Clumsy smartphone lovers of America, rejoice! The HTC One M9, which will hit pockets here in the United States in April, will have an intriguing new form of warranty protection: users will be able to replace their phone with no deductible or replacement fee once if it is damaged. [More]
warranty replacements
Skullcandy Changes Warranty Replacements: Makes Them Easy, Fast, And Generous
By 8.5.14
It sounds like mid-priced earbud maker Skullcandy has improved their service. We’ve shared stories about the company in the past when their warranty returns were illogical, didn’t disclose geographic limits, or just took an excessive amount of time to ship out warranty replacements. Reader Keith’s experience indicates that things might have changed, though. [More]
You Shouldn’t Need A Daily Replacement iPhone 5 Days In A Row
By 6.10.13 — Updated: 6.26.13
A few weeks ago, we ran reader Stephen’s sad tale of iPhone warranty replacements and reached out to our readers to see whether anyone else had gone through similar cycles of endless replacements. We’re sad to report that yes, some iPhone users have ended up trapped in smartphone replacement purgatory. When a phone only has four buttons, we suppose things are pretty awful when one of them stops working. [More]
AppleCare Changes Will Save Money, Maybe Make Customers Happier
By 5.13.13
When you visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store with a complaint about your portable iDevice, if it’s in warranty, they’ll generally hand you a new-to-you refurbished device and send you on your way. AppleInsider reported this weekend that for some basic repairs, that’s about to change. [More]
Am I Asking Too Much, Or Does Logitech Not Care About Harmony Remote Line Anymore?
By 2.8.13
It wasn’t that long ago that readers routinely wrote to us with joyful accounts of how Logitech replaced their pricey Harmony remote controls for free when something went wrong. Winning Harmony customers’ loyalty and gratitude isn’t a priority anymore, though. Along with their disappointing third-quarter results, Logitech announced late last month that they will be selling off their remote control and video security systems, and ending their lines of console accessories and speaker docks. Mike heard those tales of wondrous service from the past, and expected something similar when his replacement remote broke and needed replacing. [More]
TomTom’s Top Gear-Branded GPS Is Absolute Rubbish
By 7.10.12
Kristan, like many sensible and awesome people, was excited when GPS maker TomTom produced a limited edition unit for fans of the BBC program “Top Gear.” The biggest draw: the recorded voice of Jeremy Clarkson, the show’s lead presenter and an internationally beloved contrarian jerk. Clarkson’s voice isn’t available for separate purchase from TomTom, at least for American consumers. Oh, no. We have to shell out $269 for this spiffy satnav, and that’s what Kristan did. It turned out that the unit….wasn’t all that great. But the final insult came when it failed, and TomTom sent a warranty replacement of an inferior unit that contained no Top Gear content and required an additional $60 fee to reactivate the GO LIVE that Kristan had already paid for. [More]
This Is Why You Should Save Your Electronics Receipts
By 8.15.11
This might be confusing, but yes, we are posting about Monster Cable, but not about them suing someone with the audacity to call their unrelated product “Monster.” Instead, a Monster Cable product is involved in a cautionary tale about buying electronics from a third party with no receipt. Will bought a sealed set of Beats by Dr. Dre Touring Headphones from someone on Craigslist, who claimed to have received them as a gift and didn’t have the receipt. (The item retails for about $180.) The amazing deal turned out to be slightly less amazing when the earbuds turned out to be defective, and Monster replaced them with…another defective set. Sometimes, you’re better off paying retail. [More]
Bosch Replaces Malfunctioning Washer, Breaks Up Matching Set
By 5.6.11
The good news: after seven months of repair attempts, Sylvia was able to get Bosch to replace her washing machine. The bad news: she paid big bucks for a matching washer and dryer set not too long ago, and the new washer on its way doesn’t match the perfectly-working dryer at all. Is she being unreasonable to want a warranty replacement that is part of the pretty matched set she paid for? [More]
Sorry, Your 3-Month-Old Starbucks Mug Is Out Of Warranty
By 4.12.11
Mark has a warning: it’s fine if you want to hand over your money for a venti Java Chip Frappuccino, but don’t buy durable items at Starbucks if you expect them to be, well, durable. He bought a mug back in December, and the mug now has a defect that makes coffee drip on you while you drink. Not liking this feature, he contacted Starbucks and learned that their warranty on mugs lasts only 60 days. “I was shocked that Starbucks would only stand behind their products for 60 days,” Mark writes, “specifically because those same products come at a premium price and sold with overpriced coffee.” [More]
6 Months And $420 Later, I Still Have No Sealy Warranty Replacement Mattress
By 3.22.11
A product might come with a warranty, but it isn’t much good if the company refuses to honor that warranty. Mike has had his Sealy/Stearns & Foster mattress replaced for sagging issues three times since he bought it in 2006. In October, it was time for a fourth replacement, which is worth a story in itself. After moving away from the original retailer that sold him the mattress, he has to go through the corporate office for his warranty claims. He still doesn’t have his mattress, but Sealy now has more of his money. [More]
Lenovo Customer Service Is Incapable Of Sending Me The Right Battery
By 10.20.10
Steven would like a functioning battery for his Lenovo Ideapad. The computer is under warranty: he bought it less than three months ago. He writes that every time he calls their customer service center for a replacement battery, they send the wrong one. After the second time, this is becoming sort of tiresome. [More]
Isotoner/Totes Refunds Warranty Replacement Shipping, Sends Bonus Umbrella
By 4.28.10
Tracey tells Consumerist that she bought an emergency Totes umbrella which broke disappointingly soon after purchase. She sent it in for a warranty replacement, and was surprised when the company not only refunded her shipping, but sent two new umbrellas to replace her defective one. [More]
One Knife Breaks, KitchenAid Replaces The Whole Set
By 3.3.10
Starla used to have a wonderful set of red-handled knives from KitchenAid. While washing dishes, one day she dropped a large knife into the sink, somehow cracking the blade down the middle. This wouldn’t do. She contacted KitchenAid to find out whether they would replace the broken knife, which was only a few years old. Since the red set had been discontinued, they just sent her a whole new set of knives. [More]
HTC Says They're Shipping My New Nexus One: I Don't Believe Them Anymore
By 2.4.10
The launch and early customer support of the Google’s Nexus One phone, manufactured by HTC, has been a bit problematic. But let’s try some optimism! Maybe now that the early hype has died down and HTC has had some time to get used to the situation, warranty replacements will take place in a timely fashion! Or…well, as reader Michael writes, evidently not. Update: Thanks to this post, Michael’s new phone is on its way. [More]
