Kindle Replacements Are Not Used...hmmm

hmf · 05-21-2011, 02:48 AM

Ok, now that I've got your attention, I just got off the line with Amazon regarding the replacement of my K3 due to fading keyboard characters. I mentioned that I assumed I would be getting a refurbished unit. The CS rep said that all replacement units are brand new units that have been pulled off the production line and tested before being sent out. That since they were pulled off the line and tested they could not be considered new and are thus referred to as refurbished. Although I indicated my scepticism he sounded sincere saying Amazon didn't want any customer to get a defective unit after a return. He said that ANY sign of previous use would be grounds for a return. While my heart wants to believe him my head is calling BS.

Barbara1955 · 05-21-2011, 03:26 AM

Since some people I know Have recieved Replacements & HAVE NOT been returning the old unit! I would say CS is Correct! 1 was dropped & one sat on & 1 just died! LOL

HarryT · 05-21-2011, 03:31 AM

Does it really matter?

hmf · 05-21-2011, 04:38 AM

Does it matter? Nah...but if given a choice I'm sure anyone would prefer a new one over a "refurb."

Barbara1955 · 05-21-2011, 04:46 AM

Would to me Depending on the AGE of the one I Purchased! Tons of people got Nooks for Christmas & they were Broken! ALL B&N replaced them with were Refurbs worth $80 [what they were selling them for at the time] I had 2 Both Broken out of box... They wanted to send me refirb No Way! I just paid $149 & they want me to except $80!! Now if I had them say about 5-6 months No Problem!

This is why I like Amazon they know how to treat customers!!

bwaldron · 05-21-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmf

Does it matter? Nah...but if given a choice I'm sure anyone would prefer a new one over a "refurb."

Actually there can be advantages if a device is truly refurbed and tested.

markdek · 05-21-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaldron

Actually there can be advantages if a device is truly refurbed and tested.

That has been my experience w/ Apple.....don't know about Amazon...if the company is good, the refurbs are good, and can be even less risky than new.

.

kindlekitten · 05-21-2011, 10:55 AM

I think (in the past at least) when Amazon was issuing the re-furbs they did it at fire sale prices and it was announced as a "re-furb" sale. that is how and when I got my second K1. it was dropped to the low low price of something like $190

aceflor · 05-21-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmf

Ok, now that I've got your attention, I just got off the line with Amazon regarding the replacement of my K3 due to fading keyboard characters. I mentioned that I assumed I would be getting a refurbished unit. The CS rep said that all replacement units are brand new units that have been pulled off the production line and tested before being sent out. That since they were pulled off the line and tested they could not be considered new and are thus referred to as refurbished. Although I indicated my scepticism he sounded sincere saying Amazon didn't want any customer to get a defective unit after a return. He said that ANY sign of previous use would be grounds for a return. While my heart wants to believe him my head is calling BS.

Who cares really ? Amazon is replacing units, which is really nice of them, since in most cases they legally don't have to.

The way people (or to be more specific, the OP) now expect not only a replacement, but new units on top of it, just baffles me. I have no sympathy for those who are trying to profit from a more than fair customer service. Just be thankful ............................and quiet

Oh and by the way, you not only had my attention for a few moments, you now have my contempt (and I am not used to posting those kind of posts, but that thread just did it !!)

OtterBooks · 05-21-2011, 11:48 AM

Sending refurbs is common practice and companies generally say so when such is the case. Why would he go out of his way to tell you otherwise, even backing it up by saying you could send it back if you felt it was used? For the fun of lying and getting returns? Accept it and send it back if you're unhappy. Dust it for fingerprints or scan it with a UV light or something. Healthy skepticism is good, but stubborn cynicism will just leave you constantly displeased. Relax.

silasgreenback · 05-21-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaldron

Actually there can be advantages if a device is truly refurbed and tested.

For sure. If I know a product is factory refurbished, I won't hesitate to buy a refurb over a new one. I recently bought a factory refurbished mp3 player and there aren't even any cosmetic flaws. I'm more than happy to buy something that's been examined and tested, not to mention sold to me at a discount.

As far as claims of goods being refurbished that aren't straight from the factory, that's a different matter and one I wouldn't gamble on. If Joe Blow claims it's "Refurbished - Like New", he could have done anything from bad soldering to a spit shine.

hmf · 05-21-2011, 12:57 PM

Sheesh Aceflor...Calm down and take a deep breath...I only wanted to relate what the CS rep told me. I never expected a new unit especially after using it for 8 months.What the CS guy told me seemed a bit far fetched. However, since he made the offer regarding my acceptance of the replacement unit wouldn't I be foolish not to take him up on it if I am not completely satisfied?

yifanlu · 05-21-2011, 03:16 PM

I'm 99% sure that Amazon only does this to a broken kindle that broke during the return period (30 days). They don't want people returning and rebuying (too much hassle for both sides). I found this out the first time my k3 broke. So, if this happens after 30 days, you get a refurb. Otherwise, what do they do with the broken ones? You can tell definaltly if it's a refurb by seeing if the recovery ports look "unclean". That means it's been soldered and desoldered. They use the recovery port to do a clean reinstall.

aceflor · 05-22-2011, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmf

Sheesh Aceflor...Calm down and take a deep breath...I only wanted to relate what the CS rep told me. I never expected a new unit especially after using it for 8 months.What the CS guy told me seemed a bit far fetched. However, since he made the offer regarding my acceptance of the replacement unit wouldn't I be foolish not to take him up on it if I am not completely satisfied?

