My latest tech support experience

Polarhound

I suck at [H]F
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
1,305
Two weeks ago, I purchased a Micro Innovations wireless keybooard and mouse for $29.99 at CompUSSR. The keyboard is a bit soft, but is otherwise a good setup.

This is not the first wireless setup I have used, having a Logitech setup at work for the past several months. Like this new setup, my work system uses batteries for power.

Tonight, the mouse started getting fidgety, then stopped recognizing anything altogether while the sensor was still lit and acting normally. Not expecting the batteries to have gone dead so soon (I've used the same batteries in my work mouse for many months), I decided to see how their tech support was.

The model and serial number, along with the tech support web site and toll free number are clearly listed on the bottom of both keyboard and mouse. After registering online (which I failed to do when I first bought them) I called their number.

The wait was less than 90 seconds with a single initial pushbutton option to select language. The tech took my information and walked through resetting the mouse. As the keyboard was working fine, the problem was likely NOT with the receiver.

After two minutes of tests, the tech explained that the product has a lifetime warranty with a 7-10 day in-my-hand turnaround after their receipt of the ENTIRE package.. That's right, when one piece clearly fails you need to send back all 3 pieces and they will send a new unit out to you, provided you pay for postage and handling ($5.95) both ways.

While the tech gets points for quickly running through the diagnosis, I was not happy about having to pay shipping both ways on a product only two weeks old. I told the tech this, but was told there was no way around it. He then provided a shipping address and trouble ticket number and ended the call.

It turned out that the batteries were the problem, to my surprise. If this mouse is going to eat batteries this fast, I will not be keeping it around long. If they run out just as fast again, I'll be sure to update this thread. In the meantime, be prepared to possibly be buying AAA batteries by the 12-pack.
 
Pulling my batteries in and out every 2 weeks and waiting for them to recharge? Sounds like a major pain. As every other wireless setup has lasted many months on one set of batteries, I see no reason why this one should only last 2 weeks... Also, the cost of 4 AAA NiCd batteries and a charger would buy me a brick or two of alkalines.
 
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