CompUSA Reality Check?

[gatezone]

I just purchased a NZ90 at CompUSA. I had seen the following on their web site which topped the possible coverage at my regular tech store, Fry's. The web site said:

"PDA Carry-In Replacement 1 or 2-year plans available
Includes screen protection Kit with purchase of 2-year plan"

Store personnel said, yes the screen coverage is included but I didn't see the package statement below:

"One-time" replacement of your PDA if it becomes inoperable during the first 2 years..."

This can't possibly mean if it becomes inoperable more than once it isn't covered... The ambiguous nature of this wording combined with a 15% restocking fee for opened boxes even if it is the next day concern me.

I'm used to Fry's where I bring things back opened and as long as everything is there and it is within their 14 day period there are no questions. I've literally bought tens of thousands of dollars of equipment (for my work) and returns are always simple and fair. Including returning a year old Handspring Prism. CompUSA has me worried.

Anyone have experience with the packaged PDA replacement plan? Isn't any type of non-functioning problem covered? What is the One-time replacement about? If a PDA had manufacturing problems they could show up in more than one unit... wouldn't these be covered. Have I crossed over into warranty Twilight Zone... any insight or experience would be appreciated.

GZ

[JohnJ80]

I thought that CompUSA's replacement plan is a crock.

If the thing breaks, they will replace it (apparently once) in the time period of the plan. All that for a 12-15% fee!

What happens if the model you have is not available 1-2 years later, then what do they do?

These things are the highest profit centers of all. I read somewhere (I think it might have been Best Buy's annual report).

They wanted $100 in the store that I bought mine it. I bet you could add a rider on your personal insurance policy for a whole lot less than that.

j

[gatezone]

Originally posted by JohnJ80
I thought that CompUSA's replacement plan is a crock.

<snip>

j

I'm in the middle of upgrading my insurance, and will check out their coverage for multiple computers and expensive PDAs.

I advise most of my clients to purchase replacement policies on equipment that would put a major crimp in their business or professional life if they had to do without it for a few days or more. It's a matter of risk management,deductibles, and how much our time is worth in terms of submitting, processing, and waiting for the claim payment. Regular insurance fits for a lot of things, but if my PDA gets shot out from under me I want a replacement quickly without a hassle.

Because I haven't purchased anything over $100 at CompUSA for years, I'm interested in how CompUSA handles problems with PDA's and accidental breakage - sounds like they will replace without hassle (most will replace or issue credit for equal value if the system is no longer available) but then you have to purchase the 'insurance' again on the new unit because it is "one-time" thing. Hmmmm...

[gatezone]

I've purchased Sony products, mostly for CEO's, and have always warned them that service isn't that great and get the service plans if they need the device on a daily basis. This thread from Geek.com seems to support the idea that if you don't want to send back your PDA and wait around for Sony to fix it (or not) that the in-store 'insurance policies' are worth considering.

Another point against home owners or renter's insurance may not be appropriate coverage is that these types of policies usually don't cover accidental - no questions type of damage.

Here's the thread that describes Sony's mail-inservice:

Sony Service Thread on Geek.com (http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2002Dec/bpd20021211017717.htm)

[kdn102]

Ok, here's the deal with the CompUSA PDA plan:

You pay the $100 for the plan.&nbsp; If you 'exercise' the plan by taking in a broken PDA you have used the plan and must purchase another plan for the new PDA.&nbsp; When you bring it in they either: a) give you the exact same model, or if they don't have it, b) give you the purchase price towards any PDA they have in stock.

If you read the fine print of the plan you will note that it includes ANYTHING including accidents!

[starstreak]

Ok, no. Compusa's replacment plan did not suck. for years thats how I upgraded my PDA. Its one replacment plan per unit. I went from an IPAQ to IPAQ to HP to IPAQ to HP 5455 before now. Now, it sucks to some exstent. THey changed it so its not a automatic swap. Now they send to be checked and if they can the same model replacment they will swap out. Only then if they cannot will they replace with something else. Takes about 7 days. At least here in Hawaii.
Since they did that, I havn't bought it. Lucky for me I have friends at Compusa who will still help me out.

[Rosenkrantz]

I wouldn't buy a PDA without the CUSA type of plan. I bought my old 615 with it and upgraded when the battery in it started to give out and got the NX70. Same thing happened to the battery after only 3 mos and just I bought UP to the NZ90. Pretty friggin awesome if you ask me. Make sure its a one time replacement, not a service warranty.

