Returning 300GB Seagate to CompUSA... what are my chances?

[mcjimbo]

Hi all,

Well at the beginning of this month (3/6/05) I bought the following 300GB Seagate from CompUSA, it was listed on Resellerratings as a great dealing, drive cost after rebates was $160:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=316178&pfp=BROWSE

Anyway since I got the drive its been a problem. When i'm accessing video files, mp3's or files from it I hear a "clunk" noise and then the it hangs my computer. I posted about those problems here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=27&threadid=1546469

Coincidentally my brother in law bought the same drive, different system (Athlon 1333mhz) i'm currently P3 733 (soon to be A64 3500+). Anyway we are both running Windows XP SP2, and know how to build computers. Basically we think the drives are defective, as both are doing the same thing on our PC's.

My question is has anyone here had any dealings with Compusa... do you think we can return these drives? I going to try and get in tommorow evening.... just want some advice on how to handle.

Thanks in advance

James

 

[allanon1965]

i bought 2 60 gig drives from compusa both were maxtors.....both failed before 6 months were up, i rma'd them to maxtor and got 2 80 gigs sent to me because they were out of the 60's, this leads me to believe the 60's had big problems...

 

[ribbon13]

Seagate's RMA dept is top notch.

 

[Robor]

Look on your receipt for the return policy. Considering you're only 3 weeks from date of purchase I would think they'd back it up. If not that would be pretty crappy.

 

[fireontheway]

Why dont you ask the resident compusaguy here? :laugh:....not!

 

[Philippine Mango]

Originally posted by: allanon1965
i bought 2 60 gig drives from compusa both were maxtors.....both failed before 6 months were up, i rma'd them to maxtor and got 2 80 gigs sent to me because they were out of the 60's, this leads me to believe the 60's had big problems...

Though it could be that the company simple has low standards for delivery. Have you ever seen a maxtor drive with out the plastic ties? Frys electronics wraps them around their drives and you can tell which drive has been treated like crap and what has not. Sometimes the ties are so tight that the drive case is folding.

 

[allanon1965]

my maxtor drives have never had plastic ties around them...not sure what you are talking about.... but as long as maxtor replaces them, im fine with it, i have had all brands and all brands have failed on me at one time or another, so they really boil down to customer service...maxtor has always had top notch service in my book, i always get the replacements within 3 days.....by doing an advance rma....

 

[Texun]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Seagate's RMA dept is top notch.

Ditto! Seagate was perfect when I needed help with two dead drives.

CompUSA usually offers a replacement for the same product instead of a refund, but you can try if that's what you want. If they do offer a replacement it will be another new one. RMA drives are drives that have been returned for some reason and repaired.

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Seagate's RMA dept is top notch.

I was dissapointed when I got back a refurbished/factory repaired drive. They told me all everyone who rmas a hd gets a factory repaired unit back.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: allanon1965
i bought 2 60 gig drives from compusa both were maxtors.....both failed before 6 months were up, i rma'd them to maxtor and got 2 80 gigs sent to me because they were out of the 60's, this leads me to believe the 60's had big problems...

They did indeed, IMHO. I had a 60GB DM+9 fail on me too, in under 6 months. I've also had a friend with an (older) 60GB Maxtor that died too, although that wasn't a new FDB one, so it could have just ... well, died.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: BouZouki

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Seagate's RMA dept is top notch.

I was dissapointed when I got back a refurbished/factory repaired drive. They told me all everyone who rmas a hd gets a factory repaired unit back.

That's true, and has been for years. I did a warranty return/exchange to Western Digital back in 1995/96. You 99.9% of time will get a refurb drive which carries the remainder of the original drives warranty. Nothing wrong with that. When your car breaks down they don't give you a new one either.

 

[WackyDan]

CompUSA won't let you return the drive, I'd even be surprised if they let you exchange it as it sounds like you submitted the required paperwork for the rebate(s)???? If that's the case, you will have to RMA through the manufacturer......That's my bet anyway.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: WackyDan
CompUSA won't let you return the drive, I'd even be surprised if they let you exchange it as it sounds like you submitted the required paperwork for the rebate(s)???? If that's the case, you will have to RMA through the manufacturer......That's my bet anyway.

Sure they will - IF it is within their return period and is defective. Just cause it's missing the UPC, doesn't mean it can't be EXchanged . . . . you simply won't get a new box or UPC (to avoid allowing duplicate rebate submissions).

IF you are OUT of the CUSA's exchange period, just RMA it to the mfg.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: WackyDan
CompUSA won't let you return the drive, I'd even be surprised if they let you exchange it as it sounds like you submitted the required paperwork for the rebate(s)???? If that's the case, you will have to RMA through the manufacturer......That's my bet anyway.

Sure they will - IF it is within their return period and is defective. Just cause it's missing the UPC, doesn't mean it can't be EXchanged . . . . you simply won't get a new box or UPC (to avoid allowing duplicate rebate submissions).

Obviously, the first thing to do would be to call them up and ask, but many retailers, have a rule that they won't take back anything, for any reason, if the UPC code has been cut out or otherwise mutilated/destroyed. One reason for that is, product that is scheduled for destruction, will also likewise have the UPCs defaced. Retail stores don't want to end up subject to "return fraud" because of that.

