IBM/Hitachi RMA

[Lexeus]

My 40 gig IBM Deskstar DTLA-305040 Hard drive failed on me last week . Lost a load of stuff, including my 'my documents' and all my favourites. Anway, luckily, I bought this when I was still learning the computer basics, and didn't know the best sites and stuff, and i got it from special reserve, but most importantly it had a 3 year warranty , unlike all the OEM drives i buy now , anyway Maxtor drives dont fail right ? well not for me so far anyway lol

Ok anyway, I had about 5 months left on the warranty so i RMA'd it. Its an IBM drive but now IBM drives are Hitachi as everyone knows, so i had to send it to Hitachi in the Netherlands. I posted it on Thursday, so thats what, 2 days so far.
My first question is, I was told at the post office that Air mail is only a day faster, about 2 or 3 days, than surface mail, 3 or 4 days. But when i looked after, according to RM's postal price book, it says air mail 3 days, surface mail 2 weeks !! How long do you think it will take ?? Anyone got any experiene with this ?

Next, Hitachi tell you to send it by a postal service which provides a tracking service .... but I sent it through standard RM small packet parcel post, will this be a problem ? any idea ?

Next, anyone have experience with IBM/Hitchi RMA's ? They say there may be a delay in dispatch of the new drive, if they are out of stock of the replacement drive. Well im not sure they even make this drive any more ? or would they just have some in stock still ? Is there any chance they will send me a better drive than the original in replacement ??
Any relevant comments greatly appreicated, thanks alot

[Lexeus]

no one ever RMA'd an IBM drive before ?

[TiG]

Few things, i definitely would have sent it recorded delivery, if Hitachi claim they haven't recieved it your quite frankly not got a leg to stand on...

I'd phone them to confirm reciept of the drive and chase it through the system, but hey thats just me, and i'm used to getting stuff out of companies long drawn out processes from work.

I'd say you best bet is to find out where things stand at present. Whether they have got your drive probably best place to start...

TiG

[Lexeus]

well as i said i sent it on thursday which means it has been 3 working days. According to their website they havn't recieved it yet, which i'm not too suprised about. The problem with the postagte is it cost me just over £4 to send with the cheapest method, which i used, and a 40 gig hard drive isn't worth more than about £30, £35