Pre-owned PSU sold as new

[dukeReinhardt]

Hi folks, I just drove half an hour (one-way) to get a 750w Antec HCG from PC World. No "pre-owned" or "used" sticker, but the power supply had dings, one of the screws was heavily worn from when you use too small a screwdriver, and the wire mesh sleeve had come loose (and hence frayed) on one of the two cable bundles. If nothing else, that screw with the worn down grooves was proof enough for me to think this was pre-owned at least.

Now I could drive there and ask for a replacement, but I know it's OOS. So I'd drive there, ask for a replacement, then have to drive back when they replace stock. Is it worth it...? I mean, should I use this used PSU, or demand some kind of compensation?

I don't mind the worn down screw or the loose and frayed wire sleeving. But used PSU? I shouldn't be messing around with PSUs, right?

 

[dipzy]

I'd get my money back and look elsewhere, i'd be very pissed of if were sold a used psu advertised as new. Or if you return it, ask for a brand new one and open it there and then, to see its condition, that's another option. Still shocked that a store like PcWorld would do this

 

[MOOGLEYS]

I would be getting a refund and going elsewhere....

 

[dukeReinhardt]

Cheers. I'm going to return the item, and might report the chain to a consumer watchdog based on their response.

Thanks for the support.

 

[S_I_N]

well now since you installed and used it the burden of proof lies with you now. You'll have to convince them you didnt do the damage. I would never of installed/used it I would of gone straight back. On a side note having driven that far i would of opened it there or once in my car.

 

[dukeReinhardt]

I suppose you have a point there, though I've neither used nor installed it. It's been hours since the purchase, and it's only been handled. I'm just hoping they'll see how illogical it is that I'd return it just because it has a few tiny aesthetic imperfections. It even comes with a warranty that they'd honour in exactly the same way - in other words, as a regular sane customer, I'd have literally no reason to lie. But I suppose they might not admit that. Either way, I've read enough corroborating posts in other forums to see that this isn't PC World's first foray into selling used as new.

I'll try my luck tomorrow, see what happens. Thanks for raising the point.

P.S I didn't check it in the car because how likely is it that this kind of thing would happen? :<

 

[S_I_N]

my bad I misread your OP lol if your gonna wait til tomorrow phone them up now and avoid the ummm you used it for a day issue. Even though you havent used it

 

[dukeReinhardt]

Thanks for the concern but it was already too late to call them by 10, when I made the first post. Blah.

 

[S_I_N]

oops lol I sometimes forget theres a time difference on forums

 

[dukeReinhardt]

to be fair i kept mistaking this site for a .co.uk with only british peeps for some reason for the first few weeks of lurking!

 

[mArTyN]

I had the same sort of problem with PC World a few years ago. After purchasing an optical drive and arriving home, upon opening I noticed all the sides were scratched showing that it had in fact been mounted in a case. I did return it, explained the situation, and received a replacement without any fuss. It's just wrong that we should end up out of pocket having to do this.

 

[sharps_87]

I've learnt to stay well clear of PC World due to similar problems in the past, would never buy anything from there again. Lurking around these forums and others have taught me it's best getting things from online retailers who have great post and pre sales support like Aria, Scan etc.

 

[jonnyfgm]

Still shocked that a store like PcWorld would do this

As a previous employee of DSGi Group, i'm not shocked at all lol