Packaging for hard disk return

[id_wright]

Hi there,
I've got a dying hard disk that needs returning to Seagate for warranty replacement.
Unfortunately, I don't have any of the original packaging for it (including anti-static bags).
How should I pack it to send it back to them? They say that the warranty is void if the drive is improperly packed...
Cheers,
Ian

 

[sWiZzLe]

If its buggered i would just bubble wrap it and put it in a box

 

[id_wright]

Fair enough - was concerned that they'd turn around and say it was damaged in transit and therefore won't replace it.

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

I would check with the company that it's being returned too.
In their eyes bubble wrap may not be approapriate.

I've seen I think it was Seagate before request the HDD packed in clamshell case, AS bag and then A proper foam padding HDD box.

Which tbh is a complete farce considering most online stores will whack the HDDs in a few cm of bubble wrap then band em in a courier bag.

I recently had 2 HDDs from the mm and the kid had put the two HDDs in the clamshells then into a box that was too big without any padding. Result was HDDs banging about fortunatley however they arrives working and are still under warranty if anything does go wrong.

 

[IAmATeaf]

Seagate would normally expect the drive in a proper drive box but when I needed to RMA a drive around 2 years ago they told me that anti-stat bag, then bubble wrapped and then in a box where it can't rattle around would be good enough. I think if you just sent the drive in a jiffy bag then that wouldn't be good enough.

 

[xb8browney]

My past ones have been a box that doesnt allow it to move and padded with thick foam and and then a jiffy bag. Had 3 hdd's sent this way.

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

the last 3 HDDs I bought retail were all just sent clam shelled warapped in bubble wrap and bunged in whaetever box they had to hand

 

[Juniper]

Within the last two months I've had to return a Seagate drive and they won't accept any returns unless they packaged with a specific clamshell, foam and anti static bag from the company they specify when you're creating the RMA.

The packaging cost me the best part of a tenner and took nearly two weeks to be delivered. Ontop of that, having to pay postage really wasn't my idea of a good return service, especially as when I got the drive initially it was quite loose in a box with only a few airbags as protection.

Compare the difference to Western Digital with their Advance RMA Service..

 

[errata]

Bubble wrap is not antistatic and should not be in contact with electronic parts subject to movement as it increases the risk of damge (not a cenrtainty but much increased chance).

Official retail packaging is usually antistatic bag in cardboard box with (probably antistatic) foam.

 

[Juniper]

I'll be a pro at returning drives to Seagate soon, the replacement has started failing already