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forum thread Posted by doubletoaster • Aug 30, 2023
forum thread Posted by doubletoaster • Aug 30, 2023

Used/Customer Returns Creality Ender 3 3D Printer $59

$59

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These are customer returns for parts or tinkering. So not necessarily running machines unless you fix a few things. Not something to buy as your first 3D printer.
However, they are inexpensive at $59 with free shipping, especially if you can't pick up a $99 Ender 3 V2 from MicroCenter nearby.
I would mainly see this as a base for a project where you want to convert the printer to something else, like one of those Ender 3 belt printer conversions, etc. Or just use it for parts.
The $69 Ender 3 Pro could also be converted to a Voron Switchwire for example.
There are also some refurbished [creality3d.store] machines with a 10% discount, which are checked and should work out of the box.

Ender 3 specs:
  • 220 x 220 x 250 mm print volume
  • Bowden extruder
  • Prints PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU
  • 0.4mm Nozzle Diameter
  • Printing precision 0.1mm
  • Movement speed up to 180mm/s
  • Heated print bed
  • 270W Power Supply

https://www.creality3d.store/prod...3787623477
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About the Poster
These are customer returns for parts or tinkering. So not necessarily running machines unless you fix a few things. Not something to buy as your first 3D printer.
However, they are inexpensive at $59 with free shipping, especially if you can't pick up a $99 Ender 3 V2 from MicroCenter nearby.
I would mainly see this as a base for a project where you want to convert the printer to something else, like one of those Ender 3 belt printer conversions, etc. Or just use it for parts.
The $69 Ender 3 Pro could also be converted to a Voron Switchwire for example.
There are also some refurbished [creality3d.store] machines with a 10% discount, which are checked and should work out of the box.

Ender 3 specs:
  • 220 x 220 x 250 mm print volume
  • Bowden extruder
  • Prints PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU
  • 0.4mm Nozzle Diameter
  • Printing precision 0.1mm
  • Movement speed up to 180mm/s
  • Heated print bed
  • 270W Power Supply

https://www.creality3d.store/prod...3787623477

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37 Comments

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Pro
Aug 30, 2023
13,796 Posts
Joined Feb 2007
Aug 30, 2023
sarcasmogratis
Pro
Aug 30, 2023
13,796 Posts

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no refunds/no returns
so total gamble
2
Aug 30, 2023
171 Posts
Joined Jun 2013
Aug 30, 2023
Tiptop2600
Aug 30, 2023
171 Posts

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Quote from sarcasmogratis :
no refunds/no returns
so total gamble

"These machines are all returned by Comgrow Amazon customers. The condition of the machine may be open box, used, show signs of use, missing parts, etc. This includes, but is not limited to, clogged nozzles, scratched hotbeds, scratched profiles, and spotted displays. Please consider carefully before purchasing."

You're right that this is a total gamble. The missing parts bit is the only concerning thing. A single missing part could be around $5-$20 to replace. The amount of time that it takes to replace that part is a totally different issue. Anything beyond the scope of something like replacing the plastic extruder would be considered a wash in my opinion and you'd be better off buying one at $99.

The only checkout method is paypal, so if you get a totally busted printer, they will see the "Printers From Amazon Return-[No Refund/Return]" and likely shoot down any attempts to get a refund.
3
Aug 30, 2023
1,591 Posts
Joined Aug 2005
Aug 30, 2023
horent135
Aug 30, 2023
1,591 Posts
where you see $99 at microcenteR?
1
Aug 30, 2023
234 Posts
Joined Jul 2010
Aug 30, 2023
phanniepak
Aug 30, 2023
234 Posts
Quote from horent135 :
where you see $99 at microcenteR?
https://www.microcenter.com/site/...er2g2.aspx
Aug 30, 2023
1,168 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
Aug 30, 2023
Falln2pieces
Aug 30, 2023
1,168 Posts

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I have bought into this deal 3 times when they've had it. Ordered 4 printers. 2 came just about brand new and built. 1 had quite a few upgrades added and just needed grease on the control rod. The last I had to use for parts because it's looked like someone took a hammer to it. But, I got more than $50 in back up parts to use so it worked out.
1
1
Aug 30, 2023
777 Posts
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Aug 30, 2023
Shop_shop_Shop
Aug 30, 2023
777 Posts

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I wouldn't touch this with a 6-foot poll. You should not believe that they're just "returned" units. If they have technicians refurbishing these same units and then selling them as refurbished, then how would they end up with a whole bunch of "unchecked" units?

I've heard plenty of stories of how it's often just a bunch of binned parts thrown together for you to sort through. If any major part is bad, then in the end you may end up spending what a brand new unit with warranty would've cost you.
1
3
Aug 30, 2023
431 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
Aug 30, 2023
dallas_salad
Aug 30, 2023
431 Posts
Doesn't seem worth the risk unless looking for spare boards for a kit you already own. If you're in proximity to a Microcenter the Ender 3 Pro goes on sale for $100 pretty often.

