Just a heads up guys, wanted to inform you of a problem i have had with a company.
The bad thing is, it is a company that I have used for years, SilverStone. I have used their high-end power supplies, several models, and have only had one previous problem, with a Zues 1200W unit. The RMA process was very quick for that unit, and they were friendly and helpful. I have also recommended SilverStone power supplies to many people over the years.
But here we go
I purchased a SilverStone ST1500W power unit. When i powered it on for the first time I smelled a burning, and heard an arcing type sound, then the psu shut down automatically. This is a 1500Watt unit so it doesnt have a power switch. I reached quickly to unplug it, but before I could the power cycled back on and I began to see smoke as I unplugged the unit.
Fearing the worst I started to check my gear. Luckily most of my hardware was fine.
However, I was in benchmode so I had ten vertex SSD connected to the power supply and my raidcard. Three of them were fried, and I mean literally fried. The room stunk and was half full of smoke, and the SSDs were hot, and dead as hell. The smell was in my room for a week, no matter how many candles my wife lit, it was that bad.
Now, I am thankful that seven of the SSD made it out alive, and the house didnt burn down. But I did lose three SSDs. All three were on the same sata cable (that cable has three sata power connectors) and that sata cable, upon closer inspection, was visibly scorched, and smelled of burntness as well. The scorching was on the cable on the last SATA port of the particular line. All three devices on that power line were destroyed.
I called SilverStone the next day, and they said that sure, they would check out the unit. However, they said that they werent sure about covering the drives. I explained that it should be covered by them, as I could go buy a surge protector, and some have up to 150,000 of protection for the equipment plugged into them. He told me that he would look into it and call me back. When he returned my call he explained that if in fact the PSU or cable caused the issue, they would replace my drives. I offered to send him my drives, but he told me no, that wouldnt be necessary. He also said that he would send me a return label for the unit as it was brand new. I had to call back several times, and eventually after a week they managed to get me a label.
So I sent the unit back. The contact at SilverStone USA RMA office told me that it appeared quite obvious it was a wiring issue as IT WAS SCORCHED VISIBLY, but that they would have to ship the unit to Taiwan for additional testing . He explained this could take some time.
Now, here is the deal. It has been a month and a half, and finally, after calling 5 times, they have replied in an email that they are not going to cover the drives, and that the unit is functioning just fine. And the cord is okay too! How in the world is that possible, the thing is scorched!
I am very frustrated, and I feel that they have given me the runaround and basically put me off until I dropped it. However, I never dropped the issue, and now they are basically satying im screwed.
Not sure what im gonna do here definitely gonna do a post over on the egg about the issue on the product page, and possibly contact the Better Buisness Bureau in California. I mean am I asking too much, that they cover the damage their psu did to my gear? I mean imagine if the company that made the defective blowout preventer for the oil spill just said well we will replace the blowout preventer, but thats it. The rest of the damage is on you yea right that would never fly. I am so pissed off its unreal.
What do you think I should do, grin and bear it? I mean heres the deal, they are 30gb vertex gen1 drives, they arent worth shit. Its the principle and how they handled it that is pissing me off.
The bad thing is, it is a company that I have used for years, SilverStone. I have used their high-end power supplies, several models, and have only had one previous problem, with a Zues 1200W unit. The RMA process was very quick for that unit, and they were friendly and helpful. I have also recommended SilverStone power supplies to many people over the years.
But here we go
I purchased a SilverStone ST1500W power unit. When i powered it on for the first time I smelled a burning, and heard an arcing type sound, then the psu shut down automatically. This is a 1500Watt unit so it doesnt have a power switch. I reached quickly to unplug it, but before I could the power cycled back on and I began to see smoke as I unplugged the unit.
Fearing the worst I started to check my gear. Luckily most of my hardware was fine.
However, I was in benchmode so I had ten vertex SSD connected to the power supply and my raidcard. Three of them were fried, and I mean literally fried. The room stunk and was half full of smoke, and the SSDs were hot, and dead as hell. The smell was in my room for a week, no matter how many candles my wife lit, it was that bad.
Now, I am thankful that seven of the SSD made it out alive, and the house didnt burn down. But I did lose three SSDs. All three were on the same sata cable (that cable has three sata power connectors) and that sata cable, upon closer inspection, was visibly scorched, and smelled of burntness as well. The scorching was on the cable on the last SATA port of the particular line. All three devices on that power line were destroyed.
I called SilverStone the next day, and they said that sure, they would check out the unit. However, they said that they werent sure about covering the drives. I explained that it should be covered by them, as I could go buy a surge protector, and some have up to 150,000 of protection for the equipment plugged into them. He told me that he would look into it and call me back. When he returned my call he explained that if in fact the PSU or cable caused the issue, they would replace my drives. I offered to send him my drives, but he told me no, that wouldnt be necessary. He also said that he would send me a return label for the unit as it was brand new. I had to call back several times, and eventually after a week they managed to get me a label.
So I sent the unit back. The contact at SilverStone USA RMA office told me that it appeared quite obvious it was a wiring issue as IT WAS SCORCHED VISIBLY, but that they would have to ship the unit to Taiwan for additional testing . He explained this could take some time.
Now, here is the deal. It has been a month and a half, and finally, after calling 5 times, they have replied in an email that they are not going to cover the drives, and that the unit is functioning just fine. And the cord is okay too! How in the world is that possible, the thing is scorched!
I am very frustrated, and I feel that they have given me the runaround and basically put me off until I dropped it. However, I never dropped the issue, and now they are basically satying im screwed.
Not sure what im gonna do here definitely gonna do a post over on the egg about the issue on the product page, and possibly contact the Better Buisness Bureau in California. I mean am I asking too much, that they cover the damage their psu did to my gear? I mean imagine if the company that made the defective blowout preventer for the oil spill just said well we will replace the blowout preventer, but thats it. The rest of the damage is on you yea right that would never fly. I am so pissed off its unreal.
What do you think I should do, grin and bear it? I mean heres the deal, they are 30gb vertex gen1 drives, they arent worth shit. Its the principle and how they handled it that is pissing me off.
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