Safe to buy an open box MoBo?

[darunium]

Newegg has an open box of the MoBo I'm looking to buy, the ASRock X58 Extreme, for a huge discount. Do you think it's safe to buy?

There's a 30-day refund policy on it, but assembling the whole system and trying to test each output on the board to make sure everything's functioning properly just to find something's bricked would be a huge hassle, so if it's a real gamble I'm hesitant to go with it.

 

[RebateMonger]

I used to buy open-box motherboards from Newegg. I bought maybe six boards, mostly Intel and Abit. All but two were OK and I used them for several years. One defective board couldn't handle an add-in video card that it should have handled and the other board had some weird voltage issue that resulted in the onboard sound not working with most power supplies.

 

[Zap]

I'm currently using a motherboard purchased as an Open Box from Newegg. Works fine, except onboard audio was messed up.

I've had probably a 75% success rate with getting a good board. The rest vary from the faulty onboard audio to completely dead.

I'm probably about 1/3 on the board coming with everything like new, 1/3 on it coming with a few accessories and 1/3 on it showing up as just the motherboard with nothing (no I/O shield even).

These are rough numbers. I've probably bought at least 20-30 over the years as Open Box, especially BITD when they all had free shipping. These days the deals aren't as good so I don't bother.

 

[darunium]

Wow, thanks for the info, I'm amazed that newegg would ship open box items untested, let along missing even accessories, that's incredible.

I won't go with the open box stuff boards then, it's not worth the pain if I find out in two years that a PCI or eSATA or audio in or etc connection doesn't work.

 

[Blain]

Wow, thanks for the info, I'm amazed that newegg would ship open box items untested, let along missing even accessories, that's incredible.

Why are you be surprised that they ship without some of the accessories?

"Newegg.com does not test any product, including Open Box items. Open Box components are only tested by the original manufacturer. Due to the varying quality of manufacturer testing, YOU ARE TAKING A RISK WHEN BUYING OPEN BOX PRODUCTS. These are previously-owned items returned to Newegg.com. We guarantee open box products for 15 days, but CPUs must be returned within 7 days for refund. Click Open Box store link to read more BEFORE you buy."

"Looking for a bargain? Newegg's Open Box Store is the place to find them!
Be sure to read the open box return policy before you purchase one of these items."

"What is an Open Box item?
Open Box items have been opened and touched and/or returned. Because they originate from different situations, they may or may not include accessories, documentation or retail packaging. Refurbishment is done by the manufacturer. Open Box products are warranted for only 30 days. We recommend that you try out your Open Box product immediately after receiving it."

 

[nonameo]

I do not mean to tarnish the reputation of all open boxdom, but my friend just bought a biostar that came DOA. We're looking for him a good used one now.

 

[Blain]

I've bought open box MB's from Newegg before. I've never had any problems.
But I didn't buy open box MB's that I was going to run as my main rig.

I had read the open box policies before hitting the "Checkout" button, so I expected nothing but the MB itself.
I've always been pleasantly surprised when all the accessories and software were included. 🙂

 

[AlgaeEater]

Newegg has an open box of the MoBo I'm looking to buy, the ASRock X58 Extreme, for a huge discount. Do you think it's safe to buy?

There's a 30-day refund policy on it, but assembling the whole system and trying to test each output on the board to make sure everything's functioning properly just to find something's bricked would be a huge hassle, so if it's a real gamble I'm hesitant to go with it.

My experiences with Open Box motherboards has been less than positive unlike other people here. I'm lucky to get about 50/50 chance that everything turns out ok. This includes Open Box mobo's from NewEgg and Fry's Electronics.

Dead onboard audio I have gotten rarely, but what I do get a lot is dead on-board LAN and dead USB or PS-2 ports. I can deal with the dead PS/2, but USB is kinda annoying since that means I have to use a HUB with whatever remaining good ports there are. A dead LAN is an instant return for me. No room typically left on the mobo after I get my components installed, and USB / LAN adapters are kinda flaky.

Just wanted to share my experiences, good luck! On a final note, if the price differences is less than $15 from NEW to OPEN, I would just go with the NEW.

 

[pcgeek11]

Wow, thanks for the info, I'm amazed that newegg would ship open box items untested, let along missing even accessories, that's incredible.

I won't go with the open box stuff boards then, it's not worth the pain if I find out in two years that a PCI or eSATA or audio in or etc connection doesn't work.

It isn't like they don't tell you:

This is our Detailed Open Box Item Return Policy. Newegg often sells items that are listed as "open-box." Because these items are sold at greatly reduced prices, they are subject to a limited refund-only return policy. Such items can only be returned within 30 days of the applicable invoice date. “Return” constitutes receipt of the product by Newegg, and not the mere issuance of an RMA. Newegg cannot provide replacement service for these items, as their stock is limited. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of these items is with the buyer. These items have been tested for functionality, but may have superficial physical defects including, but not limited to, scratches, dings or dents. Should these items exhibit a functional defect following their purchase, the buyer (not the manufacturer, distributor, or Newegg) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing or repairs, unless otherwise required by law. These items are not covered by any 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

If you purchase an Open-Box product Newegg guarantees only that you will receive the product itself; accessories MAY OR MAY NOT BE INCLUDED with Open-Box products. Newegg will not send you a missing accessory, even if the missing accessory is required in order to properly make use of all the product’s advertised functions.

 

[tweakboy]

That is bad to do. Never trust it if its in a white box. It could be defective or just day in 3 months. By brand new one, not worth it man. gl

 

[Zap]

I won't go with the open box stuff boards then, it's not worth the pain if I find out in two years that a PCI or eSATA or audio in or etc connection doesn't work.

How do you know that your used or new purchased board won't have a bad port that you haven't used?

Seriously though, you may want to consider buying used boards since at least you'll know what accessories you get.

My experiences with Open Box motherboards has been less than positive unlike other people here. I'm lucky to get about 50/50 chance that everything turns out ok. This includes Open Box mobo's from NewEgg and Fry's Electronics.

There's your problem. 😀

 

[RebateMonger]

Wow, thanks for the info, I'm amazed that newegg would ship open box items untested, let along missing even accessories, that's incredible.

Yeas ago, I ordered an open-box Seasonic power supply from Newegg. The power supply I received was completely DOA.

I filled out a return form and returned the power supply to Newegg.

A few days later, I saw another Seasonic open box at Newegg. I wanted one of these and the price was right, so I ordered it.

Newegg sent me the IDENTICAL power supply, still DOA. I could tell it was the same one by the scratch pattern on its case.