ThinkPad drop in quality control

Got my new T61 home and powered it up just to make sure it was functioning. No problems there. Very busy with work so left it on my desk and didn't touch it until 5 days later.

On 5th day had some time so did an exterior check of the unit. Found numerous very small but deep scratches on the underside left edge of the unit. I am absolutely certain the scratches were not self-inflicted as I had not touched or moved my laptop all this time and the scratches looked like they had been there a long time. Unpacking was done by the retailer at his shop and I was there to oversee the whole thing.

I am quite unhappy that the quality control of Lenovo is so sub-standard. I would exchange it if I could but there is no way to prove that the scratches were there as received and not caused by myself.

 

That's too bad. I'm sorry. So you don't think Lenovo would hear you out?

 

I dun think they would do an exchange for a cosmetic defect that I can't prove was there as received. Unless u think otherwise?

 

there's no harm trying!

maybe you can try talking to the retailer as well.

 

Well if you are under warranty you should at least try. I mean if you did not do it it is your right to complain about it.

 

Do you have any family members or friends that might have caused it? Like a younger sibling running around with scissors? But, it's its on the underside, it's not like you'll see it often, right?

Try the warranty. see what they say.

 

Called the retailer. They won't have anything to do with it after 7days.

BTW can't have been a family member as my room is locked when I'm out. And the scratches are on the underside so could only have been caused by someone dragging the left bottom edge across a rough surface. Besides, I'm certain the unit has never been moved or touched since I got it.

I'll call Lenovo service on Monday to see what they say but I doubt they'll agree to any exchange. Just my bad luck I guess. Anyway the scratches are not noticable at a glance and can only be seen under close inspection.

 

Are you sure the unit is not a refurb or used in some way? Where did you get it? I know that Dell sells a category of used machines that might have cosmetic blemishes but that don't affect the machines performance.

 

Yeah, you should be able to complain, but I could see that they would be dubious. Hmmm. That's tough. And it's not a part you can easily replace with a part off eBay or something?

 

You could buy the underside part of the case as a last option. Lenovo does sell that part on their maintenance website.

 

lenovo doesn't do exchanges for new or even used units. thats what they told me when i asked. they only do repairs. and i'm sure they wont be repairing your body work...

guess it'll have to remain a mystery how those scratches got there, sure u didn't do it? somebody must've. and lenovo isn't one to ship USED units.

and this thread isn't about quality control. their laptops still work and your case (based on your assumption that they shipped you a used unit) doesn't make them bad quality. IF you're correct then u have a rare case that people here never really hear about. Ever buy a honda and get it with 10k miles on the odo?