dold@15.usenet.us.com wrote:
> miso@sushi.com wrote:
>
> > Actually, what is returned at Fry's is handy to know. If there are lots
> > of returns, try something else. I know those on this usenet group are
> > Linksys fans, but most of what is returned to Fry's is Linksys.
>
> I would say that's hard to judge. In the WiFi sections (more than one,
> since there are some dedicated sections, including Linksys), there are
> many empty shelf spaces, usually for the item you want, plenty of items in
> the wrong shelf space, and some opened/returned/markdown units, with
> markdowns of 12-15 cents, which fascinates me.
>
> I would guess that they don't give Linksys their own dedicated space unless
> they move lots of units, so the number of returns on the shelf would have
> to be noted against the number sold.
>
> Wifi is still an emerging market. Many of the units are purchased with
> unreasonable hopes, like using Wifi while commuting on Caltrain... okay, so
> that works now; or getting free access anywhere, or full coverage in a
> home. Those units probably come back, maybe for refund, maybe to exchange
> for a different brand.
>
> The motherboard section is full of returns, often with no new units on the
> shelf. For stores other than Sunnyvale, I don't know what that means, but
> in Sunnyvale, I have overheard engineers selecting motherboards to take
> back and test/certify against some product or another, after which it will
> be returned to Fry's. But these are the same guys trying to make sure they
> get one that is unopened.
>
> > If I think there are going to be problems with something, I always go
> > to Fry's because they will take back anything.
>
> The home of the thirty day free trial for almost anything.
> I have seen people return stereos with no packaging.
>
> --
> ---
> Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

I just purchased a refurb wifi router from Fry's . Netgear WNR854T for
$60. I wanted a 1gbps router with wan port, but figured might as well
get N wifi at the same time. These are factory refurbs in plain brown
boxes. There was an assortment of netgear products, maybe three of each
model.

Fry's is a poor place to get a mobo. They tend to sell older models of
the better brands, or mystery mobos. For a business, I can't see going
through the work to set up a mobo, only to test then return. More
likely would be to use a junky case and just remove the ram, CPU, and
drives, leaving the mobo in the case in the event you need it again.
Fry's records who returns what. I can't see someone making a habit of
doing returns not getting the evil eye, or at least being force to take
store credit rather than an exchange. I return something maybe every
two or three years.