EBAY Netbooks update

[Calbrit]

For anyone interested I have just noticed that the EBAY "multiple" seller of Netbooks (bestdealbiz) has a couple without a reserve price, though his ad. still reads get a Netbook for half price (which is also his reserve price of $650). I think a few of his previous units failed to reach his reserve and so maybe he is testing where the "new" reserve should be.

Only available to US residents and shipping is $25 (excl. insurance). If you are a non US resident and have family or good friends here, now's the time to get back in touch with them as you may be able to get a great deal!

This all assumes that the vendor is OK - his feedback is very good. My Netbook should arrive in a week or so - if it doesn't I will post accordingly!

Grant

[netBookBabe]

I'm pretty certain this must be the same seller who is advertising on eBay UK, under the name of "ezgallery". The ads are virtually identical, and yes, there are some "no reserve" ones currently on offer.

It still says "shipping from Singapore" though, for UK purchasers - so, as we have already mentioned elsewhere, anyone thinking of buying should be aware of potentially quite high shipping costs and import duties.

Hope your netBook arrives very soon, Grant! :)

Julie

[fladda]

Plus the 7% fiddle on exchange rates. Plus 17.5% VAT on top of everything, including carriage.

Ebay should not allow foreign sellers to advertise goods as though they are being sold in the UK, when the *clearly* are not.

Now that Paypal (owned by Ebay) are accepting transactions in GBP, then a UK auction in GBP should be paid for in Sterling, and not in a foreign currency.

Oh, and remember that these grey Netbooks will probably NOT have any Psion warranty in the UK either. All told, not a very good buy, especially if it arrives Dead-on-Arrival.

Ralph

[benny]

Calbit,
I am a Malaysian and can help you to get one of those netbook.

[Calbrit]

Thanks for the offer but mine's here - see the other thread "Netbook arrived" for more details.

[Calbrit]

A "no reserve" unit went for $560 tonight - (assumes a Homer Simpson voice) "Dow!" I paid $100 more in an auction 2 weeks ago from the same seller!

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by Calbrit
A "no reserve" unit went for $560 tonight - (assumes a Homer Simpson voice) "Dow!" I paid $100 more in an auction 2 weeks ago from the same seller! Awww! That's the auction game for you, Grant - sometimes there is just no explaining it! I wish you'd stop tempting me, though! ;)

Julie

[Calbrit]

Ha! Ha! - I will try not to, but you do know where they are!

[netBookBabe]

Grant - yes, I do! It's just all too "clickable", that's the trouble!

Julie

[markdeppe]

Thanks Fladda, that was usuful info, I had missed the bit about US currency fixed rate, that does seem a little strange as in theory he could lose if the exchange rate changes in our favour. currently £1=$1.58 so he is making about 1% (he offers £1=$1.65 fixed), is there some other charges via Pay pal I do not know about which bring it up to 7%, as I am new to ebay and paypal I would appreciate it if you could point out any further pitfalls or misunderstanding I have. Is the 17.5% vat always on top of the price? It is impressive that he can mail it for £13 and £5 insurance from singapore I thought.

Calbrit I wonder if you can say more about the warranty issue, does it look as if it is valid to you?

[Calbrit]

Although the Netbook is in fact new, I have not received the usual "manufacturer's warranty" card. I'm relying on the fact that a) it's a robust machine anyway and b) I have owned 7 Psions of one sort or another none of which has gone wrong in the first year!

Bearing in mind he's in Singapore and the buyer is not then there's no real way you can rely on him supporting any post sale issues you may have.


I hope this helps.

Grant

[markdeppe]

<<<I have not received the usual "manufacturer's warranty" card.>>> I take your point about the reliability of psions but it does happen and for me it i s more the fact that in his advert he explicitly says "Manufactures warranty", so unless it is miss representation I would hope it would be valid

[MikeW]

Please make sure that you know the keyboard layout being offered as they vary between countries, also latest version of OS does not appear to be available for all languages/keyboards.

I assume that reloading the OS would overcome any language problems.

I have a UK Netbook purchased from Expansys & a US version purchased via Ebay, the seller made no mention that it was a US version. US version also uses US date format with no options to change to UK format.

[diem]

If you ever have to send your machine in for repair, the online RMA system at www.psion.com/myPsion will tell you if you qualify for free repair (applies to everything except screen failures) via your serial number.

Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?), the online serial number checker doesn't always work properly. When I had to send my machine in (5 months after purchase), the online system incorrectly told me my serial number did not qualify for free support! One quick phonecall to the repairs department soon sorted things though; I just had to fax them a copy of my purchase receipt.

The point of what I'm saying is this - the warranty card doesn't count for anything, proof of purchase is all. Thus if you purchased from eBay, you did print out the final checkout page, right?

[Calbrit]

Yes I printed out proof of purchase. As regards time/date/ format, that option can be changed in Control Panel (or have I missed the point here). My Netbook's defaults to the UK time etc.

I will try downloading and loading the latest OS (UK) version later and see if this works.

Grant

[Calbrit]

Has Mike or anyone else downloaded and successfully installed the new US version of the OS?

