Am I being scamed or just bad luck?

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Stevesoura · #1 Post by **Stevesoura** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:53 pm

I have been having some bad luck lately but this one hits the top. I recently sold a thinkpad T42 on ebay. The buyer won with a buy it now and sent payment instantly. I packed up the T42 with good care and allot of bubblewrap. When the buyer got his laptop he then emails me a couple of hours later and states the T42 has been damaged. One hour later he sends me photos and looks to be indeed a damange lcd. I told him ok, please send it back. I thought this was kind of weird considering I notice he had also recently pruchase two other T42's on ebay. I get it back today and the lcd look like it has been cracked from the inside. The buyer also sends it back in the original box I sent it in. The box does not look like it has taken any big hits at all. Do you guys think the buyer might have pulled a lcd switch on me? Im not sure, what do you guys think? Do you think this damage could of happen during shipment?

Link to the pictures: http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k178/ ... ken%20t42/

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:00 pm

Please post links to the (2) other T42's he bought on EBay. On the surface this looks like an LCD switch. Contact the seller of those (2) T42's and ask him if either had a cracked LCD. Is the top cover the same?

Stevesoura · #3 Post by **Stevesoura** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:04 pm

T42 #1: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0108875487

T42 #2: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0111780246

pianowizard · #4 Post by **pianowizard** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:07 pm

If you purchased postal insurance, shouldn't that cover it?

#5 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:07 pm

Both of those machines are under warranty...no reason to mess with them. So, it still could have been an LCD switch, but it wasn't with those.

Stevesoura · #6 Post by **Stevesoura** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:15 pm

So, do you think the t42 I have with the cracked lcd will be covered under warranty. Just trying! The top lid, I dont remember any big marks on it and looks to come back the same but really feels different. I have also email the two other sellers and one replied he did not have any problems with the buyer. Im still going to wait for the other seller and more opinions before I refund his money back.

Stevesoura · #7 Post by **Stevesoura** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:16 pm

pianowizard wrote:If you purchased postal insurance, shouldn't that cover it?

I sent it express mail which may have a $100 coverage. Im not sure of the rules and regulations but I will find out. I will wait first and see if I can find any clues of foul play.

#8 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:19 pm

It won't be covered under warranty and I don't think you'll ever prove it was a switch. Postal insurance seems like a good suggestion. Look, if the top of the box took a big enough (and quick enough hit), you may not see any damage to the box and the LCD would be toast. So it is possible. Tell you what though, your story has prompted my to mark all major FRU's in the (used) machines I sell with invisible marker prior to sales.
http://www.edlagman.com/dvsoria/blacklight.htm

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:20 pm

If you suspect a panel swap, carefully inspect the screw covers. They will probably show signs of tampering if they were removed. Of course, the buyer could have also installed new covers

.

Stevesoura · #10 Post by **Stevesoura** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:30 pm

I will probally end up having to replace the cracked lcd. How easy is it. Are there any instructions to do so? Thanks for the replys guys.

TTA · #11 Post by **TTA** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:57 pm

The stickers on the side of T4x series top cover are about impossible to take off and reinstall without it showing so unless he swapped the whole top or put on new stickers it should show.
You could also pull the screen out and see if the yellow tape on the cable has been reused.
HTH
Jim

jargoone · #12 Post by **jargoone** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:40 am

From the one (blurry) picture of the side of the display, it doesn't appear the screw covers were removed. As someone else said, they're nearly impossible to remove without being able to detect it.

But, swapping the whole LCD/lid assembly is far easier than swapping just the LCD. You can do that without removing any screw covers, and if you're careful, leave no traces in the process. Do you have any close-up pictures of the lid before you sent it, that might show identifying scratches or scuffs?

Even if you suspect it, there's no real way you can prove it.

This is one reason why carrier insurance is mandatory on everything I ship.

pianowizard · #13 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:58 am

ibmthinkpad99 wrote:I will probally end up having to replace the cracked lcd. How easy is it. Are there any instructions to do so?

It's a little tricky and one needs to be patient and careful. The Hardware Maintenance Manual downloadable from lenovo.com has all the instructions.

#14 Post by **bill bolton** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:14 pm

TTA wrote:The stickers on the side of T4x series top cover are about impossible to take off and reinstall without it showing

They can indeed be removed and replaced without any obvious indication if you are careful and use appropriate tools!

Cheers,

Bill B.

Am I being scamed or just bad luck?

Am I being scamed or just bad luck?

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