*WhatEver* you do *Don't* buy a Sapphire! WithOUT *knowing* Their RMA Process costs $15

[apoppin]

the VERY latest ... apparently a new card in the old Sapphire box ... so the serial numbers don't match ... but there is no rebate anyway.

-----------
the 2nd latest ... *false Alarm*
:lips:


well, on schedule and nicely packed ... just the *same* card... same serial number an the package is NOT sealed

i'd better check it out and report back


==========================

my x1950p arrives this Wed from ZZf via FedEx ... good CS, i might add ... they made an exception to *no exception!*

Anyway .... does *anyone* think i should stick it back in my rig without upgrading the PS?
--i doubt it as my PS does not meet the "recommended" spec [i don't want *another* RMA].

i do not want to upgrade it yet as i do not know r600's x-fire requirements and my 7800GS is running fine for all current games

anything i am overlooking?


if not it goes in FS/T

thanks for your interest!
:thumbsup:

and tolerance
======================

*Final Update* RESOLVED by ZZF

i followed the Sapphire Tech's advice and begg ... um, *appealed* ZZf's decision to "the boss" ... they replied today:

Please be informed the following is your Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) Number & procedure for replacement of item number: XXXXXX]

Excellent!
:thumbsup:

*case closed* ... for me
=-==========================================

UPDATE: ok, i see the flames and the criticism


anyway ... what to do ...

so i consulted the best legal mind i know and there is a solution for me:

1) RMA the card, pay the $15 and keep a receipt and document everything
... reason: don't harm my self ... i need a card back or i am at fault for letting it's value diminish by 'waiting' ... the *only issue* is the $15 "fee"

2) demand Sapphire *refund* my $15 AFTER i get it back ... perhaps it is my fault ... i will "weigh" everything then if they tell me what the prob was.

and go from there ... then

in the meantime ... i believe it is "fair" to INFORM others about Sapphire's RMA Fee ...
... as long as i don't libel them

and MOST IMPORTANTLY [in my mind] is to update you to see how Sapphire responds so you can weigh future purchases from them

edited Summary for possible legal reasons

----------------------

:thumbsdown:



their x1950p is a defective PoS and they want me to pay to replace it ...
:|

now that is a 'warranty'
:roll:


are there ANY other ATi or nvidia manufacturers that Screw their customers this way?

btw ... the 7800Gs is a real Keeper!

easily o/c's from 400/1250 to 451/1300 and 3DMark05 went up from 5889 to 6419

Sapphire lost a customer and has someone that will talk *bad* about them forever ... their RMA is stupid.

i will get my $15 worth
:evil:

 

[Xarick]

err.. sounds odd because sapphire was nothing but good to me when it came to my 9800pro.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Xarick
err.. sounds odd because sapphire was nothing but good to me when it came to my 9800pro.

Did they ask you to send them $15?

Please fill out this RMA form as much as you can and email it back to RMA@althonmicro.com along with a copy of the purchase receipt. Once we receive your RMA form we will process it for you and get back with you with an assign RMA#, please do not return your card back with out a RMA# or else all shipment will be rejected. There will be a US$15 dollar processing fee (Which takes care of the repacking and insurance of your return product) for this RMA service, so please include a US$15 money order (if Canadian customer (US$30)

what kind of scam is this? :|

pay Retail for a defective PoS, have it fail on Day 31 --then pay $15 to get a RMA number ... send it at my expense and they will probably send another *defective* back
:thumbsdown:

or do other manufacturers do this?


alll i can say ... for me ... absolutely NEVER again Sapphire

 

[Zenoth]

I don't think that $15 is going to put your bank account in a waste basket.

You're not paying for the RMA service itself, you're paying for the repackaging and such, it ain't so bad.

But personally I prefer PowerColor.

 

[VIAN]

They just lost me as a customer, Thanks for the heads up apoppin.

Originally posted by: Zenoth
I don't think that $15 is going to put your bank account in a waste basket.

You're not paying for the RMA service itself, you're paying for the repackaging and such, it ain't so bad.

That's not the point. The point is that apoppin paid for a working product. He shouldn't have to pay extra to make it work. From the customers point of view, video cards are expensive. When I bring one home, I'm eager to test it out and play with it. I don't need to arrive home, or receive it in the mail and find out that it doesn't work. It also doesn't thrill me that I have to pay even more money and wait about 3-4 weeks to be able to play with it.

In fact, they should pay me for having to wait. But in an effort to be fair about it, all that I ask is that they pay for, at least, priority shipping both ways.

 

[jim1976]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
But personally I prefer PowerColor.

Me too.. I had a 9700pro and a 9800pro. Both were great cards and highly o/cable (beyond the median for the cards)

BTW I think it sucks to charge the customer for the whole process..It's not a matter of money it's a matter of customer service.. Sometimes it's the little things that make the difference..

 

[CaiNaM]

newegg is contracted by sapphire to do rma exchanges for 1 year. zzf does not.. if it's beyond 30 days, they won't deal with you; you have to send it to sapphire and pay the $15 "handling" fee... if you're getting a sapphire, definitely get it from the 'egg..

otoh a couple weeks ago my bfg6800gt died on me after 2 years, and they rma'd it with no hassle whatsoever.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: VIAN
Do you mean that the actual RMA cost was 15 bucks + shipping & handling. Or did you pay 15 bucks for shipping.

