posted on September 3, 2001 10:09:20 PM
I picked up three computers this weekend. much to my chagarin, I may just be going back to return them next weekend, within the 14 day policty. they were DIRT cheap, and I mean dirt cheap, from a reputable dealer and have warranties, the works. They have been inspected too. They are starting at 100 dollars less than the NIB ones (and the guy doesn't even state if they are refurbs, it sounds like they may be) He is getting so many bids, I don't understand why people aren't interested or bidding (maybe computer people bid in the last few days)--this is only there 3rd day up--but still, you always get the early birds when the item is hot.
What is your take on this. should i word differently? Do refurbs not sell? Or am I just being really impatient. I am not asking a lot. Used computers of the same make are going for more than my refurbs. Wouldn't refurbs be better? thanks a lot.
posted on September 4, 2001 12:17:07 AM
The term 'refurb' implies damaged or broken and then fixed, with the inevitable suspicion that there still may be something wrong with it. Simply sell them as 'used', and maybe tack on a 30-60 day warrantee to ensure confidence.
Remember that the computer market is on an ever increasing spiral downwards and that prices may drop significantly on a weekly basis.
And many people DO wait for the last minute to bid on high dollar items. I never bid till the last 15 minutes to sniff out a proxy and then the last few seconds to snipe.
posted on September 4, 2001 05:08:52 AM
Well, you didn't say what your price was. Realize that right now I can buy a brand new Dell or Compaq, with monitor for about $650.00.
If you are selling a computer with 6-12 month old technology for about $500, that's why no one is bidding.
I agree with others. Zero feedback is a scare. As is draconian TOS, or words like "Not Guaranteed, All Sales Final". People always want an "out" when they buy a refurb.
posted on September 4, 2001 06:31:27 AM
No insults intended, but ANYONE who buys a used or refurbished computer today with the prices for new being what they are, is just foolish...
posted on September 4, 2001 07:30:57 AM
several years ago i bot a refurbished packard bell computer from damark intl,packard bell customer service stinks big time and i can never get thru to complain within the warranty period.
but i managed to run it for a few years,then i erased certain window programs and need to reinstall from backup diskette.
to my horror,the backup does not match what is installed in my pc,so i called packard bell and there was finger pointing between damark intl and packard bell,then they sent me a correct copy of the window backup in slow mail even though i beg them to ship usps priority and i will pay for it,they said there is no way they can expedite.
it came 7 days later and there was a scratch on it,so i called again and they sent a good copy using slow mail.
never again will i buy anything from packard bell,and now i think they have gone under or taken over??
so buying a computer refurbished can turn into a horror story,so if an individual is selling on ebay and he/she does not have a proven record of past sales,people may just wont bid,think of all that trouble they could have if they have to send it back to you.
are you new in selling pc??
posted on September 4, 2001 07:46:41 AM
"No insults intended, but ANYONE who buys a used or refurbished computer today with the prices for new being what they are, is just foolish"
what is the current spread between new and used/refurbs? That will partly answer the "are you a fool?" question.
Second, a "refurb" from a major mfg with the same warranty as a new one is just as good a deal, if not better due to paying less money.
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss refurbs.
Used machines bought from individuals, on the other hand, are definitely a "high risk" item for a variety of reasons.
Saweemosman:
By the way, if you are a low feedback seller, and/or someone who doesn't typically sell in computers, that may be part of your problem. There is a LOT of fraud in that category, so more and more people are sending business to known, established computer dealers.
And if your descriptions are weak, technically, that scares off lots of people too.
PB was about the worst PC maker ever. They preyed upon newbies who loved the "low low price" they saw at Kmart. Sigh.
They are gone, gone, gone. Unfortuantely didn't fold fast enough...
posted on September 4, 2001 08:05:58 AM
there is a ebay seller who sells electronic goods,i bot a demo kodak camera from him which he claimed is like new except it has been used in trade show,all people have done is open up the box and looked at it.
well,it took me 18 hours to install the software,once again there was a problem with the cd where the software resides.kodak was kind enough later to send me a good copy.
but the real horror story was on his end when he picked up many 486 (or is it 496) pc from an office which upgrades their pcs.
he listed them on ebay for 50 dollars plus shipping,called it a pc blow out!!
many people bot,my neighbors want them too as they are so cheap.
well he had a hard time delivering them-first his staff have to match the monitor with the pc with the cables etc to make a set,then he claimed ups did not come and picked up the items,then he emailed every one and told them he has big problems in his store,some customers came and stole his camera which he used for listing on ebay,one employee stole money from his bank account,and he is way behind on matching pc with cable with monitor.
i called over there and all his staff were out to lunch.
needless to say,many ebay bidders left him negative comments!!!!!!
so this is a dealer who sells nothing but electronic goods.
posted on September 4, 2001 08:33:02 AM
"Legally you're required to state they are refurbished. "
that's interesting...I know they have problems selling refurbs as "new"...but I never heard any requirement that you can't "downgrade" a machine from new/refurb to used (since, after all, they seem to meet the "requirements" of used as well).
