Need some advice with a Dell monitor

[themasterpiece1]

So I bought a new Dell monitor the P2715Q. While checking for dead pixels I found an area that was damaged. It looks like the actual screen is damaged.

http://i.imgur.com/c2hDNOK.jpg

I called Dell and they said that they are sold out of it. They can only offer me a refund not a replacement until they get more units in. I have until January 15 to return it if I want to. However, I would much rather have them replace it. I got this monitor at a really good price and it would be a shame to have to return it.

I don't mind having to wait a couple of months until they get more stock in to RMA it. I just want to make sure that Dell notes on my account that the monitor came damaged and I will be asking for a replacement as soon as they get more in stock.

My worry is that once they get more in stock and I ask them to RMA it, they will try to blame me for damaging the monitor.

Supposedly this monitor comes with 3 years of warranty and Dell's premium panel warranty.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&sku=210-ADOF

This is a low quality pic of my backlight bleed.
http://i.imgur.com/SLWHVHq.jpg

For anybody with experience with Dell. What's the best way to go about this?

 

[Blain]

Run some utilities like JScreenFix, UDfix, Dead Pixel Fixer, etc.
They are free and only cost you a bit of time, what do you have to lose?

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

Can you talk to someone and get in writing that you can purchase the replacement at the same price? I'm assuming you got it cheaper than the $699.

If it has a 3 year warranty, why would you have to return it by Jan. 15th?

 

[themasterpiece1]

Can you talk to someone and get in writing that you can purchase the replacement at the same price? I'm assuming you got it cheaper than the $699.

If it has a 3 year warranty, why would you have to return it by Jan. 15th?

The Jan 15 is for a refund. After that they would do replacement only. I'm fine with a replacement. Usually the warranty covers manufacture defects, this is more like damage to the screen. If I can get in writing that they will replace the screen once they get more in stock then that's fine with me. I get worried that the CS I deal in the future will think that I damaged the screen.

I paid $430 for the monitor so returning it would kind of make me lose out on the deal.

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

Yeah I would only return it for a refund if I get a guarantee in writing that I can purchase it at that price once it's back in stock.

 

[mfenn]

The tech would have opened a case when you called. Get that case number and make a note of that. You can use that as leverage if they give you any grief about the replacement in the future.