Warm storage deals at newegg Open Box WD4000AAKS $112 + S&H Seagate ST3500630AS $115

[mZimm]

Unless I'm misunderstanding the site, Open Box at newegg just means that the accessories aren't included and there may be some cosmetic problems. If this is so, these are some pretty good deals for some very good drives. They both say that they have the full manufacturer warranty as well, which is a definite plus.

Seagate ST3500630AS 7200.10 500GB 16MB cache HD $115.99 plus $5.94 shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148136R)

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache HD $111.49 plus $5.94 shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073R)

If these are actually refurbished, then not so hot, but my understanding is that they are basically OEM drives. That's actually what the titles say.

[Nugget]

"Open box" doesn't exactly mean refurbished. According the Egg's FAQs (http://www.newegg.com/Info/FAQDetail.aspx?Module=5):

Open Box items have been opened and touched and/or returned. Because they originate from different situations, they may or may not include accessories, documentation or retail packaging. Refurbishment is done by the manufacturer. Open Box products are warranted for only 15 days. We recommend that you try out your open box product immediately after receiving it.

I'm guessing the "15 days" bit means that's the generic maximum Newegg will warrant an open-box item for, because the product page for the 7200.10 states that Seagate will back it for the full five years.

Decent deals, but I'm not sure I'd take even a minor gamble with my storage when the OEM drive is only fifteen bucks more.

[Insomniac3438]

I'd avoid Open Box to be honest. From what I've read, items sold as Open Box aren't tested by Newegg before they get resold. So if someone fries a motherboard from a bad OC and then returns it to Newegg, they might resell that as Open Box. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding.

[ickywu]

I'd avoid Open Box to be honest. It's a personal and individual choice. I've bought, litterally, hundreds of NewEgg open box items. Good results, overall. About 10% of motherboards arrived doa or quickly developed other significant issues. As a rule, I add 8 bucks cost burden to an open box motherboard to cover costs of accessories and returns, on average. Most other stuff has been trouble free, for me. Drives have had no higher failure rates than new items. (And LOTS less than drives bought from sales forums!)

Lastly, all open box items have the same mfg warranty as new, newegg's refunds are pretty quick and they will eat restocking fees on doa (or infant mortality) items.if you bitch. It's made me stick my lip out a couple times, but way more good than bad....

[djgizmo]

This is a better deal

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136063

So is this when it comes back in stock.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136107

[mZimm]

Looks like the Seagate is now OOS on the Open Box. WD still up though, and still a great price. I'd like to contact WD about the warranty though.

[mZimm]

It's a personal and individual choice. I've bought, litterally, hundreds of NewEgg open box items. Good results, overall. About 10% of motherboards arrived doa or quickly developed other significant issues. As a rule, I add 8 bucks cost burden to an open box motherboard to cover costs of accessories and returns, on average. Most other stuff has been trouble free, for me. Drives have had no higher failure rates than new items. (And LOTS less than drives bought from sales forums!)

Lastly, all open box items have the same mfg warranty as new, newegg's refunds are pretty quick and they will eat restocking fees on doa (or infant mortality) items.if you bitch. It's made me stick my lip out a couple times, but way more good than bad....

On the HDs that you've bought open box, do they show the full warranties on the manufacturer's site?

[ickywu]

On the HDs that you've bought open box, do they show the full warranties on the manufacturer's site?

yes