How does newegg RMA work? RAM fails memtest

[Navid]

I received my order, a pair of memory modules, yesterday.
I tested them and got errors from memtest.

I filed an online RMA request today and got an automated email back stating a 15% restocking fee!

I have asked newegg why and have not got a response back yet.
Will I be charged a restocking fee no matter what or only if the parts are not defective?




This is what I ordered.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16820227248

This is the manufacturer's web site for the product.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/p...tinum_4gb_dual_channel

It clearly states the timing to be 5 4 4 15 for DDR2 800.


I set that timing and set the memory to 2.5 and set my FSB to 320.
So, 320 X 2.5 = 800.
Isn't that right?


My CPU and motherboard are stable at FSB = 370 with other memory. So, they are not the bottleneck.
memtest produces errors as soon as I start the test.


What am I supposed to do to make sure that the memory is defective?

 

[PurdueRy]

DDR memory should be at 400...not 800

and did you set the memory for 2.1 V instead of the standard 1.8?

EDIT: What's your motherboard?

 

[Navid]

Yes, the voltage is at 2.1V.

The memory is at 400. But, the dual data rate is at 400 X 2 =800. This is DDR2.
If you set the FSB to 400 and set the multiplier to 2, the DDR rate will be 400 X 2 =800, which is the default rate for DDR2 800.

But, my system cannot run at 400. So, I set it to 320. Setting the multiplier to 2.5 sets the DDR rate at 800 again (320 X 2.5 = 800).

 

[Navid]

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Navid/CPU.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Navid/DDR.JPG

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Navid
I filed an online RMA request today and got an automated email back stating a 15% restocking fee!

Will I be charged a restocking fee no matter what or only if the parts are not defective?

You will be charged a restocking fee if you return an item for a refund. If you return for a repair/replace, then you will not be charged a restocking fee, but you will get a replacement item instead of your money back.

Also, all Open Box items are refund/restocking fee only.

If you don't want to be charged a restocking fee, either re-do your RMA for a repair/replace, or telephone them and complain. If you use any online or email inquiry, don't expect a reply... at least I've NEVER gotten a reply that way.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Zap
You will be charged a restocking fee if you return an item for a refund. If you return for a repair/replace, then you will not be charged a restocking fee, but you will get a replacement item instead of your money back.

Also, all Open Box items are refund/restocking fee only.

If you don't want to be charged a restocking fee, either re-do your RMA for a repair/replace, or telephone them and complain. If you use any online or email inquiry, don't expect a reply... at least I've NEVER gotten a reply that way.

Thanks for explaining.

Yes, I did request a refund.
The reason is that I thought they would not refund the shipping that I paid and I also have to pay to ship this to them. If the one they send me is defective also, I will be out of pocket so much.
So, that is why I decided to just return it.

What am I supposed to do?
I will call them tomorrow.

 

[Navid]

I ran at 5 5 5 18 and got lots of errors again!

Does it matter which version of memtest to use for a total 4GB of RAM?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Navid
The reason is that I thought they would not refund the shipping that I paid and I also have to pay to ship this to them.

Refunds normally never cover shipping, so either way you'll be out shipping both to you and back to them. However, they will pay shipping to get a replacement part back to you.

Repair/Replace
Newegg sells to Navid - Navid pays shipping
Navid RMAs to Newegg - Navid pays shipping
Newegg sends replacement to Navid - Newegg pays shipping

Refund
Newegg sells to Navid - Navid pays shipping
Navid RMA-Repair/Replace to Newegg - Navid pays shipping
Newegg refunds money to Navid - Navid pays restocking

Originally posted by: Navid
If the one they send me is defective also

That is unlikely but not unknown. However, if a second set does the exact same thing, then usually something else is wrong.

Originally posted by: Navid
I will be out of pocket so much.

That's the price for buying online and saving money.

Seriously though, if you buy something at a B&M store that you have to return, you will also have to pay gas (can be quite high these days) to drive the item back to the store no matter how far away it is. Some B&M stores also have restocking fees on computer parts.

Originally posted by: Navid
What am I supposed to do?

Either take the hit and return for refund, or request a new RMA for repair. Did you mail in the rebate yet? If so, then you may be limited to repair only.

If you really just don't want to risk that RAM again, then get your money back (minus the restocking fee) and buy two of these for around $100 shipped with no rebates. You'll end up at least breaking even after it's all said and done, and maybe even save a couple bucks.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Navid
Yes, the voltage is at 2.1V.

The memory is at 400. But, the dual data rate is at 400 X 2 =800. This is DDR2.
If you set the FSB to 400 and set the multiplier to 2, the DDR rate will be 400 X 2 =800, which is the default rate for DDR2 800.

But, my system cannot run at 400. So, I set it to 320. Setting the multiplier to 2.5 sets the DDR rate at 800 again (320 X 2.5 = 800).

Right that's what I was saying. Have you tried testing the ram with your system at stock settings?

 

[Navid]

Yeah that makes sense.
But, one would think that there should be a difference between a case when the buyer has buyer's remorse and changes his mind, while nothing is wrong with the product, versus when the product is malfunctioning.

Anyway, before anything, I first need to make sure that I am testing this right.
The computer boots up fine and Windows boots and I have had no problems while using it. I even played some games last night with no problems.

Is there any setting in the BIOS that I have to set. I did not find anything related and the memory is detected as 4GB in Vista 64.
The motherboard is Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3, revision 1.3.

