Student blasts Best Buy
Dear Editor:
Warning to all Fanshawe students:
I purchased an ASUS laptop computer (Model # G73JH —HST7) in January 2011. Price: $1,455 (plus applicable Canadian taxes). Store: Best Buy — Wellington Street, London Ontario — Canada.
I did not purchase the extension warranty at the cost of $369.99 for two years, believing that nothing should go wrong with today's advanced electronic technology.
The computer quit working three weeks ago.
I took it back to the Best Buy store and paid the required amount of $500 (up-front service fee) in the service department, which sent it for repair to authorized ASUS service.
After more than three weeks of patient waiting, a Best Buy service agent phoned me and stated that the computer could not be fixed due to lack of spare parts for this model and that Best Buy will pay back the $500 service amount.
I asked for a diagnosis report. According to Best Buy, the 'no longer available' parts were: VGA Board and motherboard.
Considering that the 'age' of the laptop is less than two years, it is hard to understand that a product for which I paid a considerably large amount of money can become obsolete in such a short time.
I am a full-time student at Fanshawe College, taking Computer Security, Networking, Active Directory and other computer studies, and I need a high-performance laptop for my everyday classes.
This ASUS make was recommended to me by several classmates. Following their advice, I decided to buy the ASUS G73JH model with my hard-earned money from my part-time job.
As mentioned above, my joy and pride did not last long.
I feel that handing me a relatively new computer back unfixed after three weeks by Best Buy, and their statement that the defective parts required are no longer available, is extremely inconsiderate — one may say unbelievable — and definitely not good PR by both ASUS and Best Buy.
Since I am attending a computer program (a three and half year compressed combination of computer courses) at Fanshawe College with well over 60 other classmates, it will be hard for me not to bring up my dismal experience with Best Buy.
Through the Internet, I found authorized ASUS service based in Markham, Ontario — ASUS Service Canada — whose rep told me over the phone that the laptop was never sent to them by Best Buy and that they can fix it in two days for the amount of $347.
I highly recommend this company to fellow students who purchased their electronic equipment at Best Buy and their warranty is expired.
David Solarik
Fanshawe College student
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Warning to all Fanshawe students:
I purchased an ASUS laptop computer (Model # G73JH —HST7) in January 2011. Price: $1,455 (plus applicable Canadian taxes). Store: Best Buy — Wellington Street, London Ontario — Canada.
I did not purchase the extension warranty at the cost of $369.99 for two years, believing that nothing should go wrong with today's advanced electronic technology.
The computer quit working three weeks ago.
I took it back to the Best Buy store and paid the required amount of $500 (up-front service fee) in the service department, which sent it for repair to authorized ASUS service.
After more than three weeks of patient waiting, a Best Buy service agent phoned me and stated that the computer could not be fixed due to lack of spare parts for this model and that Best Buy will pay back the $500 service amount.
I asked for a diagnosis report. According to Best Buy, the 'no longer available' parts were: VGA Board and motherboard.
Considering that the 'age' of the laptop is less than two years, it is hard to understand that a product for which I paid a considerably large amount of money can become obsolete in such a short time.
I am a full-time student at Fanshawe College, taking Computer Security, Networking, Active Directory and other computer studies, and I need a high-performance laptop for my everyday classes.
This ASUS make was recommended to me by several classmates. Following their advice, I decided to buy the ASUS G73JH model with my hard-earned money from my part-time job.
As mentioned above, my joy and pride did not last long.
I feel that handing me a relatively new computer back unfixed after three weeks by Best Buy, and their statement that the defective parts required are no longer available, is extremely inconsiderate — one may say unbelievable — and definitely not good PR by both ASUS and Best Buy.
Since I am attending a computer program (a three and half year compressed combination of computer courses) at Fanshawe College with well over 60 other classmates, it will be hard for me not to bring up my dismal experience with Best Buy.
Through the Internet, I found authorized ASUS service based in Markham, Ontario — ASUS Service Canada — whose rep told me over the phone that the laptop was never sent to them by Best Buy and that they can fix it in two days for the amount of $347.
I highly recommend this company to fellow students who purchased their electronic equipment at Best Buy and their warranty is expired.
David Solarik
Fanshawe College student
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
