I've been posting a lot about warranties lately, and I started making a mental list of the things that I've had serviced (or even replaced) under the manufacturer's warranty. The list started getting long.
These are some of my most recent warranty experiences:
-Kind of expensive surge protector - Mailed it in to get replaced
-Bose Earphones - Mailed in to get replaced
-iPod Touch - Took to the local Apple Serwis Shop where it was deemed to need replacement
-Wireless Keyboard - replaced free of charge by the store
-Memory Stick - replaced free of charge by the manufacturer
-Western Digital Hard Drive (2 times) - Replaced no questions asked by the Manufacturer
-Dell Computer - Had it serviced here in Poland - under warranty - no questions asked.
-Christmas gifts - One replaced by the website that sold it (no questions asked) and one that was a little more painful - but they still replaced it.
-Cast Iron Frying Pan - Bought 18 months ago and it cracked. The manufacturer sent a new one with no questions asked.
All-in-all we've had excellent luck lately with getting things serviced under warranty. Almost zero complaints. Now it might help when I'm contacting these places I explain that I'm stationed overseas and that I need assistance from afar, but whatever - I have a lot more faith that I'm getting my money's worth for the things I buy.
Of course the question becomes - what happens when the new/fixed items break again... I guess I'll end up doing exactly what the manufacturers hope that I do - buy new ones...
Showing posts with label Guarantee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guarantee. Show all posts
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Duh - Get the iPod fixed here!
My daughter's iPod stopped working. We're ten months into the one-year warranty. I thought for sure that I'd have to send it back to the States, let them look at it and then send it back to me. My only hope was that the thing would get back to whatever service center it had to go to - before the warranty expires.
It turns out that less than 2 miles from the Embassy (on my way home no less) there is an authorized Apple Service Center. It's unassuming and you'd never know it, but you see the Apple trademark and the Serwis sign as you enter the building. The address is ul. Mangalia 4 and it's just off of Sobieskiego. There is more info listed on the Apple website under the Service tab - or by clicking here.
And the best part - they're completely linked up to the master Apple database. Since we bought that iPod through the Apple Store online, all the lady needed to do to verify the warranty, was type in the serial number. She took the iPod, gave me a receipt and said they would call me when its ready.
Of course nothing's perfect - she did drop large hints that the damage might not be covered by warranty (in which case I'll end up mailing it back to Apple after all) but if you have a MacBook, a Mac Computer or any other Apple Product that is still in its warranty period that needs serviced - check them out. It really was pretty easy.
And ultimately my review of them will completely depend on whether or not they fix my daughter's iPod or not...
UPDATE: - 29 January
Today I got a call from the Serwis Center here in Warsaw. They told me my iPod was ready.
Turns out they just replaced the iPod completely. Good in that my daughter has a working iPod Touch again. Bad in the sense that the engraved personalization that was on the iPod is gone. I suppose we could get it tricked out if we wanted - but I think we'll just live with having a new iPod instead.
Because we had such an easy experience - I don't image that we'll be buying any any other mp3 players other than an iPod for as long as we're in Poland. I was always a bit leery of the Apple customer service, but this has been a really positive experience.
It turns out that less than 2 miles from the Embassy (on my way home no less) there is an authorized Apple Service Center. It's unassuming and you'd never know it, but you see the Apple trademark and the Serwis sign as you enter the building. The address is ul. Mangalia 4 and it's just off of Sobieskiego. There is more info listed on the Apple website under the Service tab - or by clicking here.
And the best part - they're completely linked up to the master Apple database. Since we bought that iPod through the Apple Store online, all the lady needed to do to verify the warranty, was type in the serial number. She took the iPod, gave me a receipt and said they would call me when its ready.
Of course nothing's perfect - she did drop large hints that the damage might not be covered by warranty (in which case I'll end up mailing it back to Apple after all) but if you have a MacBook, a Mac Computer or any other Apple Product that is still in its warranty period that needs serviced - check them out. It really was pretty easy.
And ultimately my review of them will completely depend on whether or not they fix my daughter's iPod or not...
UPDATE: - 29 January
Today I got a call from the Serwis Center here in Warsaw. They told me my iPod was ready.