I remembered when I RMA'd a eVGA card, or was it Leadtek. Can't remember, but they made me pay for shipping. Bastards.

re-read it ... i did at least ten times

Please fill out this RMA form as much as you can and email it back to RMA@althonmicro.com along with a copy of the purchase receipt. Once we receive your RMA form we will process it for you and get back with you with an assign RMA#, please do not return your card back with out a RMA# or else all shipment will be rejected. There will be a US$15 dollar processing fee (Which takes care of the repacking and insurance of your return product) for this RMA service, so please include a US$15 money order (if Canadian customer (US$30)

1) buy a *defective* x1950p that fails in 31 days
2) ask for a RMA [forget ZipZoopFly ... they ALSO have NO customer service]
3) Send $15 US dollars to Sapphire's US "henchman" for *processing fees*
4) Get RMA number and spend ANOTHER ten or $15 to ship it to the dirty bastages
5) After *waiting weeks* Get *another* defective Sapphire POS x1950p and ...

repeat steps 1-5 ... that's $280 for this x1950PoS ... so far

Fcsk Sapphire

 

[happy medium]

Lost me as future customer.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: happy medium
Lost me as future customer.

that is the *purpose* of this thread ... it is a "warning"

i think crap RMA process this will really cost them customers
--if i can help it

i am going to start a new RMA process to Sapphire and try and *refuse* the $15 extortion.

I will remind them i will be starting a *few* threads on several forums i visit


good idea?

 

[Zenoth]

No, just tell them that you'll be going with Nvidia, and watch as they care so much about it ... -_-

 

[ponyo]

That's terrible customer service. You have to pay to have it shipped to them and they want another $15 to ship it back to you? Sounds like Apple.

 

[jim1976]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: happy medium
Lost me as future customer.

that is the *purpose* of this thread ... it is a "warning"

i think crap RMA process this will really cost them customers
--if i can help it

i am going to start a new RMA process to Sapphire and try and *refuse* the $15 extortion.

I will remind them i will be starting a *few* threads on several forums i visit


good idea?

I can see the titles " Appopin teh Sapphire Killer"
LOL. I completely understand you.. All these years I didn't have any empathies.. But this is what I did in the case of ASUx lately.. Too many overpriced boards out there with many issues and zero after sales customer support.. They suck I won't be getting an ASUx product from now on, unless I won't have another good alternative..

 

[Paratus]

Damn! Sorry Apoppin.

Makes me glad mine failed day 1 !

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
No, just tell them that you'll be going with Nvidia, and watch as they care so much about it ... -_-

well i might have screwed the pooch

here's what i replied to them:

Dear Tech,

You want me to pay $15 for this ridiculous RMA? And pay shipping and
insurance to send it you? Thirty US dollars?

on a $250 Sapphire with a 2 year warranty that failed on day 31?

an AGP Sapphire x1950p that is well KNOWN to have a very high defective rate

absolutely ridiculous

Can i start another ticket with Sapphire and not pay this extortion
fee by using another RMA method?

i'd like to let you know that i AM starting as many threads in as many
forums as possible in the English Tech World to *inform* everyone of
these awful Sapphire RMA policies.

ANYway, your attachment would NOT Open ... what format did you send it
in?

Finally ... I do NOT have a working SCANNER ... i need to FAX my receipt copy
to you


Regards,
apoppin

Sapphire will hear next as i will start another ticket ... then visit their forums and a bunch of others and i will send the links of all the threads to Sapphire

i may have to toss my x1950p in the trash ... but - believe me , i will get thousands of dollars in *satisfaction* ...
:evil:

in telling the truth and warn everyone who will listen!
:Q

 

[Stumps]

hmmm, I always had my doubts about Sapphire, normally I have always been a Gigabyte "only" customer...but now that gigabyte doesn't make any high end AGP cards, I was forced to switch to other manufacturers....hence my X1950Pro is my first Sapphire product....it will probably be my last too... but luckily here in Australia we get a 1 year exhange warranty from the place of purchase, followed by Sapphires RMA warranty (IIRC it should be 2 years).

Me thinks when I upgrade to a PCI-E platform I might go back to all Gigabyte again....it's worked for me so far...

Although I must say that I have nothing bad to say about BFG and their products....good customer service and warranty...

Hopefully I'll get lucky and my X1950Pro will live long enougth to allow it to be upgraded to a PCI-E video card..it seems to be running fine so far, I haven't had a single issue with it yet...*fingers crossed*

 

[imported_thefonz]

r u kidding me? u'd rather throw out a vid card and spend 200-250 on a replacement with the same performance instead of opting to pay 15 bucks to get some......*satisfaction*?

just buy from the egg next time, free rma service

lesson learned?

Edit :

Alot of computer parts and consumer electronics have warranty's just like sapphire. Maybe you should just stop buying anything. I had to do it for a power supply, it was like 10 bucks.