Originally posted by: apoppin
IF you are OUT of the CUSA's exchange period, just RMA it to the mfg.

That's the most likely scenario here. Although you might hear the occasional horror-story here, outside of the IBM 75GXP RMAs, most people that recieve an RMA'ed drive, find that they work fine, save perhaps for a little bearing wear. But the RMA returns that end up DOA tend to get the most public comment, I think.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: WackyDan
CompUSA won't let you return the drive, I'd even be surprised if they let you exchange it as it sounds like you submitted the required paperwork for the rebate(s)???? If that's the case, you will have to RMA through the manufacturer......That's my bet anyway.

Sure they will - IF it is within their return period and is defective. Just cause it's missing the UPC, doesn't mean it can't be EXchanged . . . . you simply won't get a new box or UPC (to avoid allowing duplicate rebate submissions).

Obviously, the first thing to do would be to call them up and ask, but many retailers, have a rule that they won't take back anything, for any reason, if the UPC code has been cut out or otherwise mutilated/destroyed. One reason for that is, product that is scheduled for destruction, will also likewise have the UPCs defaced. Retail stores don't want to end up subject to "return fraud" because of that.

Originally posted by: apoppin
IF you are OUT of the CUSA's exchange period, just RMA it to the mfg.

That's the most likely scenario here. Although you might hear the occasional horror-story here, outside of the IBM 75GXP RMAs, most people that recieve an RMA'ed drive, find that they work fine, save perhaps for a little bearing wear. But the RMA returns that end up DOA tend to get the most public comment, I think.

Agreed -return period means nothing when it comes to terms and conditions set ont he the return. Defective does not mean they will exchange or refund - especially given the UPC situation with rebates. It's a catch 22.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: WackyDan
CompUSA won't let you return the drive, I'd even be surprised if they let you exchange it as it sounds like you submitted the required paperwork for the rebate(s)???? If that's the case, you will have to RMA through the manufacturer......That's my bet anyway.

Sure they will - IF it is within their return period and is defective. Just cause it's missing the UPC, doesn't mean it can't be EXchanged . . . . you simply won't get a new box or UPC (to avoid allowing duplicate rebate submissions).

Obviously, the first thing to do would be to call them up and ask, but many retailers, have a rule that they won't take back anything, for any reason, if the UPC code has been cut out or otherwise mutilated/destroyed. One reason for that is, product that is scheduled for destruction, will also likewise have the UPCs defaced. Retail stores don't want to end up subject to "return fraud" because of that.

Originally posted by: apoppin
IF you are OUT of the CUSA's exchange period, just RMA it to the mfg.

That's the most likely scenario here. Although you might hear the occasional horror-story here, outside of the IBM 75GXP RMAs, most people that recieve an RMA'ed drive, find that they work fine, save perhaps for a little bearing wear. But the RMA returns that end up DOA tend to get the most public comment, I think.

Yes, call CUSA . . . . they will tell you specifically re: their policy and cut-out UPC codes.

i KNOW some retailers DO take defective merchandise w/o the UPC . . . . it that case it becomes an "exchange only" . . . you don't get the new packing . . . just the product exchanged.

anyway, i would NOT worry about getting a refurb HD from a Seagate RMA.

 

[sharkeeper]

Their communist laws er return policy has a half life of one week...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Their communist laws er return policy has a half life of one week...

AMAZING what CUSA's site will tell you:
:roll:

Returns

At CompUSA, we believe in being fair to our customers. If you are not satisfied with a product you purchased from us and you return the product with the original receipt or invoice within 21 days of purchase or invoice date, you may exchange the product or receive a refund. Items must be in new condition, with the original box, packaging, manuals, accessories, and UPC code. CompUSA will not accept the return of any item if the UPC code has been removed from the packaging.

NOW we know :shocked:

 

[sharkeeper]

Looking at the last receipt I have from them dated 03/19/05 from store #602 it does say 21 days. When did this happen? :Q

So it's 252 hours now. P

They probably will exchange it for another if you explain the problem. They will just remove the new drive from the packaging. Maybe they won't. It really depends on the store manager.

 

[bjc112]

If you cut out the UPC then no.

If not, absolutely.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Looking at the last receipt I have from them dated 03/19/05 from store #602 it does say 21 days. When did this happen? :Q

So it's 252 hours now. P

They probably will exchange it for another if you explain the problem. They will just remove the new drive from the packaging. Maybe they won't. It really depends on the store manager.

Changed it around Mid november.

 

[apoppin]

CUSSR changed a few policies - including eliminating their restocking charge (if everything is perfect) - to match Beast Buy and CurseitCity

No UPC - NO exchange

 

[thunderroller]

you should get replacement by law

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: thunderroller
you should get replacement by law

Free market = law.... not happy with Cusa - shop elseware.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Their communist laws er return policy has a half life of one week...

AMAZING what CUSA's site will tell you:
:roll:

Returns

At CompUSA, we believe in being fair to our customers. If you are not satisfied with a product you purchased from us and you return the product with the original receipt or invoice within 21 days of purchase or invoice date, you may exchange the product or receive a refund. Items must be in new condition, with the original box, packaging, manuals, accessories, and UPC code. CompUSA will not accept the return of any item if the UPC code has been removed from the packaging.

NOW we know :shocked:

But,,,,, we already knew.