Re: I'm having fun with this latest NZXT scandal

On 12/10/2024 2:39 AM, JAB wrote:

On 07/12/2024 19:51, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

But NZXT also sells complete systems, and this is what's gotten them
into trouble recently. Or rather, it's not the sales of their PCs, but
their rental options. Now, renting a PC is never a good idea, and
NZXT's option is possibly the worst choice, since it's not
'rent-to-own' but 'rent, rent, rent and rent some more and at the end
you got nothin' to show for it.' But even that is forgivable, except
NZXT used bait-n-switch tactics; they showed one computer for sale and
then another -using the exact same model name- for rent... despite the
two machines not having the same specs. The language used on their
websites was fairly misleading too (the fine print made it clear you
didn't own the computer in the end, but language elsewhere implied
otherwise, even if it never said so outright). Worse, their contract
essentially gave them carte blanche to your data on the rented
machine, should they chose to exercise that right (there's no evidence
they ever did so and it's likely it was just boilerplate language...
but still).

 I'm not intrinsically against the idea of rent, rent, rent but i just don't see how it works with a PC. In the UK leasing cars has become a big thing but the difference there is people like the new cars and the manufactures are generally taking a chunk out of the second hand market while adding to their own one. Where's the equivalent in the PC world?
 

The problem with buying a second-hand PCs (doesn't apply to consoles, mostly) even for brands is that the people who bought them way overvalue what they're worth after sitting in their apartment for 2+ years, sometimes for a decade, basing prices on what they paid for them.  Or the other problem being scammers replacing parts, selling stuff that is broken or damaged etc.
It's literally not worth the overhead to a manufacturer to buy back the old computers as well, the depreciation hits hard and verifying nothing is missing or replaced would take more money than a used computer is worth.
Individuals or small businesses can make money by taking advantage of those who just don't want to deal with it or don't know what they have is worth.

Oh of course NXZT's rather scummy approach doesn't exactly sell the idea either.

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-Justisaur
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