Copy & paste since I don’t know how to crosspost on my client. Hope this is alright

Well I went with your guy’s advice and got me a drive that still has a year of manufacturer warranty on top of the eBay 1 year warranty, but a bit of a sketch seller ngl. The drive itself seems legit visually with matching serial numbers (if you know another way, I’m all ears), but womp womp it doesn’t work. At least it fails to initalize, data error (cyclic redundancy check) on windows and some kinda fsync error iirc using “Disks” on Linux, both errors are relating to hardware. I used both a tested enclosure and connected it via sata cables on different machines and the same problems continue, hehe. I’m just wondering how the limited warranty with WD (the manufacture of my drive) works and what you’re experiences are getting a replacement from them? I keep reading horror stories that they won’t help since it was brought from an unauthorized reseller, etc… Also is it worth even sending it in? I read the replacement is another refurb with no warranty afterwards. The alternative would be going the eBay route and getting a replacement that’s also used but will retain the warranty from the seller. Which is the better option? BTW don’t worry about data loss still practicing the 3,2,1 method this is purely about the best bang for my buck.

Goddamn wall of text, I’m sorry…

TLDR: Wants to know about the warranty and replacement process of WD and concerned about receiving assistance from WD if the drive was purchased from an unauthorized reseller. Also considering whether it is worth sending the drive to the manufacturer which means receiving a refurb drive with no warranty or if getting a used replacement from eBay seller, which comes with a warranty, is a better option?

Edit: Decided on sending it back to the seller and getting a refund

  • Clearwater@lemmy.worldEnglish
    7·
    5 months ago

    Return for refund or replacement. If you’re even slightly concerned about WD giving you trouble, but know eBay/the seller won’t, just go that path since it’s still available.

    • poncho@lemmynsfw.comOPEnglish
      1·
      5 months ago

      Yeah I’m guessing this is the easiest option to just get my money back. Appreciate it and I’ll update the post with what I go with. I already have another drive that I tested and works so I’m not desperate for now.

  • s38b35M5@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    5 months ago

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but manufacturer warranties are not transferrable, so when you bought it secondhand, the warranty didn’t convey to you.

    My experience with WD and Seagate has been that they request proof of purchase, which, for me, was my original invoice.

    • poncho@lemmynsfw.comOPEnglish
      1·
      5 months ago

      Honestly I have no clue. My train of thought was if you could register it, which I havent tested, then the warranty could work. Was kinda hoping someone here or in the original post went through my situation and could clairfy things.

    • kylian0087@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      5 months ago

      What? No warranty covers the product with ITs serial number most of the time. I have bough seagate exos drives seccond hand. One was broken and kept failing tests. Send a RMA to seagate and got a new one. They did want some proof of the test failing.

      Maiby this depends on the counrry you are living in?

      • s38b35M5@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        5 months ago

        No warranty covers the product with ITs serial number most of the time.

        Not sure what you mean.

        WD RMA seems to require proof of purchase and serial number.

        Perhaps going outside of these “normal” channels for RMA might get you around these requirements, but it seems unlikely they’d accept RMA for any drive without proof of purchase. Maybe in some cases, but in suspect those would be the exception, not the rule.

        That said, who is to say how long a drive sat on a stock shelf before initial sale? An unregistered drive could be secondhand, or just wasn’t sold until recently.

        I simply meant that I wouldn’t assume a used drive includes a manufacturer warranty. I’d work with the reseller to replace the drive, not the manufacturer.