Shipping back defective drives

[Doomer]

I have a couple of defective drives I need to send back to Seagate for replacement. I don't have the packaging that Seagate requires (foam block, etc.) These drives were originally bought from Newegg and came wrapped in bubble wrap and buried in peanuts. If I send these drives back to Seagate the same way Newegg sent them to me, will they be rejected? What other alternatives do I have short of spending more money on the packaging than the drives are worth?

Thanks

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I bought packaging material online for ~$20. It was worth it considering the drives they were replacing were $100-150. If the drives are worth the price of the packaging, then you can always take the chance, as you won't be out too much if they are refused.

 

[Doomer]

They're a 80gig and a 160gig. 20 bucks plus shipping each would be pushing it. Plus, I'll be getting back refurbed drives which is a crap shoot in itself. Think I'll just pack them the best I can and hope for the best.

 

[RebateMonger]

With the low cost of drives nowadays, I'm starting to think of them as "throw-away". If they break, I throw them away. And if it's a business, it's definitely not worth the effort to ship them. It costs more money to RMA them and ship them than the drives are worth.

 

[lenjack]

A refurb is generally not a crap shoot. They are tested more thoroughly than off the assembly line drives.

 

[Blain]

"Enclose the static-protected drive(s) in 2-inch foam rubber in a corrugated box. Multiple drives in a single box must have foam rubber between each drive.
DO NOT USE foam packing pellets, bubble wrap, or newspaper."

Pack it them the way Seagate instructs you to. Find the packing materials at Walmart, Office Depot, etc.

 

[sun818]

If you don't have the original packing material, I individually box the hard drive with bubble wrap inside. I pack the hard drives so there is no chance of movement during transport. If you don't have individual boxes, USPS Priority video boxes are an okay substitute although you're not supposed to use those boxes for non-usps priority use.

 

[Blain]

If Seagate voids his warranty because of bubble wrap, are you going to make it good for him?

 

[sun818]

No need. Its Doomer's choice and risk. Here are the official instructions from Seagate as Blain quoted. There is some risk you assume by not following directions exactly, but you also have to weigh the additional financial cost involved with the Seagate packing instructions. Personally, I think good enough is fine in this situation considering the drive capacity and cost of required packing materials.

If you really want foam, you can buy it from a Seagate authorized supplier or buy it on Uline .

 

[Blain]

Originally by: Seagate
"Enclose the static-protected drive(s) in 2-inch foam rubber in a corrugated box. Multiple drives in a single box must have foam rubber between each drive.
DO NOT USE foam packing pellets, bubble wrap, or newspaper."