Purchase International Warranty?

Hi,

this topic was brought up several times, but I didn't find a satisfying answer for it:
I'm planning to import a X200s from the states to Europe (Reasons: about half the price, earlier availability, better choice of components) - the problem is, that this devices only come with 1 year US warranty.
Lenovos IWS online tool list's all the X200s models as "No IWS (only US)", so unfortunately they only have warranty inside the states.

So my question is: Is it possible to purchase international warranty, or maybe warranty for another specific country, afterwards?

 

I was pondering about the same thing, although I was planning it with a T500.
I wrote Lenovo and here's what they said to me:

"You may purchase only one warranty upgrades. Our standard Thinkplus warranty is international, however, coverage is dependent on model type. Determine which machine type you're purchasing and use our international warranty database lookup tool to discover which countries offer support. International warranty service is bound by the international warranty terms and conditions, which you should read. Please note that ThinkPad Protection is only applicable in the United States."

Well I read it quite a few times and I could not actually find a real answer there, so I wrote them back asking if the IWS online lookup says no warranty in Europe, is it extendable. I'll report back when they answer me.

 

No, it's not.

 

Why does Lenovo/IBM have such stupid policies? Look at HP and Dell. They offer international support for all their business notebooks. Business notebooks are meant to be built on a global configuration. Since they use the same parts, there is no reason why they can't be serviced in another country. HP and Dell uses one of the most efficient global forwarding solutions to get their parts shipped next business day from their main warehouses strategically located in FTZ sites around the world while Lenovo's parts supply pales in comparison.

Lenovo simply doesn't understand how to support a product meant for business. This is stupid and uncompetitive compared to other vendors. They lack the scale and efficiency and in corporate-level support, you can't do this.

 

I can only agree. It's unbelievable that such expensive business notebooks are not even optionally offered with proper international support.

I wouldn't mind buying in Germany (even then it sucks, that the warranty only covers Germany...), but Lenovo's pricing in foreign countries sucks even more.

Example: An X200 starts at less then 1200 USD in the states if you buy at Lenovo. If you shop on the free market you might find it for 1100 USD or less.
In Germany the cheapest model start's at 1500 USD pre tax. That's minimum configuration and no possibility to configure at all. You always have to pay 19% tax here, so the cheapest X200 I can get is about 1750 USD.
For the X200s it means: I could get it at Provantage for 1800 USD including shipping and import VAT. In Germany I have to wait 2-3 weeks until it's availability is announced - then another 2-3 weeks till I can get it shipped.
As Lenovos pricing start's at official 1700 USD, the German pricing will start, as usual, at 1700 EURO, means more than 2400 USD.
The X301 start's at 2200 USD in the states, and at 2800 USD in Germany (means 3300 including VAT).

 

They probably limit it because it costs them more money to offer it. The people who are probably most interested in IWS, business users, are willing to pay more for their notebooks and wouldn't mind as much a higher cost for a machine with IWS. Most US customers would never use IWS. They probably look at customers from Europe importing machines as people giving them less money, but add more cost because adding IWS costs more money.

 

Would be okay if this would be the case.
But when I purchase in Germany I don't get the IWS either.
I get the very same US customers do (except longer warranty), at a much higher price.

 

the T400 has international support, it's cover in like 20 different countries

 

It depends on the country of purchase. All Lenovo's sold in Australia come with international warranty. Only thing is we are being charged nearlly double the prices of the US. X200's in Australia come standard with 3 years International Warranty, but why pay $2400USD for a same spec out of the US with Dock for $1450USD?

 

Thats why buy from the US. I bought mine from the US and saved nearly $400