Ex-Demonstration Equipment

[SuppliesSaviour]

As a supplier of ex demonstration (and new) equipment. I am curious to know if anybody has had any bad or good experiences with ex-demo equipment. I know in the nine years we have been supplying ex-demo, we have faced absolutely no major issues. However I have spoken to a couple of people who say they have had bad experiences (from other suppliers) and I am wondering what full the extent of this is, conversely I would also like to hear about any good experiences people have had.

Any views on this would be appreciated.

[pete]

Generally, the problem is misrepresentation. For example - "laptop with minor cosmetic defects" != cracked screen.

Providing the kit has been properly tested and your descriptions are honest, you should be fine. It's better to say "we think there might be a problem with $foo" and have $foo work ok for the buyer, than not say anything and the guy find out for himself.

[mrforgetful]

We always used to buyEx-Demo and Reconditioned HP printers from Landscape.
Stodded now due to a bad experience a colleague had.

[Ric_]

I love 2nd-user and ex-dem equipment. As long as you find a good supplier like 1st Technologies (see advertising module) and you know your stuff you can save £££££s and stretch that budget a little bit further.

I must also admit that it pains me to see money being 'wasted'.

[contink]

I've started sourcing a fair amount of ex-demo printers and even "untested" units although you tend to play the numbers game there.

I'd just underline what Pete said that it needs to be honest descriptions and not "marketing spiel".

[john]

I have had some ex-demo and damaged box stock recently from the PCWorld Business Group, ok kit as well, and the one duff item I got still had manufacturers warranty and the manufacture swapped it no questions asked, and it looed like a brand new one in place of one with some scuffs. As has been said be very honest with your ads, if its got a deep scratch say so dont say lightly scuffed if it looks like somebodys taken a huge gouge chistle to it and hacked away at it etc. One firm I used to use for stuff used to photograph all the sides, top, bottom etc of the equiptment and put it on the website, so the emailed the lists through and just linked to the page and it had loads of photos on it of the item so you could see, they put pictures of the TFTs loaded with windows on etc so you could see screen damage if that was part of the -ives with it etc worked well, the firm how-ever is no more.

[SuppliesSaviour]

Thanks to all for your replies, they are very useful.