While your computer isn't normally the biggest expense you'll encounter in your life, nor is it generally the most important, it's still a large enough expense to warrant a lot of time and effort in making sure you do it right. You'll ask around for comments, critique, opinions, feedback and all manner of other, similar terms before finally shopping around and finding a retailer - and a price - that you're happy with.
Sometimes, though, that happiness is short lived. Not because you made the wrong choice, but because when you open the box there's something just not quite right.
Recently, a friend of mine purchased a new monitor. An AOC D2757Ph - 27", 1080p, 85Hz, 5ms GtG IPS with passive 3D. A very nice screen, and I should know because I've been using one for longer than I've had this blog. In fact, they bought it on my recommendation; though it was partially because there simply aren't any other options in smaller (under 50"), passive 3D screens.
When he picked it up, though, he had a feeling that something was wrong. The box appeared to have been opened. Sometimes this isn't a big deal - occasionally things get opened to show another customer, then put back straight away and the only harm done is to the sticky tape on the box. So he went with it, took it home, and started to have the regrets pretty much immediately.
Upon opening the box himself, he discovered that some of the packaging was missing and a few of the plastic bags inside had already been opened as well. This screen had clearly had some use. Because of the way it had been returned to the box, though, he also discovered that one of the corners of the bezel had some minor damage - there was a noticeable gap in the enclosure. At this point, alarm bells should have been ringing but he persisted and the screen was set up in short order and tested.
It wasn't a successful test.
Trying to watch 3D media on the screen was an effort in futility. Even with my assistance setting it up there was always noticeable ghosting. It persisted regardless of the source, almost regardless of the viewing angle. In short, something was very wrong, and I think we both knew at this point that this particular monitor had indeed been used before and returned. I suspect the damage was as a result of the front panel being shifted (forcibly), which in turn seriously impacted the 3D effect.
Eventually he did manage to find a setup which almost worked, after elevating the screen significantly and tipping it back as far as it could go only a very slight amount of ghosting was visible - provided you were sitting in exactly the right place. This setup is very, very different to the one I use on mine. I do have my screen elevated slightly and tipped back a little, but it's definitely not uncomfortable. Plus if I lean forward I don't immediately lose the 3D effect, and others can watch in 3D over my shoulder.
As luck would have it, though, he organised to have it exchanged a couple of days later. The new screen was brought out in a fully sealed box complete with polypropylene packing straps in place - definitely not one that had just come back. He seemed a lot happier taking this one home, and when it was set up it behaved exactly as it should. It's now in a comfortable position and he's capable of actually using it without getting a cramp in his neck.
So, what's the point of all this? Make sure that you're not being treated like some kind of scavenger. You just paid good money for something and there's no excuse for you to receive refurbished, damaged or second hand goods unless you went into the situation knowing that you were buying something in that condition. If it's not right than take it back - the sooner the better. It's better to have the short-term frustration of a return than the long-term frustration of knowing that you paid full price for substandard goods.
The same goes for all things. It doesn't matter if it's a $400 monitor, a $20,000 car or a $20 DVD - you're entitled to what you're paying for, and not a poor substitute.
No comments:
Post a Comment