Customer brings in a dead pc at a store.

[inachu]

Right away I could tell it was at least $3,000

They confessed they knew nothing about computers.


Would it be bad of me if I offered him $500 for it?

 

[corkyg]

In that scenario, no. There's a likely possibility that they stole it. What is it that they wanted?

 

[Charlie98]

Right away I could tell it was at least $3,000

They confessed they knew nothing about computers.


Would it be bad of me if I offered him $500 for it?

Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it... or what someone is willing to accept for it. ...but I agree with Corky, I question how it might have been acquired.

 

[piasabird]

A dead computer can mean many things. Could be a bad power supply or a burned up processor or something else. The power at the house could have had a major power surge, or lightning might have hit it or it could have suffered from water damage from a flooded basement. Now if it was a really high end computer with a couple hard drives, and a high-end video card maybe it might be worth a few hundred, or maybe everything is fried.

I kind of like the cautionary possibility that it might be stolen. You probably are not running a pawn shop. Now if they want to purchase a new gaming computer and you offer something for it as a trade-in that is another thing.

Used computer parts are not even worth 1/2 the price of new.

 

[Ketchup]

Right away I could tell it was at least $3,000 ...

What is this, the 80's?

I just don't see a computer worth more than $500 coming into a repair shop.

 

[corkyg]

... I just don't see a computer worth more than $500 coming into a repair shop.

Yep! And brought in by dudes who are computer clueless? That reinforces my suspicion that they stole it. As for $3K value today . . . there are many above that - some over $9K.

https://build2.falcon-nw.com/Configurator/Configurator?s=1

Start price is $3414. It can be tricked out above that. Same for Digital Storm and others.

 

[sakete]

Yep! And brought in by dudes who are computer clueless? That reinforces my suspicion that they stole it. As for $3K value today . . . there are many above that - some over $9K.

https://build2.falcon-nw.com/Configurator/Configurator?s=1

Start price is $3414. It can be tricked out above that. Same for Digital Storm and others.

Yeah, but those builds are rip-offs. You can build it yourself for less than that.

 

[corkyg]

Yeah, but those builds are rip-offs. You can build it yourself for less than that.

Maybe, but not likely. There comes a time in life when it is better to pay more and worry less.

 

[Fox5]

Maybe, but not likely. There comes a time in life when it is better to pay more and worry less.

I make good money, and sometimes that applies. Overclocking is pretty pointless when I can spend $50 more to buy a faster model. Buying a pre-built computer may be worth it to save a few hours of time, more if something is defective during the build. But when the premium starts to be thousands of dollars, well my time is worth money, but not that much money for something as simple as putting together a rig.
Plus, I'd imagine the people who would be willing to spend $4k on a desktop (for appearances, form factor, and liquid cooling and not just straight performance) would also be the ones who'd rather do it themselves and have it as a badge of pride.

 

[corkyg]

Like I said before, there comes a time in life when physical impairment (i.e., vision) starts to be a problem. I won't be around, but it will be interesting to see how you feel at age 83, almost 84.

Let's put that aside and look at the OP context. Two guys bring in a "dead" computer. Inachu, recognized it as one that probably sold for about $3K. Yes, there are such things. His question was, would it be OK to offer them $500 for it. My sense is that it was probably stolen, or, as the NYC saying goes, it may have fallen off a truck.

 

[Nashemon]

I personally find it morally wrong. That's taking advantage of the customer. No better (or worse) than a car repair shop taking advantage of a woman who knows nothing about cars. As a computer repair tech, I'd start by finding out what is causing it to be "dead" (charging for diagnostics, if necessary), and providing an estimate for the repair (parts and labor). Only after that would I make an offer to purchase it if they decide not to repair it.

Then again, I don't know what kind of store it is they brought it to. I assumed it was a computer repair shop. I can't think of many stores where you'd bring your "dead" computer. Except maybe a pawn shop. If that, then by all means offer them pocket lint for their priceless heirlooms.

 

[inachu]

The $3.000 pc was a maxed out alienware pc. It was very oddly long length wise.
It could have housed one of those old school 2 foot long video cards! LOL

I guess you are right about not knowing where it came from and could be stolen. I walked away left them hanging with the sales guy instead.

 

[corkyg]

The $3.000 pc was a maxed out alienware pc. It was very oddly long length wise.
It could have housed one of those old school 2 foot long video cards! LOL

I guess you are right about not knowing where it came from and could be stolen. I walked away left them hanging with the sales guy instead.

Great! Good move. End of story.