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    How reliable/consistent is the Dell factory outlet?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by discordia, May 13, 2008.

  1. discordia

    discordia Notebook Enthusiast

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    Essentially, I want to spend under $1k for a decent machine and I'm down to an Asus and a Dell refurb.

    Should I avoid the factory outlet or feel free to take my chances?
     
    discordia, May 13, 2008
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  2. Brienlaw

    Brienlaw Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well not all the stuff sent there have hardware problems..screen issues etc.

    My laptop..no problems..was sent there (Im assuming) because I complained about the keyboard being French (Trust me..it is such a hassle as theres these weird é and À keys that get in the way)
     
    Brienlaw, May 13, 2008
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  3. mattocs

    mattocs Notebook Deity

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    It has been a few years, but i've bought a desktop and a laptop from the Dell Outlet. Both were in great condition, and everything that was supposed to come with them did.

    Good luck.
     
    mattocs, May 13, 2008
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  4. fiveo

    fiveo Notebook Consultant

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    Laptop in my sig was from the Dell Outlet and it's beautiful and runs fine.
     
    fiveo, May 13, 2008
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  5. Cap

    Cap Notebook Consultant

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    Hi Discordia, I bought a refurbed Inspiron E1705 from Dell Outlet a while back, bout 6 months or so. I was very pleased with shipping time and the lappy was as good or better than new IMHO. So far I have not had even one single issue with the lappy which by the way came with Vista Home Premium. I will definitely consider Dell Outlet for my future PC purchases.

    Hope this helps,
    Cap
     
    Cap, May 13, 2008
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  6. Waltz

    Waltz Notebook Consultant

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    the outlet is fine, but don't buy a configuration that is not currently available. Look at the new ones of the model you're considering and note the options available.

    For example if the minimum hard dirve size being offered is 160GB, don't get anything with less then that from the outlet. Anything less then that is a previous version and chances are it's been in the outlet awhile for multiple issues. You can compare other hardware options too. Like the M1330, don't get one without a camera. Those are older models that had a camera option when they first came out. Now cameras are standard.

    I've seen models in the outlet that haven't been offered for a year, so you know something is going on with that laptop. It's probably been returned multiple times.
     
    Waltz, May 13, 2008
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  7. maxpower47

    maxpower47 Notebook Guru

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    They couldn't just replace the keyboard? :confused:
     
    maxpower47, May 13, 2008
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  8. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    My good friend purchases most of his notebooks from the Dell outlet, and so far has been satisfied. ;)

    So, for him the "reliability and consistency" factor has worked well. :)

    I believe there was one time he had a shipping issue, but that was straightened out in a timely manner. ;) :)
     
    Cin', May 13, 2008
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  9. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    I've bought two desktops and one laptop from the Outlet and they have all worked great. You honestly can't tell they are refurbed except it has a special sticker.
     
    atbnet, May 13, 2008
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  10. Brienlaw

    Brienlaw Notebook Enthusiast

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    I guess not,

    They sent out a new order for me and when it arrived, I gave them my old one haha
     
    Brienlaw, May 13, 2008
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  11. pne123

    pne123 Notebook Geek

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    I had no issues w/ mine. A pre-installed game got wiped by the refurb. process. Called and complained was refunded $75 plus shipping. Not sure were the $5 shipping came from but I will take it. Also some accesories were missing. did not get the sleeve case but got 2 remotes.....in the works to try and get a sleeve or a refund. if not they are only 20bucks on ebay but i do not even think i would use it. in other words i would not hesistate to order again from the outlet
     
    pne123, May 13, 2008
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