HOWNOTTO: Buy a Laptop

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A HOWTO on laptop buying should be followed up by a HOWNOTTO. Patricia McGehee bought a "high gaming" laptop for $2000 from the "Uniwill Corporation." She wants to play chess games and found the computer powers down after a CD is inserted.

A HOWTO on laptop buying should be followed up by a HOWNOTTO. Patricia McGehee bought a “high gaming” laptop for $2000 from the “Uniwill Corporation.” She wants to play chess games and found the computer powers down after a CD is inserted.

Contractually, she’s supposed to have on-site service but it’s been entirely unforthcoming. She
s left dozens of unreturned messages. After finally piercing through and shipping her laptop for repair, it was sent back in exactly the same condition.

Does anyone have any advice for Patricia on forcing a company to live up to its warranty?

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