You need to take most reviews with a grain of salt. People are very quick to complain but slow to praise. Also, you don't know how technically adept some people are and how they treat electronics. It could have broken because of their own incompetence, some abuse they heaved on it or some other kind of damage they caused but don't want to admit because then they wouldn't be able to get their refund.

That aside, there are basic models of the better brands coming down in price more and more and I'm sure you'll find some deals here and there over the next few holiday shopping weeks.