I have a media/render server built using a Supermicro X8DA3 dual 1366 board. A few months ago, it suddenly would only post with one CPU installed, then it failed altogether. After several rounds of broken english responses, I was told by the Supermicro customer support rep that the chipset had failed and he closed the service case with, "Please check with Intel and get replacement to see is help." Thus began my worst customer service experience ever.
There's no way this board is going back to Intel, so I roll the dice again and finally get a rep that's more responsive. I need to RMA the board back to Supermicro. My first shock was that despite the board being within [labor] warranty <3 years old, Supermicro only offers cross-shipping on items within the first 30 days of purchase. This means server downtime.
I suck it up, prep for an RMA and ship this giant EATX bastard back to the hell from which it came. $20 insured.
Then I wait. Tracking confirms it arrives, but I don't get any notice or e-mail. A week later I message Supermicro to make sure it hasn't been lost in their mail room. They say they received it and all is dandy, except for the fact the chipset repair will cost me $75. Fine, I pay it.
Two weeks go by and no updates. I e-mail customer service to determine their progress. "We have expedited the repair". By now I've rigged up my storage stuff to an old 775 rig so I can access it.
Another three weeks go by and nothing. I've sent another e-mail and I'm waiting for their reply. The board has been in Supermicro's hands for 6 weeks and I'm $100 in the hole for something I could have replaced for $200 in a few days. I will never buy another Supermicro board again.
TL;DR - RMAed board, 6 weeks later and they still have the board.
There's no way this board is going back to Intel, so I roll the dice again and finally get a rep that's more responsive. I need to RMA the board back to Supermicro. My first shock was that despite the board being within [labor] warranty <3 years old, Supermicro only offers cross-shipping on items within the first 30 days of purchase. This means server downtime.
I suck it up, prep for an RMA and ship this giant EATX bastard back to the hell from which it came. $20 insured.
Then I wait. Tracking confirms it arrives, but I don't get any notice or e-mail. A week later I message Supermicro to make sure it hasn't been lost in their mail room. They say they received it and all is dandy, except for the fact the chipset repair will cost me $75. Fine, I pay it.
Two weeks go by and no updates. I e-mail customer service to determine their progress. "We have expedited the repair". By now I've rigged up my storage stuff to an old 775 rig so I can access it.
Another three weeks go by and nothing. I've sent another e-mail and I'm waiting for their reply. The board has been in Supermicro's hands for 6 weeks and I'm $100 in the hole for something I could have replaced for $200 in a few days. I will never buy another Supermicro board again.
TL;DR - RMAed board, 6 weeks later and they still have the board.
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