Looking for thoughts on ordering Samsung DVD+/-RW burner from Amazon

[PartingShot]

Hi all,

Been reading up on DVD burners on this forum (as I've just come into the market), and it seems Samsung is the popular choice here at VH these days. I looked on Amazon (U.S.) and they have the latest model with the IDE interface I need for roughly $30US. Has anyone had any problems with DOA units from Amazon due to insufficient packaging? I think they are selling a bare OEM Samsung DVD drive at this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Super-WriteMaster-SH-S222A-DVD-RAM-internal/dp/B001IAMU2W

If it is OEM and not a retail box, then protection from shipping is all on Amazon. My question is this: can they be trusted? I'm interested in hearing any experiences from other VH members about Amazon shipping for OEM drives before making my purchase. Thanks for reading, and for any feedback

[redwudz]

I've never had any major problems from Amazon, but that writer is from ANTOnline, not Amazon. You might want to check their company performance. Amazon is just the go-between. With Amazon or similar, you might want to use PayPal as you get faster processing and you do have some built-in protections. And some Amazon sites have very slow shipping. Check their shipping prices and methods before ordering. ~$29US is about average for that burner and it's available on quite a few sites. NewEgg has it for $26US and $7 shipping.

OEM usually means no useless software is included and it's just shrinkwrapped. Cables are not included. Remember you have to set the jumpers for PATA (IDE) drives and be sure to use a 80 conductor cable, same as a HDD.

[jman98]

I sometimes buy from Amazon resellers, although I have not bought burners from them. Here is my rule - I don't worry about items like DVDs, CDs and books which tend to be cheap. However, you need to be careful with more expensive items. The bad thing about Amazon resellers is that if you have any problems with the reseller, Amazon.com basically says "It sucks to be you. Work it out with the reseller and leave us alone." I very strongly advise paying by credit card for that reason. I bought an unlocked mobile phone about 5 years ago and the reseller advertised the phone as being GSM tri band. In fact, it was GSM 2 band with one of the international GSM bands missing (it was a model AT&T used to sell in their stores and they asked Nokia to cripple the phone and remove one of the international bands from it as all non-AT&T versions of the phone were tri band). I asked for a refund but the reseller refused to answer my email and Amazon just basically said "Work it out with the reseller. So sad, too bad." Finally I protested the charge with my credit card company as I could easily prove that the reseller had misrepresented the phone. I got a refund shortly after that with an explanation that the reseller had "been on vacation and only just got gotten back".

So bottom line is that $30 is not much, but if you have problems you can totally forget about any help from Amazon. It's your decision. That's the only problem I've ever had with an Amazon reseller.

[lacywest]

Newegg is selling a Samsung DVD burner ... the reviews are not good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL010510...L0A-_-27151192

[redwudz]

That's the SATA version and I have two of them with never any problems. I think the OP needs the PATA (IDE) version.

This is the PATA version: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175 There is also a lightscribe version for the same price.

[samijubal]

My Samsuck lasted less than 2 months. Look around the internet and you'll find that's not uncommon.