The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    The International Warranty Enigma

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by nuggetbro, Jul 10, 2009.

  1. nuggetbro

    nuggetbro Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    266
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Hi Everyone,

    I want to get a Sony SR. I want to get it from the US, because for the exact same model I can save $500! The question is, why is it so hard to find warranty information?

    Is it possible to get an International Warranty on these things? Will it work from inside of Australia?

    Thank you everyone.
     
    nuggetbro, Jul 10, 2009
    #1
  2. Derrida

    Derrida Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    251
    Messages:
    833
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Email [email protected] and ask the question. That's an American customer service email address which handles troubleshooting questions like yours....

    Good luck!
     
    Derrida, Jul 10, 2009
    #2
  3. zimbros12

    zimbros12 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    276
    Messages:
    1,059
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    My sister-in-law purchased a TOSHIBA laptop and got an INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY which is good in BRAZIL.
     
    zimbros12, Jul 11, 2009
    #3
  4. Aule

    Aule Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Aule, Jul 12, 2009
    #4
  5. nuggetbro

    nuggetbro Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    266
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    But who do I buy it from in Japan/Singapore/Taiwan.... I don't know any online retailers that will ship. Is there a magical list somewhere?

    Thank you everyone.
     
    nuggetbro, Jul 12, 2009
    #5
  6. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

    Reputations:
    3,677
    Messages:
    4,067
    Likes Received:
    699
    Trophy Points:
    181
    There's http://www.dynamism.com/

    If you can bag a Japanese reader / writer or feel you can muddle your way through, there's http://en.rakuten.co.jp/

    Sony's International Warranty is a dinosaur from the 90's - It really needs to be updated. With their service attitude being what it is though... who knows when that'll happen.
     
    Vogelbung, Jul 12, 2009
    #6
  7. Aule

    Aule Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm going with PriceJapan. They seem good.
     
    Aule, Jul 12, 2009
    #7
  8. Derrida

    Derrida Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    251
    Messages:
    833
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I didn't say to buy it from Sony USA, just ask the question there since that email address is a consumer help gateway.

    Good luck!
     
    Derrida, Jul 12, 2009
    #8
  9. nuggetbro

    nuggetbro Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    266
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I am looking at Portable One as they have fantastic customer service.

    I have contacted PriceJapan for a quote, but don't think they will be able to do much.

    Portable One others an International Warranty where you send it to them and they forward (from what I guess).

    In the end, if my $2000 SR dies then who cares about the 200$ in shipping fees?
     
    nuggetbro, Jul 12, 2009
    #9
  10. heavenly_wild

    heavenly_wild Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    714
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey guys, can someone confirm that any Sony product purchased either in Australia or New Zealand will both be accepted for warranty fixes / replacements in both countries?
     
    heavenly_wild, Jul 13, 2009
    #10
  11. Rad_0909

    Rad_0909 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    20
    Messages:
    83
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Should be OK, as both countries are on the list ( https://ebiz.sel.sony.com/secure/IRSP/gotoHomePage.do)
     
    Rad_0909, Jul 13, 2009
    #11
  12. heavenly_wild

    heavenly_wild Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    27
    Messages:
    714
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks Rad_0909 :)

    It is strange how they - as in Sony AU and NZ - don't advertise the fact that all Vaios come with regional international warranty.
     
    heavenly_wild, Jul 13, 2009
    #12
  13. cmj556

    cmj556 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Any idea where I can get similar information for Europe (if it exists)? I'm considering buying an FW465 in the US before I go to university in Denmark and Sweden.
     
    cmj556, Jul 14, 2009
    #13
  14. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

    Reputations:
    3,677
    Messages:
    4,067
    Likes Received:
    699
    Trophy Points:
    181
    AFAIK IRSP is available as default (requires registration) on some of the latest laptops purchased *in* Europe. Not in the US. In the USA, you'll have to purchase the extended service you want (since you won't be able to add it to your laptop once you're back in Europe) plus the international warranty upgrade. The likelihood of a Sony Center / Best Buy etc guy being able to find this info is quite small.

    Moral of the story: You're probably better off buying over here, unless you're pretty sure your Sony won't go wrong. I could have been sure of that for a flagship machine two years ago, but now... not so sure.
     
    Vogelbung, Jul 14, 2009
    #14