What's the best way to get repairs done these days?

[pointy stick]

I've got a 200A5 that needs some repairs (broken USB ports-both now broken, CD-RW drive that doesn't "W", and a problem 7-key). What is the best way to get repairs done these days? VPR direct (is this an option any more) or Best Buy CS? It is 11 months old, so I'm still under warranty and I have the 3-year BB PSP.

[Ioman]

Send it directly to VPR Matrix. If you give it to Best Buy, it will take months for you to get it back.

[ECA]

Send it to VPR.

[OpStar]

actually it would depend on how many times you've had it serviced under the PSP so far.

If its your 4th repair, take it back to the store. The no-lemon policy will mean that you'll get a replacement model for your VPR.

BTW, in no way could Best Buy take longer. We mail it to the same place he would, a VPR service center.

[ECA]

Opstar.
We have compared service times in another thread. And VPR is much faster if you send it straight to them.
Ask Ioman, he did it.

[OpStar]

so on AVERAGE its faster, or just in a couple cases?

I don't know how it would be though, that's weird.

Well then, how about IF its your FOURTH repair, then take it to BB and use your No Lemon policy.

[ECA]

The option of using BB, is good, if you want Docs on using the Lemon policy. Its easier to document that way, but we have seen about a 1-2 month difference in return time. They will consider that you sent it to VPR, but you must document it all and keep reciets(sp)

[pointy stick]

Thanks for all your replies.
For the record, this was my first try at getting my 200A5 serviced. I went through the vpr matrix/best buy service number to get my problems documented. They said in the 1st year, they just send the notebook to vpr for servicing. I listed my problems and was told I'd receive a fedex box the next business day.
I called on Fri. Dec 5, received the fedex box on Mon. Dec 8, had it picked up on Tues. Dec 10, and received it back on Fri. Dec. 12. Excellent turnaround time.
Everything was fixed to my satisfaction (both USB ports, DVD/CD-RW drive, my bad 7-key--well, actually, the whole keyboard was switched out for what looks like a slightly used one, and a defective left hinge that I didn't report as being a problem as I didn't realize it was broken).
Thumbs up to vpr on the repairs and for the quick turnaround. I use this notebook 7 days a week, so I'm pretty happy with the result..

[Ioman]

Originally posted by pointy stick
Thanks for all your replies.
For the record, this was my first try at getting my 200A5 serviced. I went through the vpr matrix/best buy service number to get my problems documented. They said in the 1st year, they just send the notebook to vpr for servicing. I listed my problems and was told I'd receive a fedex box the next business day.
I called on Fri. Dec 5, received the fedex box on Mon. Dec 8, had it picked up on Tues. Dec 10, and received it back on Fri. Dec. 12. Excellent turnaround time.
Everything was fixed to my satisfaction (both USB ports, DVD/CD-RW drive, my bad 7-key--well, actually, the whole keyboard was switched out for what looks like a slightly used one, and a defective left hinge that I didn't report as being a problem as I didn't realize it was broken).
Thumbs up to vpr on the repairs and for the quick turnaround. I use this notebook 7 days a week, so I'm pretty happy with the result..

Glad to hear you had a great experience with Best Buy and VPR. What type of work do you do that requires a laptop. Just curious, you do not need to answer.

[kahleeb]

After reading this post I decided to send my laptop in via the box VPR Matrix overnighted me. I sent it in on a Friday and had the machine back at my house on a Tuesday. This was faster than I expected--especially since it was two days before Christmas when I got it back.

However, I have some problems with the tech support for VPR Matrix. I sent in a list of items to be repaired. They claimed that they did nothing other than replace the bottom of the unit. This was done due to my complaint of the rubber feet not being even on the bottom and making the unit rock back and forth. I was told that they are unable to replace just the rubber feet... they have to replace the entire bottom portion of the unit. They also took all the stickers off the bottom and re-used them on the new bottom. When I got the unit back, one of them was torn and the other was curling up due to no sticky stuff being on it. It was also very worn on the top and the letters were starting to come off.

As I stated above, VPR sent me back a letter stating they did not find any issues with the system. However, upon closer examination, they fixed some of my other problems. (The MiniPCMCI port's grey and black cables quick working and they replaced them so my WIFI MiniPCMCI card could work again).

Has anyone ever had VPR send back a machine, replace parts that aren't needed (the whole bottom instead of just the rubber feet), re-use stickers that don't look new and don't stick anymore, and replace parts but say they didn't find anything wrong (the grey and black cables in the MiniPCMCI slot)?

Don't get me wrong, I love my notebook but something seems odd about this... If you have any suggestions on what I should do to get replacement stickers or get the rubber feet issue resolved, please let me know. VPR said I could send it back to them but I don't know if that will accomplish anything.

[Ioman]

Originally posted by kahleeb
After reading this post I decided to send my laptop in via the box VPR Matrix overnighted me. I sent it in on a Friday and had the machine back at my house on a Tuesday. This was faster than I expected--especially since it was two days before Christmas when I got it back.

However, I have some problems with the tech support for VPR Matrix. I sent in a list of items to be repaired. They claimed that they did nothing other than replace the bottom of the unit. This was done due to my complaint of the rubber feet not being even on the bottom and making the unit rock back and forth. I was told that they are unable to replace just the rubber feet... they have to replace the entire bottom portion of the unit. They also took all the stickers off the bottom and re-used them on the new bottom. When I got the unit back, one of them was torn and the other was curling up due to no sticky stuff being on it. It was also very worn on the top and the letters were starting to come off.

As I stated above, VPR sent me back a letter stating they did not find any issues with the system. However, upon closer examination, they fixed some of my other problems. (The MiniPCMCI port's grey and black cables quick working and they replaced them so my WIFI MiniPCMCI card could work again).

Has anyone ever had VPR send back a machine, replace parts that aren't needed (the whole bottom instead of just the rubber feet), re-use stickers that don't look new and don't stick anymore, and replace parts but say they didn't find anything wrong (the grey and black cables in the MiniPCMCI slot)?

Don't get me wrong, I love my notebook but something seems odd about this... If you have any suggestions on what I should do to get replacement stickers or get the rubber feet issue resolved, please let me know. VPR said I could send it back to them but I don't know if that will accomplish anything.

My guess is that they are running out of parts and are using what spares they have left to fix problems with existing systems. I would not recommend to anyone that they go out and purchase a VPR Matrix laptop at this point because they only made laptops for a short period of time and their support and parts on hand are sure to falter relatively soon.