Seagate Responds To Misrepresented Used Hard Disk Drive Sales

Forbes - Feb 8th, 2025

Reports have surfaced that used Seagate Nearline HDDs, with reset SMART logs, are being sold as new across several countries including Germany, the USA, and Japan. These drives, which have reportedly been in use for approximately 25,000 hours, are being marketed by third-party sellers through platforms like eBay. Seagate has issued a statement, asserting that they did not distribute these drives to resellers and suspect they were resold as new by unauthorized sellers. The company advises consumers to purchase from authorized distributors and check HDD serial numbers to verify warranty status.

The issue highlights the risks associated with purchasing HDDs from non-verified sources, emphasizing the need for buyer vigilance to avoid paying new prices for used products. Seagate has emphasized its commitment to addressing the problem by investigating the supply chain irregularities and working with resellers and authorities to take corrective action. The incident underscores the importance of sustainability initiatives in the tech industry while warning consumers about potential fraud in an increasingly global marketplace.

Seagate Hdd Fraud Smart Logs E Bay Sales Consumer Awareness

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights the issue of used Seagate HDDs being sold as new, providing practical advice for consumers on how to avoid such purchases. It presents Seagate's official response and emphasizes the importance of consumer vigilance, which adds credibility and relevance to the narrative. However, the article could benefit from more diverse sourcing and detailed evidence to support its claims, which would enhance its accuracy and reliability.

While the article is timely and addresses a topic of public interest, its potential impact could be greater with a more comprehensive exploration of the issue and its broader implications. The inclusion of unrelated topics disrupts the focus and clarity, but the overall readability is maintained through straightforward language.

In summary, the article serves as a useful resource for consumers concerned about product authenticity in the tech industry, but it could be strengthened by deeper analysis and a more cohesive presentation.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims regarding the sale of used Seagate HDDs as new. These claims include the resetting of SMART logs and the sale of these drives in various countries, which align with existing reports on the issue. However, the article lacks specific evidence or detailed sources to substantiate these claims, which affects its overall accuracy. For instance, while it mentions that many drives have been in operation for about 25,000 hours, this is not directly supported by any particular study or data within the article itself.

Additionally, the story states that Seagate did not sell or distribute these drives to resellers, attributing this to a statement from Seagate. This aligns with Seagate’s official response, adding credibility to this specific claim. However, the lack of precise details about the investigation and the extent of the issue necessitates further verification.

Overall, while the story is largely accurate in its depiction of the issue, the absence of detailed evidence and specific sources for some claims slightly diminishes its factual reliability.

Balance

The article predominantly focuses on the issue of used Seagate HDDs being sold as new, primarily from the perspective of the consumers and Seagate’s response. It provides a detailed account of Seagate's stance, including their investigation efforts and recommendations for resellers and customers.

However, the story lacks perspectives from other stakeholders, such as the third-party sellers or the affected customers themselves. Including viewpoints from these groups could provide a more balanced narrative and help readers understand the broader impact of the issue.

The article could also benefit from discussing potential systemic issues in the supply chain that allow for such misrepresentation to occur. This would provide a more comprehensive view of the problem and contribute to a more balanced presentation.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it accessible to a broad audience. It effectively communicates the main issue of used HDDs being sold as new and provides practical advice for consumers to avoid such purchases.

However, the article could benefit from a more logical flow of information. For example, the explanation of verification methods for determining HDD usage could be more clearly linked to the broader narrative about consumer protection. Additionally, the inclusion of unrelated headlines about PlayStation servers and FBI warnings disrupts the story's focus and clarity.

Overall, while the article is understandable, streamlining the content and ensuring a more coherent structure would enhance its clarity.

Source quality

The story references Seagate’s official statement, which lends some credibility to the claims made about the company’s response and investigation. However, it does not cite any independent sources or third-party investigations to corroborate the claims about the sale of used HDDs as new.

The reliance on a single source, particularly one directly involved in the issue, can limit the perceived reliability of the information. Including a broader range of sources, such as consumer reports or independent investigations, would enhance the article’s source quality and provide a more robust basis for the claims made.

Overall, while the story does include a credible source in Seagate, the lack of diversity in sourcing limits its overall reliability.

Transparency

The article provides some transparency regarding Seagate's response and investigation into the issue. It clearly states that Seagate did not distribute the drives to resellers and outlines the company's recommendations for avoiding fraudulent purchases.

However, the article could be more transparent about the sources of its claims regarding the extent of the problem, such as the number of affected customers or specific instances of fraud. Additionally, the lack of detailed methodology or evidence supporting these claims reduces the transparency of the reporting.

Improving transparency would involve disclosing more about how the information was obtained and any potential limitations or uncertainties in the data presented.