Sorry if this is a dumb question (and I hope it is not against forum rules) but what happens to all those returned projectors?

As a newcomer to this forum I have read quite a number of posts where a user seems to be auditioning multiple projectors with the intent of keeping only one.

I am not looking for a deal on used equipment. I instead want to ensure I do not receive someone's return when I buy a "new" projector.
Thanks

Refurbished items are ones brought back and returned to new condition. They could have been warrentied items, or just returns.

Refurbished items are ones brought back and returned to new condition. They could have been warrentied items, or just returns.

Hud,

You are incorrect. A refurbished unit is a unit that was defective or damaged and has been repaired. They are not necessarily returned to "new condition". They may have some cosmetic damage, i.e. scratches, a small crack in the case, etc. They are tested thoroughly (or should be) before being sold again to ensure they function properly.

Temp Tag,

A unit that is returned without having been damaged or defective and is resold will typically be listed as "used" or may be listed as a "demo" unit. Anyone that demo's a projector and returns it is generally going to put at least 1 hour on the lamp, so you can check the lamp hours on a new purchase if you feel you may have received a projector that was sold and returned.

Returned projectors can be sent to the factory to be refubrished as well. They just need to put a new bulb in them.

I know for a fact the HD80 I got Best Buy to wave the re-stocking fee on ended up as an Open box for a pretty good deal. They ran it on my card though and then credited it back when I brought it back.

The Pearl (VW50) I demo'd was a designated demo unit from a higher end retailer. They will sell it as a demo unit when the product is discontinued.

The HC5000 I had imported from Japan in April 07 so I already owned it. I sold it as used.

The AE1000U was used and he gave me a week to decide if I wanted it or not. This is the one hat stayed for me.

So there is the rest of the story on a four 1080p projector shootout with all being in my theater at the same time. :)

Returned projectors can be sent to the factory to be refubrished as well. They just need to put a new bulb in them.

They can, but why would you want to make a new unit with very few hours on it a refurb? I'd imagine most dealers would just sell it as used.

http://www.visualapex.com/OpenBox/

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/demo-projectors.asp

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/open-box-projectors.asp

http://www.visualapex.com/OpenBox/

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/demo-projectors.asp

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/open-box-projectors.asp

You just reinforced my post. Thanks Recon!:)


EDIT: Sorry, it's already been a long day. I now see you were agreeing with me, not making a counterpoint. I shall remove myself from AVS for a while.

Thanks all for the info!

I know for a fact the HD80 I got Best Buy to wave the re-stocking fee on ended up as an Open box for a pretty good deal. They ran it on my card though and then credited it back when I brought it back.

The Pearl (VW50) I demo'd was a designated demo unit from a higher end retailer. They will sell it as a demo unit when the product is discontinued.

The HC5000 I had imported from Japan in April 07 so I already owned it. I sold it as used.

The AE1000U was used and he gave me a week to decide if I wanted it or not. This is the one hat stayed for me.

So there is the rest of the story on a four 1080p projector shootout with all being in my theater at the same time. :)


Damn John,

I'd like to hear if you had all 4 going at the same time, and what your impressions were overall.;)

I was wondering about electronics in general & what happens to previous year's models.
Last year's models I can understand, but what happens to models 2 or more years old? Are they just junked? Digital cameras would be really bad.

I was wondering about electronics in general & what happens to previous year's models.
Last year's models I can understand, but what happens to models 2 or more years old? Are they just junked? Digital cameras would be really bad.

They're probably just sold at a discount. I just sold a discontinued car audio amp (JL Audio 500/1) I bought in Feb '06. When I looked on Fleabay there were several other listings for the same model from Ebay stores that stated the amps were brand new and had never been taken out of the box. I'm fairly certain the amp was discontinued when I bought it.

I was wondering about electronics in general & what happens to previous year's models.
Last year's models I can understand, but what happens to models 2 or more years old? Are they just junked? Digital cameras would be really bad.

I'm an a/v sales manager and with TV models going out of production i'll just sell them at a discount. Models that are 2yrs+ older are usually sent back to the main warehouse and I have no clue after that. I know that when I walk into Walmart, Cotsco, or Sam's I see Samsung, Sharp, Sony (etc.) models that have two year old cases, likely older panels, and old boards as well. These are things I can see just from aesthetics, various configurations and features. So I find it funny when people think they are getting a deal at those places when their TV is only maybe $200 cheaper for old technology.
As for projectors, I can only guess it's a similar process.