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Would you buy a USED monitor.....

mitchelt

Senior member
Hi!

A local store (Denver) is selling USED 21" Dell Monitors, .24 Dot Pitch (Sony Trinitron) for $249.00.

Seeing that it is a .24 Dot Pitch, in can be either model on the Dell site: $567.95 or a $756.95. Either way it is a bunch cheaper. I still need to find out the exact model#.

Anyway, the monitors are between 1-2 years old...

Would you purchase one? I would think these monitors have a few years left in them. This monitor would be connected to my video editing computer, that does not get used very much.

Thanks for you opinion!

Mitch


 
Maybe. I would only because for $249 if it goes bad, I can get another one without it hurting the ole checking account too much. If it were a $400 used monitor, I'd say forget it.
Are they refurbished from Dell or just used by other people?
 
This is the type of store that buys up computers from companies that are closing, so I doubt they are refurbished. 🙁

 
I am plagued with a similar issue. I am deciding whether I should buy a factory refurb that I see at the computer shows or a new monitor. I see this Dell Trinitron 21" for 279.99 at the shows all the time but again its a refurb. On NewEgg they have a nice 19" ViewSonic for 299. I am trying to keep a $300 price range. What do you guys think?
 
I bought a used Dell 21" Trinitron that came off lease at the company where I work. It's 2.5 years old and the lease buy-out was $170. I think it was an exceptional deal on a very nice monitor. I was able to pick from several, the one I got is like new and was used by a guy who is out of town most of the time, so it spent most of its life turned off. So knowing the history plus the low price made it a no-brainer.

So if you can look at it and it seems well taken care of (clean, no scrapes, scratches, etc.) then it could be a good deal for you. But then you will be spoiled if it breaks, you'll have to get another biggie right away - once you've gone 21", 17" seems dinky!
 


<< That's why even 1 year old monitors are less flat, have less control options, and generally a horrible quality picture. >>


I'm taking bets as this quote being the most ignorant one posted on AT. ummmmm...yeah ok, you go buy your brand spanking new 19" while the rest of us enjoy our 1 year old 21" monitors that we paid a WHOLE lot less than you did and have just as good picture quality.
mitchelt, if the monitor you're looking at is in good condition, then buy it. For $249 you can't do too bad.
Orcish, maybe when you're spending your own money instead of mom and dads you'll think different.
 
OK im on the poor end of things. I bought a used Dell Trinitron 17inch for $80 from a local store, and it was two years old. This monitor has been perfect never a problem, and if u think that the "2 year old" trinitron tudes are horrible rounded, u should check out the 1993 nec mulitisync x15 that it replaced. I think it is a good buy, monitors tend to last for quite a while so it should be a really safe bet.
 


<<

<< That's why even 1 year old monitors are less flat, have less control options, and generally a horrible quality picture. >>


I'm taking bets as this quote being the most ignorant one posted on AT. ummmmm...yeah ok, you go buy your brand spanking new 19" while the rest of us enjoy our 1 year old 21" monitors that we paid a WHOLE lot less than you did and have just as good picture quality.
mitchelt, if the monitor you're looking at is in good condition, then buy it. For $249 you can't do too bad.
Orcish, maybe when you're spending your own money instead of mom and dads you'll think different.
>>



I second that count. hell I third and fourth that count.

get it dude. Sounds like a good deal and I am sure the monitor will look fine.


*dude, you got a dell*
 


<< That's why even 1 year old monitors are less flat, have less control options, and generally a horrible quality picture. >>

Ohhh, buddy... sorry to pile on, but, oh man, that couldn't be a dumber statement. My 1998 21" Trinitron is as flat as anything ever made, as in, it is perfectly flat. It has every control option known to man, and then some, and the picture is as good as any I've ever seen on a CRT. Runs 1600x1200x32bpp at 85Hz. It just cost me $750 less than when it was new.

I also have a circa-1993 Misubishi 20" that, while not flat, still has a bright, sharp, geometrically accurate picture. It was 8 years old when I got it, and it was free. 🙂

About the only recent "advance" in CRT technology is the amazing reductions in prices. I will cut you some slack if you name ANY significant advance in CRT technology in the last 2 years. But I bet you can't!
 
I'd only buy a used monitor if I could see it and if it were at a decent price.

I'm having trouble with new monitors sight unseen and there is no way that I'd buy a used one from an online store or from someone else unless they were basically giving it away or if it sucks, the seller will pay for return shipping back to them (which I highly doubt).

Sal
 
I bought a used Sun OEM 21" trinitron monitor 1 year ago for $400 and it has treated me really well, well except for being so big that it wouldnt fit on my desk at college. This was back before 21" monitors really went below $800 even for chepo ones let alone nice trinitron ones so this was a great deal for me.
 
The store that is selling them is 20 minutes away, so I will be able to see it in person and look for scratches and any other indicator of abuse.
 
Ask for at least a couple weeks exchange warranty, pay him cash.
These guys usually get a bunch in a couple shipments. If it is brown or crooked after you use it for a while, switheroo.
 
Dell Canada is selling those same monitors for 234.00US (369CDN) with six month warranty. You have to live in Canada however!

 
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