Do you regret buying ex-demo/returns?

TheFlyingGerbil

I'm looking to buy a rowing machine and they're very expensive! There are some good bargains if you get an ex-demo or returned item but I'm already getting pre-purchase buyer's remorse! Does anyone buy 'seconds' over the internet as you can't see what they're like. HAve they generally been OK? Do you wish you'd spent more money and got a new one or the same money and got a cheaper model?

I need help being less indecisive!

snowqueen555

no, not really. i have gone down that route before, the products are not in good shape. are you buing froma website or a shop?

jmarko

i've had all sorts of things ex-demo or returns. returns are best in my book. they tend to come with the same full warranty as if you've bought it new and returns that have been repaired are best of all... because they've actually been repaired and checked! it may seem like a silly point but if you're buying something new, it may not have gone through the same level of checking as if it has had to be repaired.

interestingly, none of the stuff that i've bought that was a return has ever had any probs (*touch wood*). that includes computers, digital radios, dvd players and a pvr amongst other things.

i also (being ever so slightly warped!) love it when whatever the product is has a slight blemish - because then when i see it, i can think to my self, 'that scratch saved me £100!'

i will now leave this thread open to everyone that's ever had a horror story buying returns!

jmarko

TheFlyingGerbil

It's on a website which is what's troubling me - I can't actually see the condition of it and they say on the site that since it is classed as a one-off piece it isn't covered by distance selling regulations meaning I couldn't return it if it were faulty.

jmarko

TheFlyingGerbil wrote: »

It's on a website which is what's troubling me - I can't actually see the condition of it and they say on the site that since it is classed as a one-off piece it isn't covered by distance selling regulations meaning I couldn't return it if it were faulty.

is it a site that you can trust? can you email them to ask about condition and guarantees?

Lum

So you're buying it off a website, they wont let you see what state it's in and they've already absolved themselves of any responsibility to take it back if it's broken.

Doesn't sound like the actions of a company that has confidence in it's product. You might get lucky but I wouldn't risk it. You'd be safer buying a second hand one on eBay!

I have had good luck with ex-demo and returns stuff in the past, but this has always been from a reputable shop that provides a warranty. My best was back in 2001 when I actually had spare cash, bought an ex-demo rear projection TV for £2000 (£500 off) from Comet, had it delivered, it had screenburn, called in the warranty, engineer decides it will cost £1800 in parts alone to repair and orders me a brand new one instead. Result!

C_Ronaldo

I wouldnt touch anything with a bargepole if im not able to see it for myself,

DKLS

TBH I would save your cash, register with freecycle, I have had some great exercise kit. I recently collected a Nordic Track machine, barely used, that retails for about £800.

And there are frequent ads for exercise kit, worth a try anyway, before you splash the cash.

TheFlyingGerbil

I must live in a bad area, DKLS as most of the stuff on freecycle you couldn't give away for free(!)

chappers11

I bought a returned cross trainer from here

http://fitness-equipment-clearance.co.uk/index.html

great bit of kit, £200 less than John Lewis, arrived promptly, 2 guys installed it, and the only thing wrong was a tiny scratch. The unit was also an upgrade from the one i ordered

after a month it developed a squeak, and they sent out an engineer and he fixed it FOC

Would highly recommend them for fitness kit

TheFlyingGerbil

Result! I emailed them asking what state it was in and got a reply 5 mins later (always a good sign) that they couldn't say as it was warehoused. Never mind I though but I got an email the next morning saying I could have a brand new one for £449 (£150 less than their web price!). It's still miles more than I planned to spend -everything always is - but I'm well chuffed!