used laptops ... what are the risks ?

SpaceDreamer · 04-22-2004, 11:39 AM

I'm considering buying a used laptop,
but I'm worried about things like ... a used battery that will only last a few minutes because it's old ...
do laptop batteries age well ?
are there any other traps that I might fall into when buying a used laptop ?

Andrew · 04-22-2004, 02:37 PM

I'm assuming you are buying used from an individual (such as on eBay) and not refurbished from a direct seller. As far as buying from another individual, well, it's like buying a used car. Some people take care of their posessions, and some treat them like crap. If you have a chance to see the laptop in person, you can see exactly what condition it is in. If you buy via eBay, you have to trust what the seller puts in their item description and you should never buy a product that does not have pictures associated with it taken by the seller. Check the sellers rating too.

On the whole, I would say if you're looking for just a cheap way to get a laptop computer there's a lot of $650 - $800 options out there so you might want to buy new and try and fit that in the budget -- that's more risk free.

hope this answers your question.

SpaceDreamer · 04-23-2004, 05:22 AM

yep
thanks
actually I might also consider buying a refurbished one from a shop

TonyinLA · 05-01-2004, 09:52 AM

RE: Buying a laptop on Ebay
I would be very very careful. Laptops are one of the top scams on Ebay. Just do a search in google on ebay laptop fraud or scam and you will be stunned.

Here are a couple examples: One, Two

Many of the auctions are either totally bogus with no product at all, or products that arent the same specs (1.5 processor sold as 2.5, etc). Dont buy from anyone who doesnt have rock solid feedback for many years. And make sure that the feedback is for similiar products, some guys run up good feedback selling dozens of items for less than $10, then one week put up $100k worth of laptops and other stuff...and then are never seen again (until they change their name and do it again). If you must buy on ebay try and get them to use www.escrow.com as payment.

Also warranties tend not to be transferable.

bear in mind that todays new under 1000 laptops are as good as last years 1500 laptops

inomad · 05-01-2004, 11:23 AM

not true. many people are perfectly legit. (like me) There are just afew bad apples. As long as they are willing to give you true specs and a real pic, you are fine.

For sale/trade: Now lower price! gateway laptop. Dvd, 2ghz, 256mb, 40gb, winxp. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3477757984 private sale considered, or trade for ibook.

TonyinLA · 05-01-2004, 12:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by inomad
[br]As long as they are willing to give you true specs and a real pic, you are fine.
.

real pics are no guarantee...read this thread: http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=22860

and how do you know they are 'true' specs. you can type anything you want in, just read those articles.

I am not saying that inomad is bogus, but I was recently burned on a Radeon 9800 as it turns out this guy had run the same scam 3 times and each time ebay shut him down and he just changed names and they cant stop him. he nails about 10 people per scam.

Buy only from people with huge amounts of positive feedback and make sure the feedback is from buyers not sellers.

Andrew · 05-01-2004, 11:12 PM

inomad, don't take what tonyinla is saying personally, it's right to say that there are scams on EBay and more than we would like but it actually is not out of control, I've never had a bad experience...it is just a few bad apples really. As you say, look for lots of positive feedback on not just small ticket but large ticket items a seller has sold in the past. There's many approaches you can take to avert getting scammed.

notebooktech · 07-10-2004, 01:42 PM

As has been said before buying used is a risk just like buying a used car -- However there is plenty of good used hardware out there check your local papers -- there may be a company replacing their older hardware and are selling the used stuff off, also there are several companies out there that specialize in off lease sales. If your budget does not allow for the purchase of a new one and you need to buy a used or refurb do as much research as possible on who you are buying from. However I have seen many people buy used and spent more money over a few months fixing problems than if they would have waited until they had the money to by a new one.

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