My AC adaptor for my Gateway notebook suddenly went out. Having been stupid enough to purchase an extended warranty from Circuit City that was described as covering everything, I went to Circuit City (keep with me, this is about the Gateway warranty, not the CC warranty). CC told me that yes, the AC adaptor is covered, but that they don't keep replacement parts in house, so I would have to BUY a new AC adaptor for 85 bucks, then call the CC number for a replacement AC adaptor to be sent to me, then I could return the CC adaptor within 30 days. I was mad enough at that, as I have no guarantee that I'll even get the replacement in 30 days, so I'll be trooping back to CC to return it before 30 days is up, and buying a new one to return if I don't have a replacement by then.

OK. So, I call CC immediately to get the replacement. They tell me that it looks like I'm still within the manufacturer's warranty, so they refer me to Gateway. Though the CC extended warranty is supposed to begin on the date of purchase, it doesn't cover this particular part until the manufacturer's warranty runs out. Thus, I paid for a 2 year warranty, but really only have a 1 year for some parts, since the manufacturer's warranty is for a year.

OK. So I call Gateway. They tell me that they will be happy to send me a new AC adaptor, but they want the old one. They will send me a new one out right away, BUT to be sure I return the old one, THEY WILL NEED TO PUT A HOLD OF $75 ON MY CREDIT CARD, I will have 10 days for them to receive the old adaptor, and if they don't get it in that time, I'll be charged for the item. I was like, WHAT???? So now at a minimum, I have to pay for delivery confirmation so that I can prove they get it in 10 days . . . .

I asked them if I could just return the damaged one and ask for a replacement rather than have them put a hold on my card. The answer: NO. THAT IS THEIR POLICY. Do I feel like I have a warranty? NO. Given all of the trouble it sounds like people have been having being sent replacement parts, I really don't want what could be an indefinite hold placed on my card. Or, if they fail to send the item to me promptly, will I end up getting charged because their system considers me to have been late returning it? Who knows?