Thinkpad T series warranty upgrade on IBM site

[AtmosMan]

I recently visited the IBM website and I pre-configured a T42p thinkpad to get a general idea how much money I need to save up (already working 2 summer jobs...might need more .) When I looked at the warranty upgrades, I was a bit confused at the choices (I remember the upgrades from the old T40 series.) Here are the contents of the warranty upgrade drop down menu:

Base warranty
3 year Thinkpad Protection Service
4-Yr Protection w/3-Yr Depot to 4-Yr Depot Service Upgrade
3 Yr TP Protection & 3 Yr Depot to 3 Yr OS
4 Yr TP Protection & 3 Yr Depot to 4 Yr OS

Does anyone know exactly is included with each of these warranty upgrades (depot repair, onsite service etc.) ?

Thanks for the help.

-Brian

[edelrc]

This is the menu you will get un a ThinkPad with a 3yr base warranty:
--Base warranty
3 years international
--3 year Thinkpad Protection Service
Accidental Protection
--4-Yr Protection w/3-Yr Depot to 4-Yr Depot Service
Upgrade of base and Accidental Protection to 4 yrs
--3 Yr TP Protection & 3 Yr Depot to 3 Yr OS
Upgrade of base and Accidental Protection to On Site service
--4 Yr TP Protection & 3 Yr Depot to 4 Yr OS
Upgrade of base and Accidental Protection to 4 yrs with On Site service

The base warranty you must know how it works.

About the Thinkpad Protection Service it is only for the country you bought it from. It covers liquid spills, accidental drops or bumps, electrical surge and acidental damage on the screen. It does NOT cover:
-Intetional missuse (I guess they mean that to you put it in an enviroment that has a great risk of damage such as "I took the laptop with to widsurfing lessons!)
-Damage by fire, flood, SAND!!!, dirt or other external factor.
-Software
-Cleanings
-CONSEQUENCIAL DAMAGES!
-Reactivating Passwords
-and other more obvious...

[plucky duck]

About the Thinkpad Protection Helpware warranty, I spoke with a CSR today and he told me it must be bought in the country where the laptop was purchased and will be valid internationally.

I was inquiring if I could buy a laptop from Bill and send it up to Canada, then purchase the Helpware warranty. Unfortunately the agent said that won't be possible. I could only purchase the ServicePac warranty separately. Helpware needs to be requested at time of purchase.

3yrs Helpware for $150Cdn is very reasonable for peace of mind, imo. How many actually did not buy this bumps and bruises warranty. If so, why not?

[icebear]

[quote="plucky duck"]About the Thinkpad Protection Helpware warranty, I spoke with a CSR today and he told me it must be bought in the country where the laptop was purchased and will be valid internationally.[/quote]

I have bought my T30 with 3yrs WW (standard) warranty in the US in September 2003 !
Standard warranty means: In a case I have to bring my system to one of IBM's repair center !!

IBM Support has instructed me that if better warranty is needed, i.e. On Site Service, etc.
ONE has to purchase in the respective country, i.e.:

Standard Warranty: 3yrs bring-in WW comes with purchase
Extended, i.e. on-site in i.e Germany & Singapore: 2 respective extended service upgrades for each the locations are needed !!!

Visiting the ThinkParade 2004 I was told exactly the same from the IBM TP Professionals more than once.

Unfortunately IBM's service to provide these services is very very inefficient ...
... for more than half a year I am e-mailing and struggling to get my 2 additional ON-SITE extensions.

I have told them about my strugglings to get these extensions ...
... at the moment I am waiting for an answer since more than 2 weeks again .

[edelrc]

plucky duck, this is a quote for IBM Extended Service Plan from the licesement agreement that IBM has send me:
"IBM will provide this Service only in the United States"...and then... "Service is only available in the United States"

Canada has this program too but it has to be bought in Canada, because the one I have is pretty clear. (Note that mentions the service availability and not where the accident happens, maybe that is where is the confusion)

It is true that many IBM agents are giving wrong information on these. I have talked to 4 or 5 and half contradicted the other half on this matter.

US On Site Service does downgrade to EasyServ in Europe. I do not know if the same happens with Canada.
____________
However, I wish I were Canadian