West Dig RMA scammage? 5000AAKS Vs KS

[Jryder]

Okay folks here's the deal:

I unfortunately just lost EVERYTHING! 2 HD's crashed, including my backup 500GB 5000AAKS.... *Click click click* out of the blue

So I noticed during the whole RMA process that the drive they (WD) is shipping is a 5000KS model Vs the AAKS I RMA'd. I've seen a few forums noting that the major diffs are the AAKS uses one fewer platter (160GB density) Vs the KS using 1 more and 133GB density. Also many posters reported the KS is louder and produces more heat. Having noted the platter issue that would make the KS slower also....

So after 7 emails of canned responses to my inquiry about W.TF am I being sent a different model than I ordered, I made the CALL: basically the disgruntled tier 1 told me that the ONLY diff is the KS has legacy molex power connection support. "They both have the same platter number, density, blah blah sir..." Okay fine no help there either, so I will post a few questionable links stating otherwise:

1) The 1st and most disturbing:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...vs-AAKS-wb.png

2) Note the complete diff case design
http://img514.imageshack.us/my.php?i...aksvsksod5.jpg


3) Lastly the design/temp discussion
http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums...4ce9289700dd7c

So what do you guys think - am I getting ripped, and should call up after I do some homebrew testing of my own (HD tach, etc.)?

I was on the phone with a tier 1 about it and he was getting pretty huffy about how they are the same model blah blah - and I ask then why the diffs in the drive's physical appearance, why is the PCB diff - IF they are the same drive aside from a power interface: Molex + Sata Vs Sata... It would cost too much money to retool a whole new casing and PCB IF the drives were identical just for an adapter... again he said the drives are THE SAME just the power interface is diff... Should I bother even HD-taching to see if there's a diff, or when I get the drive, immediately call up and ask to speak with a manager about getting pushed into accepting a DIFF drive than what I purchased, regardless of similarities?

If I wanted to sell these on ebay, people would immediate ask questions about W.TF are they listed as diff models etc... So I'm not buying this switcheroo either

[nomaxim]

Welcome to RR,
First off none of you links lead anywhere in relation to your post, two say 'page not found' the other is to uplaod an image.

Anyways, The Spec sheet for the WD5000KS/AAKS, they both use the exact same spec sheet, show the only difference between the two drives as;

Data Transfer Rate (maximum)
- Buffer to Host
- Buffer to Disk KS / AAKS 300 MB/s max2
783 Mbits/s max / 972 Mbits/s max

I used pricegrabber to compare the two models price wise and the WD5000KS sells for around $20 more the the WD5000AAKS.
WD5000KS Current prices;
Gateway- $168.49
ZipZoomFly- $128.00
Lowest price- $125.00
WD5000AAKS
Gateway- $155.49
ZipZoomFly- $105.90
Lowest price- $103.99

[Jryder]

Originally Posted by nomaxim

Welcome to RR,
First off none of you links lead anywhere in relation to your post, two say 'page not found' the other is to uplaod an image.

Hello to you too... Here is the forum discussion in full with working links I just verified:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums...ic.php?t=43090


And http://www.overclock.net/hard-drives...vs-aaks-2.html

They really are different in many ways:

4 platters -> 3 platters =AAKS
125GB/platter -> 167GB/platter =AAKS
big PCB + molex -> small PCB, no molex =AAKS
different casing
different top cover
contact start/stop (CSS) => load/unload (LUL)

***Note that*** That SecurePark (=LUL) wasn't around when 5000KS was introduced!

Blah blah yadda yadda - The facts stand I paid for a 5000AAKS BRAND NEW.... I should receive the same as my replacement... this is not my fault, nor am I responsible in anyway. I should get what the heck I paid for with out going through this non-sense. You wouldn't accept this mess either...

[nomaxim]

Should have read the warranty: http://support.wdc.com/warranty/policy.asp#remedies

LIMITATION OF REMEDIES

YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT IS LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.

WD may elect which remedy or combination of remedies to provide in its sole discretion. WD shall have a reasonable time after determining that a defective Product exists to repair or replace a defective Product. WD's replacement Product under its limited warranty will be manufactured from new and serviceable used parts. WD's warranty applies to repaired or replaced Products for the balance of the applicable period of the original warranty or ninety days from the date of shipment of a repaired or replaced Product, whichever is longer.
LIMITATION OF DAMAGES

WD'S ENTIRE LIABILITY FOR ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES EVEN IF WD CANNOT OR DOES NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.

IN THE UNITED STATES, SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE LIMITATIONS ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

WD's replacement Product under its limited warranty will be manufactured from new and serviceable used parts.
-Means factory refurbished, you are not likely get a new HDD, see below about purchase price.

WD'S ENTIRE LIABILITY FOR ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.
- Some warranty's will say the replacement will be of equal or greater value, WD's warranty says equal or lessor value. WD lists the AAKS at $169.99 and I can not find a list price for the KS. The KS should be less at list price then the AAKS compared to market price. Production versus supply and demand and all that.

