Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!jarthur!uunet!fernwood!portal!cup.portal.com!davids From: davids@cup.portal.com (David Kenneth Schreiber) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware Subject: Re: Trouble with A3000 memory installation Message-ID: <33396@cup.portal.com> Date: 30 Aug 90 06:24:29 GMT References: <36667@ut-emx.UUCP> <1990Aug25.070613.25278@fs-1.iastate.edu> <1990Aug25.171112.21172@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> <105403@convex.convex.com> Organization: The Portal System (TM) Lines: 84 [First: line eater fodder] Second, I just wanted to mention that I'm surprised that this hasn't generated more discussion. Perhaps cross-posting to c.s.amiga would be in order. But anyway: In some article swarren@convex.com (Steve Warren) writes: .In article <1990Aug25.171112.21172@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> es1@cunixb.cc.colu m bia.edu (Ethan Solomita) writes: .>In article <1990Aug25.070613.25278@fs-1.iastate.edu> skank@iastate.edu (Skan k George L) writes: [...] .>> IMPORTANT NEWSFLASH!!! .>> .>> My dealer informed me Tuesday that Commodore has adopted a TOUGH .>>new policy with respect to the new one year warrenty. All new Amigas .>>are shipped with a SEALED case,if this seal is broken the warrenty is .>>automatically voided. . [...] What sort of seal is this? I found no seal on my 3000 (unless it refers to the way the screws are screwed in or something). .> I'll give Commodorians here a chance to deny this before .>I lose it, but if this is true: WHAT IDI*T MADE THIS POLICY! All . [...] .If I was responsible for backing up the warranty on a machine like .the 3000 full of static sensitive surface-mount components, I would .not want consumers poking around in it. Even qualified technicians .sometimes destroy parts as a result of static discharge. What % of .average consumers would understand and take proper precautions, even .if instructions were included detailing the procedure? Instructions _are_ included detailing memory expansion and hard drive installation on the 3000. There is nothing saying "Do this and you will void your warranty." If Commodore doesn't want consumers poking around inside its machinery, it should say so. Personally, I see the lack of such warning, along with the detailed installation directions, as granting permission to do the installations without risk of voiding the warranty (at least as long as no damage is done by the installation). .Your ill-conceived flaming is unreasonable and irrational. Allowing .consumers to poke around in warranteed equipment like this could .bankrupt a company. How many other personal computer companies have this sort of warranty policy, anyway? Are the ones that don't near the edge of bankrupcy? .Give CBM a break. You can't poke around in your Amiga and expect .Commodore to pay for what will probably prove to be your own mistakes. .If you're good enough to be in there then you're good enough to fix it .if it breaks. 1: I've spent $3000+ of my own money on Commodore this summer for my 3000 & 1950; they're not the ones deserving the break :-). 2: Is this policy binding on people who bought 3000s before the policy change was enacted. If so, this prompts a comment and a question: a) "Probably" just doesn't cut it, at least according to the warranty agreement that _I_ entered into when buying this machine. That agreement says that damaged is not covered if it is _caused_ by unauthorized "repairs or modifications". Nowhere does it say that damage is not covered if the machine has simply been _opened_ by the consumer. b) Does anyone know if it is actually LEGAL for Commodore to change a warranty agreement (contract?) midstream. I'm no lawyer, but it strikes me the answer would be no, in which case I should still be able to have my machine serviced even though I've installed extra RAM and a hard drive, and even though all the machine being sold now would have much more easily voided warranties. Of course, I know nothing of contract law, so I could very well be totally wrong. Would any net.lawyers like to give the definitive word? Finally, what I'd _really_ like is someone from Commodore to confirm or deny this whole warranty thing. .--Steve ._||__ DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own. . Warren v\ *| ---------------------------------------------- . V {uunet,sun}!convex!swarren; swarren@convex.COM I wish Portal would let me do real .sigs :-(, but for now, this'll have to do: -Dave Schreiber at davids@cup.portal.com "Coffee, Darling?"