Want to buy a Refurb, will I regret it?

So I'm about 100 dollars shy of purchasing a new laptop.

I chose the Asus G51 RX05, as the G71 was just too large to transport to school and back everyday.

I chose that laptop because I love to game, and I just sold my Desktop PC for a laptop, as I need one for my Architecture Class. So I figured if I'm gonna get a laptop in replace of my PC, it better be able to game.

Also I figure in the future when money is a bit more available, I can upgrade the CPU (And keep the old one incase I have to send it in for work), or the Memory.


So here's the thing. Best Buy has it for 999.99 dollars with out tax, and at 59.99.

So all total for the Refurbed laptop and a 1 year warranty, it comes out to a total of 960 dollars, free shipping and no tax.

This is a great deal, at least how I see it. But it's refurbed, and that keeps me thinking it may have scratches, or marks, and won't act and feel brand new.

Is this ever the case? Is it possible it's just a ton backed up that need to be sold so they put them as Refurbs?

Any comments or replys are much appreciated. Thanks

- Mike

 

personally, I wouldn't buy refurb unless I could save at least 200-300$.

 

Well, I didn't realize it, but it seems if I went with Best Buy, after tax, it would be about one hundred more, but at least it'll be 100% brand new...And if there are problems I just take it to Best Buy, not shipping.

Hmmmm, this is a tough one, lol, any advice guys?

 

trust me, saving 100$ isn't worth it. you're shelling out around 1000$ either way.

for a big purchase like this, you'll feel bad having bought a refurb at 960.

if you want used goods then check classified ads and you'll be saving at least 300$.

 

If they are giving you a deal like that I would take it. Since you get the full 1 yr warranty on it you can take it back if it does not work and they will give you a new one ( if they have it in stock)or your money back. I don't know how Best Buy handles computer returns but if it is anything like radar detectors I would jump on it faster then lightning. I have returned many radar detectors and got a better one then the one I returned 3 yrs in a row.

 

If you're comfortable with the terms of the warranty, go ahead and buy it. Otherwise I feel better buying a USED laptop on Ebay than buying a refurbished.

The problem I've found with refurbs is they tend to have intermittant problems. So the manufacturer will turn it on and if nothing is obvious, they just stick a refurb sticker on it. I've had 2 30" monitors from Dell that did this to me. One had red lines that only showed up sometimes, and the other had 2 dark blue spots that you could only see when the screen was black.

But, if you don't mind having to use the warranty, then go ahead and get the refurb.

 

In the past I have had a positive experience with refurbs (have had 1 Gateway refurb and 1 Asus refurb). The Gateway lasted 2 years until the power supply died, and the Asus is still going strong.

That being said, if you are ONLY saving $100 I would say hold out for a while save some money and get the new laptop. You will get a much better warranty and chances are you will have no problems with a new laptop. Though it has not happened to me, I have heard many stories about refurbs that were DOA and people having to go through a huge ordeal with customer service to get a new one.

FWIW, both refurbished laptops I bought had savings of $250+. Anything less, I probably would not consider it.