Refurbished HDTVs - what's your opinion / experience

[Grant Matrix]

I'm looking to get a 2nd HDTV, this time for my living room. It's not going to have a killer sound system hooked up and it will be some time until I get a second Blu. I am getting a Sony somewhere between 40"-46". There is a Sony Outle close by and I saw that prices on refurbished models can be up to $1,000 cheaper than new ones, depending on the size.

So I am wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with refurbished HDTVs who can add some insight with their experiences and opions. I am hesitant to even consider refurbished, but I would think since Sony is doing the refurbishing that the TV should still be like new.

Thanks for any input!!

[Beta Man]

No first hand experience, but if sony gives you a good warranty, I would think it'd be alright.

[fatediesel]

I'd agree with Beta Man, make sure it's got a good warranty. Also, make sure it is a reputable reseller, such as the Sony outlet mentioned, and not a random website. I personally don't like to buy big tickets items used, but that's just me.

[brett_day]

i have never bought a refurbished tv but i have bought other refurbished items! You are basically getting a brand new product. the defective item gets sent back to the manufacturer and it is rebuilt/repaired to new condition. i have never had a problem with a refurb item before. however the warranties are usually for 90 days on most refurbs, check it out before you buy. if anything is going to go wrong with it again it would surely happen within that 90 day period. good luck!

[ShawnE94SL]

I bought a Samsung 42" projection from SecondAct.biz

I used it for 3 months and sold it to a friend of mine when I upgraded. He still has the TV in his living room and has had no problems. I bought it last April, so it's a year old and still going strong. Second act is good site.

[Erman_94]

its luck of the draw really

some can buy a refurb and have it work for many years

while others are not so fortunate and have it break down months after they get it (with no warranty left)



so its up to you...feel lucky?

[Grant Matrix]

LOL!!! If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all

[Erman_94]

Originally Posted by Grant Matrix

LOL!!! If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all

lol ya im the same way

[chasarms]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

its luck of the draw really

some can buy a refurb and have it work for many years

while others are not so fortunate and have it break down months after they get it (with no warranty left)



so its up to you...feel lucky?

I would agree, however, I would add that the same thing goes for NIB. I have bought a lot of refurbished goods in my life, including my Onkyo receiver. If they are available and offer the same warranty as NIB, I always choose them to save money, or more likely, allow me to move up a model and stay within my budget. In my experience, they are no more or less likely to prematurely fail than new in the box.

My thought is that if repaired correctly with factory original parts, there's no reason to think a refurb is any more likely to fail than a brand new one. If repaired incorrectly, it seems fairly likely to fail within the warranty period.

I have heard arguments that suggest that refurbished items are actually less likely to fail, as they are put through another round of QC when they go out the door again. Although, the validity of that would be depend on the individual company, I'd guess.

My only beef with refurbs is cosmetics. I have to have one that looks new once out of the box. I won't have noticable wear or other blimishes. There is a difference, to me, between refurbished and used.

Although, this is coming from a guy who will not buy anything new (cars, guitars, furniture, etc.) unless it is the only option. There's too many opportunities to save out there.

[IMind]

I've always figured half of the time refurbs are probably brand new and it was returned because the half wit who bought it couldn't figure out how to plug the power cord in. I don't have a lot of faith in your average consumer.

I buy refurbs all the time. I haven't had a single issue with multiple DVD players and a couple of TVs.

My main TV was bought new... but my next HDTV for the bedroom will almost undoubtedly be a refurb.

[Erman_94]

i said it was luck (which it is) but ill add this...


the BIGGEST factors are: what type of warranty are they offering and who are you buying it from



if both those are satisfying, then go for it

[IMind]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

i said it was luck (which it is) but ill add this...


the BIGGEST factors are: what type of warranty are they offering and who are you buying it from



if both those are satisfying, then go for it

Oh yeah and another +1 on the warranty thing. If the warranty is only like 90 days... I'd avoid it.

[onehothemi]

as long as the refurbished unit is a sony, they have the HIGHEST standards for sending products back out in the field, and get a warranty no problems then.

[Grant Matrix]

Thanks for all the feeback!! I'm still not sure what I'm going to do and my new TV check is still a couple months off. I might just wait now until all the end of summer clearance sales. That is actually when I got my HDTV last year and got about $700 price since they were making way for new models. If I do go with refurbished I will def make a new post with my experiences, but, I'm kind of moving away from it now.