#Amiga Guarantee ?
11 messages in this thread
Have just been told that it is very unwise to purchase an Amiga computer at the
present time – if, when or where they may be available. Reason given is that
as Commodore – the parent company – are now in liquidation, they are not able
to honor any claims under the computer's guarantee. My source tells me that
replacements and/or repairs under the guarantee, are being turned away.
Is there any truth in this ?
Regards, Hilary.
Hilary,
Yes, Commodore Int'l (the parent company) is in liquidation under
Bahamian law. How that compares to liquidation in the US is unclear to me
although some here suggest it is similar to US Chapter 11. In that respect, it
is also true that some of the subsidiaries in Europe ARE still in
business…and according to allreports…they were wholly owned subsidiaries of
the parent company Commodore Int'l.
As to whether it is a good idea to buy or not buy an Amgia now, an
Amiga is still an Amiga, the fact that the parent company is in difficulty
doesn't effect the functionality of the computer itself. IF you were happy
with one before…there is no reason you shouldn't be happy now.
The warranty provider (SMG) has made statements that they will still
honor warranties and provide spare parts. How true that is…I don't know.
There is also *LOTS* of rumor about the Amiga line being bought out by
some Asian company (Samsung gets the most mention), supposedly informed sources
or insiders statements have been posted by others indicating that the buyout
should occur very soon now. AGain…it is ALL RUMOR at this point in time.
Nothing has been verified from official sources.
Don
Thanks so much Don for your prompt and informative reply. I have been
following the Forum mail, so am reasonably up to date.
My company are pondering the possibility of getting an Amiga 4000/40 for our
video work – instead of our somewhat old and quirky 2000. The problem of
repair to electronics/mechanicals does not worry me too much – as the inside of
the 2000 is now as familiar to me as a self built Heathkit. What does worry is
such items as replacement "special" chips…. also the question of if the
suppliers will still continue with software/hardware. Also am worried about
the gurantee – as the bloke who told me his woes cannot get his repairs done,
his supplier who sold him the machine 6 weeks ago is saying "Just too bad!"
Hope this is a single case…. not a trend.
With best regards….. Hilary.
Hilarry,
In my case I am facing a backorder on two Amiga chips (DMAC & RAMSEY) with
no indication as to when I will be able to get them. Warranties may still
be honoured but I am concerned about those special parts, as well.
BTW, my source is C= Canada who are theoretically still in business as
usual.
Andrew
Thanks Andrew.
Have you tried the GRAPEVINE GROUP in Philadelphia, Pa. They advertise in
"Amiga World". If you cannot find the address/phone, let me know. They seem
to carry quite a few spares,
All the best, Hilary
Thanks Hilary,
No, at this point I haven't tried the Grapevine Group. There are two
reasons: 1. The system is still 99% operational (and putting in more
memory has reduced the frequency of the problem) and 2. I'm still not sure
if it is a bad chip.
My dealer said that he will try it and if it works I pay for it and if it
doesn't we set it up as it was before and he keeps the chips for
inventory. So I have little to risk, as long as I don't mind waiting.
Andrew.
Don,
Commodore Canada is still in business as well..
Trent
One of the "Frozen Chosen"
Don,
In the U.K. the dealer who sells you the product has an obligation to
replace or repair defective merchandise, even if there is a guarantee by
the manufacturer. Is there nothing similar in American law?
Pete Jones, flying on AutoPilot from Brussels, Belgium
Peter,
No…the retailer has no obligation to honor manufacturer's warranty
unless dealer replacement is one of the warranty provisions. In fact, many
warranties specifically tell you to return the defective merchandise to the
manufacturer not to the store where it was bought.
In most cases…if you buy something and find it defective out of the
box….the dealer will trade it for a new item no matter what the warranty
says. But that is fto generate 'good will'…it generally is not required.
Don
Peter,
PMFJI
We have the same type of obligation here in Canada for dealers, but I
believe in the States that unless it is specified directly within a
dealers policy the customer is left in the lurch. Then again there are a
number of businesses in the States that would do a replacement for just
the name of better business.
Trent
One of the "Frozen Chosen"
Hilary,
The company that has the contract to do Amiga repairs has announced that
they have parts, are shipping, and that they are honoring warranties. I
saw the announcement some weeks ago – but I cannot verify anything beyond
that.
—Betty