is testing out hardware ethical?

[tainer]

So I have a case in mind that i'd like to try out, but i have a couple reservations that I can't find answers to in reviews. There is a microcenter near me with the case in stock, so is it ethical to buy it, try it, and if i dont like it return it? I've only ever returned a product due to defects, and I feel kind of bad for preventing them from selling that expensive product (this is a $300+ dollar case) as new in the future all because i "didn't like it in the way I thought I would". If this happens within only a couple days after purchase, is this okay? Does anyone else field weird about this, or is it just me and I should just take advantage of this to make sure i'm getting the exact product I want?

[Electronics Wizardy]

That seems fine. Id only personally complain if your buying it with the plan on returning.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

Trust me, if they allow returns on products that are not defective, they're used to it. It's not uncommon for people to be "renting" A/C units and snow blowers. Certain retailers like NCIX won't even process a return if you simply "didn't like it".

[RadiatingLight]

If you are buying with the hope that you will like it, it seems fine to me.

 

however, everyone's ethics are different, so it varies.

[Technomancer__]

they have others on stock and if they dont they will get an order and they will get a new one

its ok if you are planing to keep it

[ttam]

Or just ask someone that has the case?
 

I hate hate hate when people buy an item from one of my stores just to try it.

[yathis]

3 hours ago, tainer said:

so is it ethical to buy it, try it, and if i dont like it return it?

I used to do it with computers and printers, actually used the ink in them too. Staples back then.

 

Its totally ethical.

[tainer]

2 hours ago, ttam said:

Or just ask someone that has the case?
 

I hate hate hate when people buy an item from one of my stores just to try it.

It wouldn't be just to try it so much as a "I'm pretty sure i'll keep it, but I need to make sure the air flow is up to my particular needs first". The only reason i'd take it back is if I put it together and find my sli gpu temps hitting 80C+ under load. anything below that and I keep it. I've seen some reviews say that this case (the lian-li 08) has really poor air flow in the main compartment (which is objectively does by design), but some say it's not that bad, so I need to figure out if it's "enough" for my air needs. If it has enough flow to keep the gpus under 80 (they are ~75C in my haf 932 adv), then the case is PERFECT for me. If not, then I'll need to either figure out another case, or make the transition to water a lot sooner than I'd hoped (since I don't really have enough for a nice case AND everything I need for a custom loop + 2 gpu water blocks for cards im hoping to replace soon anyway)

[Teddy07]

Does Microcenter really accept opened boxes and obviously tried out products? Seems kinda strange but i do not live in the US

[tainer]

Just now, Teddy07 said:

Does Microcenter really accept opened boxes and obviously tried out products? Seems kinda strange but i do not live in the US

It doesn't have to be unopened, but it has to be in like-new condition with all the packaging. So basically you can return it within 15-30 days as long as you don't damage it.

[rattacko123]

When I read the title, I thought that you would be asking whether testing poor little electronics was ethical or not, like overclocking was a form of torture or something 
Are electronics alive?  

/jk

[spellmanuk]

in the UK we have a 14 day no questions return policy where if you want to return something for any reason even if you dont like you can then after that its up to the retailer as to the policy most give a 30, 60 or 90 day warranty for defective goods 

[orangecat]

Just check with the store and make sure they won't hassle you about it. Technically once it's open its no longer "new" so they have to resell it as open box and that hurts the value.

[LogicalDrm]

Depends how far you need to go to tell whether you like it or not. Like installing everything is going bit too far, but on the other hand I've RMA'd fans after running them for few hours. And realizing my mobo didn't have proper PWM support for them.

[minibois]

Yeah, this happens a lot in stores. Just don't do it multiple times, because after about 2-3 returns it gets annoying.

Also, open the packaging neatly + keep all the protective plastics, baggies, screws, etc.

 

By the way, this is for EU laws, where we have two weeks time after the purchase to return the product if it is not to our liking (for whatever reason). Not sure if it's the same in the US.

[Teddy07]

22 minutes ago, Minibois said:

By the way, this is for EU laws, where we have two weeks time after the purchase to return the product if it is not to our liking (for whatever reason). Not sure if it's the same in the US.

 

Yes but at least here in Germany online shops can force you to pay the lost value after RMA opened stuff. Some shops like Amazon don't do it but they could. 

[minibois]

3 minutes ago, Teddy07 said:

Yes but at least here in Germany online shops can force you to pay the lost value after RMA opened stuff. Some shops like Amazon don't do it but they could. 

Where I live (the Netherlands) I have only encountered that people have to pay back the shipping costs and very occasionally have to pay back some money if the product has become cheaper. 

I know Amazon in UK does 'restocking fee', which is basically a fee for them to put it back on one of their shelves.

[PCMasterDebater]

You have a right in America to return a retail product within 14 days of sale for any reason. I've done it with a few items for dissatisfaction. Turtle Beach headphones for example, lots of hype, tried them and they were the worst headphones I'd ever used. $99 for a $5 headset.

[ttam]

What case is it?

 

99.9% of cases are going to have more than good enough airflow.

[RevoltTrain]

I don't see why it would be an issue

[Mutoh]

If its a case I usually just look for builds that use similar components and if I like it and things fit, I buy it. I dont feel comfortable returning products that work properly but the caveat is "I just dont dig it" so I overdo it on the research part.

 

 

Thats just me though. If youre fine returning it for those reasons and the store accepts them then feel free.

[tainer]

1 hour ago, ttam said:

What case is it?

 

99.9% of cases are going to have more than good enough airflow.

Lian Li PC-O8WX. The reason air flow is a concern is because it's kinda made for water cooling, with separate chambers and 90% of the air flow being directed at the back chamber (where ideally you'd have your radiators). Eventually I do want to go custom loop (which is why im looking to switch cases in the first place), but I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger on that so the case needs to work on air for at least a little while. To compound this, I have 2x 970s in sli, so there is a good amount of heat being put in the "low air flow" chamber. 

[ttam]

Only use if you're water cooling it. Pointless on Air.