Best Way to Determine The Value of a Thinkpad

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fkelly · #1 Post by **fkelly** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:40 am

I recently shipped an A31 via U.S Postal service and insured it. It was damaged (never ship laptops with them again), and I need to be able to prove the value of the unit.

The bill of sale was not good enough for them.

Any thoughts on how I can get the value of this model and be able to prove it..........

Thanks in advance.

#2 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:15 am

I did a search on Pricegrabber.com and here are the results: ThinkPad A31.
You can Google the model number on the bottom of the ThinkPad (try numbers with and without the dash, such as 2653-R3U and 2653R3U) to find more hits.

fkelly · #3 Post by **fkelly** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:28 am

Thank You ....Now I am sure they are going to ask, but what makes Pricegrabber the definitive value setter.....

I also saw something about an Orion Blue Book , have you used

#4 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:48 am

Pricegrabber is only a search engine. I am not familiar with Orion. I thought that maybe if you could find a reputable store selling a A31 ThinkPad similar to yours, that might be good enough for the Post Office. The A31 came in different configurations that can change the value somewhat. You should search for one with the same model number, or at least similar specs.

pianowizard · #5 Post by **pianowizard** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:50 am

fkelly, how much did you insure the laptop for? I think A31's are worth around $300 on average.

fkelly · #6 Post by **fkelly** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:59 am

fkelly · #7 Post by **fkelly** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:47 am

Ok I went to the Orion Blue Book site (www) and when beginning the search it automatically takes you to the www.usedprices.com site.
Search to your model number and it gives bare details (enough for you to match up your model and stats). BUT, once you need to know the price you have to pay to find out the difference values.

It was $3.99 to see one used price.

There are (4) categories listed with prices. MSRP ok or mint condition, current market value and current wholesale.

The lowest value for my model was $220 at wholesale. The current market rate was between 600-700 dollars, but as you all know thru this site it really is whatever the market will pay for it.

Now I have to do battle with the US Postal Service..Wish me luck

ajkula66 · #8 Post by **ajkula66** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:37 am

If this has been paid for through PayPal that should be a good enough proof...given that the receipt would be timed and dated, and hopefully specifying at least to a degree the item paid for...

fkelly · #9 Post by **fkelly** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:03 pm

Ok, Happy ending to my US Postal insurance issue. I received a check today for the total insurance amount plus the shipping costs.
(I had insured the lappie for what I was selling it for) so I am whole.

So based on when I started this thread it has taken just about a month from when I filed the claim to get this reimbursement check.

I would strongly suggest to do Fedex or UPS when shipping your units...........My box was definitely thrown at some point in the shipping process

thinkpad adrian · #10 Post by **thinkpad adrian** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:58 pm

i have had the WORST luck with ups as far as damage is concerned.
recived some packages that looked as if they were drug by a chain from behind the truck the whole way, another time the box was ripped in HALF! and they still delivered it. but they allways paid the insurance
claim. usps was #2 worst, but mostly packages being lost,
or ripped open, and the contents lost. fed-ex has by far the BEST
shipping quality, the least losses or damage. excelent tracking
information too. when shipping lap-tops, bubble wrap protection
sturdy boxes, and delivery comformation are a must.
and if somthing boxed is comming from over-seas, expect a LONG wait to get it. (4 items i orderd from over seas in the last 6 monthes
1: motorcycle part from south africa- shipped "ground" 3 monthes!
2: motorcycle part from australia-shipped "air mail" 2 1/2 monthes!
3: motorcycle part shipped from germany-- 3 monthes!
all above were from post office of origon through us post ofice.
4: motorcycle part from england "fed-ex regular" 7 days!! with comformation information all along the way. adrian

#11 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:22 pm

EVERY shipping service has the occasional problem. USPS is generally the easiest to use (for me), has locations in plenty of spots but is not always the cheapest. I just shipped a laptop to Florida and FedEx Ground was very reasonable ($10 for a 10 pound box insured for $100; UPS Ground was $15, USPS Priority was $27 and Parcel Post $18 ). FedEx tracking is greatly informative for the price you pay. However, FedEx also ranks at the top of my disappointments because of this:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 881#215881

Part of that experience was probably due to the seller inadequately packing the box, but the way the package was dropped off and the run around I got with FedEx was below par. I've also received plenty of packages from USPS and UPS which were also damaged in some way (holes in the sides, corners crushed on boxes marked "fragile"). So far on stuff that I've shipped with the three services mentioned here, nothing has been lost or damaged enough to file any claims <knock on wood>. I also tend to over-engineer my packing even for small items like memory modules.

Sorry to get a little OT...

dsigma6 · #12 Post by **dsigma6** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:43 pm

rkawakami wrote:corners crushed on boxes marked "fragile"

What else would you expect?

I worked at UPS when I was "young"

and there was no time to deal with "fragile" packages. As hard as they worked us, annihilating fragile packages was a welcome respite during our hectic day.

I have since asked that my sins be forgiven.

#13 Post by **gator** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:52 pm

I have always shipped via USPS and never had a single problem ... they are my preferred choice.

rkawakami wrote:I just shipped a laptop to Florida ...

am I getting a present?

Best Way to Determine The Value of a Thinkpad

Best Way to Determine The Value of a Thinkpad

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