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Post by Widow's Peak on Jan 6, 2014 16:27:37 GMT -5
To make a long story short, I got a new laptop for Christmas which is now pretty much useless. Less than a week after opening, I accidentally tipped it over and it managed to land in perfect screen cracking position. The person who gave it to me told me that he had insured it, so I thought "no problem, I'll just get this exchanged for a new one."
Unfortunately, the first associate I talked to at the store told me that my computer was a "special order" and that the only one of its kind left was on hold at another store. I had two choices: either get a cash refund now, or wait to see if the other model had become available. Like a dope, I chose to wait and call the other store when the hold period was up. When the other store told me the person they were holding it for claimed it, I thought "no problem, I'll just get my refund back on Monday."
Well, today I take it back to the store and see a different associate. This one tells me that there is no way that I can get a refund on this because the warranty does not cover accidental breakage. I point out that it is insured. The manager tells me that the insurance that was purchased for it was not the "accident insurance" but was instead just basic protection. I pointed out that wasn't what the first associate told me, and was basically told that the first associate didn't know what she was talking about. I ask to see his manager, who basically reiterated what I'd just been told. I asked if there was anything that they could do to help me, and they told me to call the manufacturer.
So I call the manufacturer, who very politely told me that repairs normally cost about $400, but since mine was a touchscreen, I'll likely be out anywhere from $500 to $700 (on top of the $600 that was already paid for the damn thing).
So I'm now not only in the position of paying back the person who gifted me the laptop (knowing how much it cost them, I can't have the fact that they are paying $600 for something I broke on my conscience), I also still need a new laptop. So I'm looking at about $1500 here. I'm definitely buying the accident protection this time.
So does anyone know of a reputable place that buys back broken laptops? *sigh*
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Legion
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Post by Legion on Jan 6, 2014 16:32:07 GMT -5
Oh no!
That sucks. I feel for you.
But as a tip for the future, when trying to get money out of a retail store, never ever tell the truth. It was always, ALWAYS broken when you opened the box.
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Post by Amazing Kitsune on Jan 6, 2014 16:32:35 GMT -5
That story sucks, but that's the way it can be with warranties and whatnot, unfortunately.
Realistically, assuming it was bought from a chain store, you could go to another store and see if they could help you. Some stores are more eager to bend the rules than others and there is a decent likelihood that you could get a refund. Ethically, it's not something I would do.
You could also just say that it was broken when you opened the box. I couldn't live with myself if I did that, but it would work.
I know nothing about selling broken laptops, I'm afraid.
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Post by YAKMAN is ICHIBAN on Jan 6, 2014 17:05:03 GMT -5
In what bizarro universe are you obligated to pay that person back $600?
Look online and see if you can find a do-it-yourself guide to fixing a broken screen. Sometimes it can be MUCH MUCH cheaper to do it yourself, and you don't need to worry about voiding the warranty at this point.
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Bam Neeley
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Post by Bam Neeley on Jan 6, 2014 17:11:21 GMT -5
What exactly is broken? The screen glass, the lid or the hinges? Screen assemblies for most common laptops available online and you could get one or get someone to fix it for you.
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Post by KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! on Jan 6, 2014 17:11:29 GMT -5
Oh no! That sucks. I feel for you. But as a tip for the future, when trying to get money out of a retail store, never ever tell the truth. It was always, ALWAYS broken when you opened the box. Yeah, unfortunately as with a lot of things telling the truth SHOULD be the right thing to do, but it just isn't. Is there anyway you can go to another store and tell them that it was broken when you got it or did they take down your information and stuff already? At any rate I'd probably try to bring it back to another store or get someone like that first associate you talked to again.
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Post by Widow's Peak on Jan 6, 2014 17:40:08 GMT -5
In what bizarro universe are you obligated to pay that person back $600? Let's just say that I feel pretty shitty knowing they spent that much on something I broke. What exactly is broken? The screen glass, the lid or the hinges? Screen assemblies for most common laptops available online and you could get one or get someone to fix it for you. The glass itself is broken, the lid and hinges are fine. The actual computer still works, if you just use the mouse and ignore the fact that it will randomly open programs for you. I've been trying to find a replacement screen, but I haven't been able to locate one for my model yet. The computer repair places around me are a bit sketchy and I don't really trust myself to do it, so that might be a problem. Still, its probably my cheapest option at this point. And unfortunately, the ship has probably sailed on returning it to the store and claiming it was broken when I got it. I'm too honest for my own good, unfortunately.
