Definition of 'refurbished' in an ad?
Snowdon Computers
relates to adverts of computers.
Just wondering what people define 'refubished' to mean when looking at
computers.
Personally I would consider a refubished PC to have been stripped, totally
cleaned of dust, put back together and had any parts not 100% working
replaced, the outer case stripped of asset labels and throughly cleaned to
produce a product in as near as in 'new' condition as possible.
Others seem to consider just giving the outside of the case a clean to be
refubished.
What's the general consensus of opinion regarding expectations of a
'refubished' PC.
Also how do 'non-technicians' refurbish monitors as so often seen in
adverts?
--
Best Regards
Niel Humphreys
Snowdon Computers
Odie
Snowdon Computers wrote:
>
> This is posted in good faith in that I intend it to be on topic as it
> relates to adverts of computers.
>
> Just wondering what people define 'refubished' to mean when looking at
> computers.
>
> Personally I would consider a refubished PC to have been stripped, totally
> cleaned of dust, put back together and had any parts not 100% working
> replaced, the outer case stripped of asset labels and throughly cleaned to
> produce a product in as near as in 'new' condition as possible.
>
> Others seem to consider just giving the outside of the case a clean to be
> refubished.
>
> What's the general consensus of opinion regarding expectations of a
> 'refubished' PC.
I would personally prefer it not to be mentioned as "refurbished" as it
has dodgy connotations.
>
> Also how do 'non-technicians' refurbish monitors as so often seen in
> adverts?
Clean them up? (With the average cost to repair a monitor being £50
plus... as well having the requisite nous...)
Odie
TMack
"Snowdon Computers" <sa...@snowdoncomputers.co.uk> wrote in message
news:b6tt3d$qn7$1...@news6.svr.pol.co.uk...
> This is posted in good faith in that I intend it to be on topic as it
> relates to adverts of computers.
>
> Just wondering what people define 'refubished' to mean when looking at
> computers.
Personally I think 'refurbished'means bugger all. I think it is a word that
implies that it has somehow been renovated to 'as new' condition when, in
fact, there is nothing that can be done to most components that will make
any difference at all to their functioning or life expectancy. It is in the
same category as the word 'clean' in the phrase 'very clean car', often used
by dodgy motor dealers when there is nothing else they can say about some
clapped out old knacker that isn't a blatent breach of trading standards!
Tony
Spindoctor
I take it means to have been cleaned, checked over and the operating
system reinstalled so that its back to a vanilla state
(or like putting a car through a service and mot)
Brian
AndyW
> relates to adverts of computers.
>
> Just wondering what people define 'refubished' to mean when looking at
> computers.
>
> Personally I would consider a refubished PC to have been stripped, totally
> cleaned of dust, put back together and had any parts not 100% working
> replaced, the outer case stripped of asset labels and throughly cleaned to
> produce a product in as near as in 'new' condition as possible.
>
> Others seem to consider just giving the outside of the case a clean to be
> refubished.
>
> What's the general consensus of opinion regarding expectations of a
> 'refubished' PC.
In my opinion refurbishing means removing the casing and checking each item. Not a complete dismantling. Any items not up
to original spec should then be replaced. A good example is a noisy fan. It should be replaced even if it cools OK as the
original wouldn't have been noisy. All screws, etc should be present and tightened. Earth connection should be checked.
General dust out.
Difficult to comment on the software though.
> Also how do 'non-technicians' refurbish monitors as so often seen in
> adverts?
"Refurbishing" or "servicing" requires the casing to be removed.
If an item is sold, described (or implied) as working and the seller has said refurbished or serviced and the work has done
by a non-qualified person then they leave themselves open to prosecution if the item at a later date was to cause damage or
harm. EG. catches fire and burns the buyers house or office down and/or injures a person.
In my opinion this applies to electrical items that have high voltages or currents such as monitors or UPSs, etc.
On similar lines what counts as "new" or "brand new". Often old, unused, boxed stock is described as new or brand new on
Ebay but is that right if it is out of the manufacturers warranty?
Andy
Martin Slaney
> This is posted in good faith in that I intend it to be on topic as it
> relates to adverts of computers.
>
> Just wondering what people define 'refubished' to mean when looking at
> computers.
