Just got my EVGA RMA back... my experience

Egon · 5 Mar 2008 at 19:42

About 3 weeks ago my 8800GTS 320mb died. I hummed and ahh'd about what to do and eventually just shelled out for an 8800GTS 512mb because I was (ironically) thinking of selling the 320mb anyway.

Anyway I started looking into the EVGA RMA procedure and gladly found the general consensus was that they were pretty reliable. So, 2weeks ago I submitted an RMA request and get an immediate (automated) response telling me exactly what to do, in short they wanted:

A copy of the original reciept, I just reprinted my google checkout invoice
The defective product complete with serial no sticker
A description of the problem
All safely boxed up, no extras other than those listed above.

All was good so I sent it the next day (Thursday 27th Feb). I sent it recorded delivery to Germany which cost a little over £10, which isn't reimbursed.

Today I received a parcel with a replacement 8800GS 384mb. So that was a 13 day turnaround which I thought was excellent since it was going to Germany and back. The card replacement is probably just about in-line with what the original 8800GTS 320 would be worth now so thats not too bad either.

My only complaint would be the lack of contact between the RMA department and the customer. I heard nothing from them at all during the time they had the card. No confirmation of receiving the card or anything so that made me a little anxious. But other than that i'm quite happy with them.

So... I didn't know too much about the 8800GS, looks like a new card, not upto GT or GTS standards clearly. WOuld you be happy with that replacement?

helmutcheese · 5 Mar 2008 at 20:01

They gave you nearest still Manu'd card so suppose its ok and you are gonna sell as new since you got yourself another card anyhow I guess.

They dont need to talk to you, you can track they got your card by the Tab from the PO.

Kanifee · 5 Mar 2008 at 20:02

yeh i suppose i would be, seems like its about on par with the GTS so you havnt lost anything.

Egon · 5 Mar 2008 at 20:04

helmutcheese said:
They dont need to talk to you, you can track they got your card by the Tab from the PO.

Oh i know, I did track it. I saw they got it. They just stated in their procedure that they would contact me to confirm they had received. I'm generally an anxious person though

LoadsaMoney · 5 Mar 2008 at 20:04

I wouldn't be, its only 192bit, its crippled.

Skeeter · 5 Mar 2008 at 20:08

Agreed. Id have expected a GT, possibly the 256 version, but a GT atleast

HeX · 5 Mar 2008 at 20:10

Yeah i'd have expected an 8800GT 256MB, still better than a kick in the teeth.

mofo's · 5 Mar 2008 at 21:24

Had a similar experience myself, eVGA appears to always give you the card just below what you should receive.

I personally won't be buying eVGA again, no comms throughout whatsoever the RMA better off going with BFG who seem to give you equal or the next model up.

Egon · 5 Mar 2008 at 21:56

mofo's said:
Had a similar experience myself, eVGA appears to always give you the card just below what you should receive.

I personally won't be buying eVGA again, no comms throughout whatsoever the RMA better off going with BFG who seem to give you equal or the next model up.

The 8800gts 512 I replaced it with is BFG, but lets just hope I don't need to RMA this one !

Greenlizard0 · 6 Mar 2008 at 00:45

I hate the way that manufacturers return inferiour products to the one that they said would work (hence offer a warrenty for that period of time).

I remember sending of an AAKS WD hard drive last summer - and I got a KS drive back. The drive is similarly priced - but the latter has more platters (I believe). Cheeky sods!

OCOCOC · 6 Mar 2008 at 02:14

EgonSpengler said:
About 3 weeks ago my 8800GTS 320mb died. I hummed and ahh'd about what to do and eventually just shelled out for an 8800GTS 512mb because I was (ironically) thinking of selling the 320mb anyway.

Anyway I started looking into the EVGA RMA procedure and gladly found the general consensus was that they were pretty reliable. So, 2weeks ago I submitted an RMA request and get an immediate (automated) response telling me exactly what to do, in short they wanted:

A copy of the original reciept, I just reprinted my google checkout invoice

The defective product complete with serial no sticker

A description of the problem

All safely boxed up, no extras other than those listed above.

All was good so I sent it the next day (Thursday 27th Feb). I sent it recorded delivery to Germany which cost a little over £10, which isn't reimbursed.

Today I received a parcel with a replacement 8800GS 384mb. So that was a 13 day turnaround which I thought was excellent since it was going to Germany and back. The card replacement is probably just about in-line with what the original 8800GTS 320 would be worth now so thats not too bad either.

My only complaint would be the lack of contact between the RMA department and the customer. I heard nothing from them at all during the time they had the card. No confirmation of receiving the card or anything so that made me a little anxious. But other than that i'm quite happy with them.

So... I didn't know too much about the 8800GS, looks like a new card, not upto GT or GTS standards clearly. WOuld you be happy with that replacement?

To be honest, you are really lucky. In my point of view, EVGA did a great job. They did not waste resources(time and labour) to respond you but swap the card straight away. Many manufacturers do have great communications but extremely slow RMA turnaround such as Asus. You would expect 6 weeks turnaround time from them.
Anyway, 88GS is equivalent to your 88GTS G80. It has same number of shaders, narrower ram bandwidth but higher clock. And you could expect better overclocking potentials from 88GS. (Ready for another RMA?

)

Skeeter · 6 Mar 2008 at 02:17

my god, do you think your some kind of RMA guardian angel here to defend all decisions made by companies!

No consumer would EVER consider no communication a good thing as the company is savings its time and resources...

And please, ive just spent an hour looking at 7 and 8 series stats, dont make me go back to prove you wrong!

