So my Averatec laptop broke down about six weeks ago. I still don't have it back, and I've spent about $300 "fixing" it so far. I recommend that you stay as far away from Averatec Computers as possible. Here's what has happened on this issue thus far:
2/13/06: Laptop won't boot when I'm changing out the hard drive.
2/15/06: I (finally) navigate tech support, and they agree to give me an RMA. I shipped the PC out on 2/17 (Friday). Averatec tells me to remove the hard drive from the PC before I send it back to them.
2/21/06: Fed Ex delivers my PC to Averatec.
3/1/06: Averatec sends my PC back to me.
3/2/06: My laptop finally arrives in Knoxville (have been down for 17 days at this point). I open the box, install the hard disk, and it won't do a POST (power on self-test). You would think this would have been due to a problem with the repair - but this (of course) was wrong. They put a cryptic note saying, "We will not cover future repairs to this computer since you opened the case to change out the hard drive."
3/3/06: I get another RMA from Averatec, ship the notebook back, and wait. This time, I include a prepaid FedEx label with my return for Averatec to return when sending my PC back. I explained to the tech support reps that I'm a CPA, and it's tax season. I need the box back ASAP. Naturally, they just hurry right along.
3/11/06: I receive an e-mail from Averatec saying that my repair isn't covered by warranty since I installed the hard disk, and they want $228 for replacing the motherboard on my PC. Mind you, it never WORKED after they sent it back. Wanting this whole nightmare to be over, I give them my credit card and tell them to just send the darned thing back to me. I had to be out of town on business the whole week of 3/13, so I didn't get that upset about any of this. Just have it back to me when I return from my trip, as I need to get some work done. At this point, I've squandered about a day and a half on this problem - 12 hours I really didn't have to spare.
3/20/06: I look up my RMA, and call Averatec (actually, FremontTek, their contract repair facility). They goofed off all week last week, and didn't ship the laptop back until Friday. In addition, they ignored my request to return the laptop to me at my expense via FedEx overnight, and shipped it FedEx Ground. Ground. To Tennessee. From California. In the middle of tax season. I call FedEx, and there's no way to get the package moved to overnight from the FedEx Ground shipping queue. (Sorry, Brian. You lose. It's only money, right?!?!?)
3/23/06: Hopefully, my laptop will arrive by March 23rd, the date listed on the FedEx Ground website as when my package will arrive. Hopefully it will work when it gets back (unlike last time). This, after only 38 days out of service. As you can imagine, I'm not exactly holding my breath.
Summary: Avoid Averatec. No way, no how. A non-starter. Buy good gear with real warranties and support. Don't buy a cheap l.aptop like me, and end up aging three years because of the frustrations of the repair process.
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