Large corporations, etc, that buy many PCs in one go are usually asked to sign a contract with the vendor/mfr saying that they won't sell them off as second hand when they next upgrade their systems (I've read and heard this a few times...), because if they did, then the market would be constantly flooded with 'cheap systems' that would effect the sale of new systems. At the same time though, there are computer recycling initiatives that are effectively doing just that - which is very welcome as this helps the financially less advantaged and I for one think this is a good thing. My question or point is, how do these PC recycling initiatives get round this potential problem of being in direct competition with new systems vendors/mfrs? Is there some legal bla, bla that they have to adhere to?
I dont think there would be direct competition between selling used and new computers. Its hard for me to imagine a big company buying used hardware, it would most likely cause more trouble than with new computers.
No, I agree that big companies wouldn't buy used ones, but they might try and sell their own used PCs if it wasn't for these contracts that vendors/mfrs get them to sign. Computer recycling companies are doing just that though, selling used PCs that they get from large companies, banks, what have you...
I have no idea about contracts that promise not to sell on old machines, would be very difficult to enforce! I have not bought a new machine for many years, I normally by refurbished machines, these are normally ex some large company that installs new hardware every year or two and has old kit to get rid of. I would guess they sell in bulk to a refurbisher , or possibly they return them to the supplier on a part exchange basis. There are companies that do not "own" any hardware but who just rent it!
Yer that's true that many large companies rent their machines but some do buy. A life assurance firm I used to work for years ago replaced about 50 PCs and was asked to sign one of these contracts by an IBM vendor, and I was told that many large firms were asked to do the same thing. Whether or not this could be enforced or large firms stick to these contracts, I don't know ;) All I know is, that these new computer recycling initiatives - and there's quite a few, are certainly competition for vendors and mfrs of new systems, yet they're being encouraged by local authorities/councils, etc, because they benefit the 'less well-off' customer, which is a good thing.:)
Chela's on the money there I think - Refurbishing and Recycling are a different ballgame. AFAIK in Europe as a company you must recycle all electronics to prevent all the heavy elements ending up in landfill. So, recycling usually means grinding up the old PCB's and other components to extract the minerals and metals. Refurbs tend to be 'not end of life' systems rather than 1000's of old desktops (which are usually useless by the time they are let go). I purchased quite a few of these for our office and they were all great machines. I'd definitely recommend getting into stuff like that if you have a requirement to source a lot of machines.
Yer, maybe recycling was the wrong word - should have said refurbishing. I brought the whole topic up in the first place because I've been talking to a charity that's been refurbishing donated furniture for some time about the idea of doing the same for donated used PC's, seeing as this charity has its own shops, etc - and they think there's some merit in it...