OCOCOC · 6 Mar 2008 at 02:43

Skeeter said:
my god, do you think your some kind of RMA guardian angel here to defend all decisions made by companies!

No consumer would EVER consider no communication a good thing as the company is savings its time and resources...

And please, ive just spent an hour looking at 7 and 8 series stats, dont make me go back to prove you wrong!

Hey dude, I was like you when I just started playing VGA cards like mad. But after been in this business for 4 years, I have been really realistic.
Yes, I agree communications are always important. But do you prefer getting a replacement quicker or just an email quicker? This is about the cultrue and the philosophy of individual companies. Every companies have limited resources, at least they would maximise their business scale and make their resources relatively limited

This is business, mate.
Like ASUS, they have a hugh CS department but their RMA proccess is far too complicated. They send emails every 2 days to keep you updated with no actual progress. Would you prefer this?

By the way, Regarding to DX10 games, I can provide you a ranking as below:
(up to 1680x1050 res)
9800GX2>98GTX=88Ultra>88GTS(G92)>88GTX>88GT 512(G92)>88GS 768=9600GT>88GTS 640(G80)>88GT 256(G92)>88GTS 320(G80)=88GS 384>7900GTX>7900GTO>7950GT>8600GTS>7900GT>8600GT>7900GS>8500GT>7600GT

Skeeter · 6 Mar 2008 at 02:52

OCOCOC said:
9800GX2>98GTX=88Ultra>88GTS(G92)>88GTX>88GT 512(G92)>88GS 768=9600GT>88GTS 640(G80)>88GT 256(G92)>88GTS 320(G80)=88GS 384>7900GTX>7900GTO>7950GT>8600GTS>7900GT>8600GT>7900GS>8500GT>7600GT

OMG!

The fact that that list:

a) asumes performance in all DX10 games is the same

b) contains 2 cards that dont yet exist

c) goes against your arguments in other threads

serves for it to not actually count for anything.

And "Im in the business, I know what im talking about" doesnt really wash with me, as most people know being 'in' the IT industry has no requirement of any understanding of IT.

OCOCOC · 6 Mar 2008 at 02:57

Skeeter said:
OMG!

The fact that that list:

a) asumes performance in all DX10 games is the same

b) contains 2 cards that dont yet exist

c) goes against your arguments in other threads

serves for it to not actually count for anything.

And "Im in the business, I know what im talking about" doesnt really wash with me, as most people know being 'in' the IT industry has no requirement of any understanding of IT.

There's no time for an argument! If you don't need my help, don't read it!
I'm only giving out a brief ranking. I'm sure 99.99% of people here would agree on my ranking. (If ATI cards involve in this ranking, it might probably be arguable) But the fact is, that's what nVidia design for their product line.

Big.Wayne · 6 Mar 2008 at 03:26

EgonSpengler said:
Just got my EVGA RMA back... my experience

Thanks for sharing your experiences, good read

doesn't seem to shabby an RMA service although they should really fire off an email to let you know the item has been recieved.

While it would be nice to have an identical card back sometimes you get something different (sometimes better, sometimes worse), a few people here are sounding like they expect an upgrade from their RMA?

I personally wouldn't be put off buying an EVGA product from your experiences, sounds reasonable.

bledd · 6 Mar 2008 at 09:19

the other week someone had a way better card back 7900gt -> 8800 xxx series card from them

i sent them my 7900gt ko on sat, i'll let you guys know what i get back

smyth · 6 Mar 2008 at 09:25

bledd. said:
the other week someone had a way better card back 7900gt -> 8800 xxx series card from them

i sent them my 7900gt ko on sat, i'll let you guys know what i get back

I remember that post, I think it was a BFG card though.

P.S make sure you do post back, always nice to know the warranty is worth the £10~ extra for EVGA/BFG, helps me decide on my next build

bledd · 6 Mar 2008 at 09:47

well i can tell you that so far, they've been really quick at responding via email

ACESHIGH · 6 Mar 2008 at 10:44

EgonSpengler said:
About 3 weeks ago my 8800GTS 320mb died. I hummed and ahh'd about what to do and eventually just shelled out for an 8800GTS 512mb because I was (ironically) thinking of selling the 320mb anyway......

All was good so I sent it the next day (Thursday 27th Feb). I sent it recorded delivery to Germany which cost a little over £10, which isn't reimbursed.

Today I received a parcel with a replacement 8800GS 384mb. So that was a 13 day turnaround which I thought was excellent since it was going to Germany and back. The card replacement is probably just about in-line with what the original 8800GTS 320 would be worth now so thats not too bad either.

My only complaint would be the lack of contact between the RMA department and the customer. I heard nothing from them at all during the time they had the card. No confirmation of receiving the card or anything so that made me a little anxious. But other than that i'm quite happy with them.

So... I didn't know too much about the 8800GS, looks like a new card, not upto GT or GTS standards clearly. WOuld you be happy with that replacement?

Personally i think eVGA did a decent enough job. The RMA was done quite quickly (especially compared to some others ive heard about), without too much fuss and you got a card pretty close in performance wise that is also brand new.

Big.Wayne said:
Thanks for sharing your experiences, good read

doesn't seem to shabby an RMA service although they should really fire off an email to let you know the item has been recieved.

While it would be nice to have an identical card back sometimes you get something different (sometimes better, sometimes worse), a few people here are sounding like they expect an upgrade from their RMA?

I personally wouldn't be put off buying an EVGA product from your experiences, sounds reasonable.

Yeah, seems like some people are trying to hit the jackpot with their RMA's and get a massive upgrade for their old cards.