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Aug 30, 2023
119 Posts
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Aug 30, 2023
m4ha7m4
Aug 30, 2023
119 Posts

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The refurbished units that are available are only $10-20 more and carry a warranty.

The refurbished Z1-10W 10W Laser Engraver for $152 seems like a solid deal for a powerful entry level laser engraver. A new Z1-10W is $300ish. Its usually $200 just to upgrade to a 10W head upgrade (no frame/motors).
1
Sep 1, 2023
168 Posts
Joined Mar 2016
Sep 1, 2023
Cheetohz
Sep 1, 2023
168 Posts
Quote from Shop_shop_Shop :
I wouldn't touch this with a 6-foot poll. You should not believe that they're just "returned" units. If they have technicians refurbishing these same units and then selling them as refurbished, then how would they end up with a whole bunch of "unchecked" units?

I've heard plenty of stories of how it's often just a bunch of binned parts thrown together for you to sort through. If any major part is bad, then in the end you may end up spending what a brand new unit with warranty would've cost you.
Combination of both labor and floor space shortages. If they receive more returns than they can repair in a given day/week, they will end up with a surplus of unrepaired units. As this backlog continues to grow, they grow shorter in floor space to store the working units. You have to liquidate eventually.

Not saying that's what's happening here, but it's definitely a common scenario for manufacturers and suppliers.
Sep 1, 2023
299 Posts
Joined May 2014
Sep 1, 2023
stevesaves
Sep 1, 2023
299 Posts
Not factoring in the refurbished stuff, is this is a good beginner unit to get into the hobby? Wondering if it's worth the ~3hr trip to Dallas/Houston to pick up a new unit.
Sep 2, 2023
183 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
Sep 2, 2023
DigitalHoarder
Sep 2, 2023
183 Posts
Speaking from experience, these are unusable and guaranteed to break in multiple ways within the first week (that's when they're NEW!). When you get this, you might as well skip a few days of infuriating frustration and just throw it straight in the trash!
1
Sep 3, 2023
1,188 Posts
Joined Apr 2005
Sep 3, 2023
460cidpower
Sep 3, 2023
1,188 Posts
I wonder the odds of buying two of these and making one good one that works.
Sep 3, 2023
1,181 Posts
Joined Apr 2013
Sep 3, 2023
avalonowner
Sep 3, 2023
1,181 Posts
In for 11
Sep 3, 2023
1,282 Posts
Joined Jan 2023
Sep 3, 2023
BlueRoom4419
Sep 3, 2023
1,282 Posts
Quote from DigitalHoarder :
Speaking from experience, these are unusable and guaranteed to break in multiple ways within the first week (that's when they're NEW!). When you get this, you might as well skip a few days of infuriating frustration and just throw it straight in the trash!
Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. My Creality 3D printers have been pretty reliable. A bit of a learning curve at the start but I haven't had to replace any parts except a clogged nozzle here and there.
I can't really say it is the most practical purchase I have made as the concept is way cooler than the actual product IMO. There are just only so many plastic things and dodads one really needs. They are probably great for table top gamer minatures I would think but most of the things I printed ended up in the trash a few weeks after I made them and their novelty wore off.

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Sep 3, 2023
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BlueRoom4419
Sep 3, 2023
1,282 Posts
Quote from 460cidpower :
I wonder the odds of buying two of these and making one good one that works.
3D printers are all off the shelf components combined into a kit.
Stepper motors
wires
controller board
power supply
2040 aluminum extrusion
heated bed
extruder
All of the parts in these things are orderable. It would be blind bad luck if you bought 2 and both had the same parts missing or broken. That being said you probably would be better off just getting a refurb unless you just enjoy the tinkering part.
Operator error is probably the main reason for these being returned, there not just a plug in and play item ( they can be) but more often than not you will need to spend some time adjusting belt tension, maybe the filiment you ordered needs a higher or lower temperature to print well, maybe one of the wheels was put on just a bit too tight and causes some friction that makes all the prints turn out bad. The guys that just watch a Youtube video of a shill saying how great it prints out of the box and the customers find out they aren't quite that user friendly yet. Their printer doesn't print perfect out of the box so they think it is broken and return it. Or they do a couple prints and the nozzle clogs and they don't know how to fix it. Or even more likely a print sticks badly to the heated bed and they destroy the bed taking it off ( been there done that) but if that happens on your first print people might just decide to return it in leu of buying replacement parts and spending the time to fix it especially with Amazons free return policies.
So the short answer (or not) is probably you could easily buy 2 and build a complete one, now how much time it takes you to take the thing apart and put it back together 7 times to figure out that stepper motor 3 is skipping every 3rd spin or is it a bad wheen or loose pully causing the bad prints is a different story! If fixing things is a fun project for you then it may be a a good project for you to get into.

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