Rant -- Gateway Support!!

[FatalException0E]

Holy thread resurection, Batman! Almost three years old.

[Matridom]

Holy thread resurection, Batman! Almost three years old.

I know, nastalgia is always a nice thing.

[rgharper]

Well, let me toss in a rant about HP tech support ...

The other day I wanted to order a second hard drive tray and adapter rail for my laptop so that it would be easier to swap the hard drive in and out as I test various Microsoft beta products.

I called the home customer support line and asked what I thought was a very simple question ... "I want part kit number XX-YYYYYY, can you tell me what comes in that kit?" The support person (sounded like English was a non-native language) asked me what I wanted the kit for, and I stupidly told him the truth. He put me on hold, talked to his supervisor, then informed me that not only would he not tell me what was in the kit, he refused to sell me one because the reason I gave for wanting the kit was not a supported activity!

The next day I called the business HP tech support line and gave them the same story. The person I got on the phone answered my question in about 30 seconds AND offered to overnight the part kit to me at my work address if I needed it that quickly. This gentleman was clearly a resident of Dixie and quite eager to give me the support I wanted.

It should make no difference which support line I call, I should get the same support ... but clearly that's not the case.

[Tekboy]

I guess my philosophy is a bit different. If a customer machine has a hardware problem while under warranty, I show them how to contact the manufacturer, and let them duke it out, since I am not going to get paid for their warranty hassles.

I am a self employed tech. I get paid to fix stuff. If someone is really having trouble getting their warranty part replaced, I may see if I can bump things along for them, if they are an established customer.

Otherwise, it just isn't my problem