CompUsa Replacement Plan

[jetdriver]

Maybe this is old news... but for those of you who didn't know it:

You can purchase a 2 yr replacement plan thru CompUsa for $99 - even if you DID NOT buy your iQue from them.

Bought mine mail order - since at the time they didn't carry it. Yesterday, I took it in and bought the plan, for some added peace of mind. Took about ten minutes, all they needed was the receipt and/or email order confirmation.

[hamburglar]

What does this replacement plan cover? Do you have a link to the details? Thanks

[jetdriver]

Sorry - no link. Maybe you can find details on the CompUsa web site. I can tell you that it is a "replacement" plan, and covers everything. If you drop it in the sink, sit on it, whatever, you get a new one, or say if that particular model is discontinued you get a credit of the purchase price toward a new model. Once yo uget the new unit, you must purchase another replacement plan, its only good once. But, unlike Best Buy's plan - they won't opt to fix it, it's replacement only.

[dacat]

Does anyone know what the grace period between purchase date and day you walk into compusa is? I got mine back in Aug with the rest of the folks that had to have the Q right away. And I still love it that I didn't wait. Just wanted to know with such a long period would compusa still sell the protection plan?

-Felix

[Motegi]

Yes, I was one of the first to buy my iQue at a brick and mortar CompUSA store and posted several times on these forums describing the replacement plans and the fact that the plan could be purchased regardless of whether the iQue was bought at CompUSA or not. Frankly I find it to be a great peace of mind knowing that my iQue is covered for pretty much any unforseen occurrence. And if the iQue becomes non-functional and the iQue 3600 is no longer available in 1 or 2 years or an upgraded version has been released they will provide a credit in the amount of the original purchase price toward any new PDA. The plan covers a 1 time replacement of the PDA, not an attempted repair like some other store warranties.

One and two year plans are available. Be sure that you get the PDA REPLACEMENT TECH ASSURANCE PLAN and not a different plan because the others may not cover the same things. It has been reported that some people have walked out of CompUSA with less expensive repair/service plans.

In fact JetDriver I saw a reply from you to one of my posts...

http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24030
http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25311
http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25765

Also I believe that for those with PDAs purchased elsewhere you simply bring in your actual PDA so the CompUSA store techs can test/verify that it is fully functional before selling the warranty.

Another thing to think about is if the credit card used to purchase your PDA provides any sort of purchase protection or extended warrany coverage.

Late,
Motegi

[kefer]

A word of warning about compusa if you are thinking of buying something there...

They have a very poor return policy. Anything that you purchase there and open the packaging is subject to a 15% return fee. This does not just apply to certain items (like laptops and video cameras) as at their competitors, it applies to everything they sell. They do not advertise this (of course, it is printed on small print on the back of the receipt, nowhere is it posted or mentioned in the store), and at least in the case of my local compusa, are totally rigid about enforcing it. I know someone who bought a video card there which had a driver incompatibility with their computer...compusa's manager gave him the choice of either a $60 return fee, or to pay to have their installation geniuses try to make it work. Considering their major competitors have a much more generous return policy, it seems like they are way out of line.

After hearing that experience, I steer way clear of compusa for hardware purchases.

[jetdriver]

You're right about that. I don't like their return policy either. But, I really DO like the replacement plan...no hassles/questions. So, typically I make sure to do extensive homework before buying from them.

[Jet Tech]

Jet Driver, isn't this a work day?

[jetdriver]

Ha.

I know you :-)

[bdb]

I checked into their replacement plan specifically because I have had to send my iQue in twice (once for the broken power pin) and once for an absolutely dead device). The second time I got a new unit back which has worked very well.

I was interested in whether or not the COMPUSA replacement plan would cover a broken power pin (if it should happen again) and I was told by personnell in the Honolulu COMPUSA store that it would NOT cover this. (Incidentally, their floor model had the pin broken from it)

I decided that it wasn't worth it since that seems to be the most likely thing that will go wrong (at least for me).

Does anyone have another perspective on this? Did I get poor advice or does the plan really not cover a broken power pin?

Bdb

[sjs]

a quick napkin analysis and this TAP plan sounds great.

assume you are a pretty good ebay shopper. you bought your ique for $400.

A) sell your ique in 2 years for $175. Rebuy ique rev2 for $425.
Net cost for new ique: $250

B) CompUSA plan - In 2 years, sells ique rev2 for $550. $100 TAP + $150 due to CompUSA. = $250

not bad....you can play with the numbers...more or less equal....but you also have 2 years of warranty protection.

my only question is does this plan cover theft/loss?