>
> Personally I would consider a refubished PC to have been stripped, totally
> cleaned of dust, put back together and had any parts not 100% working
> replaced, the outer case stripped of asset labels and throughly cleaned to
> produce a product in as near as in 'new' condition as possible.
>
> Others seem to consider just giving the outside of the case a clean to be
> refubished.
>
> What's the general consensus of opinion regarding expectations of a
> 'refubished' PC.
I'd say a proper refurb job would include replacement of CMOS battery,
replacement of CPU fan, BIOS update, in-depth h/w diagnostic having been
run .....
--
Watch the "Russian" spam trap !!
jasee
"Martin Slaney" <martin@slazNIET_SPAM.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3E92B3A8.1030504@slazNIET_SPAM.freeserve.co.uk...
How many people, let alone organisations can afford to do all this?
Removing accumulated files personalisations etc can take an *age*.
In particular if the monitor has been with a heavy smoker the inside can be
horrific, probably highly toxic and almost impossible to remove
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.461 / Virus Database: 260 - Release Date: 3/10/03
Computer Recycling Project
> Personally I would consider a refubished PC to have been stripped, totally
> cleaned of dust, put back together and had any parts not 100% working
> replaced, the outer case stripped of asset labels and throughly cleaned to
> produce a product in as near as in 'new' condition as possible.
I'd agree mostly - but we work on the low end of the market - indeed, some
refurbished systems we give away, so don't have huge amounts of time to
spend on them. For me, a refurbished system is one that has been tested
and works fine, any faulty components replaced, any network boot ROMs or
odd cards removed, HD formatted, OS installed if licenced, any fluff
inside blown out, noisy PSUs replaced.
But we're mainly in the sub £20 market - to refurbish a computer to as new
would not be economic. Besides, I find that things tend to go on working
until you fiddle with them! And all our customers sign a Trading
Standards approved form absolving us of liability.
Alastair
--
The Computer Recycling Project at the University of York
Our web page http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~elec37/ includes
contact details with maps and photos to help you find us.
Simon B
dodgy components bodged/changed for working ones, machine put back together
and given a wipe.
in my experience the above was exatly what they were!
i guess it depends on who refurbs them!
dorothy.bradbury
o Parts that can wear or deteriorate are replaced
o Parts that don't wear or deteriorate inspected for damage
Warranty:
o May or may not be given
o However, Refurbished implies performance as original
Now the reality - it depends on who is saying it:
__________________
1) Factory Refurbished
o by the Brand factory or factory contrated to make it
o factory packaged & warranty denoted on label
o may be OEM-brown-box package or full-retail-package
---- ex - IBM AS/400 PSU - label "No Warranty, Usable Condition"
---- ex - Dell laptops - "Refurbished" label, full total warranty
Why do factories refurbish?
o Screwup re packaging to production line error
o Integrators need that part for currently supported line
o Tier-1 suppliers or users need that model re support / in-use
---- classic - redundant or multiple PSU type
---- general - SlimCD drives rehoused at factory
____________________________
2) IT-Support-Company Refurbished
o cleaning of external & internal structure
o electrical compliance testing (beyond power-up)
o maintenance performed to refurbished not repaired state
---- vis., pickup rollers if
---- designated maintenance parts replaced (pickup rollers)
---- product performance verified to be reasonable
________________________
3) IT-Trader Refurbished (Ebay):
o assume just visually cleaned unless otherwise
o generally it should specify WHAT was refurbished
---- new fans, new heatsink fan, vacuumed
---- disk wiped to MSDOS boot prompt only
---- paper pickup rollers done
o item delivered as described
Overall in Reality:
o Factory Refurbished means to factory specification
o Non-Factory Refurbished means ask what was done
The 2 classic & worst refurbished products:
o Laser Printers
---- Refurbished infers worn & deteriorated parts replaced
---- performance is thus similar to original equipment spec
------ reality is "moved off pallet & vacuumed"
---- Refurbished should require new pickup rollers & fuser pad
o Monitors
---- only factory can refurbish them
---- rarely do unless simply inventory returned & re QC/Packaged
------- refurbish could mean repair & vacuum
------- it does not mean full factory spec & CRT refocus etc
Frankly for buyers
o Monitors - buy from SOHO or buy a TFT
o Lasers - buy from SOHO or refurbisher who did maintenance kit
---- maintenance kits 18-25$ (and what a refurbisher should have :-)
---- page-count - lower may negate need for refurbishing beyond clean
o PCs - refurbished means clean & fans working
Comes down to the advert & whether you can return if not happy.
