New pre-amplifier?


I ordered a new new pre-amplifier from a dealer and they’re going to send it to me directly from the manufacturer which is fine.

However, how do I know this isn’t a used component that was sent back to the factory for recertification and a technical review or even a repair on a defective return by a previous customer and then sent out as a new product. The dealer has title to the product I believe so the manufacturer is just accommodating and working very closely with the dealer. I know that used products are often sold with a full warranty if done through a dealer and represented as such, which is fine. I assume these types of things are not like a car that has a master repair history connected to it? If I buy a new product how am I assured it's a new product?

Dealers tend to use manufacturing sites to warehouse products waiting for shipment to a customer at times. It can be mysterious. one manufacturer was willing to send me new equipment without involvement of a dealer, which is fine with me but certainly the dealers would have a problem with this.

 

emergingsoul

Showing 3 responses by yyzsantabarbara

I tend to like refurbished products from the manufacturer over brand new. For example, computers are something I buy refurbished over new if given the option. I learned this from my IT buddies.

I have purchased some audio gear that was listed as used and sold by the manufacturer. I consider then as good as new or sometimes better. I tend not to have issues with this type of gear compared to brand new.

@charles1dad Yes. When you get a computer laptop, server, etc from DELL for example. It comes from the assembly line in Mexico or maybe China. They do only rudimentary QA on that line (likely after final assembly). If that machine is returned to DELL they go through the unit more extensively in Texas. They then resell it on their refurbished website, www.delloutlet.com.

I have bought 15-20 computers from this site over the last 12 years (my work uses them and also laptops for family). Every one of those machines has worked flawlessly.

A decade ago, I bought a $24K server (price brand new) for $2k (about 6 months from new). I still have that machine.

@onhwy61 Guilty

 

In the case, of DELL they want to make sure the machines that are returned do not come back again to them again. I think there is better testing on these refurbished machines than the new ones.

Of course, some returns are not because of failures but of configuration errors, such as the $24k server I mentioned. That one had a 32-bit OS installed and required a 64-bit one (or it may have been the Workstation laptop it got). Though these configuration errors seem to be not the majority issue on the DELL site.