I have been using this motherboard and E6600 for 6 months at CPU:370 X 9, with 2X1GB Crucial Ballistix RAM at 2.5.


Are there different versions of memtest? Which one should I use?

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Have you tried testing the ram with your system at stock settings?

Good point!

I just set FSB to 266 and memory multiplier to 2. So, RAM is running at 266 X 2 = 532 instead of 800.
Set DDR voltage to +0.3V (1.8 + 0.3 = 2.1V).
Timing: 6 6 6 18

CPU running at 2.4GHz (default)


Ran memtest. As soon as it started, it gave errors.

 

[Peter]

Restocking fees apply when you return stuff because you don't like it for an arbitrary reason - when they sent you non-working goods, it's their responsibility to replace it at no extra charge.

So if that RAM fails - with the entire system set to default settings (timings, voltages, and frequencies!) - then you're entitled to a free replacement. All you'll have to swallow is your own shipping cost for the way back to the retailer.

 

[JackMDS]

According to some of the logic above.

If I drive back, or use a Bus to to get to the near by Mall and return an item that I bought they suppose to give me eacch the travel money(me be travle time too).

When you buy from a vendor that are some rules. NewEgg is very open and displays the rules few times during a transaction.

If one does not like the Rules one can always buy elsewhere.

 

[Navid]

I will contact newegg and pay for shipping.



I just like to make sure they are defective before I ship them back.
I don't want to send them back and they tell me that there is nothing wrong with them!
I need to make sure I am testing them right!


Other than memtest, what else can I use?


What can cause memtest to fail for a perfect RAM?

 

[JackMDS]

If did not pass memtest they might be not suitable for your purpose. That does not means that they are defective it might be totally OK to work in a computer with default FSB.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
If did not pass memtest they might be not suitable for your purpose. That does not means that they are defective it might be totally OK to work in a computer with default FSB.

What do you mean?
How can I make it any more default than FSB=266?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
If did not pass memtest they might be not suitable for your purpose. That does not means that they are defective it might be totally OK to work in a computer with default FSB.

Bingo. OCing 4 stick of ram can have consequences like this. As I said OP, you should set everything to defaults and see if the ram comes up with errors.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: JackMDS
If did not pass memtest they might be not suitable for your purpose. That does not means that they are defective it might be totally OK to work in a computer with default FSB.

Bingo. OCing 4 stick of ram can have consequences like this. As I said OP, you should set everything to defaults and see if the ram comes up with errors.

I did as I posted before.

These are just 2 sticks, not 4!

I ran them at FSB = 266. Set the timing to 8 8 8 16.
Set the memory multiplier to 2. So, the memory is running at 2 X 266 = 532.
It still failed.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: JackMDS
If did not pass memtest they might be not suitable for your purpose. That does not means that they are defective it might be totally OK to work in a computer with default FSB.

Bingo. OCing 4 stick of ram can have consequences like this. As I said OP, you should set everything to defaults and see if the ram comes up with errors.

I did as I posted before.

These are just 2 sticks, not 4!

I ran them at FSB = 266. Set the timing to 8 8 8 16.
Set the memory multiplier to 2. So, the memory is running at 2 X 266 = 532.
It still failed.

Sorry, with the post before that I ended up missing your second post. Try testing each stick one at a time in memtest. If both sticks fail then I think that is more of a compatibility issue rather than the ram sticks.

Also try updating the BIOS if you haven't yet

 

[thorin]

How does newegg RMA work? RAM fails memtest

http://www.newegg.com/Info/FAQHome.aspx
http://www.newegg.com/Info/FAQDetail.aspx?Module=6

There is a restocking fee of 15% on all returns for refund (RMA Refund), unless waived by a Customer Support Agent. We charge this 15% restocking fee for all returns for refund to encourage customers to purchase products they intend to keep. We offer RMA Replacement without any restocking fee to support customers who have received a defective product. For CPU and Memory refunds, any restocking fee we use will be a reflection on current market value for the same cpu item. Newegg.com does not support attempts to profit from CPU and Memory price fluctuations.

http://www.newegg.com/Info/ReturnPolicy.aspx

 

[BladeVenom]

You could also try OCZ'z customer service.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Try testing each stick one at a time in memtest.

Thanks for the good suggestion!

With everything at default, one stick passed one round of memtest.
The other failed as soon as I started the test.

I tested the second stick in three different slots just to be sure. It failed every time.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Too bad you can't keep the good stick (while you wait) and RMA the bad one. It is my understanding that when you buy a pair (as in a kit), you have to send them both in - even if only one is defective. At least that's what I've read on most Newegg Customer Reviews.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
Too bad you can't keep the good stick (while you wait) and RMA the bad one. It is my understanding that when you buy a pair (as in a kit), you have to send them both in - even if only one is defective. At least that's what I've read on most Newegg Customer Reviews.

Through newegg you have to...you can try contacting the company and they usually will replace a single stick.

Now that we know the problem lies in one stick of ram Navid the choice is yours[/Omeck from legends of the hidden temple]

 

[Navid]

This comes with a $35 rebate. That is why I bought it.

The rebate must be postmarked within 14 days from the date of purchase (Nov. 9 in my case).

It is already one week since I only received the memory on November 14.
I don't want to take the chance of receiving the replacement in time to mail the rebate request.

So, that is why I want to return this and not ask for a replacement.
I will call newegg on Monday and see if they have any suggestions.