Opinions/Experiences: DELL sends me refurb motherboard for warranty service - my options?

My apologies for double-posting this, but I know people in AW subforums are just more experienced and more active so my best shot I guess would be to ask here also, as to my previously posted thread there was zero input/zero response.

Just curious, if I still have a warranty on a laptop for another year+ , and something goes wrong with the system, and they happen to send me refurbed replacement part instead of new replacement part, what are my chances of asking them to supply me with new replacement part instead or on other hand what are my chances to ask for a complete system replacement?

Thanks

 

Everything they have is badged as refurbished even if it is brand new. US trade regulations do not allow them to call service parts new that are sold in bulk without retail packaging. I have had multiple motherboard, GPU and HDD replacements that say refurbished on the label that have never been used. Where an EOL product like the M18xR2 is concerned, parts are no longer in production and a used motherboard might be deployed for service. If it works correctly a used motherboard is better than nothing, or being offered a downgrade to a grossly inferior model.

 

Thanks for the response, its regards DELL Precision workstation, and the motherboard they have sent was def not the new one, marks and dusts in various places, I was just curious if I was in a position to appeal such service to demand for system replacement instead if new parts are not available. They have kindly explained that they have no power over there to choose which condition parts gets to be sent out, so I wonder, how am I with my options, I dont necesarily like to go from original new condition part going defective to refurb replacement part scenario, maybe with some mysterious "lingering issue" that hasnt been prominent or what not.

 

Yeah, that is possible you could inherit someone else's nightmare if it is not new. It is also possible that it is flawless. I guess that would depending on why they have it available and what the circumstances were that placed it on a shelf as a system pull. I've seen a fair number of brand new DOA electronics as well, so being new is not much assurance of quality where electronics are concerned. While the concept is not appealing, I have no problem with used parts on computers or motor vehicles as long as they are good.

As far as recourse is concerned, that could vary by geography and the applicable regulations from one country to another. If time is of the essence, I'd probably go with what they send and if it doesn't work right use that as leverage to ask for a new part to avoid further inconvenience to you as the customer. The trouble is, I don't know what (if any) mechanism is in place for the person handling the dispatch to specify a new part. It might be something they have to escalate and run through some side process that take a lot of time and rigmarole. Depending on the age of the Precision workstation, part availability may also be limited to whatever they have on hand. Hard to say... all speculation on my part.

 

I cycled 4 motherboards for the M17x R4, all were defective. I gave up and sold the system.

 

You can specifically demand NEW parts only, if they have no new parts then you might have to go through 2-3 refurbs if there are issues, and then you can exchange the entire system or get your money back, even if it was a purchase from over a year ago, so long as your on warranty. You will have to be prepared to call them and escalate a ticket and case everyday for 5-6 months mind you. If they tell you NO - don't give up.

 

*Screaming like Luke* NNNOOOOOOOooooooo......

Such a great laptop ! You should have done what I do, which is tell them I will installk the mobo myself, just send in another one to replace it. If it doesn;t work, don't bother sending the motherboards in, because your going to get the same one coming back. After 3-4 replacements you should get one working and one you didn't previously own, lol. Then send them to a tech to repair. Then rejoice as you ressurrected 3-4 loyal comrades !

Only laptop I ever regretted not keeping was the M17X-R4. So, I will buy one if anyone has one. LOL..


I've had some Nice Alienware's over the years and I have had many Clevo's too. Only one I liked. M17X-R4. Such a great laptop. Nothing touches it. I doubt anything will make me think its better in it's day then the m17X-R4 was in its prime. I will EAT this post if something comes near that.

 

It didn't matter, I sold it, paid 200$ on top of the money I made from the sale and got a decked out perfect M18x R2, so I won in the end anyway.

 

well lads, I just cant see myself wasting time and efforts and at the end point stress my health calling them complaining everyday for 4-5 months, its not worth living like this - just take the biggest sledge-hammer and smash it to pieces in a most drastic way possible while filming it 360' in 4K 260FPS slo-mo, make a good production video, then upload to youtube, monetize the video and get paid by google add-sense for the people watch-traffic, I guess this would be my solution instead of wasting precious time and energy of mine, Time is something I cant buy, laptops come and go, and so does poor customer services.

Thanks for your all input folks!