Sometimes you get burned by "Open Box"

[BUCK NASTY]

Hey all. I bought an Open Box Mobo on Newegg last week. Great price of $59.99 for an ASRock 790GXH/128M. Normally there are a few things missing (i.e. I/O plate, sata cables, etc), but this one had everything. I figured I got pretty lucky on a slightly used board. This is until I noticed that there was a issue with the MOSFET's for PCI-E slot#1 & 2 .



You can see in the pic there was severe trauma inflicted on the FET's on #2 and a chipped FET on #1. Looks like someone tried pulling more that the 75 watts the slot(s) are rated for. Slot #1 works fine with an o/c'd GTX260, but slot 2 is dead. The board had no problems unlocking my 45nm Athlon x2 5000+ to a Phenom II X4 FX-5000 with L3 enabled. Current stables clock are 3.2Ghz 24/7 and everything is running fine except for PCI-E slot#2. Now I considered RMA'ing this immediately, but the low price for the board, coupled with return shipping and Newegg's re-stock would eat up half of the potential credit. I think I will end up mounting the board my HTPC. I use HDMI, so the slots are not an issue.

The question is: Should I live with and work around the boards handicap, or should I RMA and get a measly $30.00 out of it?

BTW, how many of you would destroy a product and try to RMA it knowing that the damage was caused by your negligence?

[DirectorC]

1. Live with it. It works! And if it doesn't really need that 2nd slot then why bother?

2. No.

[warup89]

Originally Posted by BUCK NASTY

The question is: Should I live with and work around the boards handicap, or should I RMA and get a measly $30.00 out of it?

IMO [from the money point of view] i would just keep it as it is and forget about it, but then again since that board has some bad past, it may fail on something else but i doubt it [as long and you dont push it]

Originally Posted by BUCK NASTY

BTW, how many of you would destroy a product and try to RMA it knowing that the damage was caused by your negligence?

I F'ed the bios of a brand new x1800xt long time ago and sent it back with a heart breaking letter, and got a new one back [i used the manufacturer's RMA though]

[Kantastic]

Tell Newegg it came DOA, they'll give you a shipping label and there won't be any restocking fees.

[Bot]

i'd might keep it. i am not sure if ASRock would accept it as an RMA if it was an open-box item on newegg. i know newegg open-box and re-certified sales are usually AS-IS sales.

on the other hand, if one pci-e failed this badly already, the likelyhood that the other or anything else on the board fails is high.

i think it sux when people return items that they have knowingly damaged on purpose, neglect or inexperience. it makes vendors and distributors all the more careful about returns and enforce stricter policies that could prevent someone with a legitimate claim from getting a proper solution and/or having to wait extended time.

[imperialreign]

Originally Posted by BUCK NASTY

The question is: Should I live with and work around the boards handicap, or should I RMA and get a measly $30.00 out of it?

IDK - tough call . . . if the board would be a daily runner, I'd send it back . . . but if it'll be subjected to a secondary rig status, it's probably not worth it.

BTW, how many of you would destroy a product and try to RMA it knowing that the damage was caused by your negligence?

Nope - that's BS. Now, I have had instances before where I've worn something out, called the RMA department for the manufacturer, told them what I had done (OCing), and have never had an RMA turned down. They're usually willing to work with you when it's upper-end components, and you fess up to OCing.

But, I'd never even think of sending in parts that were physically damaged like in your pic (which appears like someone either borked a hardmod, or got shtoopid and were attempting to OC the PCIE slot) - I use that as an excuse to upgrade. Besides, RMAing due to such horrendous abuse is un-ehtical (and most manufacturers won't even warranty components like that).

[Flyordie]

Originally Posted by Bot

i think it sux when people return items that they have knowingly damaged on purpose, neglect or inexperience. it makes vendors and distributors all the more careful about returns and enforce stricter policies that could prevent someone with a legitimate claim from getting a proper solution and/or having to wait extended time.

I bought an Open Box SeaSonic PSU from Newegg... but that was after calling SeaSonic support and asking what the RMA process was like for E-tailers.

