So I have an Alienware computer. Specifically, it’s a laptop computer.And when I bought it I opted for the 3-year warranty.
Good thing I did too because a couple of months after getting my laptop the video card went bad. (This laptop was Alienware's first laptop to include a mobile video card module that can be removed and replaced separate from the motherboard.)
So after calling them up and after they diagnosed that yes, the video card was defective; they told me they were sending a replacement. Well in the replacement FedEx box, there was the new card, a Fed-Ex sticker, and instructions to put the defective card in the FedEx box that the replacement came in, black-out any old shipping info on the old label, and affix the included shipping on top of the old label and return the package.
If I didn't follow these instructions, Alienware would charge me the price of the video card ($200 or so). So I followed those instructions to the letter, and sent the card back. No problem.
Since then my video card has gone bad two times and I've had it replaced in the EXACT same manner as before. No problem (with the exception of the fact the card went bad in the first place).... So...No problem WITH FedEx.
Well last week I call Alienware again, my video card fan is making its noise again, and I know from prior experience, that it's defective. The Alienware agent confirms it over the phone and they send me a new card. I got it yesterday.
I do EXACTLY the same with it that I had done the past THREE times, and put the old card in the box the new one came in, affix the included label on the new box (after blacking out the old label's shipping info) and drop it off at FedEx.
...
Here's where the shit hits the fan.
The FedEx lady I gave it to looks at the box, and says, "you can't use a courier box for a express shipment".
I'm like.... um.... It’s exactly the same box I received from my computer company, and they told me to put that label on that box and send it back to them.
She's like BLAH BLAH BLAH (Same as above), and I again, am like…
Ok...well there's nothing I can do. That's the box they sent my new video card in, with THAT label included inside, with explicit instructions to package my old card inside, black out the old label, and put the new label on the old and send it back.
...She's like..."Well I'm telling you, you can't use this box for this express shipment because this box has this (pointing) courier sticker on it.
I'm like...well I don't know what type of shipping THEY opted for when they ordered that label, but that is the EXACT SAME BOX that I picked up here yesterday, with an identical label on it, same format, same size, same style. With different addresses obviously, but the SAME type label. I don't know why there should be a problem now.
Then she pulls at the corner of the sticker, and rips it. Right through the return address! (WTF! tear MY label and jeopardize the shipping of the box because of YOUR issue with the package Alienware bought, and YOU shipped to ME!?)
...But again she goes on to tell me that next time I'm going to have to buy a new box because this one has a "Courier" sticker on it.
(WTF! It's a sticker! Most likely put there BY FedEx. Either them, or Alienware. NOT ME. Why should I have to buy a new box because of a STICKER!?!
So again....
I repeat to her that there's nothing I can do, because I was just following the instructions of Alienware on how to return the defective card. She needs to take it up with THEM. They supplied the box AND the label. (I'm just following their instructions so I don't get charged for the defective card.)
Finally she rolls her eyes, sighs loudly at me and says "fine", and I bolted out of there.
I so didn't want to deal with the lady's bitching at me about the fucking BOX & sticker. Bitch to the box on your own time.
So as I left I heard her pull the packaging-tape dispenser-roller, (you know that packaging tape sound it makes when you are unrolling it? That’s the sound I heard while leaving.).
I hope to god that it was her repairing the damage she caused to the shipping label, because if that package doesn’t get sent, I'LL get charged.
I should have stopped her when she was pulling at it, and fixed it then.
I also should have brought the instructions and shown her & made her sign it.
I didn't though because I've never had this type of trouble with FedEx before, so I didn't expect any problems.
Grrr.
