Lenovo + Solectron = Complete and Utter Misery

[aphex]

Bought my laptop back in June, and these past two months have been complete hell...

1. Sent it in for a broken fingerprint reader and a grinding CPU fan, came back with the LCD bezel split in two (middle right side) and no fix for the fan (they did fix the reader though)

2. Sent it back to fix the cpu fan and the bezel, bezel and fan were fixed but my keyboard was broken (it would hit buttons without me pressing anything)

3. Sent it in to fix the keyboard (and to check the mobo - to figure out where the problem was coming from), came back with a fixed keyboard and a chunk missing from my lcd bezel (looks like they either dropped it at the factory, or from the lackluster packaging inside the shipping box. The box I use to send it to them fits the laptop a snug as a bug, it cant move. Meanwhile, they ship the laptop back to me in a box that is WAAAY too big, with a good 2-4" on either side of the laptop to slide around in.

They are now escalating me to a CS Rep to get a replacement, but at this point, I would almost just prefer to get my money back.



If you are gonna get a Lenovo, get on site service...

EDIT: Pictures of the missing chunk - Thinkpad's missing chunk

UPDATE: They approved a refund so I can return it!!!!!! Wooohooo!

UPDATE #2: Just received a check for the full purchase price back!

 

[Kaervak]

Yeah the Selectron service is quite god awful. The guys over at the Thinkpads.com forum have several threads about how downhill it's gone since Lenovo took over the Thinkpad line. Quite unfortunate to say the least.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Thanks for the warning. I just got a Lenovo xmas sale email and was thinking of taking a look. Now I know I should add the cost of on-site service to any laptops I look at.

 

[corkyg]

Got my first laptop in 1993. Am now on my 6th one - a Lenovo T60. I have never had to send any of them in for service.

I never heard of Selectron - and it is good to know they are a schlock house in case the need arises.

Would on-site service be any better if it is by Selectron?

 

[aphex]

I think on-site is performed by local techs, separate from Solectron. (I may be wrong though)

 

[aphex]

just updated my OP, this is my 4th problem, not 5th as I previously thought. Its all starting to meld into one big headache at this point

I also added a picture of the aformentioned chunk. Its in such a strange place too, I dunno how that even could have happened.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: aphex
just updated my OP, this is my 4th problem, not 5th as I previously thought. Its all starting to meld into one big headache at this point

I also added a picture of the aformentioned chunk. Its in such a strange place too, I dunno how that even could have happened.

omg im seriously sorry to hear about this.

Yeah thinkpad used to have the best service, and also there laptops were built very tough. Its sad to see such a great company like this turn crap once another company aquires it. :\

 

[aphex]

just a quick update, i sent it in AGAIN and received the laptop back just before Christmas. They mostly fixed the problem with the bezel, although the replacement bezel now has a small hairline crack in the same location as the missing chunk (possibly tightening it too much?)

Anyway, it seems fine until a few days ago when it starts the multifunction key problem again. The multifunction keys act on their own (raising/lowering/muting volume), zooming in and out (FN+space), trying to turn the non-existent thinklight on and off (FN+Pg Up) and playing with the brightness (FN+Home, FN+END). To me, it seems to do it more when its either discharging or charging the battery, but it has done it when its just plugged in without a battery, as well as when its using my additional 8-cell battery. I've tried uninstalling most of the software, including most of the Thinkvantage software to see if its a software problem, but it hasn't gone away. Last time I had the problem I even reformatted, but it came back shortly thereafter so it has to be a hardware issue.

I called my rep again and asked for a full refund this time. I already went out and bought a cheap replacement as this laptop is the antithesis of reliability. This would make the 5th trip back into the depot in the 6 or so months i've owned the laptop. I've obviously got a lemon here, lets just hope they make it right.

 

[Oil]

Sorry to hear about that, that definitely is a lemon. Did you get an x61?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: OSx86
Sorry to hear about that, that definitely is a lemon. Did you get an x61?

x60 tablet

 

[Rottie]

I never heard bad thing about Lenovo but I heard awful stories about HP fixes notebook not properly they shipped and back all the times

For example like HP problems

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Rottie
I never heard bad thing about Lenovo but I heard awful stories about HP fixes notebook not properly they shipped and back all the times

For example like HP problems

I feel his pain

 

[aphex]

Well, I have to admit, I'm shocked. I just got a call and IBM/Lenovo is making this right... They are giving me a full refund on the laptop

<hallelujah chorus>

I am supposed to be contacted by another rep within the next few days who will handle the refund and getting the laptop back to them.

 

[WackyDan]

Wow... I think your experience is an exception, not the rule.

 

[aphex]

Just got an overnight package from DHL - the full purchase price back in a check. Rock on.

Whew! My saga is OVER!