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Author Topic: Purchase of New ZyXel VMG1312-B10A  (Read 2396 times)

tiffy

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Purchase of New ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
« on: October 19, 2017, 02:08:13 PM »

As the ZyXel VMG1312-B10A appears to be very much respected by many forum members and with view to replacing my Huawei HG612/Netgear DGND3700v2 combination with a one box solution, I decided to buy a "new" VMG1312-B10A at the going rate rather than mess about with possibly ISP branded units having established that members S/H units were very hard to come by.

I chose what looked like a reputable supplier on Amazon (won't mention their name) and ordered the item which was fulfilled by Amazon & submitted my order paying what I considered to be the going rate for a brand new unit.

On delivery, I became suspicious very quickly that the router was not a brand new unit:
There was a "new" bar code label on the box (why would the manuf. have to say it's new ?)
Within the box, the router was not wrapped and had lots of smudges & finger prints apparent.
The PSU was loose in the box, no packing.
There was a rattle as if the PCB was not fully secured.
When powered up, the default admin. ID & PW (admin/1234) for GUI access would not work, had to perform a "factory reset" to gain access. (now had access at all levels)
The firmware was a quite old revision [V1.00(AAJZ.6), current V1.00(AAJZ.12)]
(appreciate that FW can be out of date if items are "on the shelf" for a long period, however this revision seems very old)

As fulfilled by Amazon, there was absolutely no issue with returning the item which I decided to do, did initially request access to the supplier at a personal level to express my concerns but Amazon would not permit this hence the decision to return the unit for a full refund.

Am I being paranoid or was I justified in returning the item ?
Don't think that I would ever have been completely happy with the router even if it had performed fully to expectation, would always have had the doubt that a  "real new" item may have performed better ?

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roseway

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Re: Purchase of New ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2017, 02:46:56 PM »

You're absolutely right to return it. I would have been furious to order a new product and receive one which had obviously been handled (at the very least).
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  Eric

jelv

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Re: Purchase of New ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2017, 04:05:07 PM »

I have a B10A (supplied by AAISP). It is working pretty much OK (just an issue with IPv6 after loss of PPP) but I wouldn't buy another if this broke. I'd be going for the new one (B10D) which is the one AAISP now supply.
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tubaman

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Re: Purchase of New ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2017, 04:32:58 PM »

I agree that it does sound like it had been used before.
Just one thing - the PCB sounding a bit loose is normal - at least the one I have is like it.
It's only held in place by the case so if you take off the top it can just be lifted out.
 :)
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burakkucat

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Re: Purchase of New ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2017, 07:56:16 PM »

Just one thing - the PCB sounding a bit loose is normal - at least the one I have is like it.
It's only held in place by the case so if you take off the top it can just be lifted out.
 :)

When I received my -B10A (a one month old, iTalk branded version) I deliberately gave it a good shake to check for any rattles. None were noticed. Being naturally curious, I opened the case to check the innards. When put back together there was still no rattle . . . so I have obviously been lucky.

Reverting an iTalk branded version back to stock ZyXEL is quite a simple process. So I would suggest that anyone in the market for a VMG1312-B10A should not be put off . . . there are bargains available.  ;)
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NewtronStar

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Re: Purchase of New ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2017, 10:04:39 PM »

Just one thing - the PCB sounding a bit loose is normal - at least the one I have is like it.
 :)

They must have open it up for inspection and during the close out stage broke off one of those plastic tabs
which is what your hearing  :-\
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tubaman

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Re: Purchase of New ZyXel VMG1312-B10A
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2017, 07:57:13 AM »

What I am hearing is the PCB moving very slightly in the case if you give it a gentle shake.
It's because it's not screwed in. There is definitely nothing broken.
 :)
« Last Edit: October 20, 2017, 08:03:14 AM by tubaman »
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