CaptnBob Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Has anyone had any experience with "Factory refurbished" electronics? I've got a friend thinking of buying a cd player and can save significant money by getting one "refurbished." My thoughts are: Refurbished like "Replaced the on-off switch" or refurbished like "Caught fire." Could it be a lemon? Could what ever caused it to be returned in the first place have laid the ground work for future problems? Just thought I'd collect some ideas. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 When I think refurbished I think why bother. Which one were they thinking of buying? I am unfamiliar with any real highend companies selling refurbished goods Your friend mioght consider a DVD/CD/universal player, the costs have come down so, under 100.00 is common and the performance so "close" in many cases to really great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Mobley Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I've got a factory refurb Sony 333-ES SACD/CD, paid about half price with full factory warranty. Flawless so far, about 8 months into it. Did I mention half-price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klipschguy Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I purchased and gave a refurbished Panasonic XR50 to a friend for Christmas. It works perfectly, looks brand new, and has a 90 day factory warranty. It even came in a factory sealed box. Great unit, BTW. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gullahisland Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Refurbished could mean "used". If it's factory refurbished, IMHO, then it may very well be a safer bet than a "new" one. The rationale goes something like this: A new item comes off of an assembly line and receives only a cursory inspection. A factory refurbished item has been thoroughly tested and inspected by a trained technician to meet or exceed factory spec. It's a win-win, if I may be so cliche'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Usual this means that the unit failed or was DOA for the first purchaser. In most cases this would mean it had little use at all and the store it was purchased from just replaced it with a fresh unit and sent the defective one in for credit. I think there a smart and pretty safe buy if a new warrantee is included. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piranha Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 ---------------- On 2/25/2005 7:34:30 PM Tom Mobley wrote: I've got a factory refurb Sony 333-ES SACD/CD, paid about half price with full factory warranty. Flawless so far, about 8 months into it. Did I mention half-price? ---------------- Do you like it? Wasn't retail around $1300? That's a steal with the full 5 year Sony ES warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piranha Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 ---------------- On 2/25/2005 7:47:11 PM gullahisland wrote: Refurbished could mean "used". If it's factory refurbished, IMHO, then it may very well be a safer bet than a "new" one. The rationale goes something like this: A new item comes off of an assembly line and receives only a cursory inspection. A factory refurbished item has been thoroughly tested and inspected by a trained technician to meet or exceed factory spec. It's a win-win, if I may be so cliche'. ---------------- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpm Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 My girlfiend says I should consider refurbishment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 i don't have a problem with refurbs... as long as it still has a warrenty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjgeraci Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 My experience with refurbished electronics has been a positive one. For example, I bought a refurbished Denon 2900 about a year ago. Works perfect, no complaints, and I saved a bundle. The only caveat is that most factory-refurbished goods come with a reduced warranty (some from 30 days - 90 days, 6 months, etc.). That has never swayed me, however. Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Factory referbs sometimes known as B stock usually sell for 50% to 70% of retail. They are usually good buys provided any DOA machine can be exchanged and a full warranty applies. Some B stock has minor cosmetic damage, so inspect carefully before you buy if possible. Some gear has a design flaw. These factory referbs should be avoided like the plague. Be certain that the model you are buying has a good reputation. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D0N Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I bought a refurb HK AVR510 receiver... many features didn't work out of the box. Had to return it. I'll never buy another refurb no matter how cheap it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 ---------------- On 2/25/2005 6:35:24 PM CaptnBob wrote: Has anyone had any experience with "Factory refurbished" electronics? I've got a friend thinking of buying a cd player and can save significant money by getting one "refurbished." My thoughts are: Refurbished like "Replaced the on-off switch" or refurbished like "Caught fire." Maybe its just me but I cracked up on the 'caught fire",its Friday.The only real downside I see is getting a unit that has noticable cosmetic defects.I've bought lots of new and used,no refurb but its all according to the deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Mobley Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Tom, I got the full ES 5 yr warranty but I'm not sure were talking about the same unit, I paid like $250 or something. Mine is a C330-ES, I don't think it was like $1300 new. It came in a box marked Sony Refurb from a Sony dealer. I'm real happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piranha Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 ---------------- On 2/25/2005 11:27:21 PM Tom Mobley wrote: Tom, I got the full ES 5 yr warranty but I'm not sure were talking about the same unit, I paid like $250 or something. Mine is a C330-ES, I don't think it was like $1300 new. It came in a box marked Sony Refurb from a Sony dealer. I'm real happy with it. ---------------- Oh sorry. I thought you meant the SCD-333ES which gets rave reviews around here for the price point. Especially used or "B" stock. I rarely if ever see them come up on eBay or Audiogon which tells something. I have never heard of the C330-ES. I need to take a look into that one since I trust your judgement. I am glad to hear you're happy with yours. After all, that's all that is really important in the grand scheme of thngs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 I have been reburbished a few times and I still don't work so well, though I just won a lot of dough at poker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JewishAMerPrince Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Many "refurbs" were never problematical to start with. Ever wonder what happens when someone returns a unit during a 14 or 30 day return policy? Yes, they go back to the manufacturer to be checked out and wind up being sold as a "refurb". I've purchased several pieces of equipment that were labled "refurb" and never had a problem. JR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnBob Posted February 28, 2005 Author Share Posted February 28, 2005 Thanks for all the thoughts on the matter. I've had two refurbished pieces over the years, and somehow they were never quite "right." They (an amp and a tv set) were always having something or other go wrong with them. Which is why I'm a bit leery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Mobley Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Tom, I took a closer look at that Sony, the real model number is indeed SCD 330 ES, down on the lower right front. Sorry about that, that C-330-ES in big gold letters across the top front. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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