Used computer components

M

mwerner

Joined
Apr 23, 2002
Messages
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After about 5 years on this rig, my monitor shot craps. Most annoying, there was a short in the video output cable. I had thoughts of fixing it myself, but when I took the case off I found there were way too many wires and connections to fool with.
I had a backup of sorts, the old monitor from our original (about 10 years old) computer. Way too old and dark for gaming, however. No amount of fiddling would give me acceptable levels of brightness. Being terminally broke (Christmas...) I looked around at various sale outlets like Craig's list and the local papers, but no luck.
Saw an add for a new outfit here that deals in refurbished/used equipment.

I thought this would be some sort of repair place that had a few items on the side, but it turned out to be a rather large operation called EPC

http://www.epcusa.com/

That not only deals in used tech stuff but does repairs, recycling, and other services as well. They fixed me up with a 19" CRT for 60.00, which I'm using right now. Big, bright, and lets me see all the detail on the lovely WWI aircraft I'm flying in my new Over Flanders Fields mod. (For CFSIII)

30-day warranty as well. We'll see how it holds up.
 
Generally speaking I have no problem with used PC components. Heck I am running my firewall/router off of an old used PC I bought on eBay. The two laptops I own I bought used and have had no problems with. You can save a bunch of money by going this route, but you really do need to be careful.

The one thing that I would be hesitant to buy used would be a monitor. There are just to many things that can be wrong with it internally, yet it still looks fine on the outside. Also as you know it can just not look right, but still technically be working. If it were local, and they had a good refund/exchange policy I would probably take a chance on it though. At least that way if I am not satisfied I could easily go and get a new one or my money back.
 
Seems like a good deal as long as you got a warranty. My current 'primary' monitor is also used. It's a lease return Dell 21" Trinitron flat screen, the best monitor I've ever seen. Found it on TigerDirect or NewEgg (I forget which) for less than half the price of a new one.

One thing I won't waste time buying used any more, hard drives. Seems like every time I try there's thousands of bad sectors, no matter where I buy from or how much testing the company claims.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Drives keep getting cheaper all the time. I bought a new 80gig job last year for about 90.00. Now I'm seeing 200gig jobs for around 60 bucks after rebate!
 
Monitors keep getting cheaper and cheaper too, I just replaced my old 19" CRT with a samsung 19" multisync TFT for under £200! freed up over a foot of desk space too. The image is way better than a CRT
 
mwerner said:
.. They fixed me up with a 19" CRT for 60.00, which I'm using right now. Big, bright, and lets me see all the detail on the lovely WWI aircraft I'm flying in my new Over Flanders Fields mod. (For CFSIII)

30-day warranty as well. We'll see how it holds up.
Click to expand...

I bought a used 21 inch Nokia CRT monitor from a computer repair/recycling reseller like you did and saved a pile of money. That was 5 years ago and I've been using it daily ever since.

I would be more reluctant to buy a used hard drive for storing important data.
 
Many recycling centers sell used electronics really cheap. I've sold many good used monitors for between $10-$25. After 3 years, most computer equipment has been depreciated and many companies replace them. Give your local recycler (whose adverts include electronics recycling) a call and see if they have someone who handles retail sales. (all these calls used to come to me when I did that last year.) It's worth a try...
 
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