Now, here i am nearing the end of my extended warranty through Office Depot. My notebook begins shutting down randomly after being used for roughly an hour. Then it stops working all together. So what do I do, I think ok im glad i got this warranty.
I contacted the Warranty Department through Office Depot, speak with an operator named Chad who is very pleasant and helpful, he sets up my service order, sends me a box, and away she goes to be repaired.
About a week goes by and i decide to contact them on the status of my notebook. Call #1 was pleasant and somewhat helpful, they kindly reffered me to the outsourced service department called MicroMedics, supply me with a contact number and reference number.
Call #2 I contact MicroMedics, asking on the status of my notebook, this would be my first "i dont know" I was unaware that is actually the extent of this and office depots vocabulary. Anyway, they politely let me know that they havent finished their diagnostics yet and refer me back to the Office Depot Warranty department.
I could sit here and outline the whole series of phone calls, which would probably be somewhat amusing but i think you get the idea here.
Finally a couple of weeks have passed with me spending hours on the phone trying to get a simple answer. "Are you going to repair my laptop?"
Their simple response was "Due to physical damages to the machine we cannot do the warranty work, the damage must be repaired first"
Ok, MicroMedics graciously offers to send me a qoute on the repairs that need to be made before my warranty work can begin. Here is the mighty list of Damage done to my machine.
-The Right Control Key is missing from my keyboard (im certain this is from shipping)
- There is a crack...(more like a scratch in the gelcoat) in the case above the left USB port
- This one was just added in today during my last conversation with Jason, the hard drive is disconnected
Three Days later i recieved my notebook back in a smashed box.
So i started on the phone again, determined to get satisfaction, which did not come in the form of my next several phonecalls (other than the people who shipped my notebook, they have been more than helpful). Now i spoke with Jason, he seemed eager to help.
He was kind enough to tell me that my warranty did not cover accidental damage, which is fine. I had already offered to pay to have the damage repaired.
So i asked him very simply "is my motherboard covered under your warranty?"
...."I dont have that information available sir"
So here is where i stand over a month after submitting my notebook for warranty work.
I have my notebook back, in a smashed box.
MicroMedics claims they returned the notebook, minus the qoute, on Office Depots order
Office Depot denied this at first but then said yes they told them to send it back (eventhough i offered to take care of the keyboard)
I have filed a complaint with Office Depot Headquarters, Now with Rip Off Report, and im about to move on to any organization that i can complain to.
Im sorry if my story got a little scattered around, i have spoked to every customer service rep in the PPP department including an unpleasant supervisor named MaryAnne at least twice, and it seems their main tactic on covering warranty work is to pass the buck back and forth until you are completely livid at which point the switch to I dont know.
To all you would be consumers of Office Depots extended warranty Beware, take the time to verify what is covered and what is not. As for me, I will never purchase anything from Office Depot again. Or if you need an extended warranty check with your notebook's manufacturer they probably offer one. Be certain that you have accidental damage, or replacement coverage. Be Certain, i was led to believe i was covered for these things.
Fortunately, it appears that my notebook was mishandled during shipping so the kind folks at the un named shipping place are going to help me out. Good Luck!
God Bless America and Take good care of our troops.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Lori
Reno,Nevada,
U.S.A.
Office Depot extended Warranty
#6REBUTTAL Owner of company
Fri, February 03, 2012
I also had the same problem with this company. Called, got the nice person, said it was covered, sent me the box. Sent it back not repaired. Long story short, they refuse to fix it. Tell me it has to be "Bio-hazard cleaned". My very little dog peed on it. My tech guy at work has already taken it apart and cleaned it. Even included a signed statement from him that it was cleaned. They still sent it back, this time with the F5 key broken off and dings and scratches above the keyboard that were not there. Also, they cannot tell me where to take it to get "bio hazard cleaned" I was going to pay for that to be done.
I am fortunate that I can still use my computer, just not the keyboard. I was able to go and buy a wireless keyboard and mouse and keep working. Not happy about it but what can you do? I also will not buy my new computer from Office Depot and I will never buy a Premium warranty again. Yes I bought the premium one. I will buy direct from the manufactorer now not going to purchase from a 3rd party again.
Heidi
United States of AmericaOffice Depot Performance Plan
#6REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, December 14, 2011
I had no problems with my claim. I don't understand why these sites aren't shut down. It makes me sick. I am glad I purchased my plan and have a $150 gift certificate coming in the mail to use at Office Depot. I had a desk where the laminate started flaking and they are covering it 100%. It's awesome because we are going to use our gift card to purchase an up-to-date printer. I guess for people who can't read their warranty and figure out what is covered and what isn't, too bad for you. For all the people who can understand their warranty and do know what is covered, you can enjoy the warranty!
IntheKnow
New Jersey,USA
Call Centers useless - only a conduit
#6Consumer Suggestion
Sat, January 15, 2011
Mike: Micromedics tells the call centers what needs to be done. A certain fee is authorized. Only the "Premium" plan would have covered damages - but at those prices you might have just got another laptop. The call centers are those of the company listed in your brochure, N.E.W. Each rep puts notes up on their computers - there are no case assignments to individual reps - that is designed so there is no "personal" connection to one.
Best best to to call Office Depot - a public company - and ask for the Director who is responsible for their extended service programs. Even if you get the Assistant - you should get satisfaction. If not, call your local BBB who will contact Office Depot.
BishML76
Lincoln,Nebraska,
United States of America
questions
#6Author of original report
Wed, June 16, 2010
I did in fact contact the shipper right away, the gentleman at the 1800 number Chad authorized the shipping, micromedics sent me a box with labels etc. The driver took note of the condition of the box, and we opened it together, his initial comment was "where is the packing material?"
Chefkeith
Biddeford,Maine,
U.S.A.
A few questions...
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, June 16, 2010
Who authorized the notebook to be shipped out for warranty work? Was'nt it insured for the trip to where it went? When it arrived at the service center, was it noted that there was damage? Who was the shipping company? Have you contacted them and filed a report? If it came back to you in a smashed box, did the shipping company make note of that? Did you tell the driver? Did you call immediately after it came back to you? These are questions I have for you, and you should be able to get some help.