Dell Outlet - Experiences?

This thread concerns the actual Outlet that sells Refurb/Scratch/Lease/Returned computers for cheap.

I was wondering how all of your experiences buying off the outlet are... specifically buying "Refurbished" laptops. I've looked in a few threads and it seems generally, everyone is satisfied with their purchase, but I wanted to make a poll

So... basically, how well does it work (and look) - like something you'd get off Ebay that's a year old, or something you'd return to Best Buy after using it for a week?

If you've ordered a "scratch/dent" laptop it would also be interesting to hear how scratched up the laptop actually came...

Edit: I missed a thread in the search... it seems like there's already a thread kind of like this one, but one more can't hurt, right?

 

My notebook and my last desktop (couple years ago) have been Dell Outlet systems. I always get the "Certified Refurbished" ones because I don't want to get one with a scratch. This notebook was in awesome condition, looked brand new. My screen is a little dull compared to some newer ones I've seen but hey, I paid 800 for this and it was worth 1200 brand new at the time. I'm not complaining at all.

 

ordered two M1210 from the outlet one was a scratch & dent and it was flawless. the 2nd one was certified refurbished and it had a small scratch, paint chip on the palm rest near the touch pad. Called Dell support and they replaced the entire palm rest two days later. I would order from the outlet again. It was huge savings for me.

 

I have ordered a few time from dell outlet and have had nothing but good experince besides a few scratches the laptops have looked great

 

Other than the red colored sticker on the bottom (means refurb) you could not tell it from new. No issues and a hell of a cost save also.

 

Yea cert refurb = no blemishes. If they missed something (and should have labeled it S&D), then they will replace part of the housing for you.

 

Wow... thanks for all the quick responses (one of the reasons I decided to ask the question here ). I guess I'll be picking up an E1505 when the outlet has one that I want.

 

keep us updated whistle

 

I've described the experience in a lot of detail already, but Dell sent me a pretty banged-up Precision M65. Apparently it slipped through the cracks because it was listed as refurbished rather than scratch and dent. Anyway, I emailed, chatted and called (sent pictures too), and without any real trouble they agreed to build me a new M65 to replace the beat-up one.
In short: they sent me a $2400 M65 after I'd ordered and received an Outlet M65 that cost less than $1100. But I doubt this happens too often. They just didn't have any comparable refurbs to replace the original.

 

I think cert refurbs can have blemishes, just not too many
"
Certified Refurbished: These systems are put through the production process again to ensure they meet all original factory specifications. We also retest each system to ensure excellent quality and workmanship standards. Certified Refurbished systems may have observable cosmetic imperfections, but they will not affect performance. "

 

My scratch and dent 6400 I ordered a year ago took me about 20 minutes of careful examination to find one tiny hairline scratch, that wouldnt even show up in pictures with a 4 megapixel cannon S410 digi cam. At the time it was almost $600 cheaper than ordering the same thing new with the available discounts at the time. My M1210 in my sig was an outlet purchase as well, and was perfect, and at under a grand shipped, no complaints to be had