I mentioned on here early last week about my dead laptop - which was only two months out of warranty. I contacted the helpline at the company and explained that the Sale of Goods Act might argue that they still had some responsibility for the machine. I was advised to write to the IT Director. He responded by claiming I knew all about the 12 month warranty because it was clearly stated at time of purchase but as a sign of good faith he was prepared to waive both carriage and labour charges but I would have to pay for any parts.

The machine was collected last Friday afternoon and returned on Tuesday morning in full working order. It had been totally stripped down and rebuilt - even having a new cover put on the back of the LCD screen because there was a scratch on it. Cost? Absolutely nowt!

So if you want a laptop go to Hi-Grade computers. Service like that is hard to come by these days!!

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001

Answers

Sounds like excellent service. I bought a Sony Vaio from Commet at the begining of December. 6 weeks later the screen went. I expected a replacement but as it was more than 4 weeks old, however hard I argued they would only agree to fix it. 4 weeks later after persisant E mails to Sony in Belgium (where it had been sent) I got it back. Two months later and the fan packed in. Again it was sent to Belgium, this time only 2 weeks for the repair.

Not sure if it's Sony or Commets fault, but I won't buy that brand and will never shop at Comet again.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2001

I've got a Toshiba Tecra, I'd had it about a week when I tried to force the power supply plug into the cooling fan, they sent me two new ones in place but I ended up returning one)(c:

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2001

Hi-Grade computers

Where are they Jacko ?

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2001

If you buy summat from Dixons and it doesn't come back inside 28 days you get a new one.

I've had not good experiences from Comet as well. They got bought out a few years ago buy somebody didn't they - it was OK before that.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2001

My laptop supplier is great! My 17 incher packed in the other day (5 yrs old) and they replaced it, no questions asked. They also provide me with a new laptop every year or so. Can't ask for better than that - apart from a payrise ;-))

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2001

Oh - forgot to mention. Free internet access as well ;-)

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2001

www.higrade.com

The also advertise in most of the computer mags.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Speaking of laptops, I bought an Acer Travelmate 525TXV at the end of March this year - it had been widely lauded in many computer magazines. Today, I went downtown (Singapore) to enquire about some new hardware (which I'd seen advertised in the press), only to be told that my 3.5 month old laptop is now 'obsolete'.

The computer is working brilliantly but, the smug attitude of the salesperson didn't quite make my day - expensive toys for boys (and girls)! ;-(

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

That's the problem with Laptops Bud. They are so proprietary in their construction that it is very difficult to get upgrades unless you are on USB or use PCMCIA cards. It's a trade off between convenience/portability vs upgradability.

As a matter of interest, what type of "latest hardware" were you looking for? As for smug sales rep, you could have tried to good old "Zero insertion force" technique for upgrading his processor ;-)

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Screach, I was simply looking for a compatible webcam, which clips conveniently on to the side of my laptop - I bought it elsewhere, with ease, much to the chagrin of that salesman, who'd hoped I'd buy a new computer from him, my current one being "obsolete"!

:-) And why did I need the webcam? 'cos, on my numerous overseas sojourns, I often while a way the time in adultfriendfinder.com = great fun!

;7)

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

So do you use NetMeeting? I'm having trouble but I think it's because it's so hot here behind the firewall :-(

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Screach, yes mate, I use "Netmeeting", usually thru MSN Messenger Service (comes free with hotmail) - let me know if you've got a cam, I'll keep me gear on for you - I promise!

;7)

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001