Microdrive users BEWARE!!! (long)

[Patrick Hayden]

Yes you can..

But David, it looks like IBM is more hell bent on finding a way out of fixing/replacing the product than taking care of there customers.

If the drive had a dent or some other sign of abuse durring use or shipping then I would understand. But with the drive powerd off and the heads automaticly parked, and packed. The drive should be able to withstand normall shipping. If not then they should not be selling them the product.

BTW: Lets not forget the drive was DEAD before he shipped it.

You can always find SOMEBODY who got shafted.

Man, after read reading this, I'M PIS!ED

I was getting ready to order another MD for my trip to Spain.

BUT NOT NOW! No Way!

Im so tired of this BIG Corp. BS... it makes ME SICK!

Scooter Post a Phone number & Ticket number and Ill personaly let
them know they knocked themselfs out of taking my money!

P.S. whos got the best price on best price -per- Megabyte RAM CF?

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

--
Patrick Hayden

IN THE FUTURE, THE REAL WILL BE ANALOG AND THE IDEAL DIGITAL

 

[RichW]

There is one key difference. Dell and Compaq don't make hardrives. They warrant their computers for up to three years. Once they verify over the phone that the drive is defective then they will send a replacement. With IBM, Western Digital, Maxtor, etc. these companies have no idea what equipment their drive is installed in. Troubleshooting over the phone is next to impossible. Therefore they insist that you send the drive to them properly packaged for warranty repair. It's an important distinction. I'm really not trying to take sides with IBM, but it is their position and it seems reasonable. Personally I think I'll stick with CF cards in my D60.

Rich

IBM could learn a thing or 2 from Dell and Compaq. With Dell and
Compaq, you call them, explain the problem, then they ship you the
replacement, you ship them back the defective unit in the packaging
that THEY used.
Zero hassle.

14 day turnaround for a SCSI drive out of a production DB server?
Geez....

Thank goodness for RAID5

If you have an IBM Microdrive and you EVER have a problem with it,
please read this.

And then, I open the package (an envelope with MY original bubble
wrap, not a box). Included is the original microdrive and this
note: Your drive failed to meet the IBM packaging requirements,
therefore, the RMA has been REJECTED and your entitlement to a
replacement drive has been VOIDED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE DRIVE
BACK TO US BECAUSE THIS DRIVE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IF
YOU DO, WE WILL RETURN YOUR DRIVE AND YOU WILL BEAR ALL SHIPPING
COST. We will not send you a replacement drive.

 

[Patrick Hayden]

I had the same BS with IBM on a File server replaced IBM 75 gig SCSI DDS Drives three times. every single time they would not cross ship/overnight a drive even with credit card!

I'm not saying that the RMA site you went to had those warnings,
just relating my experience.

IBM could learn a thing or 2 from Dell and Compaq. With Dell and
Compaq, you call them, explain the problem, then they ship you the
replacement, you ship them back the defective unit in the packaging
that THEY used.
Zero hassle.

14 day turnaround for a SCSI drive out of a production DB server?
Geez....

Thank goodness for RAID5

If you have an IBM Microdrive and you EVER have a problem with it,
please read this.

And then, I open the package (an envelope with MY original bubble
wrap, not a box). Included is the original microdrive and this
note: Your drive failed to meet the IBM packaging requirements,
therefore, the RMA has been REJECTED and your entitlement to a
replacement drive has been VOIDED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE DRIVE
BACK TO US BECAUSE THIS DRIVE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IF
YOU DO, WE WILL RETURN YOUR DRIVE AND YOU WILL BEAR ALL SHIPPING
COST. We will not send you a replacement drive.

--
Patrick Hayden

IN THE FUTURE, THE REAL WILL BE ANALOG AND THE IDEAL DIGITAL

 

[PaulS95190]

Rich

If you have an IBM Microdrive and you EVER have a problem with it,
please read this.

And please note, I have reviewed this post three times to make sure
it is as accurate as possible, considering the lesson I learned
with embellishment this week. But dang it, I’m very angry with
IBM. Please read on and forgive the length.

I got a 1 gig Microdrive about two months ago. Within a month it
started acting up and eventually failed completely. I called the
Customer Service number and spoke with a really nice guy who gave
me these specifics: 1.) Your warranty is valid, 2.) Go on-line
and establish an RMA Number (something to do with the replacement
request), 3.) Ship to this address and 4.) Be sure to include
your RMA number, part number (which is wrong on my Microdrive and I
had to get the right part number from the rep. Apparently IBM
mis-labled many microdrives) and serial number. Do NOT forget the
RMA number in your letter THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT! (He reiterated
that).