[jetdriver]

my only question is does this plan cover theft/loss?


No.

[PharmaBoy]

Originally posted by kefer
A word of warning about compusa if you are thinking of buying something there...

They have a very poor return policy. Anything that you purchase there and open the packaging is subject to a 15% return fee. This does not just apply to certain items (like laptops and video cameras) as at their competitors, it applies to everything they sell.

kefer - Sounds as though you have had some bad experiences with CompUSA. My experiences have been just the opposite. I have used CompUSAs in Colorado and Georgia over the past 6 years and been very impressed by their willingness to take back items. I have 2 instances of taking in a non-functional unit to get it replaced or just taken back an item to get my money back and they have been very cooperative. One of those instances was the first iQue I purchased - after about a week, it wouldn't hold a charge, required almost continuous resets, etc. I took it back to CompUSA (a different one than I had purchased it from just because it was closer) and they took it back without any complaints and gave me a new one.

If the item does not work as advertised (and you bring it back within 14 days), they will replace it or give you money back. If the item is fully functional and you are bringing it back because you don't like it, changed your mind, spouse doesn't understand why you buy so many gadgets, etc. then you are subject to their restocking fee.

Now - having said all that, I do find some of the CompUSA sales reps to be a bit obnoxious. When I took back my iQue, the guy at the service desk was very helpful. He gets a big thumbs up in my opinion. However, he gave my iQue to the "specialist" in their PDA section who looked at it (and the power was off since at that point the unit was completely dead) and declared, "There is nothing wrong with this". I told him I would be in the store for another 1/2 hour or so and if he got it to work to come and let me know. I saw him playing with it for a while and checked back later but he said that he had not had time to get it to work. So - their arrogance is an issue (as is their lack of knowledge), but I do like their return policy and have good experiences when forced to use it.

[kefer]

PharmaBoy - your experiences at Compusa are exactly the same as mine have always been. You are absolutely correct that they have always been great in the past. When was the last time you tried to return an opened purchase there, though?

Their current policy is new to me as well. I'm not sure when exactly it changed since I rarely shop there, but it is very clear and inflexible - if you remove the shrink wrap, it's yours, period. If its defective, they will of course replace it with the same item, other than that, you are out of luck. When you are purchasing an item that costs several hundred (even thousands) of dollars, a 15% restocking fee is pretty darn rediculous.

Maybe the manager at your store thinks the policy is as rediculuos as I do and chooses not to enforce it, but they absolutely do not have a "satisfaction guarantee" policy anymore - read your receipt carefully and you will see what I'm talking about.

[Hammonddave]

I went to my local Comp USA in Long Beach and they told me that they only offer this replacement plan if you bought it at CompUSA. Not for units purchased elswhere.

[reinbeau]

Originally posted by Hammonddave
I went to my local Comp USA in Long Beach and they told me that they only offer this replacement plan if you bought it at CompUSA. Not for units purchased elswhere. So far you're the only person who has said that, I think that store is in error. I'm going to go down to my local CompUSA and buy the plan, I'll post back here and tell how it went.....

[ssaibal]

I purchased my TAP plan from CompUSA within 2 weeks of my purchasing of iQue from TVNAV. They just asked to see TVNAV invoice to verify the date and serial number of the product. Very easy transaction. This was at CompUSA Sunnyvale (SF Bay area).

[hamburglar]

I just checked at the Emeryville CompUSA and they never heard of applying the cost of the pda towards a new one at the end of the two years. They said that they will replace the pda if they have it in stock. If not, you can apply the amount of money you bought the pda for and apply it for another pda. You could, theoretically, break it before 2 years is up, and get a new pda (assuming they don't have the iQue in stock still). They also have a 1 year plan for 69.99.

[Kronax]

I went to the CompUSA store in San Rafael, Ca and was told that you have to have bought the PDA from them in order to be eligible to buy the replacement plan.

[jetdriver]

Well, the plan must vary by location then. All they wanted from me was the receipt (or email order confirmation) and some paperwork. The tech looked at it for maybe a minute, and that was that.

I think I misspoke earlier about refunding the purchase price toward new - what I meant was that if it breaks they replace it with new, no questions asked. If it breaks and they don't sell that unit anymore, they give a credit (of the original purchase price) toward any PDA they currently sell.

