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How can I successfully claim reimbursement for a damaged laptop from a computer shop in Thailand?

Laptop RepairConsumer RightsLegal AdviceThailandExpatsProduct DamageReimbursementTechnical Support
Jun 19, 2024
5 months ago
Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
How to get large scale computer shop to reimburse the cost of my laptop after they admitted damaging it by dropping?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience with a large computer shop in Thailand where their laptop was damaged after being dropped by the staff during a repair. The shop initially denied responsibility but later admitted to the incident. The user requested either a full repair or reimbursement but faced resistance. The conversation includes various comments with suggestions such as threatening to leave negative reviews, filing a police report, contacting the head office, or considering legal action through OCPB. Some users also advised negotiating for a reasonable settlement rather than expecting a full replacement.
David ******
Yeah good luck unfortunately just the way things are here.
5 months ago
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Lee ***********
Good luck!!
5 months ago
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Antony ********
That's a civil suit? Might be cheaper in the long run but not quick.
5 months ago
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Otto *********
Switching might indeed be a sensible solution.
5 months ago
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Jonathan ********
I had a situation that I solved by switching it so the shop thought I owed them something so they made good
5 months ago
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Edward ******
you might consider it a cost of doing business at a low price. they probably don't have the money...but i have no idea.
5 months ago
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Phil ********
Throw a wobbler in the shop and cause a scene.

Ive just been through this when Thaiwatsaduk mixed 9 litres of wrong paint.

Had my phone in front of them and showed them to 2 colours we wanted.

Light grey and off white.

We get home and the light grey was correct but the off white was dark grey.

They said they cant change it cause it's already mixed. I said you mixed it wrong not me.

Again showing the colours on my phone asked how the F is this dark grey off white?

They said I have to pay again at ฿2,400 for the off white. Lost it with them again and they come back with, OK we will give you 9 litres of off white but can you pay ฿400 extra and you keep the dark grey?

I agreed.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
@Phil *******
 sometimes you gotta level and make it clear you’re not leaving until they resolve this and take steps. You can also tell people what to do as normally they are fixing someone else’s mistake and it would help them if you provide suggestions or commands that are fair and balanced. Pretty much doing their job for them and not getting paid for it so there is leverage.
5 months ago
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Phil ********
@Jairus **********
 After nearly 2 decades of being here I understand the culture and the way we should go about here but don't try it on when it's clearly their fault.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
@Phil *******
 Been in around for about 15 so I know exactly what’s up and when people are bullshitting or gaslighting.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
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Vera **************
File a complaint with OCPB. There is no quick resolution. Police will not take any action. Either court or OCPB, both can take up to 6 months . Write a registered letter with your desired outcome and a deadline . If they fail to comply, open case with OCPB. Asking for a new laptop will not be reasonable as yours is used and also broken . Ask for same specs used one or the amount to buy a used one of the same specs
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vera *************
 that's the thing can't find used with the same specs
5 months ago
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Vera **************
@Ryan ***********
 look for different brand or as similar as possible. If no luck, check overseas where you bought it and use that as a reference guide
5 months ago
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Kris *********
@Ryan ***********
 so, in that case some partial payment of the laptop value seems reasonable?
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kris ********
 no because if I return the laptop to my company like this they will charge me full cost. If the laptop doesn't start it's not my fault so they won't charge me. But I can't give them some money and smashed laptop saying someone else smashed it and it's not because the laptop doesn't work.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
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Michael ********
Have you contacted there head office or is it just a stand alone shop ?
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 yes I contacted head office.
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Ryan ***********
 Just sent you message
5 months ago
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Michael ********
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Darren **********
This is what you get for going to a Thai shop for technical support. They don’t know what they’re doing. Technical support is nonexistent in a country that doesn’t learn/know logical thinking. Next time use a qualified expat that knows what they’re doing
5 months ago
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Kris *********
@Darren *********
 Thailand is much better in repair than almost every Western country. Repair in the West usually comes down to component replacement, almost never board repair. (I am an electronics engineer).
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Kris ********
 ok. You’re delusional. Thais can only replace, not repair. They cannot troubleshoot. They don’t have the ability or know how. I’m a 30 year Systems Engineer.
5 months ago
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Kris *********
@Darren *********
 electronics repair is not only about systems knowledge - it is about experience. Europeans for instance might have the systems knowledge, but the labor is so expensive a that repair attempt does not make sense, especially when you take into account they have to guarantee their work. It is very difficult to find board repair services in Europe. 90% of the TVs that end up in garbage collection centers in Europe, could easily be repaired by a Thai repairman, Why do you think there are so many trucks driving around buying broken electrical and electronic devices at your home? Many of the washing machines and TVs they collect do get repaired and end up on the second hand market. The rest goes to recycling.
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Kris ********
 what’s your fucking point
5 months ago
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Kris *********
@Darren *********
 my point that in reality much more devices get repaired in Thailand compared to the West. Being smart and rich and looking down on other countries on Facebook, does not mean one actually gets more work done.
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Kris ********
 i’m not looking down on a country. I understand the lack of education which results in the inability to think critically or logically. It’s a flaw and their education system not the person people now that I speak facts don’t go to any Thai person to troubleshoot your computer fix. They don’t understand how to troubleshoot. If you don’t like me speaking the truth, then go find somebody else to talk to 
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Kris ********
 what are you talking about? Thai techs can only replace parts or reinstall the OS. Western techs can identify root causes of issues and repair the breaks. You don’t know shit about what you say.
5 months ago
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Darren **********
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Michael ********
@Darren *********
 Wow what biased thinking
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Michael *******
 I speak the truth. Sorry if you’re a snowflake that can’t handle it. SE Asians don’t know how to think logically. Deal with it
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Darren *********
 you speak as much truth as donald trump
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Darren *********
 So Singapore is in SE Asia. Been working all over including SE Asia for last 35 years now I am based in Singapore but just my opinion think you are totally wrong and you dont have that much experience of Asia.