Grant

[MikeW]

Grant

Don't think I have done this, I have the earlier version with the bugs in it.

I will see if I can download & try it tonight.

Mike

[Calbrit]

Mike, I'm sure you know this but just in case,

1. Back up evrything first as you have to remove both batteries before proceeding with the upgrade.

2.make sure you keep a separate copy of your current OS available in case the new OS doesn't load!

I look forward to hearing how you get on.

Grant

[MikeW]

No problem it's my backup Netbook mostly used by the grandchildren, it keeps them off my Netbook.

Mike

[daredevil]

Hi Everyone,
Just don't want to spoilt the fun. These eBook or My Malaysian SchoolBook is supported and warranty only by One-Ed dot com in Malaysia. As far as I know, its all has been out of warranty with Psion. When you mention the O/S with the special boot screen to Psion support, you will be told it won't be able to use the netBook O/S available from Psion Teklogix website.

[Calbrit]

Thanks Daredevil, I have e-mailed the seller on EBAY to amend his advert accordingly (basically he's copied the Psion info anyway). So hopefully any reference to warranty and upgrades will be removed - we shall see. As I have stated on another current thread, I'm happy with mine the way it is and consider the cost saving to greatly outweigh any future upgradeability. As long as it functions as now (internet /e-mail problems sorted!) it will be fine for my purposes.

Hopefully, all the information posted in recent weeks will be useful for anyone trying to decide whether or not to get one either as a first or second unit. Bearing in mind they are now going for around $500 (US deliveries) they are even better value for money than when I bought mine.

Grant

[netBookBabe]

Grant

I'd be tempted also to take issue with the "Latest Model" claim in the header for these ads. It seems highly unlikely to me that these machines will be from the latest release with the new motherboard.

Julie

[Calbrit]

For what it's worth, I will include this in my moan to EBAY along with the "advertised" warranty and OS upgrade issues as well as the fact he is saying he's in the USA and isn't (though to be fair a 5 day delivery from Singapore is better than from most of the US!). At the end of the day my transaction is done and dealt and as such no real or effective comeback on the seller. I'm sure this sort of thing is rife on EBAY as "close out" merchants but and sell lumps of stock.

The nearest comparison I can draw is if you buy a car in the UK it sometimes differs in spec. from the same car bought from mainland Europe (I mean here - apart from the placement of steering wheel and pedals!). This doesn't stop people buying them. As I have said, this Netbook seems to "work for me" but may not suit the "leading edge" users on this forum.

Grant

[netBookBabe]

Grant

As I've already said, I totally admire your pragmatic approach to this - a lot of people would be making a fuss, just for the sake of it. I totally agree that if you are happy with the machine and the price paid then all is well. Just wouldn't like to see anyone else misled to whom these issues may be all important.

I didn't mean to imply any criticism of you! :cool:

Julie

[Calbrit]

No criticism detected!

[MikeW]

Hi

Forgot to include an update to my earlier post on the US version of the Netbook.

I did upgrade it to the latest US version of the OS & everything works including the radio LAN bits, I have used it as an alternative to my UK version on the rLAN without any problems.

No I have not tried to get the 2 Netbooks to talk to each other over the rLAN, they can both connect & use the FTP server & Internet.

Mike

[Calbrit]

I've just noticed on one of "bestdealbiz"'s latest Netbook postings that he has dropped the "Under Manufacturer's Warranty" statement. Maybe my e-mail to him registered! However, I can't see much else has changed - he still shows the Psion info regarding the upgradeability of the OS. THe next to go is currently sitting at $550 at the time of writing (+$25 shipping).

Grant

[markdeppe]

I wonder if someone could post what the latest model changes to the hardware were (something like more power to the PCMIA port and such stuff) and if somehow you or another could test to see if it is the latest model, which seems unliklly as they were sold to Malaysia a while ago before they anounced the hardware upgrade, as otherwise that element of his add could do with udating also.

[Tubrat]

I also purchased one of the Psion Netbooks on E-Bay from "bestdealbiz" (have not received it as yet, tied up in customs). I am looking forward to getting my new toy, but am now a little concerned about not being able to upgrade the OS.

Could someone please explain why these models are not “upgradeable”, I always thought this was one of the principle benefits of the Netbook over the Series 7. I probably wouldn’t need to upgrade, as I am sure the Netbook will more than fit my needs, but it would be nice to know that you can. And it was one of the reasons I purchased the Netbook.

Vern

[Tubrat]

I apologies for posting the question listed above, I did not realize that there was another thread discussing the OS issue.

Even though I did get the Psion at a good price, I wanted to use it as a wireless device. I will be sending a letter off to the seller.

Vern

[netBookBabe]

Hi Tubrat

I was just in the process of replying to you and explaining when your second post came in.

I'm glad you've read the other postings on this topic - the information is pretty comprehensive, I think. Personally, I do feel that this eBay seller is guilty of misrepresentation in the way these machines were advertised, particularly with regard to the upgradeability claims. In the light of their advertisement, it was only reasonable to assume that it would be possible to install the latest OS upgrade.

In your position, if wireless support is vital, I would tend to be pushing for a refund on those grounds, but that is just my personal opinion.

Julie