Common sense (not that the law always follows that of course...) would dictate that "used" would be acceptable in this case, being a "worse" condition term than refurb. In other words, you wouldn't be deceiving customers by selling them these "used" machines; in fact they'd be benefiting by getting something better than expected.
I have 20 positives and one neg. Not regarding quality though, but because I was out of town and it reads like this '
"she would not sell me my lot"
so I don't know if this is such a prob, cuz when I put my present dell on there to sell (upgraded to the gateway) it started getting bids right away and it is USED.
In my description, I noted that this system has passed inspections by Gateway and Systemax, has a 3 month warranty (all true of course) and I've seen other refurbs get bids.
Is it really bad to return 3 computers to the store. I feel so embarassed. Has anyone ever done this. I have done this with clothes lots, and it is REALLY EMBARASSING, the clerks just look at you like you are up to something.
I don't know what to do now.
Should I sell them as used. I don't want to play any games, but hey, from the "closed items" search, used ones are going for more than I bought these new. thanks again.
posted on September 4, 2001 09:13:05 AM
Actually, to correct myself, you can label a refurbished item as used, just not as new.
I think the advantage of using the term refurbished over the term used is that refurbished items get inspected by a technician while a used item is generally not.
posted on September 4, 2001 09:15:58 AM
it would take more than embarressment to stop me from taking legal advantage of a store's T&Cs. If they allow free returns, for any reason, and you want to , go for it. Better than losing money, I can assure you.
By the way, in general, I wouldn't buy from a 20 feedback person selling their first computer items. On the other hand, maybe you are just unlucky on the bids for this item? it happens
posted on September 4, 2001 01:31:12 PM
Does Gateway transfer warranties? They didn't use to.
Dell does, but you have to submit a "transfer of ownship" request. I know, because a bought a reburb Dell portable a couple of years ago from a friend.
Refurbs from vendors such as Dell or GW many times are returns that have nothing wrong with them. My portable was great.
posted on September 4, 2001 02:37:13 PM
Do not take this the wrong way - but it sounds like you should not be in the PC business. Would anyone buy a refurb machine from a seller with 20 FB and basically getting their equipment on loan from a store.
By the way, what would you have done if a winning bidder fails to honor the bid and the store return period already expired?
I also agreed that anyone buying a refurb for a $100 savings is nuts. Especially with all the specials on new ones and free shipping from numerous vendors.
posted on September 4, 2001 02:50:56 PMIn my description, I noted that this system has passed inspections by Gateway and Systemax, has a 3 month warranty (all true of course)
You have to add some information to this to make it credible. A lot of warranties in this context are not transferrable. Why do you believe this one is transferrable? What would the buyer have to do to exercise the warranty, and how would it be handled?
Do you personally offer a fast, no questions money back guarantee if the thing arrives DOA or quickly dies, with you paying both-way shipping?
Would you find your answer to these questions convincing if you were a skeptical buyer? If so, then the answers should be in your description.
posted on September 4, 2001 03:20:05 PM
When you saw that they were selling them "dirt cheap" you should not have assumed they did not know what the market was. Obviously they had a good handle on it or they would have been trying to sell thm at the price you are.
posted on September 4, 2001 08:17:15 PM
Hi,
thanks for all your replies.
I have thought over/ and investigated many of the things you are saying.
I have done "completed items" check and the biggest bozos are getting 20 bids, people with no feedback history whatsoever, one person even had 19 negatives, some saying that seller delievered WRONG item. Othere people whose first item is a computer. And mind you, this is ALL refurbed stuff, I don't even put the new ones into my calculation. I did check out the link. My PIII 800 MHz is up for a start bid of 430.00. Other refurbs with no fancy seller graphics, no great history, are getting the bids. Guess its just a case of bad luck. well I'll let you know how it all ends.
I guess I am just feeling kind of stupid going back to the store with these computers. what should I say?
posted on September 4, 2001 09:48:50 PM
Give it a little time. Kids going back to school, many of them will want their own computer.
Only problem is that a near vintage 200Mhz system can handle just about everything lately on the net and what a kid might need for school. Except for maybe the latest games, and that may be a great selling point for them. And these can be had for under $100. In fact I recently at auction let a dual Pentium 200 Mhz NT system go for $8. Didnt think $10 was worth it. I'll probably be pulling better off the curb.
posted on September 5, 2001 06:02:20 AM
"I guess I am just feeling kind of stupid going back to the store with these computers. what should I say"
"I'd like to return these for a full refund please".
By the way...if you are STARTING your bid at $430, could that be the problem? In the computer area, a high starting bid can be the kiss of death, since people will go and bid on something that is starting at $100 instead...even if they will cheerfully pay more than $430. "Buyer psychology" strikes again?