My wife is online manager for Central Group and watched lots of there workings during work at home covid times and saw quite a bit of logical thinking there
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Darren *********
 You must be a frigging Merican with that attitude
*****
.
5 months ago
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Jonathan ********
@Michael *******
 said the racist to the racist
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Jonathan *******
 only anti ignorant people if they can be considered a race
5 months ago
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Jonathan ********
@Michael *******
 do you mean anti ignorance Einstein?
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Jonathan *******
 definetly anto grammar nazis
5 months ago
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Jonathan ********
@Michael *******
 anto or anti?
5 months ago
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Michael ********
@Jonathan *******
 shouldnt type without my glasses
5 months ago
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Greg ******
@Darren *********
 the irony here is palatable…
5 months ago
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Greg ******
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Darren **********
You’re fucked!! Welcome to Thailand.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
I’d be so fucking pissed from the phone to the shop to corporate they’d have no choice but to expedite service. I’d be up their ass every second and charge them for my time wasted and money lost from potential work. After they are sweating under the heat, show them a list of lawyers and embassy contacts and turn up the heat and rhetoric implying illegal business practices and lawsuits more. They are often so overwhelmed they have to defer to corporate and corporate needs it resolved ASAP.
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Jairus **********
 what country do you think he’s talking about? This is Thailand. All the bullshit you posted will never work. This is NOT the west. Yes go threaten the Thai shop. You’ll never collect a single baht.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
@Darren *********
 bullshit. Someone breaks my shit and refuses to pay and I’ll react the same way any thai person would. Expert because you have Thailand in your name? Kick rocks.
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Jairus **********
 and Thailand is in my name because I moved here years ago and know of what I speak. You know nothing troll
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Jairus **********
 ok whatever douche. No thai person would do what you said. Just shows your ignorance. Go do what you say and see if a group of Thais don’t come to their defense. You’d be lucky not to get a stick to the head.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
@Darren *********
 oh! Thailand because you live in Thailand? Who would have guessed that?! Nobody cares how long you’ve been anywhere. If you can’t handle your business and get what’s due because you’re afraid of getting ganged up on (in a computer shop), then don’t. Isn’t even that big of a deal and your head is way up your ass.

Have you lived in Thailand for 20 years?? I bet you harp that every chance you get.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
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Kris *********
Like you would do in every other country, you need to take them to court. This will take a very long time, the judge will likely go for a compromise and you will never get the full amount back since the laptop was damaged and not working (my guess is that you get around 20 to 30%). Realistically looking, accepting any amount of compensation outside of court is probably most beneficial for you. File a police report and show it to your company for evidence.
5 months ago
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Frank **********
Pray to Buddha.
5 months ago
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Ric ****
Say you didn't ask for drop -shipping! Then film a tik tok or something there!
5 months ago
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Roman **********
Do you have travel insurance?

It will be like getting blood out of a stone for even the partial amount, let alone the full amount!

Come up with a number, and settle on that.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roman *********
 I have but the stay here was more than the time allowed out of country.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
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Marty *********
Fix it yourself. Your have Rambo. Tell them to replace it. Good luck.
5 months ago
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Kev **********
Get freinds to go to the shop on the pretext of repair or service. Then just before purchase they say is this not the shop that dropped someones computer. Then they walk away. Be careful with slating them on line though due to Thai law.
5 months ago
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Darren **********
@Kev *********
 such a stupid, helpless comment.
5 months ago
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Kev **********
@Darren *********
 O piss off prick.
5 months ago
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Kev **********
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John **********
@Kev *********
 Yes but the threat of a really bad review normally works.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
would that not be slander or libel though? Some people advise against this.
5 months ago
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John **********
@Ryan ***********
 No you haven't aired it in the public arena. Your word against theirs. The threat of a really bad review has worked for me many times. I have even drafted a copy for them to read on occasion, to let them know I am serious.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 yesterday I said I have all these evidence I will post on Google reviews if they don't resolve this issue.
5 months ago
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John **********
@Ryan ***********
 Worth a try.
5 months ago
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John **********
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Kev **********
I have had a few issues not as concerning as yours. I have refused to leave the shop and stayed by counter threatened police etc . Always won the day.

My Thai wife problem with new phone etc. She insisted and threatened police. On Thursday she should be receiving new phone and money spent on repairs.

