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Used Seagate Nearline HDDs Sold as New

There are reports of used Seagate Nearline HDDs being sold as new HDDs, where the SMART log for power on hours has been reset. These used HDDs are being sold to customers in various countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, the UK, the Czech Republic, Japan, and the USA. These drives are being sold by third parties through outlets such as eBay.

Risks of Buying Used HDDs

Many of these drives have been in operation for about 25,000 hours. There are other locations on an HDD where the usage of the drive is stored, and these can be accessed with the appropriate software tools to confirm whether an HDD is new or not. However, it is better to avoid purchasing a misrepresented HDD than to determine that it is not new and try to return it.

Buyer Awareness is Key

Buyer awareness is key when purchasing a hard drive. Below is an example of an eBay listing that appears to be a new Exos 24TB drive, but the top description says that the drive is renewed, and when a potential buyer scrolls down, the drive being sold is actually a refurbished drive.

Example of eBay Used Drive Post

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How to Check the Condition of a Drive

When looking to buy a new HDD, always check the condition of the drive, the packaging, and the serial number to confirm its origin or if it is new or refurbished. Note that you can look up information on the warranty condition of a Seagate HDD on the company’s web site using the drive serial number.

Refurbished and Sanitized Used HDDs

Seagate actually sells refurbished and sanitized used HDDs as part of its sustainability efforts with a 6-month warranty, but these used drives are sold at a significant discount to new HDDs. In addition, HDDs sold to system integrators usually have a warranty from the system integrator, rather than the HDD company.

Investigation and Prevention

Seagate is conducting a thorough investigation into these reports and suspects that the drives were new products that Seagate sold to customers who later sold them on the used market. The company recommends that resellers purchase drives from Seagate-authorized distribution partners, as purchasing from Seagate-authorized distributors is the best way resellers, and consequently, their end customers can be sure of the authenticity of Seagate products.

Reporting Suspect Drives

Seagate encourages anyone who suspects that they received a used drive marketed as new to help the investigation by reporting it to them directly at fraud@seagate.com. Suspect drives and/or sellers can also be reported anonymously through their ethics hotline: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/38559/index.html

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential to be aware of the risks of buying used HDDs and to take steps to ensure that the drive is new and genuine. Seagate is committed to upholding the trust of its customers and is taking steps to prevent these types of incidents from occurring in the future.

FAQs

Q: What should I do if I suspect that I received a used drive marketed as new?
A: Report it to Seagate directly at fraud@seagate.com or anonymously through their ethics hotline: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/38559/index.html

Q: How can I check the condition of a drive?
A: Check the condition of the drive, the packaging, and the serial number to confirm its origin or if it is new or refurbished. You can also look up information on the warranty condition of a Seagate HDD on the company’s web site using the drive serial number.

Q: What is the difference between a refurbished and a used drive?
A: A refurbished drive has been inspected and tested to ensure it meets certain standards, whereas a used drive has not been inspected or tested.