xoticpc vs malibal (Sager 8130)

Thanks again mythlogic. It's too bad their description doesn't indicate that detail.

 

So...

Usually I would work with the 30 day return policy, however, I am planning on buying from Japan ($300 shipping) In this case, a 0 dead pixel screening would obviously be beneficial. However... can the 0 dead pixel warranty even be applied for overseas customers? For example, if I took the warranty, and my laptop did happen to have a dead pixel, I cannot imagine the warranty would cover the $600 odd shipping cost... or does it?

I have heard XoticPC's support for overseas customers is good, but no reasons why exactly.

Could anyone quote experience with ordering from overseas with various sellers?

 

Sager's Zero Dead Pixel Guarantee is only available for customers located in the Continental US: SEE BELOW. However, some international customers have purchased the Zero Dead Pixel Guarantee and then shipped the notebook to someone they know in the US, so that they could inspect the system to make sure there weren't any bad pixels before forwarding the notebook to them overseas. So that might be an option for you, if you know someone living in the US.

**Any units purchased with the “Zero Dead Pixel Insurance” option that are received with ANY dead pixels will be treated by Sager as a DOA unit, and Sager will cover 3 day shipping both ways and replace the unit. ( Continental USA only). This guarantee is only for the first thirty (30) days of receipt of the unit, and not the entire year period of the general warranty.

 

Thanks for clarifying that for me =)

Time to contact friends in the US!

 

Are bad pixels created during the manufacturing process, or do they go bad over time? If the latter, do they normally show up within the first 30 days?

 

Most of the time, they're a result of the manufacturing process or happen during transit. It's not impossible to have them die randomly over time, but it's much more uncommon than having dead/stuck pixels out of the box.

That said, there is a bit of a difference in the terminology too. Dead pixels are just that, dead black spots on the screen. Stuck pixels are those that are stuck in one color (not black) and they can often be fixed with software or a few other solutions.

 

I chose malibal. They definitely have top notch customer service.

 

I second that statement.

 

A stuck or dead pixel is a valid reason for a customer return. Customers can file a credit card chargeback to secure a full refund. Customers can make up a tale about the computer being DOA to get a return for a dead pixel. As a reseller of computers, the first priority should be making the customer happy and if there is a design flaw in a computer (i.e. G55VW's Atheros wireless, dead pixel, etc...) then as a reseller, you have only 2 good choices if you care about customer satisfaction. Those are conduct QA tests for those issues and fix them before shipping the order out the door or allow your customer to return the computer for a full refund because you shipped the order with the issue. Shipping computers with a blind eye that may have pre-existing issues is not the approach to be taken if customer satisfaction and your public image is of importance. Charging a customer for the right to return an item with a pre-existing blemish or defect is not fair to the customer and ultimately will lead customers to securing their return for full refund one way or another. I would encourage all sellers to provide dead pixel warranty at no additional charge and even to test for this issue in their QA. FullHD screens really do not cost a lot. They are about $50 for us. Maybe 1 out of 100 will have a dead pixel so our cost of providing this service is maybe $0.50. Charging $100 for a warranty on a service that should already be provided to the customer is certainly not going to bode well with buyers or any prospective customers that are reading. For the sake of attracting new customers, I would provide the warranty for free. That is my advice should you wish to heed it.