MSI RMA: will I get back a refurb, repair or new?

[Peddeh]

Hi,

I unfortunately had to send back my MSI 290X Lightning in for an RMA to the retailer I bought it with, as the middle fan was beginning to make a really annoying grinding sound (this was even without any manual fan profile setup). My retailer tested the card and then sent it to MSI.

I've never had to RMA a product with a manufacturer before, so I don't know what to expect back.

My card was a brilliant clocker and I'd be devastated if I got refurb or just an entirely different PCB altogether that didn't clock as well as mine did. It would make sense for them to repair it, considering it's only a fan issue.

Does anyone have enough experience with MSI's RMA procedure to tell me what is likely to happen to my card?

 

[hurrakan]

I had to RMA my 680 because one fan stopped working. It's been with MSI for over a week. Personally I wouldn't mind a 770 for a replacement. Anyway I'll let you know what I get back.

 

[DaTT]

I RMA'd a GTX560Ti Twin Frozr a while back and got a BNIB 660 as a replacement because the 560 was discontinued.

You will get an email saying what they are sending you when it ships back. You may be able to call and dispute if you aren't getting what you want.

 

[Peddeh]

I RMA'd a GTX560Ti Twin Frozr a while back and got a BNIB 660 as a replacement because the 560 was discontinued.

You will get an email saying what they are sending you when it ships back. You may be able to call and dispute if you aren't getting what you want.

Unfortunately I don't have any direct contact with MSI. In the UK, we have to deal with all MSI RMA's with the retailer (mine is Overclockers UK). I guess I could see if the retailer can get anything from them.

 

[tviceman]

RMA replacements to the manufacturer almost most always involve refurbished replacements.

 

[railven]

I got a BNIB MSI 780 Lightning when I RMA'ed an open boxed 780 Lightning I bought that had artifact.

Turn around time was about 9 days including shipping.

Very pleased with the whole ordeal.

 

[Deders]

If you are confident enough to replace the fan yourself you might be able to find a replacement on ebay, make sure it is the same model fan.

If you wanted to go that route be aware that it may involve having to take the entire heatsink off and repaste the GPU. I had to do this for a friend recently and couldn't get proper access to the fan screws without removing the whole heatsink.

 

[tviceman]

I got a BNIB MSI 780 Lightning when I RMA'ed an open boxed 780 Lightning I bought that had artifact.

Turn around time was about 9 days including shipping.

Very pleased with the whole ordeal.

Sounds like you got great service. I have had two RMA's with MSI, and while both were successful and complaint free from me, both times the replacement card I received was refurbished.

 

[tweakboy]

Im guessing they have great tech support I read somewhere. gl

 

[C101]

I had a 4890 that blew smoke out the back. The only thing they would give me was a refund.

 

[MeldarthX]

OCUk is normally quick in coms with the manufacts; and good coms with you....shouldn't be too long for RMA....MSI isn't that bad like some....

 

[tullnd]

I would say the answer is "It depends".

They always reserve the right to give a refurb. That said, it's a low volume card. They may not have a lot of refurbs available. Usually if refurbs aren't available, you get a new stock instead. If they can't get a refurb or new stock available, you usually get something newer/better.

Repairing your card just depends on the issue. Is it one that's financially worth the time repairing vs shipping a refurb? Do they actually repair them all real time, or perhaps in batches? Sending out all repairs in groups at various scheduled times to be performed as contract work by a repair shop. They all come back as refurbs, available for warranty exchanges. Some repairs are just not worth it for the man hours it'd take to fix it, so it's cheaper to just ship a refurb rather than actually fixing the board.

This is all standard warranty mantra. There's no reason they have to send you back a new one. Yours was used. Sending you a factory refurbished card is basically the same as sending you back your card with physical repairs. You could get yours back with a repair, but as stated...totally depends on a slew of variables.

So...no one can directly answer this. It just depends.

 

[chimaxi83]

I've RMA'd with MSI twice. The first was a Twin Frozr III 6950. I got a refurbished card back. The second was a 7970 Lightning. I got a refurbished card back. The process both times was fast and easy, no complaints whatsoever.

 

[hurrakan]

I finally got my 680 back today (9th July). RMA was first issued on 11th June. Took longer than I expected (Scan said their usual turnaround is 5-7 days).

Anyway, they sent me a refurbishment - it's not the same card that I had before (exact same model though). However I'm a little disappointed because my card was absolutely pristine, not a mark on it, but the replacement they sent me is covered in lots of little scratches/blemishes etc. Oh well at least both of the fans work now.