So, in theory if in 1 year and 11 months my Garmin falls down the stairs, I get a new one (or credit toward an iQue 5600 :D )

[Hammonddave]

Boy, do I feel like an idiot... I mistook CompUSA with Circuit City (I know, not even close) and of course they did not know what I was talking about).

Anyway, I went to the CompUSA in Long Beach and they had no problem selling me the TAP program. Just gave them my Amazon receipt and serial number of the PDA. After a quick inspection it was done!

The manager said that if the unit breaks they will replace it with a "reconditioned" Ique. hmmmm.... How many of those will be available in two years?

[jetdriver]

I think that manager was talking out of the side of his neck. I fairly certain the whole point of the TAP is replacement with a NEW unit. I may have to go back and read the print.

[GPSter]

I just bought CompUSA's 2-yr "PDA Express Exchange Replacement Plan" (product #307669) for $99.99 + tax for my iQ, and I did not buy my iQ from CompUSA.

The reason for this post is to clarify a couple of points concerning the coverages under this plan. The plan does cover the following, plus more:
1. Loss due to misplacement of your iQ;
2. Loss due to theft/burglary; will need a police report;
3. Loss due to accidental dropping, screen breakage, DC power pin breakage, etc.

In other words, this is an "all risks" plan, and it provides a one-time replacment, not repair. I've read the plan coverage booklet 3 times cover-to-cover, and I've spoken with the plan Adminstrator on the phone to confirm my understanding of the details, coverages, and exclusions (none).

The warranty kit also contained:
- 3 screen wipes
- 3 screen protectors; can be trimmed down to fit iQ screen
- Stylus pen
- Free PDA case offer
- A small label to afix to the iQ offering lost/found reward from STUFFBAK.com

I travel quite a bit by air and rental car, and do some geocaching in the filed, so this plan provides excellent coverage for my areas of concern, IMHO.

[rjack22]

Does this plan have to be purchased within 30 days of purchase of your iQue.

I would love to have this plan, but alas, by iQue was purchased in Decembler.

[jetdriver]

I bought my plan like 6 mos after I bought my iQue, ad like I said - I didn't buy it from CompUSA. They didn't care so long as I had a receipt, and they checked it out to their satisfaction.

I will warn you though. CompUSA is getting wise, they are doing away with the TAP replacement plan on many things. They are going with an extended warranty time setup, and not an outright, automatic replacement. This is true with the Apple iPods. When asked about it, the manager said that too many people where destroying their iPods as soon as new models were released, so they could upgrade. Basically, using the TAP plan as a cheap way to upgrade.

[GPSter]

You can buy this plan as long as you have at least 90 days remaining on the original Garmin factory warranty.

You can read the TAP contract document here (http://www.compusa.com/media/tap_terms.pdf) .

[placido]

Have anyone ever actually put in a claim for this kind of a plan. I dont care what the advertisement says, like all insurance or warranty plan, the true test is when you actually put int the claim.
I think most retail stores, not just compuUSA offer some kind of replacement plans like this for most of their electrons gadet, like VCR, etc.

It seems to be that compUSA plan is quite expansive. For example, if you buy a Dell PDA, it comes with a one-year exchange plan. I guess this is equivant to Gramin's one-year warranty (no questions ask if your unit broke in the first year). You can get an additional two-year advanced exchange plan for for $49.00, ie half of what compuUSA offers. I wonder whether other PDA manufacturer like HP or Palm or others offer similar plan like the one from Dell.

[placido]

One more thought. I am not sure that any of these replacement plan is really economical. Like all insurance plans, You can claim only when the unit broke. That mean now you Ique will cost you something like $425 + 100 = $525.00. I hope my Ique can last at least two years.

PDA and GPS technology changes very rapidly. New and improved model comes out every 6-month to a year. I heard that Garmin is about to put out new model. It is going to be cheaper, faster and more capable.

Have anyone check out the newest Dell PDA. For about a little more than $300.00 (after rebate), you can get a 624Mhz Intel xscale processor, wireless + bluetooth, 64M SRAM + 64 M flash ROM, replaceable battery. Obviously a much more powerful PDA than that offered by Ique 3600. Yes, it comes with a one-year exchange warranty. Cost you $49.00 of an addtional two years of protection. You can then add a Garmin's GPS add-on via the SDIO slot. Or, i f you are willing to spend another $250.00, you can get it with a bluetooth GPS. Talking about competition.

[RandysWay]

Someone above said that its a "one-time replacement", will they replace it more than once when it is covered under the extended warranty?