Have you ever regretted buying something used or refurbished?

During an eBay addiction period, several things were purchased that, in hindsight, were just stupid. But that’s another story. The only item purchased that turned out to be a waste was a Jefferson Electric Clock like the one on the left. After inheriting my grandparents and finding out it didn’t work, I bought one, which while it does work, so to speak, loses about five minutes every hour.

The lesson was to read all of the details of an item for sale and ask the seller questions. Return policies are also important. Good luck, and please let us know what you decide to do!

I have had plenty of bad luck with new items having troubles. I haven’t bought much that has been refurbished, but so far, I have not had problems with refurbished phones. My daughter dropped hers in a pool of oil on the street. But that could happen to any phone and wasn’t the fault of the refurbishing.

I would say that there is slightly higher risk with refurbished equipment, and that’s why you pay less for it. You pays you money and you takes you chances. It can work out well, and it can be a problem, but mostly it’s all right. You just have to be prepared in case you are unlucky. Paying for new is no guarantee, either. New stuff can crap out the day after the manufacturer’s warrantee expires. Shit happens.

I’ve gotten refurbished items as replacements on warranty from Apple, they’ve been fine. I’ll buy something used from the manufacturer, or from someone private if i can tell it hasn’t been abused.

Worst used item I ever bought was in 1976 I bought a 1968 Dodge Charger with an 8 track tape deck. Should have had it checked out first.

An oven from a friend – died within a week. Wish it had been the friend.

I’ve had no problems with refurbished items. Just check the warranty and reputation of the company selling the item. Item usually comes with at least the manufacturers warranty. Does the selling company offer returns/exchanges? If you’re buying from a legit company, and the item has a warranty, then go for it.

Used cars on the other hand…

We bought a refurbished mattress once. It had new padding over old springs. The springs in the middle collapsed a week after the 90 day warranty expired.

I bought a second hand pair of binoculars that were a waste of money. I couldn’t use them with my glasses and they were generally poor quality. I ended up buying a great new pair on Amazon.

I am cautious, and always insist on a warranty or return policy, but I haven’t had any more problems with refurbished/used than with brand new.

Yeah, that tartan paint was a non starter from the get go, we live & learn.

Buying a used car is like playing russian roulette.

I think you have to be careful. What is best, probably, is a factory refurbished item, from the manufacturer; with some kind of guarantee or warranty. I wouldn’t by anything that wasn’t “factory refurbished.” I have had some luck with those kind of things but just with relatively minor products and appliances. I would never buy electronics from some unknown source, refurbished by who knows who, without any kind of recourse if the thing doesn’t work properly.

But, I have to disagree with @Blackberry about used cars. I have always purchased used cars. I’ve never owned a brand new car and have always done well with used cars. Though, I have always bought my used cars from a reputable dealer, a new car dealer who also sells used; so I’ve payed a little more for them than I would buying used from a private party. They, dealers, have a reputation to maintain, at least, even if they don’t offer a warranty. I just “graduated” from simply “used” to “certified pre-owned,” with my last and current car, my 2005 Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon. I love that car and have not had many problems with it. The catalytic converter went out, a $1000 repair, but that was covered under the manufacturers warranty so it was fine. And the car cost me about $10,000 less than a brand new Subaru of the same type.

@zensky Damn, man. Remind me not to fuck with you.

I’ve had some few bad experiences buying used video games before, especially ones that have a disc format. Many of them worked fine, but some just wouldn’t be told. I remember paying 45 bucks for Megaman X5 and the damn thing wouldn’t play three quarters of the time. Since then I always check the CD before buying a used game, and look like a total conceited bitch doing so, but damnit I’m forkin money over here, stuff is supposed to work.

I bought a refurbished Toshiba laptop once, and it was fine, lasted a good couple of years and was still working when I gave it away. I haven’t ever bought nything else significant that’s second hand, though I do often buy second hand clothes from charity shops.

No, but I have regretted buying new items. Avid thrift shopper.