I followed those instructions, carefully packed the microdrive in
two layers of bubble wrap, placed in a durable envelope, taped it
secure and as far as I was concerned, I did exactly what I was told.

This to me is THE most important point. In the e-mail I received
once I requested the RMA number, this line appears: “Please be
aware that you may experience a delay in receiving your
replacement disk drive based on stock availability. If product is
available, your replacement order will be processed within 14
working days after the receipt of your defective disk drive.”

That tells me that typically, IBM will opt to replace the item
rather than attempt to repair it.

Well, I got a card today telling me that I had to go to UPS to pick
up my package from IBM. They ignored my shipping address. I
simply had to drive across town and pick it up. Okay, no problem.
And then, I open the package (an envelope with MY original bubble
wrap, not a box). Included is the original microdrive and this
note: Your drive failed to meet the IBM packaging requirements,
therefore, the RMA has been REJECTED and your entitlement to a
replacement drive has been VOIDED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE DRIVE
BACK TO US BECAUSE THIS DRIVE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IF
YOU DO, WE WILL RETURN YOUR DRIVE AND YOU WILL BEAR ALL SHIPPING
COST. We will not send you a replacement drive.

Folks, please note the word "replacement"!

I’m out some $350.00 because the dead drive that I was sending in
wasn’t packaged correctly. Now, I look at the e-mail I originally
received, at the VERY BOTTOM is a note about packaging and a link
to a site that apparently will tell me what "proper" packaging is.
I fully acknowledge now, that I didn’t do this properly. But, this
is what really angers me. The returned drive? It was shipped to
me the EXACT same way I shipped it to them. They shipped it in a
paper envelope, in the same bubble wrap. The very curt letter
never uses words like, “we regret to inform you” or
“unfortunately”. It just says, basically, “we gotcha”.

Yes, I should have read EVERY SINGLE WORD of the e-mail. But am I
crazy… if they are saying that the way they will fix this problem
is by sending a new microdrive, and the fact that I took pains to
package this carefully, am I crazy for feeling a little screwed?
Couldn’t the customer service rep have given me a heads up about
the danger of improper packaging? Wouldn’t this have been a
little kind? Couldn’t the e-mail have mentioned this at the
beginning or at least emphasized this? If my packaging is the
equivalent of their packaging, is this a way for them to get out of
a certain percentage of warranties? What if I might be able to get
someone to fix this thing but it got screwed up because of they way
THEY sent it back?

I blew it, I see that now. But I feel like I was given as many
possible opportunities to blow it and IBM hoped I would. I will
NEVER do business with them again. EVER! I am so mad about this.

Folks, read EVERY SINGLE WORD when it comes to warranties, even
when it applies to “reputable” companies like IBM. If there is any
possibility of getting out of their responsibility, they will.

Ugh. Thanks for reading.

Yer pal™,
Scooter

 

[Frank Patton]

****'s suggestion about the original warranty is a good one. Read it in detail and see if it mentions any specifications for shipping.. Then pursue that with the Customer Service Number.

Also, see if there is a TV station near you with a consumer assistance/consumer protection reporter. Often times they will take up an issue like this on your behalf.

Frank

According to the IBM site, if you use a bubble envelope the
warranty is void.

However...I wonder what the actual warranty says.

There may also be some hope if this product is so defective that it
violates the implied warranty of merchantability.

I would contact IBM customer service. Also, there may be a place
that does microdrive repairs.

 

[Michael Martin]

If your imagse are important, NEVER rely on just one microdrive.
Or even just one CF, for that matter (they can and DO fail).

That's why I now have three 1-GB microdrives. The original is an
IBM. The other two are Iomega's that I got a heck of a deal on
($200 each delivered).

David you are 100 per cent correct. When I shoot weddings I use a bunch of smaller cards, 256 CF cards, a 340 mb Microdrive and also my 1 gig microdrive. I never feel comfortable having all my eggs in one basket.

It's sort of like have 14 rolls of film, what are the odds that the film lab will eat all of them?

Another lesson here is that CF cards like the IBM MD have MOVING
PARTS and are FRAGILE. If IBM won't honor the warranty even though
it's shipped in BUBBLE wrap -- what does that tell you? Every time
you remove that MD from the camera you squeeze the package. That's
one of the primary reasons for failure. Granted IBM is holding
your feet to the fire here, but the next time you purchase a CF
card, GET SOLID STATE MEMORY. It's not a question of IF your MD
will fail...just WHEN it will fail.