However, true refurbished means as refurbished to original specification
in terms of performance and worn/obsolete parts replaced, not damp cloth.
I bought for a disabled colleague a "Refurbished LJ4 & 750+ lower tray"
o Refurbished = wiped clean, roller rubber cracked, paper pickup errors
o Asked for a replacement, rollers were supple, done 140k+ pages in <1yr
So it comes down to quality of original machine, plus what has been done.
For anyone selling on Ebay "Refurbished" it should state exactly what,
and provide evidence of such by paperwork or obvious on delivery.
That re-delivered laser hadn't been refurbished at all, not even cleaned,
but it performed fine after I cleaned it. LJ maintenance kit was 30 Euros.
In general refurbished means "original structure, new components".
In reality it depends on who is saying it - the factory or anyone else.
Thus, buyer beware & ask what has been done.
--
Dorothy Bradbury
Toby Groves
<sa...@snowdoncomputers.co.uk> writes
>This is posted in good faith in that I intend it to be on topic as it
>relates to adverts of computers.
>
>Just wondering what people define 'refubished' to mean when looking at
>computers.
When dealing with larger companies, refurbished is usually taken to mean
that the item is in as-new condition. I'd expect this meaning to be
same in personal ads tbh.
--
Toby
Dr Zoidberg
> This is posted in good faith in that I intend it to be on topic as it
> relates to adverts of computers.
>
> Just wondering what people define 'refubished' to mean when looking at
> computers.
>
> Personally I would consider a refubished PC to have been stripped,
> totally cleaned of dust, put back together and had any parts not 100%
> working replaced, the outer case stripped of asset labels and
> throughly cleaned to produce a product in as near as in 'new'
> condition as possible.
If I was selling and described it as refurbished I would have pulled it to
bits , cleaned inside and out , tested it and reinstalled the OS if needed.
> Others seem to consider just giving the outside of the case a clean
> to be refubished.
Unless I specifically asked and was told otherwise , I would make a bid
based on this being all that had been done. I wouldn't trust people to have
done much more.
--
Alex
"We are now up against live, hostile targets"
"So, if Little Red Riding Hood should show up with a bazooka and a bad
attitude, I expect you to chin the bitch! "
John Ray
For what its worth, the definition of "refurbish" in the New Shorter
Oxford English Dictionary, is "Brighten up, clean up; renovate, restore,
redecorate".
That seems to give enough scope for it to mean whatever the person using
the word wants it to mean. My expectations, therefore, would be low.
--
John Ray, London UK.
Mail to mefp49 is unlikely to be read. I can be contacted at xcf70 (same
ISP).
Computer Recycling Project
> The 2 classic & worst refurbished products:
> o Monitors
> ---- only factory can refurbish them
> ---- rarely do unless simply inventory returned & re QC/Packaged
> ------- refurbish could mean repair & vacuum
> ------- it does not mean full factory spec & CRT refocus etc
Actually, we, and I suspect others, refocus monitors if they are good
enough to be worth the hassle. Also adjust brightness etc. and fix simple
faults. But of course you have to know what you're doing - we're
fortunate to have a number of electronics student volunteers who do.
ma...@karman.demon.co.uk
<sa...@snowdoncomputers.co.uk> wrote:
As regards Ebay advertisers and "trade" that I've seen at work I'd be
ashamed to attach my name to some of the filthy crap I've bought
myself and handled through work.....
Some stuff I'd have labelled as fraudulent advertising, ie. parts
missing or not working properly, especially as regards second user
printers.
When I sell something it's had the life cleaned out of it. It's not
worth the labour to pay me to do it because I am too fussy. ;-)
I've a printer to put on Ebay tonight that I bought for the company I
work for who decided they didn't need it. It's had a new ribbon, new
top case, some bits that were broken replaced and over an hour of
cleaning, time wasted but I wouldn't sell it as it was.
A refurbed monitor to me is someone has run a cloth and a bit of
"pledge" over it. :-)
Doubt they'd have taken the cover off to check inside at all....
Mark S.