I purchased a netbook (a mini laptop) from a major laptop distributor for $349.99; the netbook was defective, so I returned the netbook, and was charged $52.50 (15%) for a restocking fee. I had to bite my lip to control my anger as I walked out, never to return.

Lets go over a warranty from a laptop I purchased last week. In the warranty the manufacture claims that the laptop is free from defects in workmanship for a period of 12 months. But goes on to say in the same paragraph that the warranty does not include failure caused by improper operation or normal wear and tear; does this mean that my teenager, who is a known abuser of the T.V., car, and stereo, who is very hard on the computer keypad will absolve the warranty?

My friend told me I was getting off light with only a 15% restocking fee, since some distributors charge 20% (or even 25%) for trying to do business with these pirates!

To make matters worse, if you analyze all the laptop distributors, 67 percent of these laptop distributors will not have any type of refund policy. The 33 percent of laptop distributors, who do have a refund policy, either have a 7 day refund policy or a 14 day refund policy.

Its estimated that people who return their laptop (within 30 days) after purchase only account for 4 percent of the over-all refurbished market. The other 96 percent of refurbished laptops re-sold are between two and three years old, which the standard and extended manufactures warranties have expired.

The people who have purchased refurbished laptops are very happy with the over-all condition of the refurbished laptop, and are very happy the significant cost savings over a brand new laptop.

But, if you buy a refurbished laptop youre going to need a warranty outside of the manufacture. Most laptop distributors will not offer a warranty outside of the manufacture. But if youre looking for a warranty on a refurbished or new laptops (thats free with the laptop purchase) beyond the laptop manufacturer, I would recommend this laptop link.

The warranty states that any service to the laptop will not automatically mean that the laptop will be repaired free of charge. Then why state in the first paragraph that you gave me a 12 month parts and labor warranty? Are you beginning to think that warranties are worthless?

This means you spent a total of $510 dollars total; $400 for the original total purchase price for the computer (including original shipping charges), plus an additional $110 to ship the laptop back to the distributor. So you spent $510 total minus receiving the refund check of $246.50, so you had a realized loss of $263.50″and you still do not have a working laptop!

This is why it is so important to buy from a reputable laptop distributor who offers an exceptional return policy without a restocking fee, and pays for any return shipping charges back to the distributor. I highly recommend this laptop link for quality laptops, which includes a top-notch warranty (free of charge).

Its a good idea when you buy refurbished laptop, to go directly to the manufacturers website and type in the make and serial number of your laptop to see the remaining term (if any) on the manufactures warranty.

What good is it to have a warranty, if youre not going to honor it? The bottom-line, the basic manufactures warranty is worth very little, since it protects the manufacture and not the consumer.

Sincerely, John Roth

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