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

 

[Steve Mason]

There is one key difference. Dell and Compaq don't make hardrives.
They warrant their computers for up to three years. Once they
verify over the phone that the drive is defective then they will
send a replacement. With IBM, Western Digital, Maxtor, etc. these
companies have no idea what equipment their drive is installed in.
Troubleshooting over the phone is next to impossible. Therefore
they insist that you send the drive to them properly packaged for
warranty repair. It's an important distinction. I'm really not
trying to take sides with IBM, but it is their position and it
seems reasonable. Personally I think I'll stick with CF cards in
my D60.

Rich

I understand your point. However, I forgot to mention, for computer hard drives, IBM make you run their diagnostic program, which outputs a file, that you e-mail to them. They know exactly what's wrong with the drive before you even get an RMA number. Then they STILL won't cross-ship a drive, but make you ship it there, then take up to 14 days to send a replacement. I have a problem with that, especially for their high-end server drives.

 

[Steve Mason]

I don't recall if it was a DDS or not.

But it was a pita to deal with. If another one fails, I may replace the whole array with something easier to get replacements for.

I'm not saying that the RMA site you went to had those warnings,
just relating my experience.

IBM could learn a thing or 2 from Dell and Compaq. With Dell and
Compaq, you call them, explain the problem, then they ship you the
replacement, you ship them back the defective unit in the packaging
that THEY used.
Zero hassle.

14 day turnaround for a SCSI drive out of a production DB server?
Geez....

Thank goodness for RAID5

If you have an IBM Microdrive and you EVER have a problem with it,
please read this.

And then, I open the package (an envelope with MY original bubble
wrap, not a box). Included is the original microdrive and this
note: Your drive failed to meet the IBM packaging requirements,
therefore, the RMA has been REJECTED and your entitlement to a
replacement drive has been VOIDED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE DRIVE
BACK TO US BECAUSE THIS DRIVE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IF
YOU DO, WE WILL RETURN YOUR DRIVE AND YOU WILL BEAR ALL SHIPPING
COST. We will not send you a replacement drive.

--
Patrick Hayden

IN THE FUTURE, THE REAL WILL BE ANALOG AND THE IDEAL DIGITAL

 

[Mark Yuan]

This is a classic case of penny-wise, pound foolish on IBM's part. Scooter probably shares some of the blame for not reading the part about properly packaging the stuff, but frankly, IBM should highlight this important information up front, in bold letters, too.

So instead of replacing the drive, which probably would cost IBM a few dollars, IBM's thoroughly angered the direct consumer -- lost his business for a long time if not forever, and his horror story's chased several other potential customers away, too. Somehow, I don't think Scooter will stop bad-mouthing IBM on this one for some time -- to every person who will listen. Wouldn't IBM have preferred Scooter to brag to everyone how IBM backed up their product? Stuff happens -- in every company, but it's how they handle the mistakes which separate the good ones from the rest. Too bad, I wouldn't have expected IBM to punt on this one.

If you have an IBM Microdrive and you EVER have a problem with it,
please read this.

 

[Finnskeeper]

