Floor model and Refurbished units (1 Viewer)

[BenF]

I am hoping you guys can help me out with some quick advice.

I'm looking at receivers and have found the unit I want at the local Tweeter store and at ecost. The prices are within 20 bucks, so that is a non factor. The unit at Tweeter has been a floor model for about 6 months now. The ecost unit is a factory (denon) refurbished unit.

ALl things being equal, would you prefer to get a factory refurb or a floor model? I would prefer to buy locally, but I am not sure what sort of use or abuse a floor model sees.

Thanks for the help.

 

[John Garcia]

I would take a floor model over a refurb. You know for sure the floor model works and has no obvious problems. Not much that will abuse a receiver too bad. I've bought a number of floor models/demos from local shops and only ever had one with a problem, and that one they actually replaced with a brand new unit at no cost. Floor models/demos carry the FULL manufacturer's warranty from the day you buy it, where a refurb carries a limited warranty, often only 90days.

 

[gene c]

A floor model from a local store or a factory refurb on-line. That's a tough one. If it looks like the floor model was hooked up, I would go with the refurb. I bought an Onkyo refurb receiver from PCMALL and have had no problems. Looks and works perfectly. On the other hand, I also bought an open box H/K 520 from CC with the same results. But the H/K had obviously never been hooked up. The power cord was still factory wrapped, the batteries for the remote were still in tact and the manual and other accessories were still in the bag un-opened. No dust or finger prints visible either like on other open box items they had. On one hand, if there is a problem with the ecost one you have to send it back. The one from tweeter you can return your self. But unless the open box looks perfect, I'd go with the refurb. It's almost a coin toss but to me, the refurb wins 51 to 49. Let's see what others think. Well it looks like John beat me to the "send" button so it's 1 to 1. BTW, my Onkyo came with a one year factory warranty but it is something important you need to consider.

 

[Hank VT]

I bought a refurbed Onkyo and it works great. Many decades ago, I bought an open box tuner and it wouldn't go stereo. I took it to a shop and they said it looked like someone slashed the board with a razor. It was probably a return.

 

[BenF]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

The floor model has definately been opened and looks to have been used. The salesperson at Tweeter told me that it was opened up ~ 2 months ago when it was their last unit and is now being sold as floor model. He also said it was disconnected and has just been sitting on the shelf ever since the '05 denon units came in. And like you said, full 2 year factory warranty from when I buy it.

90 day warranty with ecost, and I can then purchase the 2 year additional warranty from them.

I am leaning towards the Tweeter floor model because of the warranty terms and ease of warranty use if necesary. I would still be interested in hearing what others have to say about a floor model that has been out on the floor for a little while.

Thanks.

 

[John Garcia]

A refurb suggests to me that this unit had bad QC or was damaged in shipping, and it is a hit or miss, and I usually avoid them because you don't know what the original problem was nor how or what was repaired (even for factory refurbs). Floor model TVs that have been sitting on the shelf on for literally months at a time are a bad idea, but receivers, which have very few moving and/or wear parts, do not have the same problem. As long as there is no obvious damage, and it works, it should be perfectly fine.

 

[BenF]

Thank you for all the responses. I went with the majority opinion and bought the floor model 3803. I have been very pleased with the unit and couldn't be happier with the price, especially considering the full Mfg warranty.