Lenovo IWS (International Warranty Service)

The situation, I live in the Netherlands and want to buy (like everybody else on this forum it seems) a X220(t) or T420(s)

The problem is that in Europe prices are skyhigh (X220 starting at €1400/$2000) and only a limited amount of models/types are being offered. So I would like to get one from the US, through a relative, a service like myus/hopshopgo, international Ebay seller or a US based shop that will ship international.

Lenovo offers different kinds of warranty, the above models both offer IWS. The choice for a 1,2,3 or even 4 years warranty is pretty straight forward but..

Say I buy a T420 from Lenovo US site, ship it over and need it serviced during the warranty period.

- On site: I would call a Lenovo servicepartner, will they send some one over even if I did not use their 'services' before? Are they obliged to do so because they are an official service partner?
- Send in/depot: I would have to send it in, but where do I send it? Do I send it back to the US or to a 'depot' somewhere in the Netherlands/Europe?

About warranty lookup, if bought in the US, location will show 'US'
- Will this affect warranty in Europe (depot being in US)
- Is there any way to change this? (call Lenovo, extend warranty or show proof of importing?)

Any thoughts on this? Did anyone ever use IWS in a country other then where the Thinkpad was purchased?

 

All the current models look to have IWS. Unless the machine has On-Site service, you have to send/take it to any Lenovo authorized service center in your country and they'd be obligated to service the machine as long as it has IWS.

If On-Site service is offered for purchase directly through Lenovo in your country, they'll just send someone to you. If it's not something Lenovo Netherlands offers, I'm not sure how that'd work if your IWS machine has it.

Put the model type here to find out:

Lenovo Support - International warranty service (IWS)

 

So being a 'Lenovo service partner' would mean they have to service any Lenovo product being under IWS? Even if they don't/didn't sell anything (make any money)?

 

Yes, it's the same system where ever you are. I usually take my machine to a authorized service provider close to me instead of sending it to the depot. They're not doing the work for free; Lenovo pays them for warranty work.

 

That is an awesome service and worth every penny. Hope that it will work like that in Europe as well.

 

I also looked into this when I purchased a 3-yr warranty on my T61p from the US, shipped to Australia.

One thing that made me a little nervous was this disclaimer:

However, I had one of the ram sticks replaced a little over 1 year in, and then a fortnight ago had the motherboard replaced with less than 4 weeks warranty left (replaced twice, they fouled up the first time).

YMMV but thought I'd share my experience.

My impression is they are generally good about honouring international warranty, but reserve the right to be s in the future.