SeaSonic REQUIRES that e-tailers ship the returned PSU back to the service station for inspection by SeaSonic techs... SS then ships the unit back to Newegg for no charge and Newegg sells it at Recertified or Open Box (more Recert than Open Box now). Thats why SeaSonics are generally more expensive.. :-p I got my 550W SS-550HT for $90 shipped. (Retailed for $140 at the time)

So far, the PSU is running fine. I have pushed it to 538W DC output and no problems.

- Moral of the story, call the manufacturer and ask them their policy on e-tailer returns..

[Goodman]

That is why i never buy something on line , i always go in stores & check everything in box before i get out the store , beside i like the fact that when i pay for something i'll get it right away, no waiting time

I may paid a bit more this way but it is safer & if a problem with the parts all i have to do is go down in the store & exchanged the part on the spot & get right back home with the new one & again no waiting time & no extras fees

[Kantastic]

Originally Posted by Bot

i know newegg open-box and re-certified sales are usually AS-IS sales.

I returned an open box 4870, I just told them I didn't have the resources to test it (I honestly didn't) and they sent me an RMA # and shipping label.

[SoulTribunal]

If it works, I'd keep it. Its a cheap board so save yourself the hassle and do it. I've never sent anything in for RMA that was damaged by my neglegience. Doing stuff like that hurts the manufacturers and their bottom line and thats spread out to the consumers when they have to eat these costs of buisness on new products.

ST

[imperialreign]

Originally Posted by Goodman

That is why i never buy something on line , i always go in stores & check everything in box before i get out the store , beside i like the fact that when i pay for something i'll get it right away, no waiting time

I may paid a bit more this way but it is safer & if a problem with the parts all i have to do is go down in the store & exchanged the part on the spot & get right back home with the new one & again no waiting time & no extras fees

Generally agreed - but, considering Newegg, it's not an issue with "NEW, Retail, OEM" purchases . . . "Open Box" is a different story. But, if you're in an area like where I live, the only stores locally that carry hardware are Best Buy. We lost CompUSA (sadly, so sadly), and no small-time PC shops can stay open anymore than a month due to the Spartan competition of BB. Some of us simply don't have a choice anymore but to order online.

[r9]

I hate Asrock. . Nothing more to say. And yes I know that their prices are tempting.

[DirectorC]

Originally Posted by Goodman

That is why i never buy something on line , i always go in stores & check everything in box before i get out the store , beside i like the fact that when i pay for something i'll get it right away, no waiting time

I may paid a bit more this way but it is safer & if a problem with the parts all i have to do is go down in the store & exchanged the part on the spot & get right back home with the new one & again no waiting time & no extras fees

I bought pretty much my entire PC at a CompUSA 10 minutes down the road. This was after Tiger bought them so the premium over Newegg was close to none, and I got to go right back with my bad purchases and trade them in for good ones. I do have an E8400, Hyper 212 Plus and some RAM coming that I just bought from these forums though, so my computer is now slowly losing that 'built at CompUSA' label.

Anyway, I REALLY like Kan's idea!

[Goodman]

Originally Posted by imperialreign

Generally agreed - but, considering Newegg, it's not an issue with "NEW, Retail, OEM" purchases . . . "Open Box" is a different story. But, if you're in an area like where I live, the only stores locally that carry hardware are Best Buy. We lost CompUSA (sadly, so sadly), and no small-time PC shops can stay open anymore than a month due to the Spartan competition of BB. Some of us simply don't have a choice anymore but to order online.

Maybe the problem is you all US people buy to much online & now they're closing computers stores...that & the bad economy in the US...

Anyhow here where i live there is plenty of computers stores 5 of them are within 20 min. from my house & also many shopping center all been there for at less 10 years or more.

I've been buying all my computer parts in the same store for more then 5 years so the guy knows me so i've got no problems for exchange or warranty's on any parts i buy there (also been a long time consumer gets me a few dollars off the regular price )

[hat]

You got it messed up like that, so RMA it.

[Polaris573]

Show newegg the picture of how badly damaged it is and request that they pay for return shipping. They claim to inspect open box items so if it's visibly damaged it shows careless behavior on their part. They'll probably send you a shipping label as long as you behave in a respectful and cordial manner without getting angry. You don't know what else was damaged when those mosfets were. The board could just fail and then you would lose out more than if you had returned it.

