RMA Radeon 4850

I had to RMA my video card. I understand things go bad, I'm not upset about that. What irked me was the $35 fee they charged me plus shipping to send it back. Why should I be charged for a lemon? I'm out of a video card for 2-4 weeks after they receive it. It was a Sapphire card but RMA'd with Athlon Micro.

Next time, what should I do to avoid this: buy VisionTek, demand a cross ship, purchase a cheap card for the interim?

For those of you that want more troubleshooting info:
Artifacts during POST
tested in a different motherboard with same problems
not over clocking
plenty of ventilation
whole setup was built in November 2008

SOunds like you got took

I would have called and got pissed..

Why did you pay them anything? They already got your monney by selling you what may have been a faulty unit. Does Sapphire not have a warranty at all?

VisionTek has a 3 year warranty IIRC, and I think XFX offers their lifetime warranty on their ATi AIBs.

Why didn't you use the sapphire warranty and RMA through them. The only time I RMA'd through sapphire it was smooth as pudding and didn't cost me anything.

I had the same problem with ASUS. They wanted me to pay the shipping charges. I know it is too late but next time ask for the manager. I got the shipping for free rather quickly after that. Also to answer your question I have no clue on a good brand. I would say get it rmaed and hope for the best. I know someone with the sapphire and it works fine for him so it may just be bad luck.

RebelExtrm02 said:

Why didn't you use the sapphire warranty and RMA through them. The only time I RMA'd through sapphire it was smooth as pudding and didn't cost me anything.

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When I emailed Sapphire's support they reponded with:

"Please provide us a copy of the purchase receipt and send it to [email protected] to request for RMA service."

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after that I communicated only with Althon Micro.

Well I have only myself to blame for this. Hopefully this'll give warning to anyone else in the same situation.

SPARTAN VI said:

Why did you pay them anything? They already got your monney by selling you what may have been a faulty unit. Does Sapphire not have a warranty at all?

VisionTek has a 3 year warranty IIRC, and I think XFX offers their lifetime warranty on their ATi AIBs.

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No its lifetime, it just doesnt' say so on the front of the box (does on the back).

XFX is definatly the way to go, when its priced compeditively.

Yeah I've got a good deal of experiance with sapphire, not much of it was pleasen't.

Just a follow up -
I have to RMA my 4870x2 that went bad over the weekend, and he's correct - Sapphire turns you over to Athlon Micro and is never heard from again. The price now seems to be $15 - at least thats all I've been told I have to pay to "process" the RMA. I'm now wondering if I'll get charged again when they are ready to ship it back?

My lesson from this experience? Don't buy a sapphire again, go with someone that has a little more consumer friendly return/warranty policy.