Would you buy Something Broken?

My husband usually buy scrap - PSP, computer, mobile phone, printers and others. He usually try to repair them or if no longer possible, he take and keep any part of the item that could still be used in the future.

To be honest,I don't know what the wood chipper is like.I wonder why you can't give it back or exchange it for another one.

If I knew I was capable of fixing something and I would save a lot of money buying it broken, I would buy it if the cost of fixing it wasn't very much. It's like someone buying a house that's listed as a "fixer-upper"--you have to put some work into it but in the end you'll have a house worth several hundred thousand dollars for less than half the price, in many instances. My ex once bought an ice machine (he has a business and we had a LOT of company!) that was broken and he fixed it. He got it for $150 but if it had not been broken it would have cost $1100. It took him 15 minutes to fix it and we used and enjoyed it for years! I hope you get that clutch fixed with a minimum of work, cost, and aggravation!

First I would try to get an estimate of what it would cost a repairman to fix it. Maybe get two or three estimates. After that I would see if it would be cost effective for me to fix it myself or hire someone else to do it. Then I would compare the cost of repairs plus the cost of the item and compare it to the cost of a similar item that is not in need of repair and decide if it really is a deal to buy something broken. That being said, I have bought several things in need of repair at a good price and repaired them myself at little to no cost because I already had the tools and parts to use. The key is knowing your ability to repair stuff and knowing what it will cost you to repair the item. If you know you can fix it and cost of the parts needed doesn't offset the price of the deal then I say go for it.

yes we bouht broken chair from a vendor and then fix it we safe money from doing this

I would rather not because it will just be a waste of time and also it will just be a waste of money since you will bought something broken and it requires a repair so why not just purchase a new one instead? But in your case, you've mentioned that it's kinda hard to find and a brand new one is very expensive, I would take a risk to buy it and just look for someone who could fix it for me considering that it will be something that is very hard to find and if I badly needed that.

Never,always check before buy something,even when cheaper also not buy until sure that it's o.k.In some occasion when look not so good but can use it I can but it less then his price was but that all.

No. It is false economy. For that matter I would never sell anything that is broken as I think it is unfair to the buyer. It is a risk. They may well be getting rid of it because the cost of the repair is too high or they know it is not repairable. If you had the knowledge to fix it yourself that might be different. I know nothing about such machines but if you had to have a new clutch installed, what would it cost? Have you spoken to a person who does such repairs on these machines to sound out the potential cost? Research in area like this are vital to minimise the risk. We recently sold our ride on mower because we no longer need it but we spent money getting it serviced and repaired before selling. It meant we got less for it but we sold it knowing that the buyer could use it.

Not unless it were something I had experience fixing and knew I could do it cheaply and successfully.. So that would be no because there's nothing I can fix! LOL Though people always buy cars that need work, or homes that need work. Did you buy it or are you just thinking about it?

If the price is realy fine, and with my spare money, if it is something that is important to me and it safe to use, than yes I would bie it. why not take the chance. But my only question is why the owner of the chipper didn't fixed it for himself, maybe he tried and it is hopeless. but I guess you know what you are doing. so good luck with it.

I really wish you get the clutch repaired and that your deal becomes a success, but personally I would have chosen to buy something that is new and if second hand at least in a good and working condition. Buying something broken to get it mend later sounds risky to me. What if the cost of repairing is high? What if even after repairing the thing doesn't work properly? So, instead of blocking my money there I would rather wait to collect some more money and buy myself a working item.

i suggest that you take the mechanic with you so he can check if it can still be repaired. don't buy this unless you're sure that you can still use it. you might end up losing money rather than having an amazing deal.

That's really risky. I hope you'll be able yo get it fixed perfectly ;) I would consider buying a broken or old car because I have someone who can "pimp" it. He's amazing in car repairs and restorations, so I would consider buying in a junk and get away with less money and devote the finances I have to make it sweet ;) I'm a bit of a cheapo so I would consider buying something broken that comes in a cheap price but definitely opt to buy a new one if it'll cost more compared to a brand new. Thanks GreenMoo! :)

i thought stores are not allowed to sell broken things. because a fews ago, i went into a store, and wanted to buy a mirror. the only defect in it was teh light of the mirror wasnt working, i didnt care about that, but they refused to sell it to me.

It would depend on what part/how much of it is broken. In your example of a wood chipper, it would probably be worth taking a chance. Clutches can be replaced altogether if need be and if the rest of it's okay, why not? Wood chippers are expensive, that's for sure.

We buy used cars a lot, it is kind of the same thing. I would probably research repair manuals through the library or on line before deciding if I could fix it.

I wouldn't, but I know many people will. I learned this when I had a garage sale and I had a number of broken stuff there like broken electric fans, electric stove, DVD player, toys, computer monitors, etc. I think these people don't mind having them fixed. The prices by the way are really very low, like it's just given away. Personally, I won't buy one that is broken. That's too risky and a waste to time and money.

Your mean buying something second hand, well , your need to find out first whether it is fixable or not , then the cost of fixing it , and once fixed , how long it can last. If it is fixable and cost less. Why then the original owner want to sell it in the first place. Bring along a good fix it mechanic to find check out the machine.Sometime a too good to believe price is a scam and fraud so becareful too.

My suggestion is ask first how much it will cost you to repair the clutch if it will cost as high as buying the new one better to buy the expensive than buying broke. I prefer buying a new one than broke items

if the price is very cheap,and the thing looks nice,i will consider.in fact,i have bought such things once a time.at that shopping, i took 16 dollars to buy a woollen sweater, a sweater coat and a shirt.the saler said that those clothes were all out-of-date but best qualities ,and sold for promotion.i picked three favourite pieces and just took me 16 dollars.i thought it was cost-effective.but when i came home and checked clothes carefully ,i found one hole in the right cuff of the sweater coat and another hole in the collarband of the woollen sweater.just you said, a bit of a risk.what i could do was to sew them by myself.hahha