Preposerous spare parts prices

[giannitsa]

The Matshita BD combo UJ-120 on my FZ21M stopped working after latest official Sony firmware update.

I asked for a quote for a replacement from the Greek service center (Sony MegaCenter). They turned back with an amazing 690 euros for a new drive and that only if I return to Sony the old one !!! Such aprice is preposterous, unacceptable and certainly insulting to anyone that has payed good money for a Sony product. Is this Sony's idea for after sales support?

In parallel, I contacted Sony support to provide the previous firmware to try to roll back, with no lack so far. They have responded with instructions that unfortunately did not repair the drive.

The overall VAIO experience so far is extremely unpleasant. I had to change a battery charger (within guarantee, after lengthy telephone conversations with the central guarantee center that was initially asking from me to send the laptop to Germany!). I had to change a battery (official Sony - 150 euros) and now the CD drive (unknown yet cost). And all that for a piece of machinery that did not function properly for half of its service life (appr. 2 years).
Should the next laptop be a VAIO again?

[icedbullet]

I feel your pain. I've had my VGN-AR11M since Nov 2006, one of my relatives spilt tea on the keyboard and the 200GBP insurance policy I took out on the then £1200 Vaio (£1400 total cost) refused to replace my keyboard for free. It cost me an extra £150 to get the keyboard replaced.

-1 to sony for poor aftersales service

When I got it back from repair I noticed I could hear static which is still present to this day (and is very irritating). I didnt want to send it back to sony for repairs only to have them wiggle out of their insurance commitments yet again.

-2 to sony
-1 to me for not bothering to get it checked

Now the flimsy switch that engages the wireless internet keeps turning on and of if you so much as breathe on it. My insurance has run out so Im stuck with it like this.

-3 to sony for rubbish build quality

The battery refuses to be recognised so now my laptop will only work on ac power...the charge for a replacement battery? I was quoted £150 GBP. My answer to the sales rep....no thanks ill put that towards my new macbook pro...

-4 to sony for extortionate spare parts costs.

So to sum up no your next laptop SHOULD NOT be a sony. If you want quality go with apple or HP.