why IBM EasyServ want to charge me $350 for replacing part?

[hippy]

I'm using Thinkpad X31, which is out of warranty this September. I purchased ServicePac for extended warranty, and the service agreement states that this service covers parts and labor. But when I sent my thinkpad to repair center, they called me and tell me that additional $350 will be charged for replacing the system board. I can't understand.

Does anyone have similar experience? Or can anyone share with me how to argue with them?

[wolfman]

Did they give you any information about whether or not they think the board needs replaced because of a spill or something like that that wouldn't be covered by the warranty?

[hippy]

I don't think so.
the SLA states that labor and parts are covered under the extended warranty.
The first time I send machine via DHL to them, they did nothing but send machine back and states it works fine. But the problem is still there. And then I send the machine again, they just called me and told me want to charge me for replacing systemboard. I got confused.

[hippy]

I just called today and they insists that I have "foreign substance" in the notebook. But I can sware that I haven't put anything in the note book.

The support professional said "This is a accidental damage. This is only covered with the accidental damage coverage which is only available with in 30 days of new purchase. I do apologize but that will not be covered by the current warranty you have. It is a very expensive repair."

[hippy]

They state theat there is spill inside. But I don't think so.
img]http://static.flickr.com/104/310484492_221675cb76.jpg[/img]
img]http://static.flickr.com/104/310484474_2d09123e03.jpg[/img]
img]http://static.flickr.com/120/310484451_64b8ab0bb1.jpg[/img]

Bigger pictures can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xiefangzhouyi/

Maybe there is spill, but I Don't think it's the cause of the problem because it had been there for years before the failure

Note from Moderator: No warning in the subject = no images

[K. Eng]

Keep complaining. If you really did not spill anything on the computer, there is no reason the warranty should not be honored.

[hippy]

I emailed them and told them the spill might happen 1~2 years ago and has no direct relationship with the failure.
They discussed for 4~5 days and escalated. finally they fixed it and returned to me.