My Square Trade Warranty Pays Out

My "bargain" desktop computer. It was fun while it lasted!  

Those of you who follow my personal computer exploits here may remember that I bought a bargain "high end" Gateway refurbished "high-end" computer here last July  for under $500.00 off Ebay. It came with a high-end graphics card and a good processor, etc. It was quite a deal and was about to run Second Life at ultra settings for seven non-stop months.

Well, guess what, this computer popped and fizzled on New Year's eve.  It did not just "pop and fizzle", its power supply basically exploded and sparked out and destroyed my entire "bargain" in the process.

Rule number 1 about computers-- don't expect a 300 watt power supply (what this computer came with) to push a machine that has a high-end graphics card (which Gateway added)  non-stop for 7 months and not burn out in the process.  I can hear DJ InsyX who warned me about this cracking up right now.

My refurbished computer only came with a 90 day warranty.  Most refurbished computers, which are sold from manufacturers, do not come with full one year warranty.

They Paid Out as Promised

Lucky for me, as I reported here, I purchased an inexpensive Square Trade Warranty at the same time I purchased this computer. I have been purchasing Square Trade Warranties for many years on the advice of others.

Well, it was time to put Square Trade through the test. Here is how the conversation went:

Eddi: "Hi, this is Eddi Haskell  (my real name actually was used).  My computer blew up and I need to have it replaced".


Charming Square Trade Person:  "Oh, no! Well we have to get it fixed. Can you drop it off at a repair shop and have them send us the bill?  Most of them work with us".


Eddi:  "OK, but are you sure its worth it?  The computer was under $500.00, and I am sure the motherboard is gone together with the memory, and perhaps the graphics card as well.  It will cost more in parts to get this thing fixed than to buy a new one, and you will have to pay the repair shop anyway.  Why not just let me get a new one?"


Charming Square Trade Person:  "OK, that will work. Would you like us to mail you a check, refund your money in Paypal, or give you an Amazon Gift Card for the full amount you paid plus an extra 5% bonus".


Eddi: "You are joking. Is this it?  I expected this call to be more difficult".


So that is it.  Very easy.

I bought a new much better Gateway / Acer Computer refurb with a 750 watt power supply and running one of Intel's best Sandy Bridge I-7 processors. Bock McMillan and Insyx, you are both correct, Second Life seems to run alot more smooth with Intel products.

My New Computer Looks Cool - The Gateway 6803

My new Gateway 6803 PC costs $650.00 from Ascendtech- It was rated the best mass market gaming desktop in late 2010 when it costs $1500.00 new.  It is a killer computer, and runs Second Life in ultra seamlessly with no lag whatsoever on any viewer I choose to use.

There is one just like it on sale today here at Ascendtech, they have several Gateway 6803's and 6840's on sale today from $600 - $700, along with a gorgeous and similarly configured Acer Predator gaming desktop for $650.00 that will sell out immediately. Make sure the graphics card is the ATI 5850, and not one with a lower number when you buy these.  Note that my new computer did not come with a mouse or keyboard, just the computer and nothing else -- which is fine for me at this price.

Ascendtech was easy to work with and shipped my new computer out immediately.

However, they only come with a 30-day warranty.  You will need to get a one or two year Square Trade Warranty to play things safe -- just in case you have a problem like I did.

Here are some coupon codes for Square Trade that I found that should be able to save you 30% on a one-year warranty.  If these do not work, search the web for some others.

www.squaretrade.com

30% off No Minimum (up to a maximum of $30)
* Use SquareTrade Coupon Code THIRTY30

$30 off $30 Warranties (actually it is up to $30.00 off)
* Use SquareTrade Coupon Code FF30

facebook special (for 30% off)
Use SquareTrade Coupon Code FBPREVIEW