NEW T43P is shipped from NC? Why not HK/CN? Refurb? What the

[snowdog]

Hi All,

My work placed an order for a T43P 2668-G5U on 07/20/05.

The status changed to shipped yesterday. Today I received the tracking # but this time it's coming from Raleigh, NC.

The last time I checked customers send their RMA's to the Raleigh, NC (Triangle Park) address.

Does this mean we're getting another person's damanged goods? Maybe they are sending a "returned" item and re-packaged like new. If so that's discouraging to say the least.

The last T43P we ordered came from Hong Kong and it took a while for the warranty parts info to come up. So I figured it is a "NEW" machine. But this new order I put in the serial # and the parts came up right away.

If this new order becomes a lemon it wouldn't surprise me but then I'd want to send it back

Let me know what you guys think.

SD

[FTC]

Hi,

I'd wait and see before assuming the worst. There is a big IBM Site in Raleigh, and it could be very well that the machine (even if new) was stocked there for a while... For the knowledge I have IBM never ships refurbished machines to fulfill orders for new machines.

[snowdog]

Hi,

I'd wait and see before assuming the worst. There is a big IBM Site in Raleigh, and it could be very well that the machine (even if new) was stocked there for a while... For the knowledge I have IBM never ships refurbished machines to fulfill orders for new machines.

I guess I'm just a pessimist (spell?). If I expect the worst then there are no surprises.

I hope it's not a lemon.

[snowdog]

I'm also disappointed that it is shipped with the 14.1 SAMSUNG LCD. I was hoping for the Hydis, which I liked on my current TP.

How old are these Samsung LCD's? And when did IBM start using these (which TP models)?

Thanks for reading...

[asiafish]

According to the FAQ that used to be here, the Samsung was the preferred LCD on the 14" (SXGA+).

I have no complaints at all about the Samsung LCD on my 14" T42p, it is bright, has excellent color and contrast and is simply a joy to look at.

[JaneL]

Does this mean we're getting another person's damanged goods?

I would be stunned if that were true.

[rocketman]

Not trying to make you feel bad & of course it's possibly new but when I had to return my T43p due to a faulty display I had to return it to NC. Why don't you call IBM (or have someone in your company call) and find out?

[emorphien]

Not trying to make you feel bad & of course it's possibly new but when I had to return my T43p due to a faulty display I had to return it to NC. Why don't you call IBM (or have someone in your company call) and find out?

Isn't that where they all go (in the US)?

[Chordate]

How do I know if I have a Hydis or Samsung screen?

[snowdog]

Not trying to make you feel bad & of course it's possibly new but when I had to return my T43p due to a faulty display I had to return it to NC. Why don't you call IBM (or have someone in your company call) and find out?

It looks like I'll be getting your returned TP

[snowdog]

How do I know if I have a Hydis or Samsung screen?

Go to the IBM site and do a warranty parts lookup with your serial #.

The IBM Access button doesn't display all of the parts, from what I can see.

[snowdog]

According to the FAQ that used to be here, the Samsung was the preferred LCD on the 14" (SXGA+).

I have no complaints at all about the Samsung LCD on my 14" T42p, it is bright, has excellent color and contrast and is simply a joy to look at.

Can you give me the PART#/FRU# of your SAMSUNG lcd? And I will comapre it to what I'm about to get.

Thanks.!

[snowdog]

Okay here's the response from IBM.

"Hello John,

the system did come from China and goes to a depot with other systems for sorting before it ship out to your address."

I just find this extremely odd because the other 3 orders came directly from China/International shipment and never once was in North Carolina for "sorting", as indicated by the Tracking # from UPS.

Did IBM just started doing this practice?

Can anyone tell me how to find out when the system was actually "BUILT" and "not shipped"?

[JHEM]

Can anyone tell me how to find out when the system was actually "BUILT" and "not shipped"?

The month and year of manufacture are printed on the label on the bottom of the machine.

It's not uncommon for a machine to come out of RTP vs. being shipped direct to you from China, it all depends on what's in stock in NC. This is especially true of Express models.

I wouldn't worry about getting someone else's returned machine. IBM has never sold open box units as anything other than used/refurbished.

Regards,

James

[plucky duck]

IBM must keep track of all the returned to depot machines, re-certify them and hold a sale on them all at once as refurbished items.

I look at IBM's site for clearance/refurbished T and X series every so often. Nothing in the last few months. Something is coming due.

[eigh]

i under stand how you came to the conclusion, but im surprised that you are acutally suspecting it. but come on, this is ibm, not some fast food place filled with 15 year old kids who picked your fries off the floor and put them in a bag for you. i am 100% certain that it isnt a refurbished one.



p.s. HOWEVER, to entertain the thought, if someone sent it back saying it was messed up, ibm tests it and finds nothing wrong with it, is it still considered refurbished?

[v_parthi]

I am sure it's not a returned TP. You'll get a new one.

I still don't know the fate of money back service thinkpads.

regards
Parthiban.

[simscitizen]

IBM must keep track of all the returned to depot machines, re-certify them and hold a sale on them all at once as refurbished items.

I look at IBM's site for clearance/refurbished T and X series every so often. Nothing in the last few months. Something is coming due.

Wrong, refurbished T's and X's have been on there in the clearance/used section. I have one myself.

[Steve007]

Okay here's the response from IBM.

"Hello John,

the system did come from China and goes to a depot with other systems for sorting before it ship out to your address."

I just find this extremely odd because the other 3 orders came directly from China/International shipment and never once was in North Carolina for "sorting", as indicated by the Tracking # from UPS.

Did IBM just started doing this practice?

Can anyone tell me how to find out when the system was actually "BUILT" and "not shipped"?

I can't believe how you are freaking out over something so unbelievably trivial.

Cancel your order and get a Vaio or something, you'll have peace of mind then

[snowdog]

Okay here's the response from IBM.

"Hello John,

the system did come from China and goes to a depot with other systems for sorting before it ship out to your address."

I just find this extremely odd because the other 3 orders came directly from China/International shipment and never once was in North Carolina for "sorting", as indicated by the Tracking # from UPS.

Did IBM just started doing this practice?

Can anyone tell me how to find out when the system was actually "BUILT" and "not shipped"?

I can't believe how you are freaking out over something so unbelievably trivial.

Cancel your order and get a Vaio or something, you'll have peace of mind then

I guess I'm just a trivial person

Ok here's what happened.

The ground shipment was for the mini-dock that came with purchase of the T43P2668-G5U. The TP itself arrived today from HK/KR/Alaska/Onatario/SF.

I'm quite happy with the 2668-G5U.

But since I am a trivial person. The only trivial difference is that this one came with a Samsung LCD. I have both the Samsung and the Hydis (from T43P-2668-G6U) side-by-side and the Hydis is definitely brighter.

Is there a way to swap out the LCD? If so, how difficult is it? Other than that it's a perfect machine....In a Trivial Way.

Regards!