Pioneer 220s possible refurbished unit?

[NiteLite]

Hi...I just received a Pioneer 220s DVD recorder from Walmart-com and am wondering if it may be a refurbished unit.
Reasons are that it has a mnaufacture date of June 2004 and on the serial # sticker it has a "blue" sticker - circle shape about the size of a nickel.
I know that with appliances if one has been repaired even in home the service guys put stickers on them to denote service has been applied.
So before I tear into it (also it has been double taped with clear shipping tape on top) was wondering if anyone may know about the blue sticker and maybe why such an old manufacture date.
Thanks for any insight.
NL.

btw/ the box was NOT delivered double boxed. Only the pioneer box itself which of course showed some heavy tears. Shame on Walmart for not double boxing.

[budz]

btw/ the box was NOT delivered double boxed. Only the pioneer box itself which of course showed some heavy tears. Shame on Walmart for not double boxing.

My Pioneer 220-S was delivered the same way but I didn't have any tears in the box. In my opinion the box is very sturdy, the unit is housed with the factory packing material. I would return the Pioneer 220-S to Walmart and ask for a refund. Then buy the model #233 that is the latest dvd recorder from Pioneer. Walmart has the 233 in their stores.

[lordsmurf]

Walmart does sell refurbs, and sometimes they are not properly marked. I'd be pissed too, you may have paid full price for no reason. They do sell refurbs for less, when marked, and when in stock.

[gshelley61]

Yeah - take it to Wally World and tell them you want to exchange it for another unit (like the new DVR-231/233). That's one nice thing about Wal Mart - they don't hassle you about returns or exchanges.

[NiteLite]

Thanks guys for the replies.
Hey budz, do you remember any blue round sticker beside the serial number on the box? I'm really curious and somewhat apprehensive about it.
lordsmurf, thanks for the refurb confirmation.
Does the new 233 model have the features of the 220s? Thought I read somewhere a couple features missing with the upgrade model???
My store does not carry the Pioneer. Thats why I took a chance on their web site.
gshelley61, Yes they are good about returns and their web site stated returns could be made at stores.
The blue sticker thing and the retaped top. I cant get over it. Maybe because I just watched "The Aviator" and Hughes' OCD rubbed off on me. You think?
Really appreciate your time everyone.
NL

[budz]

Is this the sticker you're talking about? If it is I seriously don't think you got a unit that was a refurbished.

[lumis]

the pioneer dvr-233 is the "pioneer version".. the "wal-mart version" is the dvr-231.. exact same thing, just different label.

[linetest]

It's illegal to sell a refurbished unit as new without indicating it as such. It is perfectly legal to sell a returned unit as new however. There is a difference. That blue sticker likely means nothing more than stock dating or inventory marking. I'd bet it's not a refurb, and I'd bet Walmart would not engage in such a pratice. They would be h$ll to pay for it, and they are too big, and too profitable to engage in such a devious practice.
You can return any merchandise you are not happy with, so open the box and see if it looks like a return. My store has a couple Pioneer's from middle of last year. All the Ilos they have are from August 2004. No big deal. [/b]

[NiteLite]

budz, thanks so much for the pic. That's it, Same spot and blue. Same date as your pic also. I really appreciate your time in doing that for me.
When I stated refurb I really meant refurb, return w/o damage or return with damage stated but none found or could not be reproduced. Lots of options.
I was concerned as to the sticker because as I stated up top of stickers being used after repairs are made to appliances, VCR's, etc. Those I have seen.
Again I really thank everyone for their thoughts and help.
NL

[budz]

budz, thanks so much for the pic. That's it, Same spot and blue. Same date as your pic also. I really appreciate your time in doing that for me.
When I stated refurb I really meant refurb, return w/o damage or return with damage stated but none found or could not be reproduced. Lots of options.
I was concerned as to the sticker because as I stated up top of stickers being used after repairs are made to appliances, VCR's, etc. Those I have seen.
Again I really thank everyone for their thoughts and help.
NL

Your welx....So what have you decided to do with your unit? Returning it to wally worlds?

