Hard disk warranties on Scan website

[foxyrick]

Hey, I haven't been to Hexus for years...

My main data drive has just died this morning (again, just a couple of months out of warranty) so I'm shopping...

I've noticed that a few of the HDs listed at Scan don't agree with other sellers regarding the warranty length. Scan often seems to list just one or two years while other places list two or three years for the same drives.

Specifically, the WD 4TB Black (LN53873) is listed as only two years, but everywhere else says five. That makes a huge difference to me (I was disgusted when the industry dropped warranty periods). That is probably the drive I'll buy, but...

I'm going to have to call Scan if I get a chance today to query the warranty, or just order elsewhere if I don't. I need a new drive by tomorrow so don't have time to mess about.

Anyway, if there is an issue with incorrect warranties on the listings at Scan, maybe someone should take a look at it? It makes a difference, to me at least.

[icemantaz]

The warranty will be direct with WD anyway won't it? Maybe scan are just covering the first two years themselves.

[watercooled]

Yeah I think the extended warranty is most likely with WD rather than the retailer. I had to RMA a drive with WD (the drive turned out to not be the issue anyway) and their service was very efficient in my experience.

[DWhitley]

Just bought two WD Red Pro HDDs, mainly because of the 5 year warranty. Scan's site also says 60 months.

I've attempted to register the HDDs through the "WD Support Portal" and, after many attempts, finally discovered that they won't accept it because it is classed as OEM.

I really need to get to the bottom of this. If one of them fails in 4 years time, who do I go to?

Can't help feeling that this must have been covered somewhere, but I can't find it.

[watercooled]

I seem to recall reading that WD has three types of drive warranties:
Retail boxed drives
'OEM' drives, bare units you usually get from e-tailers but still covered by WD's own warranty.
Actual OEM drives - no warranty directly from WD for consumers.

Although I thought the likes of Scan would sell drives from the second category, it's possible they're selling the third type? Or things have changed since I last read that...

Edit: Found this post from a WD rep earlier in the year: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/th...4#post-3259597

[DWhitley]

Following my post dated 31/12/2015 I raised a query with Scan about this. Just received a reply saying that the warranty will be covered by Scan. Hope they stay in business!

Strangely, even though registration of the drives on the WD website did not appear to work, the drives not appearing when I query their warranty status, I've also received a query from WD asking if I'm happy with them. I've made it clear that I'm not happy with the warranty treatment.

[watercooled]

See if you can get through to a person at WD and ask what the deal is - if I understand it correctly, you should be able to register a drive for warranty unless it came pre-installed in a system.

I got a WD drive off ebay a while back when the prices were astronomical after the Thailand floods, as it was the only one I could find for a reasonable price, and even that registered on the WD website as expected.

[Jonj1611]

I have had the same thing happen a long time ago with a drive from Scan, unable to register it for warranty with the manufacturer but told by Scan that they would honour the warranty, though to be fair I would rather have it done with the manufacturer all day long. So think its a common thing.

[MDPlatts]

Just go here and type in the serial no and it will tell you the warranty expiry date and if you are covered - http://support.wdc.com/Warranty/warrantyStatus.aspx

[DWhitley]

Just go here and type in the serial no and it will tell you the warranty expiry date and if you are covered - http://support.wdc.com/Warranty/warrantyStatus.aspx

Thank you, that worked. The results said "Expiry 01/04/2021, In Limited Warranty". That's something.

On previous attempts I was directed to an entirely different WD page where every query produced either no result at all or an error message:

https://westerndigital.secure.force.com/ind/?lang=en

A bit of a mess, all things considered, but I seem to be covered. With a bit of luck I won't need to make a claim.

[s3ds]

I have never registered a WD drive before ( IIRC only RMA'd one or two )
So have just registered the last 4 ( 2 2tb black from feb last year and 2 4tb SE from october )
All come back as out of region for the status
OUT OF REGION
Purchased on 2/14/2015
Expires 5/8/2019 - 1,211 days left
OUT OF REGION
Purchased on 2/14/2015
Expires 5/17/2016 - 125 days left

125 Days ??? date on drive is 09-apr-2014 same as one with 1,211 days left ( bought same time )

others two have Expires 6/1/2020 - 1,601 days left

[watercooled]

Maybe they're 'grey market' drives? Where did you purchase them from? If it's a reputable retailer you should be able to deal with them directly for the warranty if necessary, or as above try contacting WD and see if they can help if you have proof of purchase etc.

[s3ds]

I nearly always buy online from Scan unless they are out of stock. ( They were from Scan and have contacted support )
odd how the serial numbers are only 13 different xxxxx240 to xxxxx253

[watercooled]

Yeah that is odd - it could just be an error on WD's database I suppose.

[s3ds]

From what I have googled WD will alter the warrenty to the full 2/3/5 years from the date of purchase, if you send them a receipt via support.

[s3ds]

Just to add I got warrenty on the drive back to 5 years
WD Support Portal is were to register