Have you ever dealt with Dell - they have the absolute worst customer service I have ever encountered. Sorry about this rant, but this is very much a sore spot for me at the moment. Last year I purchased a Dell desktop (pentium 4) and top of the line Dell monitor because I wanted to get more into graphics work. About a month after getting the monitor it stoped working in color. Thus begins the great monitor saga. Every time I call Dell I count on the fact that I have to block a minimum of 5-7 hours time to try and work on things. They put you on hold forever. The support techs are completely clueless. They work from an algorithm and don't have any experience with computers themselves. I even asked one how long he had been working with computers and he admitted he used a computer for the first time two months before!! We won't even go into the fact that most of them don't speak very good english, and the systems they work from utilize Windows 2000 so if you have Windows Me or a later system they have no idea about system quirks and differences when walking you through a problem. The answer to everything is "lets just reformat your hard drive and start from scratch..." After doing this a few times! they decided the problem was that my speakers created an electrical field that was damaging the monitor. Solution - can't work the computer with speakers and monitor at the same time. Hello??? I had purchased a next day on site warranty service plan for an extra $300+ dollars so silly me I expected them to actually come out and fix it. Guess what? The on site service plan doesn't apply to software problems, yet at the same time has an exclusion for hardware problems!!! So what exactly did I spend all that money for. NOTHING!!!!! The multiple managers I have talked to have admitted to me the warranty is useless and has no application at all. This is a class action suit waiting to happen for all the people Dell has bilked. Finally 10 months and hundreds of phone calls later I get the state attorney general involved and Dell agrees to send me a different monitor. Not a new monitor mind you, a refurbished one. It arrived a few weeks ago and I pluggged it in and low and behold the darn thing works, even with the speakers plugged in! Then as I'm looking in the paperwork so I can ship the old one back to Dell I find a packing slip and bill. The packing slip informed me that they charged the credit card I paid for my original system with for a NEW (note new not refurbished!) monitor and that they would refund the price within 10 days of the old one being returned. I almost had a seizure then and there. How dare they make an unauthorized charge to my credit card! And for a new monitor when all they sent me was a refurbished one. And let me tell you this sucker is not "new" by a long shot and has scratches and bangs and the bottom of it is all dented in. I will never do business with this bunch of thieves again!! I highly suggest that anyone even contemplating doing business with Dell check out some of the consumer complaint sites on the web and you will find my problems are just the tip of the iceburg of what other people have had. Dell is making quite a name for itself.

Paula

IBM could learn a thing or 2 from Dell and Compaq. With Dell and
Compaq, you call them, explain the problem, then they ship you the
replacement, you ship them back the defective unit in the packaging
that THEY used.
Zero hassle.

 

[Steve Mason]

Not sure what number you called, I've been dealing with Dell for 8 years, ordering installing and supporting on behalf of my clients.
I've always had outstanding support from them.

Except the one time they wouldn't send me a keycap for a client's notebook. A simple ; key, but no, they had to send a tech with a new keyboard. Weird. But they fixed it.

Maybe it helps that I've been dealing with Dell Canada..

Have you ever dealt with Dell - they have the absolute worst
customer service I have ever encountered.

 

[Scooter]

And thanks a ton for the advice. I'm going to be RELENTLESS, but in a very very nice way.

The drive has been babied. I never dropped it or even bumped the camera and when I would remove it, I was incredibly delicate with it because of the things I'd read on the wonderful dpreview boards. It's in dandy shape, physically. I have no idea why it's so screwed up!

I'm not giving up and I'm going to make sure that I've done everything I can to be, at least, treated fairly.

yer pal™,
Scooter

Scooter.....

I know a lot about the IBM support structure.. There are ways to
get this resolved..

First and foremost... Another poster has already said.. Escallate!
There is always someone higher in IBM, they may make it difficult
to get to, but keep moving up the corprate ladder. Explain the
situtation in full and honestly each time you speak to someone new.
Let them know your pain and frustration, and re-iterate over and
over the drive was broken already!

If at some point in time you get someone who refuse to escallate
further (pester and bug and bug and pester)then you goto the IBM
website, about us section and look for the Director of Public
Relations, or Customer Relations etc... Start trying to reach these
people. It will take some time and patience but you will eventualy
get one of their assistants on the phone. Explain the problem again
and ask for the oportuntity to talk with the Director guy.. When
you star involving these people.. Wasting 10 minutes of there time
is more then the drive is worth. Especially now that IBM is selling
the Harddrive business to Toshiba.

The other option you have is to get someone else to change the
drive for you. If you have friend in Canada, or overseas. Send them
the drive and get them to exchange it. IBM offers international
warranty. Do not do an online RMA though, bring it to one of the
local service centre's.

Keep at them.. I doubt you will have to go very far before you find
the right people to get this fixed for you.

One question for you. Is there any physical damage to the drive, or
is it just not working?

Mike

 

[DavidP #28649]

If person gave up every company he read a bad review about on the net, he couldn't buy from ANYBODY.

It often depends on exactly which person you get on the phone. Company's do slip up, and let people work in customer service that they shouldn't.

Except the one time they wouldn't send me a keycap for a client's
notebook. A simple ; key, but no, they had to send a tech with a
new keyboard. Weird. But they fixed it.

Maybe it helps that I've been dealing with Dell Canada..

Have you ever dealt with Dell - they have the absolute worst
customer service I have ever encountered.

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

 

[Scooter]

The number on the reply for Rochester Technical Support Center is 1-888-426-5214. My RMA was 61327861. And you know what, I'm really touched by folks on this board.

