When is the warranty start when buying T40s series laptop?

[Kingwulf]

Hi Thinkpad experts,

When is actually the warranty starts for IBM thinkpad?
I was thinking about buying 2373GVU from ebay and the seller claim that it is NEW in sealed box (not refurbish) with 3 years warranty.

He shows the picture with sealed box and IBM label showing the serial number and model.

When I checked the warranty using the serial number he gave in IBM wesite, its shows expiration date of 9/2007.

I dont think this is a 3 years

When I asked him (the seller) about this, he said the the warranty will start from the day I register the laptop.

Is this true?

I think this is also happen if you buy Thinkpad from online vendors (other than IBM) that stocks Thinkpads in their storage.

Any comment would be appreciated.

[JHEM]

When you purchase a unit from IBM directly or from an IBM authorized reseller, like our host here Bill Morrow, the warranty begins on the sale/invoice date.

If you purchase a unit from the odd seller on eBay, then the warranty normally begins on the original date of manufacture.

Regards,

James

[admsteiner]

Unless the seller is an authorized reseller like Bill...but I'd be very very skeptical about that...

--adam

[Kingwulf]

Thanks for the info guys. I will ask him about this.

Stupid question, how often you guys used the warrnty for your thinkpads?

Are the Thinkpad machines (expecially y T42 series) easily broken or need service?

[pae77]

That is not a stupid question at all. One of the best things about the TP's is the warranty/support, at least up till now. In 5 years of having TP's, I have had several hard drives replaced under warranty, a modem replaced under warranty, and a fan replaced and installed under warranty. When it is a customer replaceable part like the hard drive (and they agree it should be replaced), IBM sends them out fast. One time I called on a Thurs or Fri afternoon about 3:00 p.m. reporting my HD failed the drive fitness test. A new hard drive was in my hands the following morning.

[admsteiner]

My personal TP:
I had to replace my 6 and 9 cell batteries once (with 5-10 cycles they suddenly wouldn't hold a charge) and my CD-RW/DVD-ROM stopped working. That's it. I may have damaged my LCD during a fall (there are some spots on it now) so I may have them replace it once finals are done (I have the Thinkpad Protection Plan).

Of the 7 friends who have gotten TP's from me or whom I recommended:
1) Spilled beer on it. He's a klutz and had the thinkpad protection plan as well. They fixed his laptop (suffice it to say the motherboard and keyboard were ruined, not to mention a waste of beer).

2) Different person - Keyboard key popped off and couldn't be put back on. Called IBM at 3pm and had a new keyboard the next morning at 930am

3) Third person - AC Adapter died, new one within 2 days.

The other 4 have not had a single problem. In all cases the response was quick, professional and couldn't be beat.

-Adam

[Kingwulf]

Will the seller be responsible to let IBM know that the warranty start date need to be changed to invoice date instead of the manufacture date?

Has anyone bought thinkpad from third party seller like egghead or buy.com or even Bill?
Do you have to do anything or the seller responsible to do it for you?

I hope bill sees this posting

[jdhurst]

The buyer can change the warranty date - I have done that. I always fax a copy of the invoice to the place IBM wants, and they adjust the warranty date. The rub is (or may be) that my vendor is an IBM dealer, and it may be more difficult for non-dealers. ... JD Hurst

[Kingwulf]

jdhurst,

Do you still have the IBM phone number and fax number to ask them to change the warranty date?


Thanks

[underclocker]

Regarding the use of the IBM warranty, hopefully you'll never have to use it, but laptops are sensitive due to their compactness and they are mobile witch further adds to the risk of something breaking.

I've used IBM support numerous times over the last 15 years as I've supported large companies with IBM laptops and have been fully statisfied each and every time. I've used and have been happy with IBM support several times for personal laptops, as well.

To all friends, co-workers and relatives, I always recommend 3 year warranties on laptops. And I recommend IBM.

Favorite personal support example. I picked up an A20m on eBay that suprisingly enough had four days left on the IBM 3-yr. warranty when it arrived at my home. The laptop was mint but the 12GB hard drive howled as many 3 year old Travelstar's do. It fully passed all drive tests, but I called IBM support anyway and told the phone tech. about the howl. He said "you shouldn't have to listen to that" and approved a new drive. He said since the 12GB drives were out of stock, he'd have to send a 20GB replacement. I had it the next morning.

Gotta love IBM support.

[GoEatFood]

can I extend the warrenty on a thinkpad after I already get it??

[JHEM]

can I extend the warrenty on a thinkpad after I already get it??

You can easily, and inexpensively, add to and/or change the type of warranty on a Thinkpad at any time during the original warranty period.

For instance, adding 2 more years of depot level coverage to a model 2378 T42 only costs US$132.

You can call IBM the day before a one year warranty is scheduled to expire and extend the warranty.

Depending on your location and after meeting certain conditions, you can purchase a warranty for Thinkpads after the original warranty has expired. But it's much more expensive and only for business use of the unit, although "business use" isn't clearly defined.

Regards,

James

[revolutionary_one]

I may end up buying an older IBM from Bill [if he has any] or another reseller. However, since warranty and "Thinkpad Protection" is an important facet of my purchase....

Does IBM offer warranty and "thinkpad protection" programs for older laptops??

For instance, underclocker says he got a new HD for his A20m, but his warranty was still in tact. Say i wanted to buy a similar older model IBM. Would it be feasible to purchase an extended warranty from ibm WITH thinkpad protection?

Ajay

[Leon]

Warranty, yes (if it's for business use; broadly defined), Protection, no, but you can go to an IBM Partner site, Safeware.com and get similar coverage for a reasonable price.

Please add location and other relevant information to your profile.

[Chaoz]

If you purchase a unit from the odd seller on eBay, then the warranty normally begins on the original date of manufacture.

I'm just wondering if you need a proof of purchase if you bought it from someone on Ebay? Or will IBM honour the warranty simply from the serial number on the machine?

[JHEM]

If you purchase a unit from the odd seller on eBay, then the warranty normally begins on the original date of manufacture.

I'm just wondering if you need a proof of purchase if you bought it from someone on Ebay? Or will IBM honour the warranty simply from the serial number on the machine?

No, yes.

Regards,

James

[jdhurst]

jdhurst,

Do you still have the IBM phone number and fax number to ask them to change the warranty date?


Thanks

Here is the kind of letter I write to them:

To: IBM
Date: March 7, 2003
Fax Number: 1-800-373-4920
Attention: POP
Re: IBM NetVista Warranty
Case Number 3325984

To Whom It May Concern:

During a call to the IBM Help Centre on March 7, 2003 regarding my IBM NetVista, I was asked to provide proof of purchase for warranty service.

The machine in question is an IBM NetVista A30, Model Number 8314-41U, Serial Number KCH1YTY. It was purchased from Metafore Corporation of February 4,2003. A copy of the invoice is attached here.

Please adjust the warranty period in your records.

--------------------

And they did adjust the warranty for me. ... JDH

[Kingwulf]

Thanks for sample fax letter jdhurst