Strange HDD-related query/issue

[insaneYLN]

Hello all

A friend purchased a new Samsung 500GB SATA hard disk drive (HD503HI) yesterday but to his surprise he observed the HDD came enclosed only in the plastic cover box without a anti-static bag.
The plastic box did contain a packet of screws & a user manual.

Upon inquiring about the warranty, the local vendor told him the HDD carries a 5 year warranty period.
i adviced him to call the customer care & confirm the precise warranty expiry date. As he could not get through to the toll free number (1800 110011) he called on another one (022 30862628) & was shocked when he was informed that his new HDD carries only 3 years of warranty.
According to the customer care agent, Samsung has now decreased the warranty period from 5 years to 3 years for all HDDs purchased after 23rd March 2010.

Is it a natural thing for HDDs to come without the anti-static bag? or has the local vendor in a way tampered with the product?
Also, is the decrease in warranty period a fact or fiction?

Awaiting your apt responses my Friends.

[tkin]

Originally Posted by insaneYLN

Hello all

A friend purchased a new Samsung 500GB SATA hard disk drive (HD503HI) yesterday but to his surprise he observed the HDD came enclosed only in the plastic cover box without a anti-static bag.
The plastic box did contain a packet of screws & a user manual.

Upon inquiring about the warranty, the local vendor told him the HDD carries a 5 year warranty period.
i adviced him to call the customer care & confirm the precise warranty expiry date. As he could not get through to the toll free number (1800 110011) he called on another one (022 30862628) & was shocked when he was informed that his new HDD carries only 3 years of warranty.
According to the customer care agent, Samsung has now decreased the warranty period from 5 years to 3 years for all HDDs purchased after 23rd March 2010.

Is it a natural thing for HDDs to come without the anti-static bag? or has the local vendor in a way tampered with the product?
Also, is the decrease in warranty period a fact or fiction?

Awaiting your apt responses my Friends.

Its called an open box product, its common, actually HDDs in India are sold like this, its not tampered with(i can't vouch for your vendor, but I know a few that does not), so its safe.

I think your vendor is telling the truth as samsung india website says 5yrs warranty on all drives mfg after aug,08, so it looks like 5yrs, not three.

Go here and click hard drive and read the terms.
Policy & Warranty SAMSUNG


Anyway please go this site and check the warranty status of your hdd, it will clearly state the warranty period.
Hdd warranty check SAMSUNG

Enter the P/N or S/N no(located on your HDD body), select model and check, it will tell the warranty period of your specific drive.

[paroh]

As in case of seagate and WDC anti-static bag is used .
There are two type of hard disk one is OEM that only comes with anti-static bag and no wire , manual or screw is included. The other one is retail that comes with proper packaging.

[insaneYLN]

@ tkin
Sir, the Samsung HDD Warranty Check link does not list the model purchased by my friend.

The Model is HD503HI
The S/N is S23CJ90Z519198
The P/N is 62812-C721-A1Q8R

Awaiting your further help..

[tkin]

Originally Posted by insaneYLN

@ tkin
Sir, the Samsung HDD Warranty Check link does not list the model purchased by my friend.

The Model is HD503HI
The S/N is S23CJ90Z519198
The P/N is 62812-C721-A1Q8R

Awaiting your further help..

The model number isn't even listed there, samsung does not officially support 500GB or higher drives in India, well theres nothing more to to do, I'm sorry but you'll just have to accept the warranty terms set by samsung local distributor, i.e 3 years, although in my above link it clearly states all drives manufactured after aug'2008 has 5yrs warranty, so............, I'm a bit confused.

[insaneYLN]

My friend now regrets purchasing the Samsung HDD
Some of his other friends told him he should have gone with a Seagate 500GB SATA HDD.

[tkin]

Originally Posted by insaneYLN

My friend now regrets purchasing the Samsung HDD
Some of his other friends told him he should have gone with a Seagate 500GB SATA HDD.

Yes, seagate has the fastest rma service to date, just 3 days(in kolkata), they also let you track your rma status through sms. And not to mention full five years.