[HossHuge]

I agree^^^^

Look at it this way. Would you have bought it knowing it was like this?

[imperialreign]

Originally Posted by Goodman

Maybe the problem is you all US people buy to much online & now they're closing computers stores...that & the bad economy in the US...

No - the problem is the amount of fools out there who go into stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart and purchase stuff that they know absolutely nothing about; without doing any research or otherwise.

BB is notorious for charging an arm and a leg for hardware that we would scoff at, and the reason they charge such amounts is because people pay such amounts because they don't know any better. I've been on a personal boycott of BB and CC for years, now.

The small "mom & pop" shops simply can't compete with the retail giants, there are simply too many un-educated individuals out there that don't know the difference, or think that all hardware is practically the same. I mean, c'mon, how in the world is it that people can go out and purchase nearly any on-shelf OEM and think they're getting their monies worth? Locked BIOS, OEM bloatware, bottom-rung hardware, etc., etc.

Online sales have nothing to do with the big picture . . . quite honestly, online sales makeup only a small fraction of any retailer's actual business. Every major in-store retailer out there could easily drop their online retail and not so much as flinch from any backlash from it.

Anyhow here where i live there is plenty of computers stores 5 of them are within 20 min. from my house & also many shopping center all been there for at less 10 years or more.

I've been buying all my computer parts in the same store for more then 5 years so the guy knows me so i've got no problems for exchange or warranty's on any parts i buy there (also been a long time consumer gets me a few dollars of the regular price )

I remember a time like that - the few PC shops that stuck it out to the end in this area had a dedicated customer base . . . I was even willing to pay a bit more for the hardware just to give these shops their profit . . . but, alas . . .

[FordGT90Concept]

Originally Posted by BUCK NASTY

The question is: Should I live with and work around the boards handicap, or should I RMA and get a measly $30.00 out of it?

I'd RMA it and if they really want the board back, they're paying shipping. I would never keep a known-to-be-defective product.

[MKmods]

Send it right back (more stuff will screw up in the mobo in the future)

im a fan of Karma so if I screwed up a part I would not send it back.

I am a bit surprised you didnt notice that much damage before you plugged in anything though.(I wouldnt have taken a chance of screwing up my hardware if I saw a mobo like that)

[AsRock]

They normally pay return postage still and with it being a fault with it and as long as it's not been over 30 days you should get a full refund.

Although you might not see the money for 1-2 weeks though.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by r9

I hate Asrock. . Nothing more to say. And yes I know that their prices are tempting.

Glad ya put the last part in there was starting to take it personal. :P

[SummerDays]

Originally Posted by Goodman

That is why i never buy something on line , i always go in stores & check everything in box before i get out the store , beside i like the fact that when i pay for something i'll get it right away, no waiting time

I may paid a bit more this way but it is safer & if a problem with the parts all i have to do is go down in the store & exchanged the part on the spot & get right back home with the new one & again no waiting time & no extras fees

Prices at local stores are too high and half the time the people working there haven't had time or money to checkout the latest technology. What's so great about letting minimum wage staff assemble a computer for you?

Anyways, in terms of the original motherboard, why not RMA it to the company, and let them send you a "new", working unit? In any case, Open Boxes can also be returned to New Egg. Check their policy.

[CDdude55]

Definitely try and get a new board.

Cause that board is just plain f'd up.

[BUCK NASTY]

Originally Posted by MKmods

Send it right back (more stuff will screw up in the mobo in the future)

im a fan of Karma so if I screwed up a part I would not send it back.

I am a bit surprised you didnt notice that much damage before you plugged in anything though.(I wouldnt have taken a chance of screwing up my hardware if I saw a mobo like that)

I saw the damage and then read the Newegg open box return policy. They test it for functionality, not aesthetics. So, I slapped in a test rig to see if it would even run and was surprised how well the board ran. the board appears to be 100% besides PCI-E #2. Meh, I'll prob RMA it after my new board arrives next week. Until then, it will be used "sparingly" to surf.

[MN12BIRD]

I wouldn't keep that. It's broken. Simple as that. Having a full sized 790GX Crossfire board with non-functional PCI-e slots makes no sense. You might as well just get a 785G board to use for HTPC.