Applying for an RMA

[mf]

i've just fried my brand new £70 hard drive, one of the chips is melted, basically it is fucked. im not really looking to spend another £70 just before christmas so ive applied for an RMA.

ive never had to return anything before, what's the most likely way to secure the RMA? my friend reckons i should be really curt as if it happens all the time and i am fully expecting a refund.



man i fucking hate hardware

 

[cantab]

Since you say £, evidently you're in the UK. (Well, OK I suppose you could be elsewhere using a UK keyboard and have hit the 4 instead of the 3) In which case you should know that under UK consumer law, the retailer is responsible if there's a fault. Some try and tell you to speak to the manufacturer, but they're trying to duck out of their responsibility. If something breaks too soon, take it back to the shop and by law they have to replace it, refund your money, or arrange the repair.

Of course if the damage was your fault, then you can only hope they don't realise.

Another possibility is if your home insurance covers accidental damage, maybe you could claim on that.

 

[Firestorm]

Is it within the return period? Usually 14 - 30 days? If so, just return it at the store. Just go back, say it isn't working, get your exchange or refund.

Also, do not buy a Seagate HDD as they suck (bitter about mine). I <3 my Western Digitals.

 

[MrIndigo]

With electronics, sometimes you might have to wait for them to look at it before they'll give you the refund, because their refunds may only cover certain damage. If you've melted it because you left it in the sun on top of an overclocked processor, for instance, you may have voided the warranty.

 

[mf]

Thought i'd just follow this one up with what happened (mods feel free to lock if this generates no discussion)

I applied for an RMA with this:
"DOA, suspected short"

They asked me to post it to them. I did so, wrapped in bubble wrap with no explanation, just the RMA number on the parcel

I then received two emails, one saying "we have received your package", the other saying "we have dispatched your order".

A few days later, boom, new HDD :)

Yeah I feel like a bit of a knob for cheating a company out of £70 but then they had kept me waiting for like 4 weeks for this equipment in the first place so I feel a bit better.