Warranty void if removed

G

Goobie

Expert Member
Joined
May 22, 2004
Messages
1,571
Reaction score
51
Location
Bloemfontein
So yesterday I picked up a new P4 computer. Took it home to install my old harddrive as a backup drive and then I noticed this sticker over the screws at the back that states that the warranty will be void if the sticker is removed and the case is opened. (I tried removing it carefully but it sticked like **** to a blanket and couldn't get it off in one piece)

I can understand if computer companies want to limit users who don't know what they're doing from tinkering with the insides, break something and then bring it back to them to be fixed under warranty. But why limit knowledgeable users from expanding their systems on their own?

Anyway, if the new harddrive were to die from natural causes and I take the case back to them and they see the case was opened can they refuse to replace the drive even though I have a 3 year MANUFACTURERS warranty on the drive?

So I was wondering if anybody on the forum ever had to deal with crap like this?

thanks
 
Yes, it's to protect the company from users that tinker with their machines. You always get these idiots that buy a machine (the cheapest there is) and expect it to preform like a high end machine, and a few days later it's "just not working" anymore. (This also seems to happen more than once with some ppl) Normally they just stuffed up windows, but they expect it to be rapaired under warenty. If that little sticker in the back is broken, that user get charged fully for the labour, no warranty, nada !
/end rant.

Damm, am i glad i'm not a techie anymore !
 
You must have bought this from a Incredible connection type company. Well any company could do it, and many do, but the sticker so that you cant even open the case is rediculous. They will charge about R60-100 just to install a Harddrive, more if you have to install drivers for what they install, its crap.

I would never buy a PC with that on it.
 
2 big mistakes

you bought a p4 major major mistake

2nd mistake you bought an intel p4 no wait ...

only one mistake
 
That’s the problem with prebuilt PC's. My whole PC was built by me in parts that I chose. All under its own warranty. If something breaks, I take it out and the warranty should help...

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to build a PC
 
Ok had exactually the same problem after buying a PC from a well known shop in pinetown KZN. My issue was that i had bought numerous PC's from this shop in the past without the sticker and as i had not been informed prior to buying this PC that this policy had been implicated they could not enforce it. After getting no help from the fairly useless floor staff i got hold of the manager. His explanation was that people had been buying high spec pcs, taking them home, removing graphic cards, memory etc and then coming in the next day to complain that they had been sold an under spec'd machine. The sticker was put in place to protect them from this. If people really were doing this then i dont blame him. The resolution was that i could remove the sticker without voiding the warantee if i was prepared to sign that the PC was recieved as spec'd. Seemed a reasonable compromise.
 
legally you can do what you want with it, as far as I am aware case law for this has already been established.

on the flipside, there is a reason that sticker is there. it serves as a warning to clueless users that they tread where they shouldnt.

but seriously, give the company a call, explain to them what you want to do and have them make a note of it on your call record. simple as that.

there are pros and cons to buying a ready built machine.
pro: one warranty, one supplier, no running around to multiple people when different hardware breaks
cons: same as abaove really, if the company sucks then every parts will be covered by the same sucky warranty.
 
Daveogg said:
Ok had exactually the same problem after buying a PC from a well known shop in pinetown KZN. My issue was that i had bought numerous PC's from this shop in the past without the sticker and as i had not been informed prior to buying this PC that this policy had been implicated they could not enforce it. After getting no help from the fairly useless floor staff i got hold of the manager. His explanation was that people had been buying high spec pcs, taking them home, removing graphic cards, memory etc and then coming in the next day to complain that they had been sold an under spec'd machine. The sticker was put in place to protect them from this. If people really were doing this then i dont blame him. The resolution was that i could remove the sticker without voiding the warantee if i was prepared to sign that the PC was recieved as spec'd. Seemed a reasonable compromise.
Click to expand...

I agree with that, but building the PC yourself makes it everything you wanted and you can open it when you like and still have the warranty on all the components. (I can't think of a component that does not come with a warranty)
 
Last edited:
Get yourself a printer labelling kit and reprint the warranty stickers. I've done that before and it worked.

:rolleyes: N7.1 (version upgrade)
 
my mate bought a pc the other day.. minus a dvd writer cause he had one alreayd.. he got the pc.. with sticker on.. no cd/dvd drive in the pc.
So now he cant install his own dvd/cd drive without breaking the sticker.. so i guess he can't install windows then. nice paper weight
 
If the sticker is broken and something happens to the PC, they will just charge you for the part the need to be replaced rather than swopping it out. You voided the Warranty. Just leave the sticker off, and make sure there is no trace of where the sticker is meant to be - chances are they wont notice when it comes to repair the pc.
 
Person said:
If the sticker is broken and something happens to the PC, they will just charge you for the part the need to be replaced rather than swopping it out. You voided the Warranty. Just leave the sticker off, and make sure there is no trace of where the sticker is meant to be - chances are they wont notice when it comes to repair the pc.
Click to expand...

see this I don't understand. How can removing THEIR sticker void a warranty provided by the MANUFACTURER. If the manufacturer's warranty states that a piece of hardware carries a 3 year warranty, and it breaks, how can they NOT swop it out, it's not their decision, only the manufacturer can refuse to swop out their of hardware.

At the most their warranty can cover component installation and setup, cause they basically assembled hardware with their own warranties into a single box.
 
And what is the point in owning your OWN pc and you are not allowed to take a peak inside? Say you have a warraty for 2years...that means you are not allowed to upgrade your PC or add a DVD writer or modem??? What is the point in buying the PC then? Thats like renting to own!:mad:
 
Goobie said:
Anyway, if the new harddrive were to die from natural causes and I take the case back to them and they see the case was opened can they refuse to replace the drive even though I have a 3 year MANUFACTURERS warranty on the drive?
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure the manufacturers warranty wouldn't be voided if you popped the case open.
 
vampirotoothus said:
And what is the point in owning your OWN pc and you are not allowed to take a peak inside? Say you have a warranty for 2years...that means you are not allowed to upgrade your PC or add a DVD writer or modem??? What is the point in buying the PC then? Thats like renting to own!:mad:
Click to expand...

It's yours you can do what you like. Just don't expect the supplier to fix it for free if it breaks. You open it, you take the responsibility.

As to the previous post about innards being swapped and then claimed under warranty, I can vouch for it. I even had a machine returned with NOTHING in it, stripped bare. IS manager was suitably embarrassed!
 
I bought a Computer The same as that with that little sticker (for my younger brother) then i needed to put a Gfx card in..... **** i just took my kettle and steamed the Sticker off put the gfx card in and wallaa just if somthing goes wrong take the Gfx card out and replace the side cover and sticker with no damage in it and its as good as new........
 
bekdik said:
It's yours you can do what you like. Just don't expect the supplier to fix it for free if it breaks. You open it, you take the responsibility.

As to the previous post about innards being swapped and then claimed under warranty, I can vouch for it. I even had a machine returned with NOTHING in it, stripped bare. IS manager was suitably embarrassed!
Click to expand...

I understand where the problem is...you get plenty skelms out there. I think still think buying the PC in bits solves all the problems;)
 
x____cheese said:
I bought a Computer The same as that with that little sticker (for my younger brother) then i needed to put a Gfx card in..... **** i just took my kettle and steamed the Sticker off put the gfx card in and wallaa just if somthing goes wrong take the Gfx card out and replace the side cover and sticker with no damage in it and its as good as new........
Click to expand...

Clever! Very clever!:p
 
Each item in that box has an individual warranty. The company can refuse to fix something you screwed up for FREE but generally after sales service would include repairs of almost any nature...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X