Refurbished systems-a scam?

I have purchased two refurbished Dell 8200 computers and have received just what I expected both times. The selection screens show exactly what each machine has in the way of hardware and software.

I  saved over $400 each time and got fast delivery since the machines were boxed and ready to ship when I placed my order.

I have no problems with either machine and will consider another refurbished machine in the future if the savings exist at that time.

 

 

No I think Dell has misleading it's customers down to a science.When I purchased my computer about 6 months ago I thought with the 533 fsb I would be able to upgrade to pc1066 ram when it became available but Dell won't support it even though intel does.This wasn't an outright lie to the customer but they did nothing to let anyone believe otherwise so there are a lot of people who purchased 8200 systems with 533 fsb that are done with dealing with Dell.My next purchase will be with a manufacturer that doesn't use propritary components.There would have been no reason to buy a system with a 533 fsb if it couldn't use pc 1066 so Dell made a lot more money by being silent on the matter.I'm sure the same thing is true in your case they didn't lie they just let you draw the wrong conclusion by adding things to confuse the issue.

Agreed cyber surfer. I haven't seen any real case of Dell misleading ANYONE who takes the time to read the whole deal.

Really you don't think a lot of people were misled with the 533 fsb?

Have ordered refurbished systems for personal use and for my business and never had a problem. If you shop smart, you can get great deals.

And, to be accurate, the online ordering page for refurbished systems does not have any columns for monitors or speakers. Only options for what goes in the case are listed.

I agree that the page is pretty clear if you read carefully. On the other hand, I think when I ordered my refurbished system about 3 years ago it there was a more explicit statement to the effect that refurbished systems do not include monitor or speakers. When I completed the order by phone, the salesman made sure I understood what I was getting, too. One of the reasons I bought a refurbished system was that I didn't want a new monitor and speakers. But I think Dell would do well to make sure that information is clearly visible right at the start.

Yourself not doing enough research, or assuming certain things is not Dell misleading you. Dell makes it quite clear whether or not you're going to be recieving a monitor with a system, usually with something like..oh I dont know

**Monitor not included**

2-3 days doesn't seem to be enough time to make a great decision for anyone....I would spend a little more time looking around next time before buying a system. Maybe another company can offer you a better deal...

 

Message Edited by Aneill on 01-24-2003 09:29 PM

You are right about the comparison screen in the site today, but there definitely were columns for monitors and speakers in December when I ordered. I remember because I debated about the various sizes of monitors available with the different systems I was considering. I'm generally pretty careful before spending money. This came as a complete surprise to me. There was no language, as another respondent suggested, that "Monitors are not included." Even the tech support person to whom I spoke agreed with me that it was misleading because it does not say that individual components are to be ordered separately.

I say, with Dell refurbished systems, it's buyer beware.

I poured over the details before placing this order. There was absolutely no language to indicate that I was ordering only a CPU.

It did show what items you could consider in a system, including monitors and speakers. It just didn't point out that to have those monitors and speakers included when you got your machine you had to somehow indicate you wanted them. When you looked across from the name of each system you saw a row of columns with items like 15 inch monitor for my system and no directions to click on each column to get each item to have it included, so I presumed, wrongly, that all items were included. The only directions for the site were to click on the system you wanted, which I did, only to find that only some of the items that clearly were indicated in a row for this system were not to be included.

In addition, the photograph at the top of the page included a complete system with a link to "view inventory." I just don't see that I was being careless. It seems, instead, that the site was misleading. 

Sure Greatone, next you'll be saying having Nvidia name their newest card with AGP 8x the 4800 isn't misleading even though AGP 8x doesn't do jack. Sounds like you're just defending your overpriced purchase again

It's really too bad if that was the case, and I hope it is corrected now. Dell products are good enough, and the prices low enough, that they could easily afford even to bend over backwards to avoid misunderstanding and still sell all they have. When I ordered mine ALL the systems I liked on the website were gone by the time I phoned in. Fortunately an enterprising sales rep figured out a good deal on one that had just come in, a little better deal than what I had been looking at, and I bought it and love it. Anyway, whether or not unhappy59 was unobservant or not, I think Dell would do itself a favor by putting the information in big clear print where it cannot be missed.