As I said, I acknowledge that had I read every single word of that e-mail, in their sneaky way, IBM gave me the opportunity to do this "correctly". But now, I really want to know, why was the Scooter packaging wrong when the identical approach was fine enough for IBM to return it to me? It was IDENTICAL!

Anywho, if you'd call and say that, you'd have a fan in Western NC.

yer pal™,
Scooter

 

[Scooter]

you could still bring up images from it. It will no longer accept images (all would be "corrupted", that's the main issue since it died), but had they at least checked its condition, they would see that there were still shots on the drive before it died, the shipping had no effect on it. When I got it back, I checked it. Those images were still there. I attempted to use it, and, of course, "corrupt image" was the name of the game. They didn't even attempt to see if it was simply a failure of their product. Instead, they immediately tossed it in an envelope with the form letter and essentially said, "gotcha" because I hadn't read the website and followed their complicated instructions. Note to self, never throw any packaging away, rent a trailer and store all boxes, bags and containers until all warranties expire ;-).

It's just so rude. Give a guy the benefit of the doubt!

yer pal™,
Scooter

But David, it looks like IBM is more hell bent on finding a way out
of fixing/replacing the product than taking care of there
customers.

If the drive had a dent or some other sign of abuse durring use or
shipping then I would understand. But with the drive powerd off and
the heads automaticly parked, and packed. The drive should be able
to withstand normall shipping. If not then they should not be
selling them the product.

BTW: Lets not forget the drive was DEAD before he shipped it.

You can always find SOMEBODY who got shafted.

Man, after read reading this, I'M PIS!ED

I was getting ready to order another MD for my trip to Spain.

BUT NOT NOW! No Way!

Im so tired of this BIG Corp. BS... it makes ME SICK!

Scooter Post a Phone number & Ticket number and Ill personaly let
them know they knocked themselfs out of taking my money!

P.S. whos got the best price on best price -per- Megabyte RAM CF?

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

--
Patrick Hayden

IN THE FUTURE, THE REAL WILL BE ANALOG AND THE IDEAL DIGITAL

 

[Scooter]

before I bought it (this site rocks) and always removed the card from the edges, never EVER squeezed it in the middle (the paperwork with it specifically said that). It was handled with kid gloves at all times.

yer pal™,
Scooter

If you have an IBM Microdrive and you EVER have a problem with it,
please read this.

And please note, I have reviewed this post three times to make sure
it is as accurate as possible, considering the lesson I learned
with embellishment this week. But dang it, I’m very angry with
IBM. Please read on and forgive the length.

I got a 1 gig Microdrive about two months ago. Within a month it
started acting up and eventually failed completely. I called the
Customer Service number and spoke with a really nice guy who gave
me these specifics: 1.) Your warranty is valid, 2.) Go on-line
and establish an RMA Number (something to do with the replacement
request), 3.) Ship to this address and 4.) Be sure to include
your RMA number, part number (which is wrong on my Microdrive and I
had to get the right part number from the rep. Apparently IBM
mis-labled many microdrives) and serial number. Do NOT forget the
RMA number in your letter THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT! (He reiterated
that).

I followed those instructions, carefully packed the microdrive in
two layers of bubble wrap, placed in a durable envelope, taped it
secure and as far as I was concerned, I did exactly what I was told.

This to me is THE most important point. In the e-mail I received
once I requested the RMA number, this line appears: “Please be
aware that you may experience a delay in receiving your
replacement disk drive based on stock availability. If product is
available, your replacement order will be processed within 14
working days after the receipt of your defective disk drive.”

That tells me that typically, IBM will opt to replace the item
rather than attempt to repair it.

Well, I got a card today telling me that I had to go to UPS to pick
up my package from IBM. They ignored my shipping address. I
simply had to drive across town and pick it up. Okay, no problem.
And then, I open the package (an envelope with MY original bubble
wrap, not a box). Included is the original microdrive and this
note: Your drive failed to meet the IBM packaging requirements,
therefore, the RMA has been REJECTED and your entitlement to a
replacement drive has been VOIDED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE DRIVE
BACK TO US BECAUSE THIS DRIVE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IF
YOU DO, WE WILL RETURN YOUR DRIVE AND YOU WILL BEAR ALL SHIPPING
COST. We will not send you a replacement drive.

Folks, please note the word "replacement"!