No, you would not be foolish. You would be honest. A word you probably have not used for a long, long time.

hmf · 05-22-2011, 03:20 AM

Haha..Acebore please get off the self-righteous cloud you seem to occupy. How on earth do you get the idea that I'm trying to scam Amazon? All I'm doing is repeating what an Amazon employee told me. While I expressed doubt over this procedure he went on to state if I saw as much as a tiny scratch on the replacement feel free to return it.
Gee I guess that makes me an evil person. Ever hear the one about the pot calling the kettle black?

05-21-2011, 02:48 AM	#1
hmf Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 108 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle	Kindle Replacements Are Not Used...hmmm Ok, now that I've got your attention, I just got off the line with Amazon regarding the replacement of my K3 due to fading keyboard characters. I mentioned that I assumed I would be getting a refurbished unit. The CS rep said that all replacement units are brand new units that have been pulled off the production line and tested before being sent out. That since they were pulled off the line and tested they could not be considered new and are thus referred to as refurbished. Although I indicated my scepticism he sounded sincere saying Amazon didn't want any customer to get a defective unit after a return. He said that ANY sign of previous use would be grounds for a return. While my heart wants to believe him my head is calling BS.

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05-21-2011, 03:26 AM	#2
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	Since some people I know Have recieved Replacements & HAVE NOT been returning the old unit! I would say CS is Correct! 1 was dropped & one sat on & 1 just died! LOL

05-21-2011, 03:31 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Does it really matter?

05-21-2011, 04:38 AM	#4
hmf Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 108 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle	Does it matter? Nah...but if given a choice I'm sure anyone would prefer a new one over a "refurb."

05-21-2011, 04:46 AM	#5
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	Would to me Depending on the AGE of the one I Purchased! Tons of people got Nooks for Christmas & they were Broken! ALL B&N replaced them with were Refurbs worth $80 [what they were selling them for at the time] I had 2 Both Broken out of box... They wanted to send me refirb No Way! I just paid $149 & they want me to except $80!! Now if I had them say about 5-6 months No Problem! This is why I like Amazon they know how to treat customers!!

05-21-2011, 10:55 AM	#8
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	I think (in the past at least) when Amazon was issuing the re-furbs they did it at fire sale prices and it was announced as a "re-furb" sale. that is how and when I got my second K1. it was dropped to the low low price of something like $190

05-21-2011, 11:48 AM	#10
OtterBooks Wizard Posts: 1,262 Karma: 2979086 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina	Sending refurbs is common practice and companies generally say so when such is the case. Why would he go out of his way to tell you otherwise, even backing it up by saying you could send it back if you felt it was used? For the fun of lying and getting returns? Accept it and send it back if you're unhappy. Dust it for fingerprints or scan it with a UV light or something. Healthy skepticism is good, but stubborn cynicism will just leave you constantly displeased. Relax.

05-21-2011, 12:57 PM	#12
hmf Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 108 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle	Sheesh Aceflor...Calm down and take a deep breath...I only wanted to relate what the CS rep told me. I never expected a new unit especially after using it for 8 months.What the CS guy told me seemed a bit far fetched. However, since he made the offer regarding my acceptance of the replacement unit wouldn't I be foolish not to take him up on it if I am not completely satisfied?

05-21-2011, 03:16 PM	#13
yifanlu Kindle Dissector Posts: 662 Karma: 475607 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Amazon Kindle 3	I'm 99% sure that Amazon only does this to a broken kindle that broke during the return period (30 days). They don't want people returning and rebuying (too much hassle for both sides). I found this out the first time my k3 broke. So, if this happens after 30 days, you get a refurb. Otherwise, what do they do with the broken ones? You can tell definaltly if it's a refurb by seeing if the recovery ports look "unclean". That means it's been soldered and desoldered. They use the recovery port to do a clean reinstall.

05-22-2011, 03:20 AM	#15
hmf Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 108 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle	Haha..Acebore please get off the self-righteous cloud you seem to occupy. How on earth do you get the idea that I'm trying to scam Amazon? All I'm doing is repeating what an Amazon employee told me. While I expressed doubt over this procedure he went on to state if I saw as much as a tiny scratch on the replacement feel free to return it. Gee I guess that makes me an evil person. Ever hear the one about the pot calling the kettle black?

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