping) or indeed junk in five years-ish. So even if it is possible to save a bit of scratch via eBay and the warranty remains valid and it will be honoured by an entity which continues to exist, it is still a gamble really. Just some thoughts 😉

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Well, yeah. In five years it will be worthless. But the idea here is that if you receive a bad card (perhaps the reason why it's being sold on eBay) you aren't SOL. Don't you get suspicious when you see people selling powerful cards like 6800 GT's and wonder why they are selling it? I sure do.

 

[Auric]

I would be wary of poor feedback or sparse transaction history or even a new member even if they have a bunch of recent positive feedback.

But otherwise I would not be suspicious of an item such as the 6800. Not to poo-poo it, but it is only half as fast as the latest 'n' greatest and does have a defective PVP. Either of those reasons or some pesky incompatability and/or driver/game issue could be a likely reason for a user to upgrade or sidegrade to a different card. Numerous other possibilities include needing a different "bus" model, raising cash/giving up gaming, &c.

So, I understand what you are saying but if you are still suspicious then just avoid 'em rather than counting on a warranty to be a sort of roundabout insurance because as said, even at best it could cost you time and money. Better to go with your gut instinct and even pay a l'il more up front if necessary to avoid any hassle.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

Well, yeah. In five years it will be worthless. But the idea here is that if you receive a bad card (perhaps the reason why it's being sold on eBay) you aren't SOL. Don't you get suspicious when you see people selling powerful cards like 6800 GT's and wonder why they are selling it? I sure do.

I for one, am selling my 6800GT to go to a 7800GT.. I don't wonder at all 😛