$359+GST for a new laptop charging pin? Any suggestions?

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › $359+GST for a new laptop charging pin? Any suggestions?

Decimate

120 posts

Master Geek

# 31830 1-Apr-2009 00:31

My partners laptop which has just turned one has recently become defunct as the wee pin that is all-so-important has broken off.....honestly, due to normal use, no it hasn't been stepped on, dropped etc. It has a 5 year (god knows why) extended warranty with it and I figured we'd send it away to get it replaced. Now I've worked in Telecom stores before (think cellphones with their charging pins broken off) so I know what the odds are of manufacturers turning around and saying its not a warranty issue or that it is impact damaged, but I figured what the hell, I have a right to at least get it looked at.

$359 later......(which I will NEVER pay)

I have a few issues with this; 1. It should really be under warranty, 2. WTF how do they get that amount for a tiny sliver of metal (and sure they probably replace a little bit of plastic and a component or two) but seriously....that price is beyond a joke.

I rung the guy in the repair centre who told me 'a guy probably looked at it and made a judgement call' which is another story altogether and will be the basis of my argument but I guess the point of this is not to whinge (well maybe a little :P) but really, If worse comes to worse and I have no luck fighting it out with these b*stards, does anyone know of any good Chch repair places that would have a realistic fix price? I like supporting local business.

Thanks

bigal_nz

635 posts

Ultimate Geek
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# 204601 1-Apr-2009 06:26

I know some laptop places where that would be $190 or maybe less.

Hell send it to me and I would do it for ya!!

-Al

Decimate

120 posts

Master Geek

# 204636 1-Apr-2009 11:10

Haha appreciate it Al, hopefully it doesn't get to that!

stevonz

397 posts

Ultimate Geek

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# 204645 1-Apr-2009 11:50

I had a similar issue & instead on getting it repaired I purchased a docking station/ port replicator (USD35 off of ebay)...

Cheers, Stevo

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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# 204658 1-Apr-2009 12:41

Decimate: It has a 5 year (god knows why) extended warranty with it
$359 later......

I rung the guy in the repair centre who told me 'a guy probably looked at it and made a judgement call'

This is not good enough. It really does sound like a clear cut case of something that broke, that shouldn't have. Commonly known as a manufacturing defect (a.k.a. a warranty issue).

Stand your ground, educate yourself on your rights under BOTH your extended warranty AND the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Politely and VERY firmly remind them of their obligations and your rights, and tell them they need to repair the laptop at zero cost under those obligations, if they cannot provide sufficient evidence of external factors that have caused or contributed to the breakage (normal use does not count!).

A laptop SHOULD be good for many many years of service, and the CGA will recognise this (at least, a Disputes Tribunal should anyway).

Good luck.

rscole86

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# 204667 1-Apr-2009 13:29

tonyhughes:
Decimate: It has a 5 year (god knows why) extended warranty with it
$359 later......

I rung the guy in the repair centre who told me 'a guy probably looked at it and made a judgement call'

This is not good enough. It really does sound like a clear cut case of something that broke, that shouldn't have. Commonly known as a manufacturing defect (a.k.a. a warranty issue).

Stand your ground, educate yourself on your rights under BOTH your extended warranty AND the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Politely and VERY firmly remind them of their obligations and your rights, and tell them they need to repair the laptop at zero cost under those obligations, if they cannot provide sufficient evidence of external factors that have caused or contributed to the breakage (normal use does not count!).

A laptop SHOULD be good for many many years of service, and the CGA will recognise this (at least, a Disputes Tribunal should anyway).

Good luck.

Tony has basically said it all.

The reason for the $395 charge, is that 9/10 times when the pin breaks, there is actually some damage to the main board too. And they need to replace the entire board.

Out of interest, who is the extended warranty with, and who looked at it for you?

Decimate

120 posts

Master Geek

# 204924 2-Apr-2009 15:55

rscole86:
tonyhughes:
Decimate: It has a 5 year (god knows why) extended warranty with it
$359 later......

I rung the guy in the repair centre who told me 'a guy probably looked at it and made a judgement call'

This is not good enough. It really does sound like a clear cut case of something that broke, that shouldn't have. Commonly known as a manufacturing defect (a.k.a. a warranty issue).

Stand your ground, educate yourself on your rights under BOTH your extended warranty AND the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Politely and VERY firmly remind them of their obligations and your rights, and tell them they need to repair the laptop at zero cost under those obligations, if they cannot provide sufficient evidence of external factors that have caused or contributed to the breakage (normal use does not count!).

A laptop SHOULD be good for many many years of service, and the CGA will recognise this (at least, a Disputes Tribunal should anyway).

Good luck.

Tony has basically said it all.

The reason for the $395 charge, is that 9/10 times when the pin breaks, there is actually some damage to the main board too. And they need to replace the entire board.

Out of interest, who is the extended warranty with, and who looked at it for you?

Thank you both for your help, To be honest I can't remember the name of the extended warranty place as Dick Smith looked at the reciept and jacked it all up for me (more or less). The company that is doing the repaid is 'Service Plus'

I will let you know the outcome, but I certainly dont intend to take their word for it. Makes me wonder how many unfortunate people don't question the validity of their out of warranty claims.

paradoxsm

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# 206593 12-Apr-2009 20:55

I have repaired a few of these by ripping out the existing arrangement and installing a new flylead with a standarised jack connector on both ends.

Often as Ross states, there is motherboard damage but by flyleading it I can usually go straight to the switched mode regulator stuff. Laptops are much more fragile than people think.

lxsw20

2297 posts

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Subscriber

# 206603 12-Apr-2009 22:57

I have fixed many of these under HP waranty, little bit of a cop out that a manufacturer will fix these but an extended waranty company will not. Yet another reason to only buy extended waranty from the manufacturer.

Decimate

120 posts

Master Geek

# 208177 20-Apr-2009 15:37

Thanks all for your input, I sent it right back the first time after they mentioned that huge quote, (this was before I mentioned it on here) I've just recieved a call from my partner and again they're saying it isn't going to be covered, I'm fuming! Time to put the CGA to good use, I'll let you know how I get on.

Decimate

120 posts

Master Geek

# 212813 6-May-2009 11:36

Well this saga is over now, after speaking to the general manager, and telling him to prove to me that there was physical damage inside the DC port and not just sending me photos of the broken pin which proves nothing, he eventually gave in and rang IUG to get them top approve the repair. Laptop fixed, problem solved! My advice to anyone going forward - just like Tony said, educate yourself - stand up for your rights.

zocster

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# 212817 6-May-2009 11:58

Good news, as big T has said, it is warranty and good to have you sorted it with the 'GM'