Lenovo: Of all the lame-ass, idiotic, brain-damaged

[elfs]

I received a notice from my OS that the battery in my laptop has been recalled. I checked the serial number and sure enough, it's in the recall list. So I went and checked on the website, and discovered that to confirm the battery is in the recall I have to run a piece of software. The software is Windows-only. Apparently, I can't be trusted to read the serial number for myself.

I then tried calling IBM Customer Support. After going through a whole bunch of hoops, I get to the guy at the support line who tells me that the entire process of battery recall is automated. I tell him that I'm not running Microsoft Windows and I can't run the automated battery detection software, so I can't get to the recall return page.

"Oh," he says. "We don't have anything to help you."

"So, I can't exchange my battery?"

"Everything is through the website. You need to use it."

"I can't. I can't run the program."

"Then I don't know what to tell you, sir."

Well, fuck you, IBM. I have been a loyal Thinkpad user for over a decade, you morons. And now you tell me, "Until you receive your replacement battery-- which you'll never get because you're not a Windows user-- try not to bump or drop your battery. It could be, um, bad."

Comments

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

Personal ads in Craig's list and The Stranger looking for a Windows user with your model of laptop to run the software?

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

"Can I have your full name, sir?"
"Now, can I have your supervisor?"
"No? Then prepare to be named in a lawsuit for criminal negligence; this call has been logged."

...
"May I have your full name, please, Mister Supervisor?"
"Mister Supervisor, you're going to find me a way to get my battery into the recall program. I can give you its model, serial number, photos of same, whatever, but your poor excuse for a website simply will not do."

"No? Then prepare.... "

There are ways to turbo things.

'course, google for "VP Customer Support" might also get traction.

[dougs.livejournal.com]

This.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

This would make a great Slashdot article.

[l33tminion]

The Consumerist also loves these sorts of stories.

[moiety-tx.livejournal.com]

Bizarre. Dell only ever needed the battery serial number (which internally we ran through the same website that customers could use directly. The actual processing was outsourced somewhere.)