I’m out some $350.00 because the dead drive that I was sending in
wasn’t packaged correctly. Now, I look at the e-mail I originally
received, at the VERY BOTTOM is a note about packaging and a link
to a site that apparently will tell me what "proper" packaging is.
I fully acknowledge now, that I didn’t do this properly. But, this
is what really angers me. The returned drive? It was shipped to
me the EXACT same way I shipped it to them. They shipped it in a
paper envelope, in the same bubble wrap. The very curt letter
never uses words like, “we regret to inform you” or
“unfortunately”. It just says, basically, “we gotcha”.

Yes, I should have read EVERY SINGLE WORD of the e-mail. But am I
crazy… if they are saying that the way they will fix this problem
is by sending a new microdrive, and the fact that I took pains to
package this carefully, am I crazy for feeling a little screwed?
Couldn’t the customer service rep have given me a heads up about
the danger of improper packaging? Wouldn’t this have been a
little kind? Couldn’t the e-mail have mentioned this at the
beginning or at least emphasized this? If my packaging is the
equivalent of their packaging, is this a way for them to get out of
a certain percentage of warranties? What if I might be able to get
someone to fix this thing but it got screwed up because of they way
THEY sent it back?

I blew it, I see that now. But I feel like I was given as many
possible opportunities to blow it and IBM hoped I would. I will
NEVER do business with them again. EVER! I am so mad about this.

Folks, read EVERY SINGLE WORD when it comes to warranties, even
when it applies to “reputable” companies like IBM. If there is any
possibility of getting out of their responsibility, they will.

Ugh. Thanks for reading.

Yer pal™,
Scooter

 

[Scooter]

to tell their reps to simply tell the customer, "return packaging is very important." I now understand why. I just wish someone would've given me the warning, since I was on the phone with them for so long.

yer pal™,
Scooter

Rich

IBM could learn a thing or 2 from Dell and Compaq. With Dell and
Compaq, you call them, explain the problem, then they ship you the
replacement, you ship them back the defective unit in the packaging
that THEY used.
Zero hassle.

14 day turnaround for a SCSI drive out of a production DB server?
Geez....

Thank goodness for RAID5

If you have an IBM Microdrive and you EVER have a problem with it,
please read this.

And then, I open the package (an envelope with MY original bubble
wrap, not a box). Included is the original microdrive and this
note: Your drive failed to meet the IBM packaging requirements,
therefore, the RMA has been REJECTED and your entitlement to a
replacement drive has been VOIDED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE DRIVE
BACK TO US BECAUSE THIS DRIVE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IF
YOU DO, WE WILL RETURN YOUR DRIVE AND YOU WILL BEAR ALL SHIPPING
COST. We will not send you a replacement drive.

 

[DavidP #28649]

Didn't they just return it to you in YOUR packaging?

Presumably they didn't care at that point what packing was used.

Of course, neither did you, since the darned thing was dead.

But now, I really want to know, why was the Scooter
packaging wrong when the identical approach was fine enough for IBM
to return it to me? It was IDENTICAL!

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

 

[DavidP #28649]

What may have got it wasn't pressure, but static electricity. It doesn't take much to zap an electrical component.

I always avoid holding the microdrives (or CF) near where the little holes are on the end that mate-up with the camera/drive. And I try to ground myself before touching them, too.

before I bought it (this site rocks) and always removed the card
from the edges, never EVER squeezed it in the middle (the
paperwork with it specifically said that). It was handled with kid
gloves at all times.

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

 

[Scooter]

I'm starting to realize something. The Mom and Pop corner store may be making a comeback. I am SO sick and tired of sitting on a phone, after going through 1500 menus just to talk to a human. What you went through, unbelievable! That is so ridiculous! I can't believe they charged your card.

But this life of entrusting your money and need for service long distance, I'm getting really tired of it. The ironic thing is, IBM answers the phone faster than just about any big company I've had to deal with. As I said before, I even started a thread back when this problem first started, about how great they were over the phone. I really do believe in acknowledging someone who goes the extra mile because most of us readily complain. Few people really acknowledge the success stories.

Anywho, sorry about your bad experience with Dell. It's a shame that such a successful company has lost it's desire to stay that way. It WILL catch up with them. I hate to say that too, because my 24 year old little brother is one of those annoying guys who answer the phone when you call to order a system. He has tried to really know the product, but Dell doesn't really train them very much.

yer pal™,
Scooter

Paula

IBM could learn a thing or 2 from Dell and Compaq. With Dell and
Compaq, you call them, explain the problem, then they ship you the
replacement, you ship them back the defective unit in the packaging
that THEY used.
Zero hassle.