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| Thread ID: 39751 | 2003-11-16 05:08:00 | warranty repair | pcamford (4679) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 192457 | 2003-11-16 05:08:00 | I have a 6mth old Packard Bell N3200 desktop pc.Brought from a unnamed department store. Saterday a week ago it started to reboot on me, on checking the PC box I found the plate by the fan/power supply area was very, very hot. Sunday the 9th I took it back to the store and they sent it off to a outside repairer,I was told that 4 days is the normal turn around. I rang the repairer last Thursday to check progress and was told that they have ordered a replacment power supply from overseas and I should see my PC back by Nov 25th ! More than 2 weeks from when it was dropped in I then rang the store I purchased it from to bleat and was told basicly "Well, they must be trying to source the correct part,you dont wont any old power supply placed into your machine do you ?" My reply was that any old power supply must have been in my machine from the start. My understanding is that any decent power supply would fit into any standard PC box and I fail to see why a specific supply must be brought in from overseas. Rightly or wrongly I get the impression that they are repairing this the cheapest way poss and to heck with the customer. I would be interest in others comments, particuly those involved in the computer repair bussiness. Thanks Paul |
pcamford (4679) | ||
| 192458 | 2003-11-16 05:49:00 | I'm not familiar with the model you have but it is probably a Proprietry part. EG it will be specialy made for your model PC & a standard power supply probably wont fit. It is commom practice for name brand computer manufacturers to do this. HP,Compaq Dell are names that come to mind. Cheers Steve |
Steve Askew (119) | ||
| 192459 | 2003-11-16 05:51:00 | It is correct that just about any power supply will fit the computer, but in the case of computers retailed by HP, Dell, etc, they may require specific ones - not because of compatibility, but just because they want everything to be nice and uniform. However, this is absolutely no excuse as to why they should have to order the part from overseas. There will be a vast supply of power supply units in New Zealand (it's not as if we're running short of them). Let alone keeping the computer until the Nov 25? That's a tad outrageous, considering that it takes less than five minutes to replace a PSU, and perhaps maximum one day to find one suitable. Ordering one from overseas, in my opinion only increases the costs for themselves, but this should only add one week maximum - not two. |
agent (30) | ||
| 192460 | 2003-11-16 05:55:00 | Most department stores no longer have their own Service Dept. All repair work is sent out to outside companies i.e. who can repair it the cheapest or who the supplier has as their repairer. I can't see why they can't source a compatible power supply locally. Most connections are standard, but you do get the odd manufacturer who has to be different so you have to buy the parts off them. Anyway, a couple of weeks is abit long for a repair of this type. My advice is to get back onto the store you brought it from and make it quite clear you are not happy with the service. You could demand your money back or a replacement machine, but then you will have data on the computer you will want. But the store is the one you have to deal with. Sometimes you have to rant and rave to get some action, I had to go that far to get some annoying problems with my computer solved. Hope this helps. Jeff. |
Jeff (1070) | ||
| 192461 | 2003-11-16 07:26:00 | Its not only power supplies, but also other parts as well, that arn't standard. So when you are out of your warranty period and need some more bits, be prepared to pay a high premium(and of course, possibly, wait as well). I'm not up to current setups but a lot of these "Name" computers used to be very difficult to upgrade too. |
Rod ger (316) | ||
| 192462 | 2003-11-16 11:23:00 | Let this be a lesson to us all,buy generic from a good computer buider. | Thomas (1820) | ||
| 192463 | 2003-11-16 19:32:00 | Man, if it was me, I would demand my money back (it is your right) and then go to your closest PC retailer or one recommended here on PF1. For others considering purchasing a new PC - learn from the mistakes of others - ask around - and purchase from a PC only retailer. |
Tobas (224) | ||
| 192464 | 2003-11-17 04:39:00 | It might be a specific proprietary power supply. Some "Brand" names do that. Generic power supplies won't fit, and might even do damage (Dell). Alll the same, they should keep a stock of spare parts in NZ for the units they have imported. They must have a rough idea of the failure rates of major components. |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 192465 | 2003-11-17 23:08:00 | Just one of the reason I would never buy a H/Packard get a replacement to use if possible or even better ask for you money back and as stated learn from your mistake and get a standard PC made up for you it will be cheaper to maintain and run lots faster too | kiwibeat (304) | ||
| 192466 | 2003-11-18 00:45:00 | > Just one of the reason I would never buy a H/Packard > get a replacement to use if possible or even better > ask for you money back and as stated learn from your > mistake and get a standard PC made up for you it > will be cheaper to maintain and run lots faster too Its not as simple as that . Of the many places that would "make one up" for you several years ago, very few are now still operating . When those retailers closed, a large number of customers were without any warranty at all . While membership of the CMA has now softened the impact for some, its still happening today . At least those customers that purchase "brand names" from large retail chains do have the ability to get warranty cover and service for the entire guarantee period . I have been directly involved with PCs since 1981, and can state that in my experience brand name PCs have proven very reliable compared to most locally assembled units . Walk into any large company, you will seldom find locally made up PCs . There are several reasons for that, but they include known reliability . As for demanding your money back, unless the PC was plagued by a persistent error that made it unfit for purpose, there is no basis for such a claim in law . If the PC is so mission critical, the owner should have a spare ready to go . For many people that ask me what they should buy, I do often suggest brand name units . They need the simplicity of recovery CDs . They need (and get) long term reliability . They do not need the gaming ability . That philosophy has always worked, and continues to do so . Its not appropriate for you to tell people to "learn from your mistake " as in most cases they have not made a mistake . |
godfather (25) | ||
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