Question ""Refurbished" memory, CPUs, Mbs = total lies

[DONINAUSTIN]

How do you "refurbish" a CPU other than wipe off the thermal paste? Maybe check that there are no bent pins. How many "refurbished" MBs or memory sticks actually have chips or capacitors replaced? Truth in advertising would be " used, seemed to work when I tested it." Yet these items are all over Ebay claiming to be "refurbished." FYI, I own an automotive repair shop and all too many "remanufactured" repair parts are no better.

 

[UsandThem]

Of course it comes down to who's doing the "refurbishing". Like you mentioned, if it's some unknown seller or "company" , many of these sellers I would guess just sees if it powers on, and that's probably good enough for them. I know several users here got burnt by sellers selling used drives, as the seller just reset the SMART data.

I personally would never buy a refurb unit unless it was done by the manufacturer (and likely sold by them as well).

 

[DONINAUSTIN]

And if the "refurbished" item is a CPU, how could it conceivably be "refurbished" by anybody? I remember going to Fry's once to buy a portable hard drive. Despite their website claiming to have the item in stock new, all they had was a "tested and guaranteed open box" return at a generous (sarcasm) 5% discount. I took it home and plugged it in and got an instant virus warning for a file on that drive. It obviously went straight back on the shelf with no check whatsoever. When I returned it they as much as called me a liar although they did refund my money reluctantly. Another time I bought a motherboard that only after being thoroughly warmed up would fail to reboot maybe one out of 4 times. I explained this explicitly at the return counter but then watched their employee pack it up and send it back out on the floor for 5% or whatever off the new price. New with original packaging or no deal for me.

 

[UsandThem]

And if the "refurbished" item is a CPU, how could it conceivably be "refurbished" by anybody? I remember going to Fry's once to buy a portable hard drive. Despite their website claiming to have the item in stock new, all they had was a "tested and guaranteed open box" return at a generous (sarcasm) 5% discount. I took it home and plugged it in and got an instant virus warning for a file on that drive. It obviously went straight back on the shelf with no check whatsoever. When I returned it they as much as called me a liar although they did refund my money reluctantly. Another time I bought a motherboard that only after being thoroughly warmed up would fail to reboot maybe one out of 4 times. I explained this explicitly at the return counter but then watched their employee pack it up and send it back out on the floor for 5% or whatever off the new price. New with original packaging or no deal for me.

Intel does RMA for their CPUs, so I imagine they do sell them again to someone if they not defective. I doubt they would just toss them in the trash (especially their expensive CPUs).

Now would I buy one from some unknown seller as a refurb? Nope.

And I wouldn't personally buy anything PC related tested by Fry's or Best Buy employees. Most of the time I can catch a sale and but a new unit less than the price of the "open box" unit.

 

[paperfist]

I love the manufacturer refurb iPhones on eBay.

 

[DONINAUSTIN]

Intel does RMA for their CPUs, so I imagine they do sell them again to someone if they not defective. I doubt they would just toss them in the trash (especially their expensive CPUs).

Fair enough. But if they call the CPU "refurbished" as opposed to "tested," that is a lie.

Now would I buy one from some unknown seller as a refurb? Nope.

And I wouldn't personally buy anything PC related tested by Fry's or Best Buy employees. Most of the time I can catch a sale and but a new unit less than the price of the "open box" unit.

Tempted by expediency, but learned my lesson some time ago!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, I've just purchased a number of WD mfg-refurbished external HDDs, and I purchased some "refurbished" motherboards as well. I'll let you all know if they come out bunk. I've had fairly good luck thus far, although one of my refurbished Asus AC1900 routers, had a bad power brick out of the box. (Not replacement new accessories / power bricks. Sometimes those are included in mfg refurb products.)

By and large, though, refurb has been good to me. A proper refurb, is thoroughly tested, much like a "Certified Used Car".

 

[FramArt]

May I ask if “refurbished = total lies”... is china (communist-controlled) products any good?

...was just thinking...

 

[DONINAUSTIN]

Well, I've just purchased a number of WD mfg-refurbished external HDDs, and I purchased some "refurbished" motherboards as well. I'll let you all know if they come out bunk. I've had fairly good luck thus far, although one of my refurbished Asus AC1900 routers, had a bad power brick out of the box. (Not replacement new accessories / power bricks. Sometimes those are included in mfg refurb products.)

By and large, though, refurb has been good to me. A proper refurb, is thoroughly tested, much like a "Certified Used Car".

I can see how these could be viable products. An external HDD can indeed have renewed parts and be truly "refurbished' as can a motherboard. A CPU, no. Can only test. I strongly suspect most of what is on Ebay as "refurbished" has not been serviced as WD services their external HDDs, and, in fact, I am very dubious about the thoroughness of even the testing. My wife has had a few of her smartphones fail so was a big fan of insurance for a while. Lately, she was getting warranty replacements on an obsolete model and the "refurbished" phones were not worth beans. I finally convinced her to stop wasting money on the insurance and go to T-Mobile where you can get a new LG for $150 or so.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I can see how these could be viable products. An external HDD can indeed have renewed parts and be truly "refurbished' as can a motherboard. A CPU, no. Can only test. I strongly suspect most of what is on Ebay as "refurbished" has not been serviced as WD services their external HDDs, and, in fact, I am very dubious about the thoroughness of even the testing. My wife has had a few of her smartphones fail so was a big fan of insurance for a while. Lately, she was getting warranty replacements on an obsolete model and the "refurbished" phones were not worth beans. I finally convinced her to stop wasting money on the insurance and go to T-Mobile where you can get a new LG for $150 or so.

Are you talking from experience or just shooting in the dark??

 

[bbhaag]

I occasionally buy refurbs but only if they are done by the manufacturer or a manufacturer authorized third party. I never trust the seller refurbished products.