[starstreak]

I think(no quote me on this) replacment is all you can get with pda. Except they call it 1 or 2 year replacments.

Originally posted by Rosenkrantz
I wouldn't buy a PDA without the CUSA type of plan. I bought my old 615 with it and upgraded when the battery in it started to give out and got the NX70. Same thing happened to the battery after only 3 mos and just I bought UP to the NZ90. Pretty friggin awesome if you ask me. Make sure its a one time replacement, not a service warranty.

[kkerruish]

Everyone -

One simple question - does CompUSA still carry the NR70V?

Think about it...in two years, NONE of the PDAs we all carry will be available for sale...and as such, will likely not be repairable or replaceable in store...

If it dies (be honest with yourself and others, and you'll live longer and better) - you can take it back to CompUSA and they will give you purchase price towards another (or their last 'selling price' according to one manager...this varies according to who I talk to)

Simple...

[master_blaster]

its for what you payed for it right? for example i have the compusa plan for the nx70v at $599 now if the price gos down $100 in a few months and i go in a few months after thay don't sell that model are that going to give me credit for what i payed or the last price?

[alildevil]

kkerruish
-----------------------------------------------

One simple question - does CompUSA still carry the NR70V?

------------------------------------------------
Compusa
no they in NY at least have already discontinued that model, and if u walk in with one of those damaged, theyll either toss ya a NX or u can add to get the NZ

call your store first and ask if they still carry that model, go from there with what their reply there is your safest bet

just happened with me

[GoldenTiger]

Originally posted by master_blaster
its for what you payed for it right? for example i have the compusa plan for the nx70v at $599 now if the price gos down $100 in a few months and i go in a few months after thay don't sell that model are that going to give me credit for what i payed or the last price?

&nbsp;

Yes, it is for what you paid, not their selling price currently.

[david.silva]

Has anyone dealt w/ the Circuit City plan? I bought it with my NZ90 when it was released. I've never bought a replacement plan from them so anyone that can give me good or bad comments would be appreciated!

[cjones]

Here's my 2 cents worth for the CompUSA replacement plan. I got this from the manager at the store on Jefferson Ave. in Newport News, VA (for those who are curious).

I've got the NR70V and I want the NZ90. So I went in and purchased the replacement plan on my NR for one year (they wanted to sell me the two year one as you'd expect). That cost me like $59.99 (for a PDA who's original cost was $200 or higher I think), and the 1 year goes back to the original purchase date.

For me that's Aug. 1st.... so that gives me close to another 6 months to *use* the plan. Now they said I have to wait at least 30 days to use the plan... so I'm waiting (got 3 more weeks to go).

This CompUSA has the NX70 and the NZ90 in stock, where the NX still costs $600 and the NZ of course costs $800.

They said when my 30 days are up I can come and use the plan, hand in my NR (with the box and accessories I assume... but I've got it all ready just incase).... and get the NX. But then I'll just pay the $200 difference and get the NZ instead.

So bottom line, I will have paid a total of $259, handed in my NR, and gotten the new NZ. Not too bad.. and if I wanted to wait until the NX wasn't in stock at CompUSA, it would be $200 cheaper. :)

So once I do this, I'll again pay the $59.99 for the 1 year replacement plan on the NZ. Now within the next year when Sony releases the sequel to the NZ, all have to do is go in with my plan and my NZ and trade them in for the new toy.... and *THAT* will be as cheap as you can get it.

Seems by far to me the best plan possible if you want to continually keep having the newest PDA toy. And that's what we true geeks really want, isn't it? :)

-chris

[lanchman]

I concur, you pay $60 for a year, if your screen falls of your NZ, God forbid, you take it in. If the NZ is available you get it or the original purchase price toward the next one. After the replacement, pay another $60 for another year on the new one or whatever the price is for two. This is good, paying another $800 cuz the screen fell off would suck. Paying another $100 to have piece of mind...it's good math to me.

[Bunyfofu69]

Originally posted by cjones
Here's my 2 cents worth for the CompUSA replacement plan. I got this from the manager at the store on Jefferson Ave. in Newport News, VA (for those who are curious).

I've got the NR70V and I want the NZ90. So I went in and purchased the replacement plan on my NR for one year (they wanted to sell me the two year one as you'd expect). That cost me like $59.99 (for a PDA who's original cost was $200 or higher I think), and the 1 year goes back to the original purchase date.