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Blindkarevik
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Post by Blindkarevik on Jan 6, 2014 18:10:32 GMT -5
I know it defeats the purpose of a laptop, but what about disabling the touch screen and just connecting an external monitor to it?
I mean, if the portability is an absolute must, I can totally understand your frustration.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2014 18:51:19 GMT -5
I'd take it to another store and say it was broken when you opened it.
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Post by Hit Girl on Jan 6, 2014 19:00:09 GMT -5
If the insurance doesn't cover accidental breakage, what exactly is it good for?
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Post by xCompackx on Jan 6, 2014 19:04:40 GMT -5
If you have a local computer repair shop, they'll fix that for you. It likely won't be cheap, but I'm sure it's fixable.
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jagilki
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Post by jagilki on Jan 6, 2014 19:04:57 GMT -5
Sell it on E-Bay
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Welfare Willis
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Post by Welfare Willis on Jan 6, 2014 19:07:37 GMT -5
Let me guess... is it an HP laptop?
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Post by Amazing Kitsune on Jan 6, 2014 19:10:28 GMT -5
If the insurance doesn't cover accidental breakage, what exactly is it good for? Normal failures within a certain time frame that aren't your doing--failures of workmanship, power surges, and whatnot, typically. Many extended warranties don't cover accidental damage.
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Post by Hassan bin Sober on Jan 6, 2014 19:25:19 GMT -5
It covers deliberate damage. Had you thrown it against a wall you'd be covered.
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Jiren
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Post by Jiren on Jan 6, 2014 19:34:33 GMT -5
Does it have HDMI port, If so plug it into a TV until you find a new screen
I know it defeats the purpose of a laptop, but at least you'll get some use out of it.
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Post by Widow's Peak on Jan 6, 2014 20:04:46 GMT -5
If the insurance doesn't cover accidental breakage, what exactly is it good for? Normal failures within a certain time frame that aren't your doing--failures of workmanship, power surges, and whatnot, typically. Many extended warranties don't cover accidental damage. Pretty much this. The insurance is actually an extended limited warranty, which basically extends the length of time you are covered against manufacturer's defects. There is an option to add "accidental insurance", which is what covers breaks, spills and other self-inflicted damage, but unfortunately we didn't have that. Let me guess... is it an HP laptop? Toshiba, actually. It's a nice computer, but its not very durable. Some good advice here. I was really under the impression that there was no way to fix this and I was pretty much SOL, but now it looks like I at least have some options. Wish me luck.
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Bo Rida
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Post by Bo Rida on Jan 7, 2014 5:30:44 GMT -5
My Brother broke his laptop screen recently, I ordered a new one off ebay and it was dead easy to replace with the help of online guides so there's no need to pay somebody else to do it, that said I'm not sure if a touchscreen makes things harder.
Also as multiple stores seem to be involved in this I'm guessing it's a big chain, if so contact their head office complaints department about what the first guy told you, they may be able to sort things out for you.
Finally I doubt you'll have much trouble selling it online in order to recoup some of the money.
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Post by Jedi-El of Tomorrow on Jan 7, 2014 5:37:39 GMT -5
If you have a local computer repair shop, they'll fix that for you. It likely won't be cheap, but I'm sure it's fixable. Getting more money out of you when you buy the thing. Extended warranties are SHIT. They don't cover a damn thing. The only time, and I mean only time you should think about getting an extended warranty is if it's through the manufacturer directly. Let's say you buy a computer through Dell, and Dell itself offers an extended warranty, then that's a warranty you should think about getting. If you get a computer at Best Buy and they offer an extended warranty, don't even think about getting the warranty.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2014 10:49:01 GMT -5
If you have a local computer repair shop, they'll fix that for you. It likely won't be cheap, but I'm sure it's fixable. Getting more money out of you when you buy the thing. Extended warranties are SHIT. They don't cover a damn thing. The only time, and I mean only time you should think about getting an extended warranty is if it's through the manufacturer directly. Let's say you buy a computer through Dell, and Dell itself offers an extended warranty, then that's a warranty you should think about getting. If you get a computer at Best Buy and they offer an extended warranty, don't even think about getting the warranty. Yeah, manufacturer warranties are the way to go. I ordered a custom rig from HP as the base for a gaming PC, and the power supply I ordered off of Amazon was defective and killed the thing the very day I installed it. I contacted customer service and explained the problem, and they offered to repair the thing for free. Since they were unable to do so, they sent me a brand new rig with the exact same specifications at no charge. I was pleasantly surprised.
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