Refurbdepot.com?

[CheapJabroni]

Hey there, I was wondering if any of you have experience with www.refurbdepotcom

apparently, everything is refurbished so its cheaper, but I'm curious as to what cost to customer service is. Does anyone have any experience with it? If your feedback is positive, it seems like a nice plaee....

 

[rigor]

This is just to inform people.

1. Refurb stuff is usually fixed/repackaged due to failure of some sort, (intermittent failures included).

2. Repairs are not always up to par when you purchase a refurb piece of equipment.

3. Warranties are nearly zilch on refurb equipment

4. Missing pieces, scratches, marks are typically of refurb equipment.

your Milage may vary but be warned.

 

[fatcat]

Just another opinion (from personal experience and knowing someone who handled refurbs for Panasonic/Technics)...

1. Refurb stuff is usually fixed/repackaged due to failure of some sort, (intermittent failures included). Not so, most worked just fine but were returned by customers. They could not be sold as new because the boxes had been opened and they had been used.

2. Repairs are not always up to par when you purchase a refurb piece of equipment. Not so, while most were working OK to begin with, all repairs are thoroughly tested. In fact, since most new models are only spot checked, the testing of refurbs (where every unit is tested) in usually better.

3. Warranties are nearly zilch on refurb equipment. Not so. I have never seen a refurb without a warranty. In most cases, the warranty is as good or better than that for a new product.

4. Missing pieces, scratches, marks are typically of refurb equipment. I've never had this happen. In fact many companies (vacuums, microwaves, etc) include extra accessories with their refurbs

I've had significantly better luck over the years with refurbs then with new products. I've purchased cameras, vacuums, microwaves, steam cleaners, VCRs, etc. and never had a problem. Make sure you buy from a reputable dealer (ubid.com does quite well with refurbs).

 

[sun818]

Obviously, everyone's experience is different. I have had good and bad luck with refurbished equipment. I purchased two refurbished Yamaha 6416S SCSI CD Rewriters. They gave me nothing but problems from the beginning. I mailed them in for repairs at my cost, and they were promptly returned to me by Yamaha.

I also purchase refurbished HP Scanner recently, and that is working fine for me.

I think it depends on the individual item, and perhaps the company that you order from. Since Yamaha was responsive to the defective product, they have a thumbs up in my book.

Thanks,
Sun

 

[ARahman]

Well I purchased an HP Scanner which was refurbished and when it arrived I had no problems using. I would trust refurbished products.

 

[CheapJabroni]

Thanks alot guys, I've had good experience with refurbished products too in buying my digital camera. I'm wondering about this specific site though.....

 

[Guygye]

My IBM 6547 17" Monitor is refurb, and its still going strong 1.5 years later and it came with a 1 year warranty. I'd buy refurb again.

 

[dimwit]

Regarding refurbdepot, see http://www.resellerratings.com/vendone.cgi?refurbdepot.com
but this not really enough submissions to give an accurate report.

I have purchased many refurbs, and have not had any problems. The warranty can range from 30 days to 1 year, never more than the retail item. I think Consumer Reports said one time that any electronic device will normally fail in the first month of service, so if you do get a refurb really burn it in.

I also agree with fatcat that the checking of refurbs is much more detailed than that of retail new.

CheapJabroni, what kind of digital camera were you looking at there? I see no bargains at refurbdepot where you can't find new for about the same price.

 

[Ranger X]

Actually most refurbished items come with little or no warrenty. I haven't found one that gave you 1yr - lifetime warrenties.

 

[cisco]

Well I am a technician for a large (unnamed) Consumer Electronics company and I buy refurb products or even clearance items that are broken (then send them in for warranty repair).
I've had good luck with sony digital cameras (fixed and returned quickly).
But with the Televisions I service, I notice some refurbs have intermittent
or almost unnoticeable problems (like a button that doen't work or a channel that has lines in it).
Their are two kinds of intermitents:thermal (acts up when hot or cold)
and mechanical (something loose, can bang set to see the problem).
Both can be missed during the refurb process, if the unit isn't run long enough to heat up (or put on the high channel that doesn't work)
the refurb tech doesn't bang on the unit or flex the CBA to test for
mechanical intermitents.
I've seen sets sold that were unrepairable, due to the printed board having
cracks in tiny locations with numerous traces , sets that would heat up and start messing up and when you touch them they straighten out.
to intermitent to track to the source of the problem.
Just make sure their is some kind of warranty..

 

[Scarpozzi]

I learned a long time ago....when you buy refurbs, you ARE taking a chance. However, usually, you will only gain from that risk. A good example. I own a 29" Princeton Graphics monitor for my computer and I have a Dolby Digital Kenwood surround sound system.....ON MY COMPUTER! I paid a mere $300 for my monitor which retails for $1000 from Egghead last summer. My sound system was $265 shipped...Dolby Digital receiver, 5 speakers, and a 100watt powered subwoofer. I have had no problems with these products and the ladies love watching DVDs on my computer...(wink wink--saves even more money in the long run). If you buy something as a refurb, monitors are about the safest thing to go with. But the REAL trick to buying anything is...only buy brands you know and trust. I wouldn't buy some cheap brand they sell at just any retailer...I would look for specific brands that rate highly with Consumer Reports or something that has a reputable name. Look for the bargains and you might be able to find some good deals. I know Buy sells electronics in their clearance section with free shipping and you can get coupons for them easily to make it even cheaper. Just look around and then get what you want. Happy hunting.....

 

[MadGoat]

I have bought several refurb. devices... i have found out a couple of things not to buy... telephones, harddrives, televisions, and dild..er..nevermind Others i have found have virtually no problems; watches, audio equipment (except speakers), cameras (video and normal), and GE (general electric) stuff.. i know that sounds crazy, but everything i have bought GE refurb, has worked like a charm! Also the good thing about buing refurb items is that u can usually get the item for 1/3 the price, and thats a good gamble if the item costs 300+ Just my .02

 

[WDK]

"3. Warranties are nearly zilch on refurb equipment. Not so. I have never seen a refurb without a warranty. In most cases, the warranty is as good or better than that for a new product."

Most refurb products I've purchased came with warranties in the 90 day area. I've seen ones with even longer warranties, but none have been on par with that of a new product for obvious reasons.

 

[dkcs]

I purchased a Panasonic 2.4G phone from refurbdepot about 6-8 months ago when they first opened up on the web. The phone came in great condition and still works fine. The only problem I did have with these guys is that they charged my cc right away and took nearly 2 months to deliver the phone, they didn't answer emails and had no cs phone reps just a cheap answering machine telling you to send an email.

ymmv

 

[CrazyJake]

I got a refurbished CanoScan FB620U scanner...In the original thread alot of people were dogging the fact that you can't trust refurbs. Mine works great. I use it at least twice a week and have had absolutely no problems. Came with a year warranty as well. Again everyone has had different experiences. I for one have had a pleasant one.

 

[CheapJabroni]

ah, the camera was off (a certain bidding site the forum will not let me name) =P

 

[Blain]

My experience with Refurbdepot is BAD :|
I ordered three big ticket (about $300 each), items from them. Based on their web site, ALL I would have had to pay was the Shipping Cost.
Well, they DIDN'T come through on the FREE stuff :|
That's my "bad" experience with them

 

[Blain]

BTW...
WHERE do you think those refurbed items come from in the FIRST place?
They are sold brand new!
I think buying a refurbed item is actually safer than buying NEW. As long as the warranty is the SAME as the new item.
A NEW item comes off the assembly line with minimal testing, if any.
A REFURBED item is specifically tested by someone.