IBM Thinkpad Warranty, what does it cover exactly?

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ellipse · #1 Post by **ellipse** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 6:41 am

Hello,

I bought my X30 a year ago, and it is already showing its age: the lettering on some keys (ESANT...) is nearly gone, a corner is slightly broken (this happened very quickly and with the slightest shock only) and, worse, the frame around the LCD is getting loose ("deglueing" would be the word).

I wonder it the warranty covers all these annoyances ? Or will IBM make me pay to fix them?

Thank you for your attention,

farid

brosen · #2 Post by **brosen** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 3:43 pm

I think the best is to call IBM Support and tell them,

#3 Post by **K. Eng** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 5:39 pm

I think the IBM warranty would probably cover your problems, since it sounds like they are defects in the materials used to make your machine.

Chobits · #4 Post by **Chobits** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 10:30 am

Yep, the only option is to call IBM and check with them.

Cheers

snife · #5 Post by **snife** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 10:51 am

They should fix the lcd bezel and the keyboard issues if the machine is in warranty but I do not think they will cover the crack as this is classed as customer damage

CyberDude · #6 Post by **CyberDude** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 6:15 am

My X30 cracked in the bottom right corner of the palm rest within 4 months of getting it. The crack started as a small crack right on the corner and now has extended to the down arrow key. I've seen other posts complaining about similar cracks so it seems there is a problem with the material or the way the palm rest fixes to the chassis - it may be stressed. I not that the new part is a modified part (different part number).

Anyway I had to pay for a new palm rest as I am not longer in the same country that I bought the laptop and I could not afford to be without my TP if I shipped it back. Otherwise it would have been fixed on warranty free of charge.

edelrc · #7 Post by **edelrc** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:38 am

CyberDude, you are worring me... I am moving back with my ThinkPad to Spain (Galiza) in a couple of weeks... What do you mean that it won't be covered my TP? The warranty is international!!! The only thing is that you have to call 800 497-7426 to register the TP internationally.

The thinkPad protection plan won't cover defects on thinkpads, but as someone mentioned, the warranty will.

ThinkPad Protection Plan is only good if claim filled from US (and Canada if bought there)

CyberDude · #8 Post by **CyberDude** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 2:47 pm

Edelrc, I purchased my TP in the UK. I then moved to Portugal about two months later. When I noticed the crack I called IBM in the UK and they said to call IBM Portugal.

Well things in Portugal aren't that efficeint and they wanted me to send the laptop to them and they would look at it, repair it and return it. They said it would take two to three weeks!!! The person I spoke to also didn't instill any confidence either.

So I called IBM UK again and asked them to just send me a new palmrest. It was only £20.00 so I didn't mind too much. It's better than not having the laptop for 3 weeks.

If I were in the UK they would have sent me the new part free of charge.

I think a lot will depends on the country you are in and how they handle your problem. I am only speaking from my experiences. I image that they don't sell very many TPs in Portugal so they are not so geared up fault handling. I imagine spain would be similar. Make sure your warranties and registrations are all in order before you leave.

edelrc · #9 Post by **edelrc** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 4:45 pm

I will.
By the way, while I have to register the TP to be able to have it serviced abroad, within the EU, you should not need even to do that. I read it in the IBM portal.

Then, Portugal and Spain may not sell that many thinkpads, but they can order the parts as easy as New York or any other place. I will be prepared, not just with papers, but mostly to educate the incompetence of many of those IBM technicians abroad.

Adeusinho.

CyberDude · #10 Post by **CyberDude** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 3:00 am

You can't do anything else but be prepared. I found out pretty quickly not to expect the same level of customer service here as I was used to in the UK or what you get in the US.

To make a point, I purchased a 20 Euro phone from a general appliance store. It is part of one of the largest retail groups in Portugal. 3 months later the phone packs up so I take it back. Now normally you would get a replacement in the UK but not here. They said they would have to send it for repair. Who the feck sends a 20 Euro phone for repair???

It costs more to send it away, pay a technician to test and repair t and return it. Well guess what, they have had the phone since February and it still hasn't been returned.

I've found this sort of thing is pretty typical here.

Just my little warning not to have the same expectations for customer service as you are used to in the US. Of course it may be better in Spain than Portugal. Anyway the TPs are fantastic notebooks and are very reliable so you shouldn't have to exercise the warranty anyway.

ian · #11 Post by **ian** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 3:25 am

Cyberdude

You'll probably find that the repair company have been trying to call you - but they think there's a problem with your phone as you never answer...

CyberDude · #12 Post by **CyberDude** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 7:08 am

IBM Thinkpad Warranty, what does it cover exactly?

IBM Thinkpad Warranty, what does it cover exactly?

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