Used DS420+ - how to check unit before purchase?

[febox69]

I found second hand DS420+ on local eBay-like online marketplace which supposedly was never used (still in original packaging) and supposedly is still in warranty.
The original price set by the seller was 375 EUR (approx. 415 USD) and I negotiated it down to 330 EUR (approx. 365 USD) provided that the item turns out to be as claimed by the seller. Would you consider that be a fair price/bargain for the unit?

Besides checking the obvious in terms of package contents and external visual inspection of DS420+ what else do I need to check in terms of hardware and software to avoid being scammed or being sold a faulty unit?

My current checklist is the following:
1) Check package content as per Synology DS420+ Data Sheet (page 7 - Package content): https://global.download.synology.com/download/Document/Hardware/DataSheet/DiskStation/20-year/DS420+/enu/Synology_DS420_Plus_Data_Sheet_enu.pdf
2) Check invoice and validity of warranty
3) Check that drive trays are not broken/faulty + inspect USB ports
4) Boot up Synology DS420+ and physically connect it to my laptop using RJ-45 LAN cable and then login to DSM
5) Do memory test using Synology Assistant to check 2 GB DDR4 onboard RAM + SSH to the unit and execute sudo dmidecode -t memory to check memory installed
6) Check that fans at the back are spinning properly

Is there anything else I should/could check to make sure I'm really getting a good Synology NAS unit?

With regard to connecting to the unit (step 4 & 5) - can I just directly plug the unit to my laptop via LAN cable or do I need to bring my router with me and connect both my Synology and laptop to a router?

Thanks for all the helpful answers in advance, much appreciated!

PS: I hope @Rusty and @Telos don't mind if I tag them here (I really appreciate you input based on helping me out previously).

 

[fredbert]

The DS420+ like other 2020 plus series have soldered on RAM with a single slot for upgrading. I’m thinking it’s non-ECC DDR3. Officially at extra 4 GB module can be added.

If it’s brand new/unopened then any packaging will not have been tampered: tape damage; wire ties untidy.

I think the DS420+ had a 2 year warranty. I’m not sure if Synology included it in its new extended warranty to add 2 more years for a fee. It all depends too on when any warranty started, I think it’s from original purchase.

 

[Rusty]

2) Check invoice and validity of warranty

Adding to what @fredbert already said...

1. The resulting warranty (3-2y) is dependent on the original warranty term of the device being registered. The starting date of Extended Warranty Plus additional coverage is calculated based on the purchase date of your Synology NAS. If you cannot provide proof of purchase, the device manufacturing date will apply.

Now, DS420+ is flagged as EOL (end of life) and with its initial 3y of warranty plus 2 additional ones via extended warranty plus program, it would mean that it would still be covered. However, if the unit is sealed and never used, I think the extended warranty was not activated, and that would mean it is no longer under warranty. 420 model was manufactured as early as the second half of 2019, so the clock started ticking from that moment if no warranty was registered at a later date.

If the unit has not been used and you will have hands-on, apart from the initial setup, inspection, and detection on the network, not much more you can do.

With regard to connecting to the unit (step 4 & 5) - can I just directly plug the unit to my laptop via LAN cable or do I need to bring my router with me and connect both my Synology and laptop to a router?

You can connect it directly but the detected IP address will be from the APIPA range as a fresh NAS setup will expect a DHCP-capable device on the other end in order to get a valid IP address from that subnet. If that is not the case you will have to access the NAS using the static IP address that your PC will register with the NAS.

 

[Telos]

if the unit is sealed and never used, ... , and that would mean it is no longer under warranty.

Are you certain?

Reference

 

[Rusty]

Are you certain?

Reference

No no, you are right, I was referring to the "if you cannot provide proof of purchase" part of the paragraph related to the extended warranty. On top of this, even if the receipt can be provided, I am not sure that extra 2y will apply atm, because:

1. Applies with proof of purchase available. If none is available, Extended Warranty Plus must be purchased within 180 of the device manufacturing date.

So, if the unit has not been used, considering the current date, I'm afraid an extra 2y will not be an option

The note part:

 

[fredbert]

Now, DS420+ is flagged as EOL (end of life) and with its initial 3y of warranty plus 2 additional ones via extended warranty plus program,

You’re right the initial warranty is 3 years. I was thinking the 220+ and 420+ had 2 years and the 720+ and 920+ had 3. But it’s only the first, 220+, that has the lower 2 years.

I’m sure when I got the extended warranty on my 1520+ it wanted the sales receipt and based the period on purchase date. That would imply the original warranty is also from purchase date.

For connecting the NAS to PC/Mac to test, both Windows and macOS have Internet sharing features that enable them to act as a router and provide DHCP to connected devices.

 

[febox69]

Thank you @Telos , @Rusty and @fredbert for all your valuable information, much appreciated!

Meeting with the seller tomorrow, fingers crossed everything works out.