Question:
Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
Unfortunately, I purchased an MSI-1034 system from XMeld a couple months age. From the information found on this board, I was reassured of the quality of the MSI product, and it appeared XMeld was a reputable company.
After spending $1800 on my new laptop, it was still brand new when the hinge assembly began giving my trouble, this with no damage to the laptop. This appears to be either a manufacturing defect, or poor construction, as the screws on the hinge are connected to very thin plastic which appears likely to give way during norma use and require repair. The failure of this hinge causes the screen to pull apart if opened, rending the laptop nearly useless as a laptop, even though there is no electronic failure.
Well, the whole thing is under warranty, I reasoned, so being as XMeld was a recommended dealer on MSI's website, I was very confident when I attempted to contact XMeld, which apparently is run by a David P. Cothran out of Layton, Utah.
Well, the phone number for XMeld is now disconnected. In addition, XMeld does not answer any emails (although their credit card processing on their website appears to be more than functional.) It looks like this small company went completely scammer. So, I am stuck with a bum laptop and no support.
So, being as this was a recommended dealer by MSI, I contacted MSI. MSI Confirms that the laptop is indeed under warranty, as the serial number is listed. They, however, are telling me that they will NOT fulfill their warranty except with the original wholesale purchaser, XMeld. Explaining that XMeld was unreachable, they told me I was out of luck. At this point, I was regretting heavily both doing business with XMeld and not purchasing an ASUS.
So, desperate, I took the machine into a local laptop specialist. The attempted to buy the exact part that is broken from MSI, but MSI will not supply the part even though the machine is under warranty. As this is not a common brand, the part of course is impossible to get outside of MSI, so being as XMeld is a scam, it looks like I'm going to have to shell out the money for yet another barebones system to replace the MSI 1034.
Even though the MSI systems look good, and work well initially, I would be very wary of purchasing this line products when the manufacturer refuses to honor the warranty.
If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears, as right now my only option is to replace the entire barebones component with a newly purchased one of a decent brand (ASUS being the only real barebones option).
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
The only thing I can think of is if your local reseller can RMA it to MSI for you. All they need is a dist that sells the thing. From my experince MSI doesn't track that stuff much. Sorry to hear about your problem, it is really dumb of xmeld and MSI isn't helping much here either. Good luck with that.
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
My advice would be to keep checking with MSI. You should be able to get them to authorize an RMA if you can get someone to understand that your reseller is not reachable or has went out of business, and that your laptop still falls within the warranty. Speak with their technical support department, they are pretty good to work with, they offered me an RMA on my laptop (albeit after my distributor had already shipped it), but their general policy is to go through the reseller. Hopefully someone will realize that it's not possible for the reseller to handle the request and will be able to authorize an RMA to be issued for you.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
Update:
Having taken the laptop to Seattle Laptop to have it repaired at my cost, and having them identify the part that is broken, they have searched for 3 weeks for compatible parts. MSI will *not* sell this part to them for repair (FYI, it's a piece of plastic that's work probably less than $1) and the MSI laptops are not common, and this model is brand new, so surplus parts are non existant.
So, I called MSI in an attempt to get the part, even willing to pay for it. I did find a gentleman who was very cooperative, but after 2 days of trying to get this part, admitted that there was no way MSI would provide it, and that MSI would not RMA the entire unit. They claimed the part was not available, even though the 1034 is still in production and they are fabbing that part as we speak. MSI says that they will not repair the laptop, even for money, and that even were XMeld still around, that they would not be able to repair the laptop because MSI will not make this part available. They will not replace the entire unit either.
This laptop is worthless and cannot be fixed because MSI's laptop was an extremely shoddy construction and soft plastic bound to wear out (that video is a crock BTW), and they do not support their products once they have your money. MSI's official stance is "you should have bought an ASUS."
I'm out $700 because I foolishly purchased a worthless MSI product. I will be placing an order for an ASUS Z96J today and transferring the components over.
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
sorry to hear about your problems. the owner of xmeld is coffeeshark here at computer-notebook, though he seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. he may still be found at notebookforums.com and perhaps you could send him a pm.
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
I understand what you are going through since my new Compal is in a limbo state and that is at a highly regarded vendor. Slowly I think personally I myself will only buy Asus shells from now on, built 2 up for customers and they are very well put together, I would see if there is anything maybe your credit card company can do to help if it was bought with a credit card that is.
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
I did buy with a credit card, but not one that had any purchase protection :( I already checked that route.
I know that coffeeshark is the owner of XMeld. I have found his home address and cell phone (on his business licence and domain registration) but he is not answering his phone. The only sign I have seen of him is someone declined my request to message him on yahoo messenger last week, which mean SOMEONE logged into his yahoo account. I don't know if he is dead, in prison, or just avoiding everyone, but he is incommunicado.
I purchased an ASUS Z96J earlier today fron GenTech, which should be delivered monday, as I need to get this machine back up and running. The Z96J appears much better built, ASUS has a history of standing by their products, and the screen resolution is better than the 1034, which is nice being a coder and using IDE's. In addition, the mouse on the Asus is a true synaptic, which plays better with Linux.
I will still attempt to get the MSI-1034 replaced, although I have my doubts... I went round and round with MSI for 3 days and had a very helpful guy there working with me who was on my side, but the establishment won... the the point where they actually said they would not repair the laptop for any price even going through the original reseller. What I will do with this expensive MSI paperweight is probably make my own replacement part out of aluminum in my spare time and then, in a year when the core-2 duo is cheap, I'll buy a chip, drive and ram for it and upgrade my GF's laptop.
I will NOT buy another MSI product, however. Even before this issue showed up I was surprised at how flimsy a product it was. That might be forgiveble if the company stood behind it's product, but dealing with MSI is like dealing with an Ebay scammer.
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
procyon112,
You may want to try to approach some of the other MSI resellers and see if they can help you out. If this part is that cheap they may be able to give you some support. Just a thought. It would be good publicity for a reseller to help you.
The reseller that has been most active lately here is Noclue4uhere of RK Computers:
http://www.rkcomputer.net/store/
He last posted on this forum about a week ago.
Even though Unleaded (from Rawpower) has been inactive here lately you may want to give him a call or e-mail:
http://www.rawpowerpc.com/index.php
Good Luck!
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
I'll never buy MSI now, that's for sure!
Answer:
Re: Consumer Warning regarding XMeld and MSI
I've never used their laptops, but I am a big fan of their motherboards, overclock very well, extremely stable, and very affordable