Good luck. Stick with it.
5 months ago
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Braulio *********
TIT
5 months ago
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Transitvan ******
Service stole SSD disk from my 2018 Macbook air. He said it couldn't be repaired and handed it over to me. (In the center of Pattaya.) I didn't give money to them.

I ordered new mainboard from alixp. I fixed. For 5500baht.
5 months ago
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Mark **********
@Transitvan *****
 Welcome to the 3rd world.
5 months ago
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Mark **********
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Bonnie *******
5 months ago
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Duncanc **********
Pleading?
5 months ago
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Wynton *********
It’s always good to know people in low places who like to break kneecaps.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
@Wynton ********
 be the change you want to see in someone’s face and bone structure.
5 months ago
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Jairus ***********
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М. ****
Stay there all day long and make their clients go away instead of using their services
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@М. ***
I guess that's another thing I can do if they refuse to help. I already turned away one of their customer when he saw the staff is lying about the damage, I told him what's up and he left.
5 months ago
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Keiton *****
@Ryan ***********
 Just FYI they could sue you about that and you'll end up in prison, if that's your target then go ahead.
5 months ago
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Burnard ************
@Keiton ****
He will end up owing them money.
5 months ago
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Keiton *****
@Burnard ***********
 INDEED
5 months ago
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Keiton *****
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М. ****
Ryan Krajcarskiwhat is the name of the shop? Post it and destroy them with bad reviews and evidences too… damage their business in every way possible will hurt them more than anything else. Especially if they are a big company
5 months ago
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Nigel ********
@М. ***
 Be careful of defaming laws
5 months ago
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Nigel ********
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Basically I had a power issue with my laptop so I took it to a large computer shop to inspect it. They told me I need to leave the laptop for a few days so they gave me a condition report mentioning this power issue.

After 4 days, they told they can't fix it so to come to pick it up. I went there but when I opened the lid, the entire screen and the outer screen housing with the laptop name, etc is cracked and they just put tapes in the corners.

First they denied and said we never touched or opened your laptop, but then I said I will go to police and contacted their main office and next day the main office said the staff admitted dropping it.

I asked them that they need to give me the laptop in the same condition. They said can order new screen and change in 1 month.

1. I can't wait that long.

2. The other parts that are damaged like the screen housing has to be changed too but they are not available as spare parts for this laptop as the official service center confirmed.

So now they are saying we can't pay the full price because the laptop is too expensive or that it's not available in Thailand but it's available in Philippines for example. I told them I need the laptop in the same condition in a week or the money to buy the same one but they are still trying to get me to get a lower spec laptop or some compensation.

I was there with police. This is a very big shop they have the money. If I do this to their computer, they wouldn't let me leave the store without paying for the full cost of the laptop.

What else can I do to get them to give me the full amount to buy the same laptop since there is no way to restore it regardless of time.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
5 months ago
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Robert *********
@Ryan ***********
 tell them to lend you one in the meantime they repair it
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ********
 they said they can't repair it because no spare parts and not willing to pay anything.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
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Steve **********
@Ryan ***********
 if you included the name abd location of shop, along with brand and photo of shop in your text, they would be sll over you to make you happy.
5 months ago
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Kris *********
How are you going to check the new screen if the laptop does not even power-on?
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kris ********
 it can still be checked but I only care restoring to how it was before physically. They can't even do that.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
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Jairus ***********
@Ryan ***********
 Flex nuts on em.
5 months ago
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Tyler *******
@Ryan ***********
 a lawyer familiar with local small claims.

If you’re asking for the cost of your laptop at retail, forget it. They should only provide you compensation for what the laptop was worth at the time you brought it in, and since it was broken, probably not that much anyway. You’re not going to get the same spec laptop brand new.

What do you want most? A laptop right away or your old laptop fixed? Can you wait a month and get something cheap while you wait because you can’t use the laptop in the condition now.

Can the shop let you borrow or you rent one while your old one is in repair?

Can you find your similar model used and see if the shop will help offset the cost of it? You’d be out of pocket though.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tyler NolinSo what I want is tough: even their best laptop is not up to spec compared to my laptop so I can't work with what they have. And like I mentioned that can't fully restore the damage. Only the internal screen but not the screen housing but I can't work with a giant scratch on it. I work with images so I can't compromise on this.

The power issue could be due to charging port, battery, charger, some small issue or the worst motherboard issue but as of now it's not known. I am trying to get that fixed while I am trying to get the first shop to compensate me.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tyler Nolinthat's the thing though it's very high end laptop, can still buy it new despite being a year old but they don't want to buy it. You can say it wasn't powering now and it's not diagnosed what the issue is but they still need to provide the laptop in the same condition I gave them.

Unfortunately the parts they broke is not fully available so they won't be able to make it like before but then I can't use it like this even if the power issue was fixed.

Because it's company computer and if I bring it back with this physical damage, they will charge me the full cost of the laptop. If I can't fix the power issue, that's fine, they will know it's out of my control. But a screen broken in half held together with bands, they won't accept it. They will assume I dropped it and the laptop stopped working.
5 months ago
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Ryan ************
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