On Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:32:11 -0700 Alan <[email protected]> dijo: >My GS116 switch just died 5-days ago, altho I had a similar Netgear >giga switch die about 6-months ago. Not to mention the power supply >to my Infrant-Netgear NV+ file server going up in smoke about 2-months >ago. > >Netgear does a great job of making it hard to use there warranty, but >eventually come thru. First you should make sure your device is >registered at there website. Then you need to call they're hard to >find phone number 888-638-4327 (use extension #4 for tech support.) >You'll get an operator who will give you a case number then put you >into a queue to talk to an support engineer. Recently when I got to >this stage they're hold system timed out after 15 minutes and put me >into voice mail where I left my number and email. After 4-days of no >response I had to call again, this time a was able to describe the >problem to an engineer, after following the previous process. The >engineer approved my failure and but me on hold to speak to the RMA >specialist who after verifying serial number, name and address, case >number etc again and another on hold period, gave me the RMA number. >He waited on the line while I confirmed the confirming email he sent >me and the I got to select one of three RMA programs, from free >(after I send back the unit with the specified documentation to a >next day air delivery of a replacement unit and pre-paid return for >about $50. Since I had already replace the unit with a Trendnet >TEG-160WS smart switch in the intervening time, I went with the >cheapest approach for about $12. > >A similar winding path to replacement was experience with Netgear on >the fired power supply with the NV+ except I paid the big bucks for >the next day air. I've notice that a lot of warranties, including the >lifetime GS116 don't include the power supply, which under normal >condition it the most like part to die, altho a well designed unit >should last more than ten years. Cheap capacitors from China seem to >have cut that lifetime to less than half. Hopefully cap quality will >increase with manufacturing experience and buyer demand. > >Good Luck
Thanks for that information. It prepared me for the trials of dealing with Netgear. Unfortunately, I did not register the switch and I do not have the receipt, although I bought it at Fry's and I have them looking it up as I write this. I tried to point out to the lady at Netgear that if the warranty is lifetime the exact date of purchase is irrelevant, but she failed to grasp my logic. It may take Fry's up to 48 hours to track down the sale. As soon as they respond I will register and get an RMA. The Netgear lady said the cheapest shipping option is 19.90. _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
