IBMs TP Protection (Acc.Warranty) info: incomplete&confu

[Matt_]

The frustrating thing about IBM's website is that some information is over in one place, and a little bit is over there, and a little bit of something else is some place else.
In this instance, I'm referring to trying to find specific and consistent information regarding coverage for any accidental damage.
If it weren't for some of the threads here, I wouldn't have even been aware of it
[e.g. http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... ty+service
and http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... ty+service ]

I spent some time using IBM's search function, and it appears that they're calling their coverage "IBM ThinkPad Protection".
Where the problem is, is that when you start clicking on the relevant results (from the search), most of the results take you to dead links.
For example


Here's a link that is still active, but it's only for "ThinkPad notebooks with 1 Year Depot base warranty", and since it makes no mention of any states being excluded, a person could think that it applies to all the U.S. states. Unfortunately, though, this offer appears to only be for thinkpads with 1 year Depot base warranties.


Moving along, here's a link that states that IBM's "ThinkPad" Protection applies only to residents of certain states (there also is no mention of any pricing): "United States only - Not Available in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Ohio. Only available for business accounts in California, Nevada, South Carolina, Wyoming."


And this link is talking about some other entirely different kind of accidental coverage. On top of that, there is no pricing information whatsoever.


And you would hope/think that this link would have some helpful information, but when you click on any of the options for the pull-down menu "ThinkPad Notebook Base Warranty - 3 Year Depot", all you get are dead links.


And the final bit of added confusing information:
http://www-1.ibm.com/businesscenter/cpe ... acpmww.pdf
Go down to Page "40" for U.S. residents, and you'll find this information:

"IMPORTANT!! PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:

This offering is available for machines normally used for business, professional or trade purposes
rather than personal, family or household purposes.

Not all machine types and models are covered

I hope someone can help me make some sense of all this.

A huge thank you in advance

[ZPrime]

Here's a link that is still active, but it's only for "ThinkPad notebooks with 1 Year Depot base warranty", and since it makes no mention of any states being excluded, a person could think that it applies to all the U.S. states. Unfortunately, though, this offer appears to only be for thinkpads with 1 year Depot base warranties.

That's because it is. There is a different part number for Thinkpads with a base 3yr warranty, and the protection option is about $130 cheaper on those models. The part is 01N1575, a link is here and the retail price is $169.

To my knowledge, TPP works anywhere in the USA. I'm in Ohio and they sold it to my company, at least... which contradicts what you've seen above. The link itself implies the entire USA, too.

[Matt_]

There is a different part number for Thinkpads with a base 3yr warranty, and the protection option is about $130 cheaper on those models. The part is 01N1575, a link is here ( http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/accessories/se ... n1575.html ) and the retail price is $169

Thank you ! I never would have found that link. From the time spent going through those other links, it looks like the maximum accidental damage coverage that IBM offers is 4 years (for a thinkpad with a 3year depot service ... and possibly with a 4 year depot ) ?
Also, in that link, it sounds like the $169 3 year "ThinkPad Protection" is dependent upon the 3 year warranty being depot and not "onsite repair" ?

"IBM ThinkPad® Protection - 3 Years
Plus 3 Year Depot Warranty Service
(for ThinkPad notebooks with 3 Year Depot base warranty"

but on the other hand

"Combines flexible coverage terms (2, 3 or 4 years) with Depot or Onsite warranty repair service to meet your individual needs"

Does anyone know of a similar link with the pricing (and terms -- I'm assuming they'd be the same) for 4 years ThinkPad Protection ?

The 2373-CWU that I'm interested in comes with 3 year depot service. If I decide to buy that 3 year "ThinkPad Protection" coverage but also decide to upgrade the 3 year depot service to 4 years, that wouldn't be a problem, would it ?

Also, ZPrime, do you happen to know if your company went with depot service or onsite repair ? I've been trying to decide between the two for myself, and judging from the discussions on this board, people seem very happy with the depot service. Therefore, I would be curious to hear about your company's level of satisfaction.

Thank you in advance