Repair/Return HELP!.. what are my options?

So, I ordered a T61 on March 25. It arrived June 15.

The next day I noticed a hissing problem when the machine was running off the battery, as well as freezes/lockups. I called tech support, and the gentleman I talked to seemed familiar with the problem and offered a repair order for me to ship it in. I agreed.

A few days later they call me saying they have my machine and wanted some more details about what was wrong with it. I told them what I knew and the tech said they'd look at it again.

The next day I notice my repair status says "on hold for customer information" so I call in. The tech I talked to says it's actually not a hold for customer information, but a billing hold and transfers me to the billing department. I talk to the lady there and she tells me my machine is out of warranty. I tell her I bought it a few weeks ago. She puts me on hold and comes back saying it was a mistake and they'll get my machine fixed right away.

The next day I notice my repair status says "on hold for parts, estimated arrival: none provided." That sounds bad, so I call. It turns out the mainboard needs to be replaced, and they are not sure when it will come in. In a few days? Weeks? They can't tell me.

At this point, I'm a little tired, and start to feel like I bought a lemon. I ask him if I can just return the machine.

"I'm sorry sir, I don't understand, return where?" he says.

"Return it, give it back, cancel it, get my money back?" I reply.

"I'm sorry sir, I can't do anything like that. Do you want me to cancel the repair order?"

"Can you transfer me to someone who can tell me if I can return it?"

"Yes, sir." *click* and the hold music plays, and plays, but not for too long.

A young gentleman picks up, and I tell him my story. I got my machine around early june, it's been in repair almost since I got it, and now I'd like to return it. He says he can do that, but i'll have to pay a 15% restocking fee. I ask him if he can waive it, since my machine's been in the shop since the day after I got it. I hear that "sorry" word again that I've since learned actually always means "no." I tell him I'd like to cancel it because I don't know when I'll get it back, and I'm planning on ordering a new one once I can return it...

"A rebooking?" he interrupts with a tingle of enthusiasm in his voice.

"A what?"

"If you want to return the machine to order a new one, I can waive the restocking fee, but it might not save you any time. The lead time on a new order is about 3-4 weeks."


and thus, my dilemma...

It seems like I can either

a) Just wait...

b) call the repair center and ask them to send it back, then call the tech guy again and get an RMA, then rebook the deal on the spot?

c) do I have any other options?

 

The hissing was a normal sound, the lockups were a software problem. You shouldnt have returned the laptop so soon. You dont really have any other option but to wait until after the repair.

Did you have turbo memory and/or Vista?