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: thefonz
r u kidding me? u'd rather throw out a vid card and spend 200-250 on a replacement with the same performance instead of opting to pay 15 bucks to get some......*satisfaction*?

just buy from the egg next time, free rma service

lesson learned?

you could also just sell the card on Ebay (In Australia the Sapphire X1950 PRO 512mb is fetching better than AU$400)... recover some of your costs.

 

[jim1976]

Originally posted by: thefonz
r u kidding me? u'd rather throw out a vid card and spend 200-250 on a replacement with the same performance instead of opting to pay 15 bucks to get some......*satisfaction*?

just buy from the egg next time, free rma service

lesson learned?

Edit :

Alot of computer parts and consumer electronics have warranty's just like sapphire. Maybe you should just stop buying anything. I had to do it for a power supply, it was like 10 bucks.

Just because you don't claim your rights as a customer, means that everyone should follow the same route with you?
Personally I think that the more the customers demand their rights and better service the more the companies will feel obliged to provide better services..
Just look at Plextor's customer service for example and then come back and post BS like this..

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
No, just tell them that you'll be going with Nvidia, and watch as they care so much about it ... -_-

what do you mean *going with* ?



i already have *gone with* with nvidia

while i wait for this *sick comedy* to play out i have an excellent video card

BFG Tech AGP 7800GS OC ... works perfectly at 450/1300 [with no added fan noise from cranking it to 500/1350] and is nearly the equivalent of a [working] x1950p in my rig ... for a LOT [and i do mean a LOT less money
$160 after MIR vs $280 after RMA



that Sapphire will NEVER see the inside of my case again

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: thefonz
r u kidding me? u'd rather throw out a vid card and spend 200-250 on a replacement with the same performance instead of opting to pay 15 bucks to get some......*satisfaction*?

just buy from the egg next time, free rma service

lesson learned?

Edit :

Alot of computer parts and consumer electronics have warranty's just like sapphire. Maybe you should just stop buying anything. I had to do it for a power supply, it was like 10 bucks.

what are you Sapphire tech?

a Lot?

who ?

so i NEVER buy from those extortionists either

it shouldn't *cost* for any RMA service ... other than postage - ONE way[period]

or is should say so on the damn box

and it's the principle ... by starting this sh!t with Sapphire and their authorized USA RMA "service' i may well get denied ...

but you don't think they might also lose some sales from negative publicity? i know i sure as hell would not have bought this x1950PoS if i knew they charged you to RMA it

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: apoppin


1) buy a *defective* x1950p that fails in 31 days
2) ask for a RMA [forget ZipZoopFly ... they ALSO have NO customer service]
3) Send $15 US dollars to Sapphire's US "henchman" for *processing fees*
4) Get RMA number and spend ANOTHER ten or $15 to ship it to the dirty bastages
5) After *waiting weeks* Get *another* defective Sapphire POS x1950p and ...

repeat steps 1-5 ... that's $280 for this x1950PoS ... so far

Fcsk Sapphire

Wow you have become much like what you got banned. Last time I read the facts were your x1950pro failed after 31 days, but you were questioning your aging power supply. Hope it don't toast your new card. You bought from ZipZoomFly - that doesn't offer pretty normal service for Sapphire. Super annoying $15 on top of the shipping every company usually hits you with. Not only that but the replacement has already arrived and is defective and they want another $15 - shoot screwed twice in 3 days - lucky you. The only time I have heard of people getting defective replacements was during the 7900gt launch crisis. That was bfg and evga as I remember. Still everyone got good cards in the long run. Anyways continue with the fud and lose respect - your call. :thumbsdown:

 

[imported_thefonz]

Are you kidding me? Free RMA service is not a right by any means in consumer electronics or products, just because you expect does not mean you get it!

LOL go try and demand your supposed right as a customer to a place like tiger direct and you'll get laughed at. It's your responsibility as a consumer to know what your warranty is, and if the warranty is crap, its simple, don't but from that shop or company.

You choose where you spend your money and just because 1 company offers better service does not mean that every company has to offer the same service. Your ego of entitlement does not work in a free market.

My point is that your shouldn't say a company like sapphire fu*ked you, when you fu*ked yourself.

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: thefonz

My point is that your shouldn't say a company like sapphire fu*ked you, when you fu*ked yourself.

Not really, sure he saved good money buying from the zipper (likely more than the said $15). Putting it in with a suspect ps also save good cash. Just standard marketing fud - everyone does it these days.

 

[apoppin]

And i wrote this to Sapphire:

this is my SECOND ticket request

the first is:
http://www.sapphiretech.com/en/support/...72S53102G1-15972S53102G5653017S53102G2

You asked me to contact tech@althonmicro.com

i did and they want $15 just to start the RMA process.

that is extortion and there is nothing on the box that tells me i have to pay for RMA "service"

on a $250 Sapphire with a 2 year warranty that failed on day 31?

an AGP Sapphire x1950p that is well KNOWN to have a very high defective rate

absolutely ridiculous

is there another way to avoid this fee by using another RMA method?

if not, i'd like to let you know that i AM starting as many threads in as many forums as possible in the English Tech World to *inform* everyone of your awful Sapphire RMA policies.

Sincerely,
apoppin