Thinkpads Forum

Does it increase or decrease the resale value? Are they a better buy than a used one average wear and tear?

What goes into IBM refurbishing one?

CRSO wrote:Does it increase or decrease the resale value? Are they a better buy than a used one average wear and tear?

What goes into IBM refurbishing one?

I'd view it as a case by case basis.
Generally I'm not all that interested in refurbished laptops bacasue 1)They only have a 90-120 day warranty and 2)Since its refurbished, seller is asking for a high price (eg. thinkpadworld).

Between a corporate env laptop and a refurbished laptop, I'd prefer refurbished; but I find better value in getting a laptop that has a long duration remaining IBM warranty on it.

IBM runs tests and full analysis on these machines (Thinkpads and Lenovo 3000 series) for all malfunctions. They could have some minor cosmetic wear but IBM warrants these used equipments in a healthy and more than acceptable, very good physical condition. In addition they're backed with a 7 day money back guarantee and 3 months limited warranty from IBM.

Please keep in mind I'm merely talking about the Certified Used Equipment (refurbished) that ibm.com offers.

ryengineer wrote:IBM runs tests and full analysis on these machines (Thinkpads and Lenovo 3000 series) for all malfunctions. They could have some minor cosmetic wear but IBM warrants these used equipments in a healthy and more than acceptable, very good physical condition. In addition they're backed with a 7 day money back guarantee and 3 months limited warranty from IBM.

Please keep in mind I'm merely talking about the Certified Used Equipment (refurbished) that ibm.com offers.

Why doesnt IBM/lenovo offer longer warranties on these machines ?
Dell seems to be the only one which offers the same warranties on used notebooks as new ones, I dunno why.

wearetheborg wrote: Why doesnt IBM/lenovo offer longer warranties on these machines ?
Dell seems to be the only one which offers the same warranties on used notebooks as new ones, I dunno why.

IBM does offer more than 3 months of warranty on these machines every now and then and mostly sells those equipments whose warranty can be extended up till 3 years!

Years ago IBM sold refurbs with the balance of the original warranty. They were cosmetically perfect, in fact I think many of them were simply old models that were being sold off at a reduced rate.

The current policy stinks. The units have a 90 day warranty, and are often quite expensive. I don't buy into the idea that they are "checked out". There is no reason for IBM to do that. Any defects are cured by EZSERV after the customer finds them. All a part of overhead.

It makes a lot more sense, IMHO, to buy a used machine with a strong warranty. Anything wrong with it will be fixed by IBM, even the cosmetics.

scosgt1 wrote:snip...........Anything wrong with it will be fixed by IBM, even the cosmetics.

Cosmetic damage won't be fixed by warranty other than the circumstances where IBM determines if the damaged part is hindering in the normal operation of a machine. Techs at EasyServ are generally nice and would replace anything for you if they feel it needs to be, nevertheless according to IBM's policy such sort of damage falls in misuse category which it would not cure.

I MUST disagree. Maybe IBM service is different in Canada. I have called for a palmrest, they send it. I have had cracked LCD bezels replaced. I have even had the entire base replaced for cracks (more than once, in fact more than 10 times). The IBM warranty covers everything except spills and cracked LCD's (and less than 8 dead pixels, a common problem on refurbs). Maybe it is different in Canada. Maybe you are assuming something. I have more ThinkPads on my house than most people will ever own in a lifetime. Current count is probably near 100. My warranty experience has been 98% positive, once in a while you get a cranky tech.

Cosmetic cracks will be covered but cosmetic flaws like wear won't be. All the machines IBM sell at ibm.com are refurbished by EasyServ and they don't sell machines with cracked parts (which you already are aware of ). Since we were talking about buying machines from IBM so I assumed the cosmetics you're referring to is "wear" (previously mentioned by me). One can give IBM a call about replacement of any CRU like palmrest and they'll gladly send you a replacement with no questions asked. But IBM is restricted when it comes to wear.

scosgt1 wrote:I have more ThinkPads on my house than most people will ever own in a lifetime. Current count is probably near 100.

scosgt1, I am also in NYC. Now I know who to contact when I need to go shopping, '"'. There are a few ''vintage'' TP's i'm looking into rebuilding just as a hobby.

Thanks for everybody's insight! I was mainly concerned with those refurbished units being sold second hand.

Aren't the majority of many refurbished units simply corporate leases that ended. I work on the Acela Trains in the Northeast Corridor and probably 80 percent of ALL laptops on the trains are Thinkpads. Of all the corporate employees traveling on business, i'd say that percent is near 95. I am a TP fanatic and enjoy watching my fellow co-workers' new Dell or HP (that they paid 500.00 for) breakdown and fall apart. They are all starting to notice how many TP's there are also. I also like to show the TP's on the Space Shuttle pictures.

One would also think that the refurbs from expired corporate leases would be in worse shape then say one of ''ours'' because we (well, most of us) tend to care for our equipment. I see a lot of the corporate employees simply throwing the the laptops in the bag, dropping it around, etc. BUT, i'm sure many know that they my be held financially responsible so they care for them more?

I think that many of the official refurbs are customer returns. The price is reduced, but so is the warranty. I have also run into machines that came from "IBM Global Finance" that had NO warranty at all.

ryengineer wrote: But IBM is restricted when it comes to wear.

I've had keyboards replaced before that were functional but so worn down that some keys had 'ruts' in them and several letters were missing...so I think it all depends on who you deal with over the phone and how you ask. IMHO, I consider that to be a defect on a machine still under warranty. I'm sure there are other examples.

Harryc wrote: I've had keyboards replaced before that were functional but so worn down that some keys had 'ruts' in them and several letters were missing...so I think it all depends on who you deal with over the phone and how you ask. IMHO, I consider that to be a defect on a machine still under warranty. I'm sure there are other examples.

Sir, IBM does not argue with customers on CRU, one can always call and ask for replacement no matter whether it`s functional, non functional, brand new or worn out as long as your machine is still under warranty. The wear (i.e. scratches, spots, marks) I quoted is specifically the wear that happens to almost every machine with the course of time at different places on parts other than CRU. Ofcourse, if you`re lucky IBM will replace those for you as well when you send out your machine to repair services but not always.

ryengineer wrote:Sir, IBM does not argue with customers on CRU, one can always call and ask for replacement no matter whether it`s functional, non functional, brand new or worn out as long as your machine is still under warranty.

I've noticed in this and several other threads that you quote IBM/Lenovo policy as if you were an employee and you speak in the third person as if you are an IBM executive. Am I close? If not, why do you do that?

Harryc wrote:

ryengineer wrote:Sir, IBM does not argue with customers on CRU, one can always call and ask for replacement no matter whether it`s functional, non functional, brand new or worn out as long as your machine is still under warranty.

I've noticed in this and several other threads that you quote IBM/Lenovo policy as if you were an employee and you speak in the third person as if you are an IBM executive. Am I close? If not, why do you do that?

DITTO!!!