I agree with you that you should get back an identical product. The model of the HDD's in question is WD5000. The KS and AAKS is the sub-type or sub-model. Both drives are WD5000, 500gb, 3 Gb/s SATA, 16 mb cache, 7200 rpm drives. The only difference shown on the spec sheet is a 189 MBits/s transfer rate. It's likely not worth going to court over since 99.9% of the people in the world think a platter is something you serve food on.

Originally Posted by Jryder

You wouldn't accept this mess either...

I just did last Dec with a Samsung 21" wide screen LCD monitor. Luckily Samsung's warranty states equal or greater value, but still refurbished. I got the exact same type/model back. I have heard of people getting newer models then what the bought, depends on the warranty.

You can file a complaint with the BBB here; https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/GetStarted.aspx
Note that the BBB is not a legal entity and can not force WD to do anything. It may work or it may not.

Originally Posted by Jryder

If I wanted to sell these on ebay,

The KS has a higher market value, see above post. You may be able to sell them on eBay for a price more then that you paid for the AAKS and then buy a new AAKS. Maybe even recover some of the shipping costs.

I'd be a little more worried about how you managed to lose two HDD's at the same time. The odds of that happening are pretty low in itself. Hopefully your luck will change and you just won the $330,000,000 Mega Millions jackpot.

Good Luck

[Jryder]

Originally Posted by nomaxim

Should have read the warranty: http://support.wdc.com/warranty/policy.asp#remedies

WD's replacement Product under its limited warranty will be manufactured from new and serviceable used parts.
-Means factory refurbished, you are not likely get a new HDD, see below about purchase price.

WD'S ENTIRE LIABILITY FOR ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.
- Some warranty's will say the replacement will be of equal or greater value, WD's warranty says equal or lessor value. WD lists the AAKS at $169.99 and I can not find a list price for the KS. The KS should be less at list price then the AAKS compared to market price. Production versus supply and demand and all that.

I agree with you that you should get back an identical product. The model of the HDD's in question is WD5000. The KS and AAKS is the sub-type or sub-model. Both drives are WD5000, 500gb, 3 Gb/s SATA, 16 mb cache, 7200 rpm drives. The only difference shown on the spec sheet is a 189 MBits/s transfer rate. It's likely not worth going to court over since 99.9% of the people in the world think a platter is something you serve food on.

I just did last Dec with a Samsung 21" wide screen LCD monitor. Luckily Samsung's warranty states equal or greater value, but still refurbished. I got the exact same type/model back. I have heard of people getting newer models then what the bought, depends on the warranty.

You can file a complaint with the BBB here; https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/GetStarted.aspx
Note that the BBB is not a legal entity and can not force WD to do anything. It may work or it may not.

The KS has a higher market value, see above post. You may be able to sell them on eBay for a price more then that you paid for the AAKS and then buy a new AAKS. Maybe even recover some of the shipping costs.

I'd be a little more worried about how you managed to lose two HDD's at the same time. The odds of that happening are pretty low in itself. Hopefully your luck will change and you just won the $330,000,000 Mega Millions jackpot.

Good Luck

Thankfully someone at WD realized that I wasn't going away, nor was I ignorant of the drive diffs etc... as they have changed my RMA and am now shipping me the correct drive = AAKS and allowing me to return both the defective AAKS + KS drive... Either way, it's NOT very good business making a consumer go through all this hassle to get what he/she pays for in full, only to have it fail, and then force them to take whatever spare junk they wish to clear their inventory shelves with. Bait and switch, simple as 1,2,3... And I do not see where I am at any fault and or negligence for wanting what I paid for.
Todays corp/profit-at-all-cost mentality is what fuels this kind of shady practice: blaming the victim and or holding them partially responsible.... /rant discontinued

Thanks for replying...guess nobody else cares about getting what they paid for when it breaks... hahah ignorance is bliss

[bugspop1]

Glad to hear the WD is taking care of it for you. I'm not sure if I'd really want the same type of drive back if I had 2, yes 2 of them fail! I'm familliar with WD's warranty and they don't state that you will get an Identical replacement, so consider yourself lucky. Hope these drives work better than the first two.

[Jryder]

Originally Posted by bugspop1

Glad to hear the WD is taking care of it for you. I'm not sure if I'd really want the same type of drive back if I had 2, yes 2 of them fail! I'm familliar with WD's warranty and they don't state that you will get an Identical replacement, so consider yourself lucky. Hope these drives work better than the first two.

Yeah thing is there's no listed warranty on NoobEgg: And STILL what does it matter; they SHOULD replace Drive A with a Drive A if you PAID FOR DRIVE - A?! How is this kind of practice acceptable to people? It's outrageous, and holds the manufacturer less culpable for production of faulty hardware: Again I don't care what their legalese-speak says, it's poor business, and even more poor for consumers to become tricked into blaming each other for no fault of their own...

Again I saw nothing that clearly states: "REPLACEMENT DRIVES WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE OF AN INFERIOR/OLDER MODEL." Why not? Lets examine this: No wait they don't b/c people would SEE it right from the start and probably choose another vendor... which I WILL be going to if anything like this happens again. This is lame, I've always liked WD.... great hardware, poor business practices... Corporotocracy in effect!