warrantied T500 Lemon - Lenovo support hell

[bshef]

3 years ago....Wife asked me to research/purchase a solid business-type Laptop for her business.
Ended up purchasing a T500 with 4 year onsite warranty.
1st year - Problem with battery - Lenovo replaced
1st year - problem with booting on - Lenovo replaced system board
2nd year - problem with booting on - Lenovo replaced system board
3rd year (this past week) - problem with display not working - Lenovo replaced display (did not fix problem)....
3rd year (same week) - problem with display not working - Lenovo replaced system board (mobo)...(did not fix problem).

I Called Lenovo to report the T500 still is not working after they just sent a Tech 2x in past week to replace the display and yet another system board.
They asked me to send the unit in to their depot....(Not a desirable option for us)...!
I asked for a replacement and the rep said I could call back during regular business hours to speak with a supervisor about this.
Called back today (during regular business hrs)...and rep takes all the information then tells me a supervisor will call me with-in 72 hours...(Further irritation_).

Completely dismayed with this experience and discouraged with Lenovo's terrible support.
My wife's been tolerant but can't see us throwing any future money in a Lenovo product after such a dismal track record here with our first Thinkpad.
My Wife's business is impacted because her laptop is down AGAIN.

HELP!

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

You will have to send the machine to the depot, no ifs, ands or buts. I went through an almost exactly the same scenario as you with a X61T this past summer. The number of times that they'll send the parts out without the problem getting resolved is limited. That's where the depot comes into play.

If the depot can't fix it, you might be in for a replacement unit.

After 7 business days of the ThinkPad being in depot, you can escalate the case to a supervisor. It usually doesn't go that far, though.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[bshef]

This Friday evening:
Wife came home with her laptop....
reported she got the display to finally turn on...
however it was prompting her to enter "Time/Date or press F1 for setup".
Additionally,....the vented area on the uppersleft side of the lower clam-shell was "extremely" hot...(cooking probe registered 140 degrees),
Did not hear any running fan noise.
I called Lenovo to report this, the tech read through all the notes of this fiasco.....said "sounds like CMOS and Fan. He suggested I call back Monday morning to get a supervisor to possibly expedite.
Supervisor on the phone this morning was super cool.
She is sending tech out onsite Tomorrow with a new processor....new memory and new fan.
Fingers Crossed!