Ok, so my laptop died last night. So this morning I checked Future Shop's website on a whim. They had a full loaded-to-the-tits Dell Studio 15 that I've been eyeing for months. For only $1149, too, which is below Dell's price (with coupons) on Dell.ca. So I checked it out. I bought one. Heck, they threw in a 3-in-1 printer for $10!

So I opened up the laptop in the parking lot, thank the computer gods. The box looked new, but there were HUGE scratches across the screen and a gouge/divot out of the case lid.

I examined the box more closely. There was a shipping sticker. It said it was sent from Dell Returns in Ontario to Best Buy's Western distribution center before arriving at the Bridgeport Future Shop. It was unit 3 of 24, sent on August 18th. Odd, n'est pas?

I walked back in and returned the laptop. The guy tried to blame the scratches on me at first, but the manager agreed with me. He suggested I look at the other one they have in stock. I did. Surprise! Even worse scratches and a divot in the centre of the screen! The case exterior was mint, at least. THAT box had the same shipping sticker, but was item 10 of the same batch of 24.

So, do I pay $1400 after taxes for a laptop that is obviously a Dell return/refurbished unit that Future Shop is trying to sell as new? Sadly, no.

I wonder if Dell knows these units are being sold as "new in box" items.