Why so many ebay sellers upgrading T400 memory?

I am considering buying a T400 off ebay since I insist on WXGA+ LED and lenovo isn't selling that right now. What I don't understand however is why almost every ebay auction (buy it now) says they have upgraded the memory and that is why they had to open the "factory sealed" box. I think I will get what I expect if I purchase from them but does someone have some facts on why they do they?

Is it possible these laptops came opened already?

 

Yes, larkin almost any claim that can be made is possible. That's why the standard procedure here is to recommend that you know the seller well before you buy. They HAVE to open the box to update the memory? It's rare to never that you HAVE TO open a box if your a reputable dealer.

-Renee

 

no they must not open the box if they were a reputable dealer

 

That's what I said.

 

Yes, it is very peculiar. there are three or four dealers that have 10+ T400 auctions open.

Link

"Note: This laptop has an orginal 2GB ram and will be upgraded to 4GB DDR3 ram which value is $75 . Package will be opened for memory upgrade purpose only. Upgrade memory won't affect manufacture warranty of laptop, upgraded memory has life time warranty. "

Link

"These units are Factory Sealed that may be opened for RAM Upgrades."

Link

"(1.0GB original, 1.0GB FREE upgrade. Package will be opened for installation purpose)"

These are all different dealers and they all have this note about opening the laptop. It doesn't make sense because opening the package lowers the value of the product more than the ram is even worth so they could actually sell the laptop for more if it was sealed and they included the extra ram separately. My question is why aren't they doing that. Seems to me the package is probably opened before it gets to them.

I don't think it's a complete scam but I also think they were never factory sealed.

p.s. this vBulletin doesn't parse urls to links?

 

vB automatically parses links, the links you put are just too long and weird.

Did you see this part?

 

Not quite "brand new factory sealed in box".

So you can only get a ThinkPad by buying direct?

 

i just bought a t400 from that seller last week. will report on how it turns out and if this guy is full of bs or not.

personally i could care less if it has been opened. similar configuration would have cost me +$300 directly from lenovo, plus you cant get LED panels any more. Seal or no seal, if laptop works i will be happy. BTW this guy posts laptop's serial number so you can go to lenovo part lookup site and see if he added any memory or not.

 

yea i bought from those guys before and they have awesome customer service!

 

Boils down to some people don't mind using refurbs or open box items to save a buck and some people want the original seals intact.

A lot of returns and refurbs are unloaded on eBay.

 

I think you see this a lot too because Lenovo is one of the last retailers to truly take you to the cleaners on memory upgrade prices. The base config of the T400 comes with 1GB of memory, Dell and HP won't even sell laptops with Vista on with 1GB of memory because everyone knows it'll perform terribly. Of course the upgrade to 2GB at Lenovo.com is twice the cost of what 1GB of RAM actually is. Anyone buying direct should definitely play the game of installing their own memory when dealing with Lenovo. At Dell.com and HP.com I often find that the base config is just fine or upgrade cost is so reasonable that it's less hassle to just go ahead and pay a little extra.

 

Because with only 1GB of memory--it will perform badly and those who are not knowledgeable will attempt to return the laptop. An eBay store which has been in operation for more than a year or two will be a very good risk if their numbers are good. The fact that they opened the box and upgraded the memory means that knowledgeable buyers will buy it for the improved performance--memory upgrade does not affect warranty.

 

well i received the laptop from that seller and the outside box seal was cut, however the plastic bag in which the actual laptop is inside is still sealed with a big QC passed sticker. and everything else looks new. I didnt get a chance to fire it up yet, but it looks fine.

How do i find out the manufature date of the laptop?

 

Congrats. Did it power up? hehe. Also, is the ram that it came with more than what is listed on it's partslist http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?template=/partslookup/partsLookup.vm?

If so then it must have been upgraded ram but awesome that it looks new. Maybe I will give him a try. I am still suspicous thought about why the open it up. They should just sent the extra ram as a separate thing.

 

it powered up fine and seems to be working good so far, except for some weird noise that is coming off the battery when it is over 93% full and charging to 100%. The memory was not upgraded. I bet the reason they open it up is to make sure the correct laptop is in there, especially if these units really are redistributed/ new returns like the guy says.

knowing the part list but having a broken seal a decent tradeoff for not playing a lottery and having a chance of getting a crappy panel or keyboard. So far no regrets.