Turns out they just replaced the iPod completely. Good in that my daughter has a working iPod Touch again. Bad in the sense that the engraved personalization that was on the iPod is gone. I suppose we could get it tricked out if we wanted - but I think we'll just live with having a new iPod instead.
Because we had such an easy experience - I don't image that we'll be buying any any other mp3 players other than an iPod for as long as we're in Poland. I was always a bit leery of the Apple customer service, but this has been a really positive experience.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
How Far Does The Guarantee Go?
I showed up in Poland with a brand new 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan. It had 8 miles on it and I didn't see it until the day they delivered it from the port. That was about 15 months ago.
It's had a few more problems than I care to admit, but the latest one drove me nuts. There was a short in the factory radio that constantly drained the battery and left me stranded in the car-wash line in front of Sadyba Mall not too long ago.
After a jump from a kind friend that didn't live too far away, I took it to a Dodge Dealer who did fix the problem in the factory radio.
The problem is that he said the 36 month/36,000 mile warranty that came with the car is invalid and would not be honored. I thought that was a little cheesy because after all - the problem was clearly a manufacturer's defect in the installed factory radio. He said he felt me - but I still had to pay 127 zlotys.
Technically I think he's right, but in the Middle of West Africa I was able to get the Ford Dealer to honor the new-car warranty for a Ford Explorer. And that was Africa!
On the other hand, the Harley Davidson Dealer here in Warsaw says they are happy to honor my 2-year, unlimited mileage warranty on the new bike. No questions asked.
So if you have a car - and it's under the US warranty period - Ask! It can't hurt. And if that fails (and the problem looks bigger than a small short in the radio) try a different dealer. It just might work.
It's had a few more problems than I care to admit, but the latest one drove me nuts. There was a short in the factory radio that constantly drained the battery and left me stranded in the car-wash line in front of Sadyba Mall not too long ago.
After a jump from a kind friend that didn't live too far away, I took it to a Dodge Dealer who did fix the problem in the factory radio.
The problem is that he said the 36 month/36,000 mile warranty that came with the car is invalid and would not be honored. I thought that was a little cheesy because after all - the problem was clearly a manufacturer's defect in the installed factory radio. He said he felt me - but I still had to pay 127 zlotys.
Technically I think he's right, but in the Middle of West Africa I was able to get the Ford Dealer to honor the new-car warranty for a Ford Explorer. And that was Africa!
On the other hand, the Harley Davidson Dealer here in Warsaw says they are happy to honor my 2-year, unlimited mileage warranty on the new bike. No questions asked.
So if you have a car - and it's under the US warranty period - Ask! It can't hurt. And if that fails (and the problem looks bigger than a small short in the radio) try a different dealer. It just might work.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Oh yeah - Dell Too
In keeping with the theme of getting stuff fixed under warranty - I bought a Computer though the mail from Dell when I lived in Africa. Six months later I moved to Poland with a computer that had a broken piece on the motherboard (not related to the move).
I thought for sure I had to find a way to mail this back -
Turns out through the web site and a customer service technician, I was able to get Dell to honor the two-year warranty here in Poland.
The guy even came to the house to change out the Mother Board. Took less than 20 minutes and was completely free of charge. It was just too easy.
The only contact I have for these guys is a phone number (22-579-57-00) but I can confirm that if you do end up in Poland with a Dell and a warranty bought in a different country they will help you. At the very least this works if you bought the Dell in the U.S. originally.
And in case you're wondering - I usually just keep asking for someone to speak English - they almost always have someone who speaks Polish if you don't.
I thought for sure I had to find a way to mail this back -
Turns out through the web site and a customer service technician, I was able to get Dell to honor the two-year warranty here in Poland.
The guy even came to the house to change out the Mother Board. Took less than 20 minutes and was completely free of charge. It was just too easy.
The only contact I have for these guys is a phone number (22-579-57-00) but I can confirm that if you do end up in Poland with a Dell and a warranty bought in a different country they will help you. At the very least this works if you bought the Dell in the U.S. originally.
And in case you're wondering - I usually just keep asking for someone to speak English - they almost always have someone who speaks Polish if you don't.
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