4 Laptops in Less Than 2 Weeks

It is a well known fact to family and friends that if I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any at all. Which brings me to the following story. In order to understand, make sure you read my previous blog, 3 Laptops In Less Than a Week.

The laptop I ended up buying about a month ago was incredible. Yes, that's past tense. It had everything I needed except for one thing... an attached 'a' key. When I opened up the laptop, from the brand new package, the a key had fallen off. It wouldn't snap back on because the one of the plastic prongs that snaps the key into place was broken. No big deal. I thought I could deal with it...I mean really, who needs an a key? Psshhh..not me!

Well, as it turns out, I could probably use that a key. I could probably use it a lot. I kind of needed it. So I thought, well I can fix it. I found a web site that details how to fix the key. It's pretty complicated. Like really complicated. So I look up, 'superglue broken laptop key.' Next best idea, right?

Apparently not so much. Prior to supergluing the key I asked one of the IT guys at my work for his opinion on the matter. When I mentioned the word superglue, he looked at me like I was crazy. He suggested I take the laptop back to the store and get them to fix it, since Fry's can repair stuff in store, and since my laptop was still under the 30 day warranty.

I'm annoyed, because this will be my 3rd trip to Fry's in less than a month. I'm sure people that work at the store think I'm building a robot or something. Whatever, I suck it up and go back.

I walk to the repair department and tell them the situation. "I bought this laptop about two weeks ago and when I opened it the a key was off. I need to get it fixed." The guy behind the counter is clearly suspicious of my story and says "Why did you wait two weeks to bring it back?" I tell him I didn't have much time in the last two weeks, I thought I could deal with it or fix it myself and honestly, I'm a little lazy.

He still isn't convinced and looks at me like I'm crazy. I repeat that I need to get it fixed and only bought the laptop two weeks ago. He tells me they can't fix it and I need to contact Toshiba and get them to send me a brand new keyboard for my laptop. This time I look at him like he's crazy. I repeat to him, in a slightly louder voice, "I only bought this less then two weeks ago! It's still under the 30 day warranty!" He then says, "Oh, you bought it here?" Oh my god, seriously!??!? Why would I bring it to Fry's to fix it if I bought it at Wal-mart?

He says he's going to talk to his manager. I watch him walk over to her and explain the situation. She looks at me out of the corner of her eye...kind of like a cat does when you're about to give it a bath. Ugghhh...I know what's coming. The guy walks back over to me and says, "There's nothing we can do about it, you can talk to customer service."

Now I'm pissed.

I go to customer service. I end up getting the same associate that helped me when I returned the Fujitsu laptop. She remembers me. I tell her the a key was off when i got it and I need for the repair department to fix it. I make sure to emphasis the fact that I DID NOT BREAK THE A KEY. I tell her the guy in the repair department thinks I broke it, but I did not. She tells me "Yeah they told me they think you broke it." Ohhhh them's fightin words. She continues, "But I don't care. It's been less than 30 days. We will just do an even exchange for the exact same computer. We'll open it before you leave, to make sure it's okay." She's like an angel from a computer god. But she's actually from Turkey. Whatever, she saved my day.

I now have a brand new computer. The a key is intact. It's pretty awesome.

That makes 4 laptops in less than two weeks.

Suck it good luck.