Question: Would like to know if the re-certified hard drive is brand new

[jinkazuya]

Well...I have received a re-certified external hard drive from WD as a replacement...However, I am just wondering if it is brand new because on the side of the enclosure, it is said "re-certified in Vietnam". WD staff said it is brand new. But what I received is a hard drive unsealed without original box. Anyway, I checked it with CrystalDiskInfo, which is what you guys recommend. According to CrystalDiskInfo, the POWER ON COUNT is 6 and the POWER ON HOURS is 0. SO is it brand new or not?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Re-certified is not brand new. Re-certified means it has gone back to the manufacturer after being sold but not used (Supposedly) and then vigorously examined to make sure that it still meets the criteria same as a new drive, again, supposedly.

So it's good, according to the manufacturer, but not new. This is not uncommon for replacement hardware after an RMA. There is no requirement that they provide you with brand new replacement hardware and most warranty disclaimers say as much. Only that they replace faulty hardware with like hardware.

 

[Math Geek]

since it is an external drive, it is possible they replaced the drive and reused the enclosure or vice versa.

nothing wrong with re-certified so long as it comes with standard warranty. if the company won't stand by their own work, then it's not worth having.

but if it still has warranty attached, then no reason to avoid it.

 

[jinkazuya]

I am just stupid. I bought the drive on amazon three months ago but have never had a chance to use. However, last month I needed a new hard drive so I opened it, realizing that the usb port was faulty. So I would consider that it is manufacture defect. I asked for RMA. The drive is brand new out of the box. They said they were going to send me a brand new hard drive. But then sent me a re-certified one.

So talked on the phone, promised that this time would send me a brand new one. But still what I received is another re-certified one again. Called them and they said the drive they sent out or to me is brand new. What the F***. So that is why I used CrystalDiskInfo to checked and the result is what I posted above.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yes, I agree. Not "new", but "unused". Usually a return or products that got dumped from a truck, or pallet spilled and crushed the boxes, but nothing is wrong with the units. Either unopened, or tested.

Recertified

Recertified recently has been used more than refurbished. One reason it has become more popular among retailers is because the term "recertified" gives the buyer the comfort of knowing a thorough inspection process has been completed. Keep in mind what you might feel is a thorough inspection can be totally different from what the manufacturer might feel is a thorough inspection. Each manufacturer has its own standards of recertification. Also it is a plus to know that many recertified products are still covered under the manufacturer's warranty, depending on how old the item is. Even if the product is not covered under a manufacturer warranty the seller often offers a 30 to 60 day warranty.

Refurbished

Most people are not aware that recertified and refurbished are pretty much the same thing. There are usually a few key factors that define the difference between the two terms. The first factor is that recertified products often come with a short warranty against functional defects. The warranty time frame is usually somewhere between 30 to 60 days. Refurbished products however are typically sold "as-is" without a warranty.
Recertified

Recertified recently has been used more than refurbished. One reason it has become more popular among retailers is because the term "recertified" gives the buyer the comfort of knowing a thorough inspection process has been completed. Keep in mind what you might feel is a thorough inspection can be totally different from what the manufacturer might feel is a thorough inspection. Each manufacturer has its own standards of recertification. Also it is a plus to know that many recertified products are still covered under the manufacturer's warranty, depending on how old the item is. Even if the product is not covered under a manufacturer warranty the seller often offers a 30 to 60 day warranty.
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Refurbished

Refurbished is very similar to recertified, but under normal circumstances a refurbished product will not come with a warranty. It is common for every factory to carry refurbished products because of minor things like missing manuals, torn packages, duplicate purchases by consumers, or damaged boxes. It is possible for a refurbished product to have never even been sold, but was overlooked because of minor damages to the packaging.


Warranty

A warranty is good security when purchasing a recertified or refurbished product. Make sure you ask if the product you are purchasing has a warranty and if so, what kind and how long is it good for. Also see if you can purchase an extended warranty for the product. The warranty can be a deciding factor when deciding to go recertified or refurbished.

 

[jinkazuya]

I meant if that would be ok for them to do that? What a business practice!!! because I sent in the brand new external hard drive due to the defective port on the enclosure, and they promised to send me a brand new one. But I received the re-certified ones twice. But now they ignore my emails and phone calls, still claiming that they ones they sent me were brand new. It is western digital WD by the way.

 

[Math Geek]

it's common practice all over the industry. not something WD just made up for themselves. nothing you can do about it really other than use a ton of time worrying about it.

so long as it is still under warranty then should not be a problem. the test you did showed the drive is new. other than losing your mind over t, the only other option is to move on and enjoy what you got.......

 

[Darkbreeze]

As I said earlier, specifically, warranties to not guarantee replacement with a brand new part or unit in the even something fails. That is something most people mistakenly believe. Warranties USUALLY only indicate that the item will be either repaired or if not repairable, replaced with a working, like item. Nowhere do they normally say anything about replacement with a brand new component, so getting a new component that is simply recertified is not a bad gig anyhow.

Now, most states DO require replacement with a new identical item or a refund, within 30-90 days, depending on the laws of the state. Some are of course different than others. Some are likely entirely different but most states have at least something like that. Other countries, who know.