Refurbished electronics - yes or no?

[scshift]

Is it a good idea to buy refurbished electronics like game systems and computers? Recently my Xbox 360 has given out on me, doesn't play games any more and I'm not feeling the $100 Microsoft is charging me to send it back to them to repair.

I'm seeing good deals for refurbished Xbox 360 systems (including the new Slim) for around $150-200, is that a good buy? Most people I've asked say refurbished stuff is crap but then again, they haven't had much experience with it so I don't completely trust their opinion.

What's your opinion NT? Yes or no?

 

[yeah]

Refurbished electronics will always have more issues than if you were to buy something new or shell out the cash for a factory repair. Know that going into the situation. However, because people know this stores are forced to offer pretty good warranties on refurbished products. Use this to your advantage, and BUY A WARRANTY WITH EVERY REFURBISHED PURCHASE. From Xboxs to laptops. Always.

Personaly, I would send it to Microsoft for the professional fix and save $50-$100, but if you're dying for a new model and want to go for a refurbished product, make sure you buy a warranty.

 

[milestailsprowe]

The red rings warrenty is lifetime as long as you dont break the sticker.

Buying used.electronics is ok as long as its nothing sensitive.

 

[crcballer55]

I have bought many refurbished products and have rarely had a problem.  In California, retailers are not allowed to sell an open box item as new and as such they are labeled as refurbished.  If you're looking at refurbished, see whether is is an open box or used item.

I agree with Yeah.  I would save the money and just send it back to Microsoft and pocket the extra money.  If they can't fix it, they'll probably just send you a new system anyways.

 

[PROLIFIK1]

Apple's refurbished items are pretty good in my opinion. They come with warranty too as if buying new. My brother in law, has bought all his apple stuff (Macbook Air, iPad 2, etc) and has had no issues. Looked new when purchased since they obviously go through the reconditioning process.

When it comes to video systems though, it's a toss up. From my experience, it's been crap getting them from a place such as GameStop/eBay since it comes with too much risk and limited warranty. I would probably spend that $100 bucks and go through Microsoft as long as they add some sort of extra warranty.

 

[Humbled]

really depends on what it is.

 

[JLD1523]

Brand new Xbox is only 199.99 though.

 

[dbailey86]

I think it is ok as long as you get a warranty and depends on where you are getting the refurbished item from

 

[scshift]

Here are my options right now:

-Send it in to Microsoft, they give me a 90 day warranty
-Buy a used one/new one from Craigslist which would probably be around $250

I'm trying to get one of the new Slims with the bigger hard drive if I do get a new one, which is why it's costing so much. Refurbished is pretty much out of the question at this point since I can't find a good deal on one.

I'm probably going to have to send it in to Microsoft. I just don't want it to crap out on me after the 90 days, but I guess that's something I'll have to deal with.

 

[mrben23]

Never had luck with refurbished items. I avoid them at all costs now.

 

[scientific method]

I have never had an issue with anything refurbished. In fact commonly it's actually a new item but being sold as refurb because it is out of box, out of season (like how everything at Ross, TJ Maxx, etc is called Irregular even though it's fine), or closeout item. Like I have never bought anything refurbished and I got it and it had scratches and signs of use.

If you are concerned and it is still cost effective to do, get a square trade warranty

 

[dmvbatman]

wondering this too....

money kind of low...and my beats by dre stopped working (music not playing in one ear)

the refurbished ones they have listed are mad cheap........hopefully they work good though.

 

[flipnkraut]

The quality of refurbished electronics is going to vary wildly from one company to another. Apple refurbs go through a lot before they're resold. They also treat them like they were brand new, meaning that the same hardware/phone support is going to apply for a new product vs refurb. Also, no matter what if its going for refurb, the entire casing is replaced even if the original owner never even used it. Cant say the same will happen for any other company, but I've bought a few Sony refurbs, and they look/work as if it was brand new.

 

[hankmoody]

Originally Posted by Scientific Method

I have never had an issue with anything refurbished.

 

[rusty shackelford]

Originally Posted by Dmvbatman

wondering this too....

money kind of low...and my beats by dre stopped working (music not playing in one ear)

the refurbished ones they have listed are mad cheap........hopefully they work good though.

If you go through with it 
post your experience

 

[jewseejay]

in a word... yes

but if you have the funds, buy new...

"if it drives, flys or %+**!... rent, otherwise own"

 

[fresh prince of nowhere]

I never had a problem with refurbished products. Everything pretty much looks how it would if I bought it new, just with a lower price. I've had Laptops, games, routers, etc. I would just sell the old xbox for parts and get the new one in you're case. If you do find a refurbished xbox it should either have the problem fixed or was just a returned game console.

 

[waitwut]

id say just be on the safe side and buy a new one
if you are going to get a refurbished one get a warranty

 

[shorty doo wop]

if you spendin more then 150 on a used xbox you might as well cop a brand new one for a little more holiday deals are still out broham

 

[alex2182]

Originally Posted by wHo NicE as HiM

as long as its not a hp laptop ...took a pick axe to mines and set it on fire, then urinated on it.

*true story*

Got a new HP laptop but what happened

 

[jimmybeanz]

Originally Posted by Yeah

Refurbished electronics will always have more issues than if you were to buy something new or shell out the cash for a factory repair. Know that going into the situation. However, because people know this stores are forced to offer pretty good warranties on refurbished products. Use this to your advantage, and BUY A WARRANTY WITH EVERY REFURBISHED PURCHASE. From Xboxs to laptops. Always.

Personaly, I would send it to Microsoft for the professional fix and save $50-$100, but if you're dying for a new model and want to go for a refurbished product, make sure you buy a warranty.

How is a refurbished model going to have more issues than a factory repair? And there are plenty of people who've bought new stuff that didn't work out of the box.  What exactly are you basing your statement on? Have you bought refurbished before?

 

[limitedretroog]

I would never.

 

[scshift]

Right now I'm looking at a lightly used Slim model 250GB on Craigslist for about $175. It was purchased earlier this year so it is still covered by manufacturer warranty, and I'm future proofed. I figure if this one turns out good, I'll get it then sell my old one back on craigslist (I mean, it still works and everything, drive is just a little faulty) to cover my losses.

Any opinions on that?

 

[jimmybeanz]

Originally Posted by scshift

Right now I'm looking at a lightly used Slim model 250GB on Craigslist for about $175. I figure if this one turns out good, I'll get it then sell my old one back on craigslist (I mean, it still works and everything, drive is just a little faulty) to cover my losses. It was purchased earlier this year so it is still covered by manufacturer warranty, and I'm future proofed.

Any opinions on that?

If it's still covered by warranty, why do you have to pay $100, again?

 

[scshift]

Originally Posted by jimmybeanz

Originally Posted by scshift

Right now I'm looking at a lightly used Slim model 250GB on Craigslist for about $175. I figure if this one turns out good, I'll get it then sell my old one back on craigslist (I mean, it still works and everything, drive is just a little faulty) to cover my losses. It was purchased earlier this year so it is still covered by manufacturer warranty, and I'm future proofed.

Any opinions on that?

If it's still covered by warranty, why do you have to pay $100, again?

My bad, I worded that wrong.

My xbox is mad old, over 3 years, that's breaking and not covered by warranty. Repairing it by Microsoft would be $100.

The one I'm looking at was purchased earlier this year and is still covered by the 1 year warranty.