Thoughts on Refurbs

[MikeSK]

Ok, looking around now on where to buy..don't ya just hate new owners who keep asking questions?

Called up Choice one Digital. they carry Refurbs on the 4040 for $466. I spoke to someone who said he was the owner (names yanni)

Here's what he told me. He said that once a model is discontinued all the existing stock has to be sent back and is then sold as refurbs because its discontinued. They have a warranty of 90 days parts and labor. He said the main difference is that a regular warranty is 90 days labor and 1 year parts and that parts amounts to nothing.

They also have a six year parts and labor for normally $149 but that i could get it for $99.

He said that they might not even actually be refurbs but could be regular models that were missing accessories, or had the box opened for one reason or another.

This really is to good to pass up. Does anything that he said track as truth? I could get the refurb plus six year warranty for roughly the same price as a regular retail at another site. If it came in broke or something there's like a ten day return policy as well.

 

[Dee]

MikeSK once bubbled...
He said that once a model is discontinued all the existing stock has to be sent back and is then sold as refurbs because its discontinued.

That sounds like bull-dookie! There's retail stores that still have C-4040's on the shelf. I doubt very seriously if their suppliers require merchandise to be returned just because they are discontinued. Why require merchandise to be sent back only to have to discount it firther to get rid of it? Doesn't add up.

His stated condition of the refurbs may or may not be true but the $99 extended warranty sounds like a sales pitch to up the price. Digital cameras aren't known for having problems other than the occasional bad pixel which will show up before a regular warranty expires. The additional 5 years isn't really needed. Chances are you would upgrade to a newer camera long before that anyway.

What missing accessories? With the exception of the remote control device, I've used all my accessories. Which do you want to take a chance on not being there?

In his 10 day return policy, did he mention anything about a full refund or just merchandise exchange?

If there's no $$ difference between this deal and a new one, it's a no brainer to me...the savings just isn't worth the risk.

Just my 2¢

 

[Scubaroo]

I'm always suspicious of extended warranties, especially on consumer electronics, that tend to either work forever or die totally, and tend to come down in price as the technology gets better. For $99, I'd hang on to the money, and if the camera did need warranty work some time in the next 6 years, pick a replacement up on eBay.

Who is backing the "6" year warranty? Choice One Digital, or Olympus? Are you confident the warranty will be honored in a few years time when the 4040, by tomorrow's standards, will be obsolete? Or is it more likely that they will say that it can't be fixed anymore because it's too old?

 

[MikeSK]

All good points. Thanks. If it sounda to good to be true...

 

[RSdiver]

Don't Do It!
I've purchased refurbished electronics before and will never do it again as problems kept arising.

Extended warranties are sold by Insurance companies not the manufacturer. They are based on statistics in the company's favor. Do your research and get a good unit rather than buy insurance.

I once had a friend who sold electronics as a salesman - he loved to sell extended warranties because he immediately received a commission of 35-50% of the cost of the warranty on the day the sale was made. Sometimes this amount was more than his commission on the product.
He was very motivated to sell extended warranties.