For me that's Aug. 1st.... so that gives me close to another 6 months to *use* the plan. Now they said I have to wait at least 30 days to use the plan... so I'm waiting (got 3 more weeks to go).

This CompUSA has the NX70 and the NZ90 in stock, where the NX still costs $600 and the NZ of course costs $800.

They said when my 30 days are up I can come and use the plan, hand in my NR (with the box and accessories I assume... but I've got it all ready just incase).... and get the NX. But then I'll just pay the $200 difference and get the NZ instead.

So bottom line, I will have paid a total of $259, handed in my NR, and gotten the new NZ. Not too bad.. and if I wanted to wait until the NX wasn't in stock at CompUSA, it would be $200 cheaper. :)

So once I do this, I'll again pay the $59.99 for the 1 year replacement plan on the NZ. Now within the next year when Sony releases the sequel to the NZ, all have to do is go in with my plan and my NZ and trade them in for the new toy.... and *THAT* will be as cheap as you can get it.

Seems by far to me the best plan possible if you want to continually keep having the newest PDA toy. And that's what we true geeks really want, isn't it? :)

-chris

Sorry that's not how it works anymore. If you buy a replacement plan for your NR, return it......they'll give you store credit for another purcahse of the original price you paid......they wont give you a NX. plain and simple they changed there policy.

[starstreak]

policy is different from that too. Its if its broken they will see if they can get it fixed. If not, they will see if they can still order the same unit. If cannot, then they will allow swap to another unit. Keep in mind this all takes about a week to do.

B4 it was as simple as cracking the screen and asking to upgrade to something better.

[Master_blaster]

starstreak im not saying your wrong for your state or local compusa, but the fact is (myself talking with the people at there headquarters) that buying $100 plan it WILL REPLACE your pda if something gos wrong within two years. i made sure that came out of the ladys mouth. now i can see things getting alittle out of control with people taking back there clies when a new model comes out but F%@* them its there plan and thay can NOT just change the aggrement. people would threaten to sue and thay could. so unless you can back up your story your just non informed.

[Bunyfofu69]

[Bunyfofu69]

The Compusa Policy changed about a month ago, They haven't even really set the guidlines for their Tap program. However what I do know is this.

If you have the 1 or 2 year Tap program.

1. Accidental and Defective breakage is covered.

2. If your palm has been discountinued or is no longer carried by
Compusa you have the option of.

A. Receiving a gift card of the original purcahse price.
B. You can receive a comparable unit. Ex. your Pda costs
$499.99, you can get any PDA @ or below that cost.
(Basically another form of a Gift Card.)
C. Upgrade to a better PDA, Ex. your old PDA costs
$499.99 but they no longer carry the item....so you
want a $599.99 one. Expect to pay an extra
$99.00 bucks
D. Referr to the manufactur for warranty work if it's still
covered.



In conclusion, your paying $99 dollars for the right to return your PDA for the full purcahse price you paid at any point within the
period specified by the warranty. Keep in mind this can only be done once. It costs $99 bucks for you to return your PDA, or any simllar item.

[Alistar]

I don't have Comp USA where I live; Canada. So I will add what my warranty plan is to the thread. I bought my NX at Future Shop there extended warranty cost me 100 dollars (CDN) and is good for 3 years. I can use it as many times as I want, however it only covers wear, and product defectiveness. If I say fall on it or something I'm out of luck. However, if I drop it and there is no obviously evident breaks, they have always accepted it as device malfunction and have replaced it.

[OcellNuri]

Wow... I didn't realize they had changed the policy. On Jan 1st this year I took my NR in with a cracked screen (my heart stopped when I saw the screen messed up, there was a whole thread here about my incident) and exchanged it for a NX. At first they wanted to give me store credit for the value of the NR and apply it towards the NX, but I told them I couldn't afford to do that. I told them that if they had a NR they could give me one and I would be happy, but I was not going to pay. I pointed to the line in the plan that states that they must replace your unit with a unit that has the same features and function. The NX was the only one with a camera, so they gave in and gave me the NX. But now they have changed the plan?

The thing I hate about it is, I was not trying to take advantage of them. I honestly would have taken a NR, that was all I wanted. But I also could not afford the $200 it would take to get the NX.