Experiences buying a refurbished/dented laptop from Dell outlet.

Hi,
I did not know about this Dell Outlet until I signed up here. The prices seem to be much lower than buying a new unit. I have my eye on a Dell M6400 unit..

So my question is, what are your experiences with a refurbished unit? By refurbished, are these units that have been rented out to businesses and returned? Will I be buying a 100% used unit? or does Dell replaces parts inside before selling them etc? Am I taking chances on these units or am I safe in terms of dependability?

thanks

 

I purchased an "scratch & dent" m6400 from the Outlet a couple of weeks ago. When it arrived, it was careully checked over and neither I nor my wife can find a single mark on it. The system booted without any problem and is running perfectly as it came from Dell. The cost was some $2000 less than one equipped exactly the same, on the Dell Business site. If you can find exactly what you want at the Outlet, go for it.

 

If you go with the top two levels, previously ordered new or certified refurbished, your computer should come looking brand new. Mine did, and it was certified refurb. With scratch and dent, there may be one larger problem (small dent, large scratch), but it should still look fine. Unless you're really OCD and perfect, you shouldn't have a problem (also, you could be really unlucky, but it's not likely). You can always return if it's really bad.

 

Many customers have had great experience with the dell outlet. I say go for it given that you know how to purchase and you know what you are looking for.

 

My refurb E6500 looked like new.

 

Happy Dell outlet guy myself, got the laptop in my sig for 2100 today.

 

On my 2nd refurb purchased through the Dell Outlet. First one is over 2 years old and still running strong and still looks brand new.

My M1330 is my 2nd refurb and it too looked brand new when it arrived. Running strong and well.

Looking at buying a 'scratch and dent' for my wife to replace the older refurb (just for something faster). By all accounts most of the 'scratch and dents' I've seen pictures of are nearly peerless in appearance with very minor appearance issues. That said, the scratch and dent prices are even a better deal than the refurbs on most of the comprable deals I've looked at.

 

Keep in mind you get the full normal warranty for that laptop and you can even purchase the normal warranty upgrades (Complete Care etc), for most if not all units.

 

That's one of the reasons that I appreciate the way Dell handles the outlet. Pretty much treated like it is a 'new' laptop, warranty-wise, with the same extended warranties offered. Latitudes even still come with the base 3 year NBD warranty through the outlet. Quite nice.