Registered: Sep 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Buy Refurbished or New Deluxe?

What is your opinion about purchasing a refurbished Visor Deluxe from Handspring versus spending the extra $50 and purchasing a brand new unit? The issue really comes down to "Will I need a 1 year warranty (that comes with the new unit), or will the 90 day warranty on the refurbished unit be long enough?". While the new Deluxe would come with a free leather case valued at $50, it does not look like a case that would be very useful to me.

I have been teetering on purchasing a Visor for about 6 months now. I am not certain that I will actually use it, or if it will become another idea that sounded good at the time. But with the price of the refurbished Deluxe down to $119, and a free Visor Phone (with activation), it would seem as though I couldn't go wrong. I just wonder how many people actually need warranty service beyond the initial 90 days?

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 278

This is a tough question because for myself I could go a few different ways. I bought a VDX this past January from someone else on the internet and it is a refurbished one but has worked just fine and has not needed warrenty service. So unless you need to have a new one I would reccomend the refurb. This device will be useful if you let it be useful. If you currently have a paper day planner and after buying a Visor continue just using the paper one than it won't be useful, but if you move your life onto the Visor you will soon see it was not a waste of money.

My other answer to this question is wait. You have already waited 6 months and unless you need this device today you may want to wait another month or two and see what handspring has up its sleeve. Pictures of the new Handspring Treo device are already floating around the web and there should also be new Visors coming out.

--David

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 383

I am happy with my refurbished VDx I purchased off of someone else.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Discount Danny's Used PDA's

I bought my VDX used on Ebay in December of last year for $190, a good deal at the time. I had an issue with synching (an encrustation of powdered sugar on the cradle pick-ups as it turns out) and Handspring cheerfully sent me a new unit...no questions asked.

This was a reconditioned unit, as is Handspring's repalecement policy. About three months after that a small portion of the screen lost its touch sensitivity. Handspring cheerfully provided a replacement.

Another three months passed and I dropped my VDX on a concrete floor shattering the screen. I paid Handspring something like $80 for yet another replacement.

So, after none months of VDX owership I am on my fourth unit. Each has arrived extrodinarily timely (as in next day) and been in mint condition out of the box.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a reconditioned model. In another year we'll all be using them for coasters, so make sure you get enough.

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 13

I would buy a new platinum at Staples for 199.99 and a box of paper clips for .27 and use one of their e coupons to save $30. Thus a new Platinum for $170

Registered: May 2001
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 101

Call me crazy...

but I always like to buy things new. Especially since these Visors are so cheap these days. It just would calm my mind that no one touched it, or sneezed on it, or got their grubby little hands on it before. But owning a Platinum for like...over a half a year now...I've had no problem with mine. I don't think there would be anything functionally wrong with a refurb.

__________________
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P.S. I feel at home with geeks like you.

Registered: Sep 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

Thanks to all who replied

Thank You to all who took the time to respond to my post. After weighing my options, and with careful consideration of the opinions expressed, I have placed my order for a refurbished Deluxe w/ free VisorPhone.

With the Free shipping offer, my total with tax was $125. I know there are faster models (or new ones) to be had for just a little more money, but I think this will be a great way to "get my feet wet".
From what I've seen, I can probably sell the Deluxe in six months for close to what I paid for it, and then trade up to the "latest and greatest".

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 13

Selling a visor in 6 months will be like selling a buggy whip, obsolete, not an antique.
DON'T plan on selling it for any more than $50

Registered: Sep 2001
Location:
Posts: 9

"Selling a visor in 6 months will be like selling a buggy whip, obsolete, not an antique.
DON'T plan on selling it for any more than $50"


True enough - I don't know what I was thinking when I said that I could sell it for close to what I paid. I still feel, however, that I got a good value for the amount paid. Worst case, I now own a cellular phone that doubles as a universal remote control as well as a gaming machine. Best case, I will finally get my life organized.