Seagate's HD RMA service?

[JimNastics]

After shagging up one of my Seagate HD's (cut power during overnight defrag...oops... SMART errors a plenty, drive unreadable, can't LLF or anything at all), I've tried to sort out an RMA on Seagate's website. Bugger me sideways if it's not one of the crappest online RMA systems I've ever used.

Anyway, cut a long story short, I chose to send it back to the Coventry depot and everything went through fine, now I've just received an email telling me I should send it to a depot in Holland... and now when I check the RMA details online, it also has the Holland depot listed. I have the original confirmation page I printed out that clearly lists the Coventry depot, so somewhere, on some magical Seagate system in the last 10 minutes, it's changed to the Holland depot for no apparent reason.

Anyone had experiences with Seagate RMA? Shall I just send it back to the Coventry depot (with printed confirmation pages enclosed) and hope for the best?

[nichomach]

Yes. I had to send a 120GB SATA drive to Holland for replacement after it went titsup.com. They sent me a replacement, which has ALSO just barfed over itself. Useless drives, but if you think the RMA's worth the wait, then you're pretty definitely in the hands of the Dutch, I'm afraid.

[JimNastics]

Yes. I had to send a 120GB SATA drive to Holland for replacement after it went titsup.com. They sent me a replacement, which has ALSO just barfed over itself. Useless drives, but if you think the RMA's worth the wait, then you're pretty definitely in the hands of the Dutch, I'm afraid.

For god sake... so why did it give me the choice of Coventry, and even have Coventry on the shipping slip it had me print out at confirmation page?!

[Steve]

Can you give them a ring? I've never had a problem with Seagate's RMA service.

[m0cea]

I have sent at least 10 drives back to Seagate with no compaints about there service or the quality of the replacements either.

[JimNastics]

I have sent at least 10 drives back to Seagate with no compaints about there service or the quality of the replacements either.

Good stuff, that's what I wanted to hear, but did you do it online? Did you choose the Coventry depot, send it to the Coventry depot and all was fine? This goes to Steve as well!!

[Steve]

The last time I RMA'd I rang them because the fault was intermittent. I seem to think I've always sent mine to Coventry... always being twice, with two different drives over the years.

[JimNastics]

The last time I RMA'd I rang them because the fault was intermittent. I seem to think I've always sent mine to Coventry... always being twice, with two different drives over the years.

Okeedokee, can you remember if it was the UK 0800 number on here:

http://www.seagate.com/contact/warranty/

[Steve]

I got the number from their contact page, so yes it was probably that number.

[MD]

Coventry is a known tech return depot in the UK, it facilitates alot of Box Swap/Piece consolidation shipping.

I would expect the Coventry address is used to bulk return items to Holland. This is usually done to make returns cheaper for the consumer. For example, Komplett use this proceedure for processing thier returns, it seems a popular choice for European mainland based companies.

Matt.

[JimNastics]

I sent back the HD to the Coventry depot last Thursday and they received it this morning, and I've just had an email to confirm they've already sent out the replacement... a ST3250823A!!! 250gb of goodness! The dead drive was a 120gb drive, so they've more than doubled that in return. Any doubts I had about Seagate have been washed away with a prompt service and uber-generousity, bloody brilliant.

[philyau]

fantatic news, i just got two segates the same hdd as u yesterday from scan, very good drives and quiet mucho better than the noisey maxtor DM10 that i brought earlier from scan had to change it.

phil

[Nitestorm]

Out of interest, what packaging did people use to send their drives back to Seagate? Need to rma a couple of maxtor drives and noticed they state you need to get approved packaging otherwise warranty is void.

Edit: Not happy about Seagate scrapping Maxtor's Advanced replacement RMA. Least that way you could copy over any data if the drive was still working and could send it back in the supplied packaging.

[notsobig]

Seagate scrapping Maxtor's Advanced replacement RMA.

Did they? Oh no that's a bad news I was just about to create a new RMA for my second faulty maxtor drive. Looks like I have to wait for a new replacement drive to arrive from Scan first, bah.

[Nitestorm]

Yeah Seagate have taken over all Maxtor warranties, but they don't have an Advanced replacement option:

https://www.maxtor.com/en/support/service/rma/create/

As of December 9th, 2006 warranty services for all Maxtor products are now fully supported through Seagate’s warranty services. To obtain warranty support for your product please proceed to the Seagate Warranty Support page for assistance.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.js...D&locale=en-US

Seagate’s return policy currently does not have an advanced return option. However, recognizing the needs of our customers, efforts are underway reviewing possible enhancements to our service programs.

They seem to require the drive sent back in a SeaShell container or an ESD bag. Then rubber foam and a corrugated box. Says NOT to use foam packing pellets, bubble wrap, or newspaper. States warranty is void if improperly packaged. Any idea where you'd buy them from?

[notsobig]

No idea, but can't they just send you one if you ask them? I remember seeing an option like that when I created last RMA. Last time I just re-used the box new hard drive came in, and it was dead easy but this time seems like a lot of hassle