[NiteLite]

Your welx....So what have you decided to do with your unit? Returning it to wally worlds?

I went ahead an opened it. Looked soptless . Checked the screws for driver marks...none found so I think I'll hook it up asap and check it out.
As this is my 1st standalone recorder I'd better read the manual for awhile.
Got a feeling this wont be a plug and play device.
Thx again, budz.
NL

[budz]

Your welx....So what have you decided to do with your unit? Returning it to wally worlds?

I went ahead an opened it. Looked soptless . Checked the screws for driver marks...none found so I think I'll hook it up asap and check it out.
As this is my 1st standalone recorder I'd better read the manual for awhile.
Got a feeling this wont be a plug and play device.
Thx again, budz.
NL

Good to hear you're keeping the unit. If you have any questions after reading the manual feel free to ask. There are other members that will surely help you out. The 220 is my first standalone dvd recorder too. Have fun with your new toy!!!!!

[sync]

I have the Pioneer 420 and had the 220 before that. Based on my good experiences with those units I encouraged my sister to get the 233 last week. I can hardly believe how much they dumbed down this model. The new model is terrible and we returned it the next day.

[tac7]

"sync" wrote: "I have the Pioneer 420 and had the 220 before that. Based on my good experiences with those units I encouraged my sister to get the 233 last week. I can hardly believe how much they dumbed down this model. The new model is terrible and we returned it the next day."
*
*
That is not very encouraging. I was just about to pick up a Pioneer 233, and then read that some features were missing compared to the 220. Tried to download the manual for the 220 and 233 from the Pioneer Web site for comparison, but neither is available for download (although the 420 and 520 manuals can be downloaded).

Could you be more specific on the difference between the two? Thanks!

[NiteLite]

sync...thanks for that info. I thought I had read "somewhere" that the new model (233) wasnt up to par with the 220s. Another reason I should keep the 220s.
Will do, budz. I'm sure I'll pop in here with a few questions soon.
Cheers all.
NL

[cwerdna]

I just picked up a 220 from the Milpitas, CA Walmart on Thursday. We looked at 2 units on the shelf (up high) and they both looked retaped. The droid claimed that they don't sell returned stuff (so I guess they're all like that?). He claimed they send them back to them manufacturer if they're returned.

Mine was manufacturerd May 2004 (!) and also has a blue dot just like in the picture. I haven't opened the box yet so we'll see....

[budz]

I just picked up a 220 from the Milpitas, CA Walmart on Thursday. We looked at 2 units on the shelf (up high) and they both looked retaped. The droid claimed that they don't sell returned stuff (so I guess they're all like that?). He claimed they send them back to them manufacturer if they're returned.

Mine was manufacturerd May 2004 (!) and also has a blue dot just like in the picture. I haven't opened the box yet so we'll see....

I'm sure the 220 you have is ok. As you can see I had the Blue dot as well on my box.

I went to that Wally Worlds store when I was in the Bay Area back in May.

[KeepItSimple]

Wow who would've thought that a blue dot on a box would cause such anxiety!
But seriously, folks, can anyone say exactly what features were left off the new Pioneer? Probably some that are essential to the plot once you get used them - I hate it when they do that! Dumbing down is an excellent term for that. Add features, don't subtract them PLEASE!!

[cwerdna]

Wow who would've thought that a blue dot on a box would cause such anxiety!
But seriously, folks, can anyone say exactly what features were left off the new Pioneer? Probably some that are essential to the plot once you get used them - I hate it when they do that! Dumbing down is an excellent term for that. Add features, don't subtract them PLEASE!!

I wasn't so much concerned about the blue dot (didn't even know about it until I read this thread after coming home from Walmart w/unit). For me, it's what looked like double taping of boxes and/or broken layer of tape.

As for the 233/231 (same?) see https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=270431&highlight=pioneer+233 and http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=549726&highlight=pioneer+231.