Are you on the hunt for a great deal on a laptop, desktop, tablet or other electronic device? Buying brand new can get expensive quick. One budget-friendly option is to shop refurbished – but is it worth the risk? How can you find a reseller you can trust?
In this comprehensive Discount Electronics review, we‘ll take an in-depth look at this major refurbished device retailer. We‘ll examine their history and specialty, analyze real customer experiences, and help you determine if buying from them is right for you. Most importantly, we‘ll get to the bottom of a key question on many bargain electronics shoppers‘ minds: is Discount Electronics legit? Let‘s find out!
What is Discount Electronics? Company History and Overview
Founded way back in 1997 and based in Austin, Texas, Discount Electronics is a veteran in the world of refurbished electronics. For over two decades, they‘ve specialized in selling used, refurbished, and overstock computers, laptops, tablets, phones, parts and more.
While they have a significant online business with an eBay store and their own website at discountelectronics.com, they also operate four retail locations around the Austin area where shoppers can browse products in person.
One of Discount Electronics‘ main claims to fame is their longstanding relationship with Dell. The retail giant provides Discount Electronics with many PCs, laptops, monitors and parts to refurbish and resell. However, Discount Electronics works with a variety of other major electronics brands too, like Apple, Lenovo, HP and more.
In addition to selling refurbished devices, Discount Electronics also offers repair services for computers and phones, regardless of where you originally bought them. You can even sell or trade-in your old devices to them. Schools, businesses and other organizations can get bulk discounts as well.
Over the years, Discount Electronics has built a following of over 20,000 on Facebook and earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They‘ve been featured in various local and online publications like the Austin Business Journal and The Ritz Herald.
So in summary, Discount Electronics is a well-established company with a long track record in the electronics resale business. But does this necessarily mean they are always a smart buy? Let‘s take a closer look at what they sell and what real customers say about their experiences to find out.
Discount Electronics Products: A Closer Look
Since Discount Electronics is so well known for their refurbished Dell devices, we‘ll focus mainly on some popular products in that category.
Dell Latitude 7280 Laptop Review
For an affordable, high-performance work laptop, the refurbished Dell Latitude 7280 is a top seller at Discount Electronics. This lightweight 12.5" notebook is portable yet durable with a sleek magnesium alloy frame and spill-resistant keyboard.
Some key specs:
- Intel Core i7-7600U processor (2.8GHz)
- 12.5" Full HD Touchscreen display
- 120GB SSD hard drive
- 4GB base memory
- Windows 10 Pro OS
- USB-C, HDMI, card reader, headphone jack
The base config retails for $550, quite a bargain for a laptop with these specs. Best of all, Discount Electronics allows you to customize it to your needs. You can upgrade the hard drive up to 480GB SSD ($100 extra), boost the RAM to 16GB ($100), add Bluetooth ($19) or a 1-year Avast Pro antivirus subscription ($25).
Dell OptiPlex 780 Desktop PC Review
Another popular pick is the refurbished Dell OptiPlex 780 desktop, a top choice for home offices, students or casual users who need an affordable PC with some configurability.
Some key specs:
- Intel Core 2 Duo processor (2.93Ghz)
- 250GB hard drive
- 4GB memory
- Windows 7 OS
- VGA, DisplayPort, 8 USB 2.0 ports
- Serial, parallel, audio in/out ports
The base config is very affordable at just $165. From there you can make it your own with a variety of hard drive upgrades (up to 960GB SSD for +$195), double the memory for $40, or upgrade to Windows 10 Home/Pro for $30-60 extra.
You can also customize it with your choice of a refurbished or brand new Dell monitor from 17-24", an optical DVD drive, a keyboard and mouse set, WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity, speakers and more.
Dell UltraSharp 1907FP 19" LCD Monitor Review
Need an affordable external monitor for your laptop or as a second screen? Check out this popular refurbished option, the Dell UltraSharp 1907FP. Its 1280×1024 resolution, 19" size, and 4 USB ports make it a great basic multitasking monitor.
The monitor alone retails for only $59. Discount Electronics also lets you add on cables like DVI ($15), HDMI-VGA ($29), A/B USB ($10) if needed, or even a soundbar speaker accessory ($5).
Based on these product spotlights, it‘s clear that Discount Electronics offers some pretty compelling deals on refurbished devices, especially from Dell. The fact that you can customize so many aspects also makes them stand out from some competitors. But do these low prices come at the expense of quality and reliability? Let‘s see what customers have to say.
Discount Electronics Reviews from Real Customers
As you might expect with a reseller of refurbished electronics, customer reviews and experiences with Discount Electronics‘ products are somewhat mixed. While many customers had good things to say, there were also some quality control and customer service complaints.
On their own website, Discount Electronics showcases many positive reviews from happy customers:
The refurbished Dell OptiPlex 780 earned a perfect 5 star rating from 28 reviews, with one customer sharing: "I received it 2 days after purchase. It came with instructions regarding basic set up. Windows was already loaded with product ID- nice touch. The case is somewhat beat up, but the machine works perfectly and the price was great. Very pleased."
The Dell UltraSharp monitor also boasts a 5 star rating from 13 reviews. Customers called it an "excellent monitor for a great price" and were impressed by the monitor‘s condition and quick shipping.
