Who here has dealt with IBM shipping/cust support years ago?

I was just wondering who here remembers the absolutely stellar support (presales, after sales, technical, everything) that IBM used to provide when they ran this computer business?

I have posted about this before in a different thread, but most people didn't seem to have dealt with them when they were still IBM.

- Tim

 

I remembered talking to someone about it. They had a guaranteed 2 hours repair service in Hong Kong. I think in some countries the support is still done by IBM.

 

I don't really call support too often, but I think the issue is notebook price points are down across the board, not just at Lenovo. When I bought my T41 five years ago, I think I paid like $1,300 for it. It was the cheapest I could find with a CD-ROM drive and no WiFI. Now what's the cheapest T series? With coupons you might be able to get one for $750. Sure there's the X301 which is probably a lot like the Corvette. It looks great, but they probably don't sell a lot of them.

People run to FatWallet and SlickDeals for the best deals, which is completely understandable, but they don't understand what they give up in doing so. It seems an unreasonable proposition to pay 30-40% less than you paid before, but expect the same level of service.

In the end there's probably no right answer. ThinkPads can have wonderful quality and service/support, but cost a lot more. Or they can lower the price some, making them available to a lot more people who otherwise would not have been able to afford it, but have the support be not as good. Which world do you prefer? I still consider ThinkPads to be a premium product as compared what else is available out there.

Lenovo's in business to make money. There's probably more of that in selling to the masses than selling less to the well healed. If you're looking for something similar to the old ThinkPads, it's probably Panasonics.

 

Well, if you talk about the services, I believe we paid separated from the machine. They let you buy/upgrade warranty and pay call support.

From my experienced for the supports and repair, I don't need to go through all identification to know who I am, when did I buy this laptop, did I use my credit card... but type/sn# of the machine and where I live. What I want is to fix my machine, I'm not your friend... *cough alien..

Every company is about to do businesses and making money (IBM=International Business Machines Corporation). They are not non-profit organization. Take a look at HP, Dell, Acer... they are doing well without selling too high average prices.

Many people talk about Lenovo is China and the product is crap like Chinese. I've seen almost everything has "Made in China" toys.. plastic ware.. and yes it is cheap. Cheaper than those that made from your neighborhood.

I think if IBM is about to lose pc(thinkpad) business and no lenovo to continue this brand. The word "thinkpad" would have been history.

Nothing much about everything. Just be happy with what you have and yes it's a ThinkPad. =]