Can a Retailer Charge for an Assessment Fee for a Warranty Claim?

Ldilapidation on 22/02/2022 - 15:21
Last edited 22/02/2022 - 16:51 by 1 other user

I believe I have an issue with a motherboard but I have no other way of testing it or if it's just the motherboard alone since I don't have another CPU or any other equipment to test it with. I did try troubleshooting it such as:

• Having one ram stick in
• Just one boot drive connected
• Etc.

But it still won't turn on. The retailer I'm dealing with will charge an assessment fee of $45 if it turns out its not the motherboard, I'm just wondering - can they actually do that? I've only RMA'd something once with another retailer and they have never mentioned that before.

• 

  Brian McGee on 22/02/2022 - 15:27

  +4

  You are guessing it is the motherboard, which will take one of the shop assistants time to check on your behalf before sending back to the manufacturer/supplier. If it's not warranty it is only fair you pay. If the PC was purchased as a complete unit then ship all of it back and let them diagnose under warranty.

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  rektrading on 22/02/2022 - 16:16

  +5

  The retailer I'm dealing with will charge an assessment fee of $45 if it turns out its not the motherboard, I'm just wondering - can they actually do that?

  Yes, they can.

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  Wade on 22/02/2022 - 17:48

  Yes. I think it's more common for problems that they actually have to take things apart to work out if there's anything wrong.
  Nintendo have their appraisal charges clearly laid out on their warranty site - https://www.nintendo.com.au/support/warranty

  The fun starts I think if you're a retailer, have a unit returned as 'faulty', send it to Nintendo and they work out it's not faulty (or the consumers fault - liquid inside etc) who then invoice the retailer, who the has to pass it on.

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  Drakesy on 22/02/2022 - 18:29

  Yep, they're 100% within their means to charge if it turns out not to be the issue.
  It's to stop people from calling up to have techies look at their devices when something like a software update is required - or a third party part.

  At the end of the day the manufacturer will be reimbursing the technician who checks it. TBH that's actually not that bad i've been quoted up to $100 call out fee if it turns out not to be an issue with the hardware. If you're 100% certain, just accept the possibility of handing over $45 but you could also get your computer fixed for free.

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  GordonD on 22/02/2022 - 18:35

  New motherboards are tested before they leave the factory. The predominant cause of claimed faults with new motherboards is the purchaser. So its fully justified for them to charge a fee if the problem wasn't a fault in the product.