How common is it to receive a component that's DOA?

[BirthControlBaby]

Later this year I plan on building my very first gaming PC ($2600 build) and want to purchase the components separately over time until I occumulate the complete build. (Saving the graphics card and CPU for last to be safe in case of DOA) but how common is it to receive a piece that's DOA because the DOA warranty's 30 days and I plan on on buying them over a 3 month span or so. Also, I only plan on ordering from NewEgg and Amazon unless there's a good deal on another reputable site. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[Jamie_Taylor_4200]

It's not very common to receive parts that are DOA but if they are you can easily contact the manufacturer or failing that you can just contact the distributor. 

[rn8686]

I would imagine quite rare, I wouldn't worry that much about it. 

[HKZeroFive]

It's rare, but for that reason, I'd recommend buying your parts all at once... unless you manage to get a good deal.

[desertcomputer]

I would say 1 in 20? As i have order hundreds times and only received some damage items but mostly wasn't major faults that limits the product but sometimes it heavily usually due to the shipping such twice EK predator came with a leak. 

[manikyath]

depends on the kind of hardware you buy.

 

pugetsystems has some articles on DOA's, and why they buy the brands that they do.

[paddy-stone]

I've only ever recieved a few parts that are DOA... however I have received some parts that are damaged and for that reason they are returned to the seller.

 

Just recently my z170 board that I'd had for 8 months stopped working, I tried absoloutely everything to confirm that it was dead, sent it back to the retailer (Amazon) after contacting them, and they sent a replacement... on recieving the replacement I didn't even get as far as putting the CPU in as I noticed that the mobo  box was split on one side and had been sellotaped, and on opening the box to check the board, noticed that one of the wifi card contacts had snapped, possibly in shipping... but it's the taped box that's more disturbing for me, the board I was meant to receive was a new board, but with the taped box and damaged wifi module connector I'm not sure if it was or not, so sent that back too and requested a refund of the original price paid... I took photo evidence when unboxing luckily in case they disputed. Amazon have been good to me, but I protect myself against disputes...they have replaced stuff that many retailers possibly wouldn't, so I give them the benefit of the doubt and say this was a mix-up or possibly stock that had been damaged in the warehouse.

In the end I bought a different board from them too, have it up and running within 20 mins of recieving it, lol... now ticking away nicely as my new server build.

 

TL:DR - Buy from a seller that you trust and/or has a good customer service in case of things like this. With lower cost items doesn't matter so much, but big ticket items for sure.

 

[edit] Forgot to mention that the above is for over 20 years of builds, both for myself, family, friends and customers.

[GreenMarlin]

Hi, I'm concerned about a similar situation. I've been saving to build a PC for the past few years and am hoping to start buying parts at the end of the year.  Being in South Africa, electronics are slightly more expensive than overseas but big companies like newegg don't ship here. I looked on their site and the pricing is quite abit cheaper compared to here,especially with their graphics cards. I've been planning to get my uncle to get the graphics card or possibly more when he is over on a business trip. Would you consider this too risky as if the parts are damaged or come DOA, I would be in another country unable to send it back? Do you think I should take the risk or suck it up and pay the higher prices here and have the safety of having warranties? Thanks! 

[Stagea]

5 minutes ago, GreenMarlin said:

Hi, I'm concerned about a similar situation. I've been saving to build a PC for the past few years and am hoping to start buying parts at the end of the year.  Being in South Africa, electronics are slightly more expensive than overseas but big companies like newegg don't ship here. I looked on their site and the pricing is quite abit cheaper compared to here,especially with their graphics cards. I've been planning to get my uncle to get the graphics card or possibly more when he is over on a business trip. Would you consider this too risky as if the parts are damaged or come DOA, I would be in another country unable to send it back? Do you think I should take the risk or suck it up and pay the higher prices here and have the safety of having warranties? Thanks! 

Assess the risk based on the price difference. Only you can answer this question, really. I buy items from abroad all the time and have them shipped overseas. It's pretty rare to get an item that's DOA based on my experience, though in-warranty RMAs are also more difficult to do in case something fails prematurely.

[brob]

On 7/23/2017 at 4:56 AM, BirthControlBaby said:

Later this year I plan on building my very first gaming PC ($2600 build) and want to purchase the components separately over time until I occumulate the complete build. (Saving the graphics card and CPU for last to be safe in case of DOA) but how common is it to receive a piece that's DOA because the DOA warranty's 30 days and I plan on on buying them over a 3 month span or so. Also, I only plan on ordering from NewEgg and Amazon unless there's a good deal on another reputable site. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

As others have noted, DOA components are rare. The most common complaint I've seen is motherboard failures. Intel motherboards in particular are susceptible to cpu socket damage. If the board is flexed unduly, traces can be broken.