2 ms·

You are kind of comparing apples to oranges. In most cases a used chip will work just as good as new - and probably be proven more reliable as it has been alrea

You are kind of comparing apples to oranges. In most cases a used chip will work just as good as new - and probably be proven more reliable as it has been already tested in a working device. And how do you define "used"? If a module with a chip has been placed in a test harness, is it now used? > and perhaps even guarantee a replacement for the used part within some amount of time. It's called a warranty.

drfuchs 5y ago
The definition of "used" is approximately "delivered to a customer". Doesn't even matter if they returned the box unopened, and got a refund; you still can't sell it as "new". And, no, I'm not speaking of a "warranty." A warranty means "we'll fix it if anything breaks over a certain time period, perhaps with a refurbished part". That's different than "we'll replace this particular part with a new one as soon as we can, even if it's still working, to make sure you get the entire expected MTBF (as that's typically much longer than the overall warranty for the whole device)" It's also wrong to think of used chips being as good as new. Yes, you avoid "infant mortality" (though that seems to be less of an issue than it used to be), but how do you know what environment the washing machine was run in? Thermal and power shocks decrease the lifespan, never mind humidity and static electricity. And even if the environment had been perfect, what about electromigration? That's exactly the reason you can't put used parts into a device sold as new. If you still disagree with this regulation, you're best advised to take it up with the FTC rather than blithely choose to ignore it.
- mechanical_bear 5y ago
  > Doesn't even matter if they returned the box unopened, and got a refund; you still can't sell it as "new". That simply doesn’t track with reality. If I return a good to Target, unopened, it is being put back on the shelf with no indication that it was ever sold previously.

drfuchs 5y ago

The definition of "used" is approximately "delivered to a customer". Doesn't even matter if they returned the box unopened, and got a refund; you still can't sell it as "new". And, no, I'm not speaking of a "warranty." A warranty means "we'll fix it if anything breaks over a certain time period, perhaps with a refurbished part". That's different than "we'll replace this particular part with a new one as soon as we can, even if it's still working, to make sure you get the entire expected MTBF (as that's typically much longer than the overall warranty for the whole device)" It's also wrong to think of used chips being as good as new. Yes, you avoid "infant mortality" (though that seems to be less of an issue than it used to be), but how do you know what environment the washing machine was run in? Thermal and power shocks decrease the lifespan, never mind humidity and static electricity. And even if the environment had been perfect, what about electromigration? That's exactly the reason you can't put used parts into a device sold as new. If you still disagree with this regulation, you're best advised to take it up with the FTC rather than blithely choose to ignore it.

mechanical_bear 5y ago
> Doesn't even matter if they returned the box unopened, and got a refund; you still can't sell it as "new". That simply doesn’t track with reality. If I return a good to Target, unopened, it is being put back on the shelf with no indication that it was ever sold previously.