Solectron Canada experiences

[brewt]

So, we've been hearing all these bad experiences with Solectron in the US, but how has Solectron Canada treated your Thinkpads?

This is my experience:
Day 0 (Tuesday): I was getting a fan error on boot up, so I called up Lenovo to get it repaired, a box was sent out to me that day via air.
Day 1 (Wednesday): I got the box, packed my Thinkpad in it and shipped it back to them.
Day 2 (Thursday): My Thinkpad arrives at repair depot.
Day 6 (Monday): Thinkpad repaired and shipped back to me.
Day 10 (Friday): I get my Thinkpad back (Solectron shipped it via Ground for some reason). First power up, I get the fan error again... argh! Looks like the tech didn't test it properly and the motherboard needs replacement. Call up Lenovo and they ship me another box. The nice thing is that the tech has cleaned my LCD, which has removed the oil spot from the Trackpoint.
Day 13 (Monday): Box is shipped out
Day 15 (Wednesday): I get box and ship my Thinkpad back
Day 16 (Thursday): They get my Thinkpad
Day 20 (Monday): Thinkpad is repaired and shipped back
Day 21 (Tuesday): I get my Thinkpad back and it's working again. I was hesitant about sending my Thinkpad in for repairs since I was pretty sure it would require a motherboard swap, and that means almost completely taking it apart (which means lots of possible screw ups putting it back together). Fortunately for me, they only made one small mistake (the pcmcia top metal piece was put in wrong), which was easily fixed.

Was I just lucky (that it hasn't gone terribly wrong like people have experienced in the US), or have other Canadians been receiving similar repairs?

Summary:
+ Didn't completely botch my motherboard replacement
+ Did a nice job cleaning the LCD (although it wasn't cleaned so well on the 2nd time)
- Didn't fix it on the first time round
- Small mistake putting it back together (although it was easily fixed)
- They shipped it back via ground the first time

[sugo]

If I were relying on the thinkpad for work I wouldn't be too happy with the 21 days turnaround

There were good and bad experiences with easyserv mail in service. Some technicians in Solectron are probablybetter than the other. It depends on luck to certain extent.

[brewt]

If I were relying on the thinkpad for work I wouldn't be too happy with the 21 days turnaround

Yeah, I would be, but the reason I got the notebook was for school and I've graduated, so it's just another machine I use occasionally now.

[JHEM]

So, we've been hearing all these bad experiences with Solectron in the US, but how has Solectron Canada treated your Thinkpads?

Just for the record, where did your Thinkpad get shipped to, Newmarket, Ontario?

Regards,

James

[brewt]

Just for the record, where did your Thinkpad get shipped to, Newmarket, Ontario?

Yup, that's right.

[K. Eng]

21 days is a lousy turnaround time. Not to mention you had to go through the trouble of sending in the machine twice.

Having played these stupid games with Solectron on several occassions, I have to say that it is high time Lenovo either forced them to live up to a higher service standard, or replaced them entirely.

[JHEM]

Just for the record, where did your Thinkpad get shipped to, Newmarket, Ontario?

Yup, that's right.

Newmarket was known for taking a long time to repair Thinkpads, but getting it right.

Whereas Solectron USA is quickly becoming known for a very quick turnaround and often getting it wrong.

Regards,

James

[Hanson]

Day 2 (Thursday): My Thinkpad arrives at repair depot.
Day 6 (Monday): Thinkpad repaired and shipped back to me.
Day 10 (Friday): I get my Thinkpad back (Solectron shipped it via Ground for some reason).

Day 15 (Wednesday): I get box and ship my Thinkpad back
Day 16 (Thursday): They get my Thinkpad
Day 20 (Monday): Thinkpad is repaired and shipped back
Day 21 (Tuesday): I get my Thinkpad back and it's working again.

My ThinkPad was picked up by Purolator from Toronto at 12:23 on Tuesday July 4th and did not get to the Newmarket Solectron until the morning of July 6th. I have yet to receive my ThinkPad back.


EDIT July 12th 2006 (11:50am): Got my ThinkPad back today. Everything looks good so far.