On their Facebook page, Discount Electronics earned 4.2 out of 5 stars from 125 reviews. One customer raved "I bought several items from Discount Electronics and have referred friends to them as well. I have always had knowledgeable sales staff and technical assistance that surpasses most of , if not all of the other electronics stores in town."
However, on other platforms, reviews were mixed:
The Angie‘s List page for Discount Electronics‘ computer repair services has a handful of very positive reviews, averaging 4.9 stars. "My iPad 2 had a dent in the chassis near the volume button. They took it apart and straightened out again for 1/5 the cost of the Apple store. They returned it in good working order," reported an impressed customer.
But on their BBB profile, despite the A+ rating, Discount Electronics had 15 complaints in the last 3 years. Many of these cited issues with products not working properly, as well as slow service and difficulty obtaining refunds.
On Reddit, while a number of users recommended Discount Electronics as a great local source for affordable laptops, desktops and hard-to-find parts and cables, a few had bad experiences to report too, receiving DOA products or sub-par repair service.
So in summary, while many Discount Electronics customers are satisfied with the value and performance they get from refurbished devices, a significant number did encounter product issues or frustrating customer service at times. Buying refurbished is often a "you get what you pay for" situation compared to buying new. Issues are not uncommon, but most can be resolved with persistence and patience.
The Verdict: Is Discount Electronics Legit?
Now for the million dollar question: is Discount Electronics a legitimate business you can trust? Based on my research for this review, I believe the answer is yes, WITH some important caveats.
By all accounts, Discount Electronics is a well-established, "real" retailer and is not some sort of bait-and-switch scam. With 20+ years in business, an A+ BBB rating, active social media, 4 retail locations, and many satisfied customers, they appear to be a legit operation delivering real value to many.
However, as a reseller of mostly refurbished and overstock devices, Discount Electronics is not necessarily going to be as consistent or reliable as buying brand new from original manufacturers. Rebuilt devices can have lingering issues, and used products in particular are prone to defects and shorter lifespans. This is true of any refurbished electronics dealer, not just Discount Electronics.
Based on the patterns of complaints I found, the main concerns seem to be:
- Product not working as expected or having a defect on arrival
- Product having a much shorter lifespan than expected
- Slow service for repairs and warranty claims
- Difficulty getting a full monetary refund vs store credit
Understandably, these situations can be very frustrating. It‘s disappointing to get excited for a great deal on a laptop or tablet only to have it arrive not fully functional, or break down much faster than you hoped. Having to jump through hoops with customer service is no fun either.
It‘s important to have realistic expectations when buying refurbished. Think of it like buying a used car – you can get a great deal, but it likely won‘t be as pristine or long-lasting as a new model, and could have some existing or developing quirks. You save a lot up front, but take on more risk.
Refurbishers like Discount Electronics inspect, test and repair devices to get them in sellable shape, but they can‘t always account for every potential issue. Their 1 year warranty on computers does add a layer of protection, but the refund policy favoring store credit over cashback is limiting.
All this being said – for many Budget-conscious shoppers willing to tolerate some risk and potentially a shorter lifespan, Discount Electronics can be a great way to save on laptops, desktops, monitors, parts and more, especially if buying Dell. The customization options and affordable upgrades add a lot of value for your dollar.
If you want the most reliability and are able to pay more, buying new is always going to be your best bet. For sheer savings and selection, especially on older models, Discount Electronics is definitely legit and worth checking out as long as you proceed with care and know the risks.
Discount Electronics Alternatives to Consider
For comparison, here are a few other popular retailers that sell refurbished, overstock and used electronics:
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Back Market – This popular online marketplace sells refurbished electronics from many brands and resellers, including Discount Electronics. They add a layer of quality control and offer more buyer protection.
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Amazon Renewed – Amazon‘s refurbished electronics storefront offers carefully inspected devices from major brands like Apple, Dell, HP and more. Products come with a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee.
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Best Buy Outlet – Best Buy‘s online outlet store offers deep discounts on refurbished, clearance, open-box and pre-owned electronics of all kinds. Most come with Best Buy‘s standard return policy and warranty coverage.
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Newegg Refurbished – This online store has a wide selection of refurbished computers and computer parts from many brands. Products are cleaned, repaired and tested before resale.
Each of these retailers offers its own approach to quality control, warranties, customization and customer service. Comparison shopping can help you find the best mix of price, options and buyer protections for your needs.
Conclusion
Discount Electronics is a legit and established refurbished electronics retailer that can be a great option for bargain shoppers, especially those in the market for Dell computers, Monitors and parts. Their low prices, wide selection and customization options offer a lot of value.
However, as with any seller of used and refurbished goods, shoppers should be cautious and have realistic expectations. Product defects and quality issues do happen with some regularity. Having a shorter lifespan than buying new is also common. Their customer service and return policies are not always the most convenient.
Overall, if you‘re willing to take on some added risk to get a great deal, need an affordable computer option fast, or want the ability to customize your device, Discount Electronics is worth a look. Consider comparison shopping with some other trusted refurb retailers as well to find your best fit.
Armed with the knowledge from this review, you‘re well equipped to make an informed buying decision. Happy bargain hunting!
