Gaming So I conteacted the Seagate Constomer Support

[juggernaut911]

My conversation with the Seagate Customer Support.

Spoiler: Seagate Chat Log

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
Hello. How may I help you?
ME: Hi, I asking about a warranty service where your company takes down my credit card number then sends me a new harddrive then I send my old one in. I'm just not sure if I have the proper packaging
Segate Guy: if you take the service for 19.99 the advanced return option then you don't need the packaging, we will send it to you
Seagate Guy: along with a shipping label
ME: If I can provide my own label, how much will that be because I'm short on cash and I have to send in both of my hard drives
Segate Guy: it is a package
Seagate Guy: there is no way for me to send the materials only
ME: So the $20 pays for the label for you guys to send it here and back? or just here?
Seagate Guy: $20 covers everything all you have to do is exchange the drive in the box when it arrives then drop it off at UPS
ME: OK, well, if I were to do it the normal way, can I use bubble wrap and an ESD bag for my packaging (and the HD of course)?
Seagate Guy: no bubble wrap is allowed
Seagate Guy: sorry that would void the warranty
ME: well, what do you suggest because I've heard stories of guys just sending their HD in bubble wrap with no ESD bag or anything and everything worked out fine.
Segate Guy: the warehouse will void the warranty, I wouldn't risk it
Segate Guy: totally up to you though
Segate Guy: Will there be anything else I can help you with today?
ME: What would you sue because I'm not shelling out another $15 I don't have on some "clamshell" thing.
ME: *use
Seagate Guy: That is the requirement listed on the warranty site and I cannot say anything different, I don't have a say that is policy
Seagate Guy: but for 19.99 everything is coved
Seagate Guy: or 15 + shipping
Seagate Guy: same money either way
ME: Well, I'ev only got $20 on me, and I need to do 2 harddrives. Are you saying I pick one HD and keep the other till I can get more money?
Seagate Guy: I am not saying anything, I am just providing your options. I cannot comment or help with your financial situation, the choice is yours.
ME: OK, thanks for the help. Good bye.
Your session has ended. You may now close this window.

The bubble wrap guy I mentioned:

Will Glyn - Link - Post #7
We send about 5-6 Seagate hard drives back a month. Sometimes they are Maxtor. Never have we sent them in these 'clammshell's'. Normally they go in a special hard drive box with the foam glued to the bottom of the box, side of the box and the top. If you send it back wrapped up well they won't bother kicking up a fuss I assure you. I'm sure they appreciate you going to all this effort though! Several times we have just sent them back wrapped in bubblewrap, in a box.

More bubble wrap!

shodanx - Link
sorry but you're full of it troydoogle7
last november I received a seagate hdd, unfortunately when I unpacked it I immediately noticed connector damage !!
I knew this was bad because physical damage = void warranty and I had no way to prove I got it this way

first I contacted the distributor (eprom.com) they told me, can't help you ask seagate your warranty is void

I went to their website, I already had a seagate rma account thingy but I was pretty sure that if I send it that way I'd automatically get flagged "physical damage, warranty void, get a new drive"

so instead I called the tech support number
I explained my problem to the guy, he said I can't help you, try sending an email to [email protected]

so I did , I explained my problem again
they asked for a picture, I sent a really nice close up one

then they said ok send it back I autocreated an rma in your partner support account send it back to address so and so with RMA xyz on the box

I packed with standard 1 inch bluble wrap (this is the kind with big bubbles for heavy stuff not your standard small bubble crap) (about 3 inch thick in every direction, then padded with crumbled paper)

I shipped it expresspost, one week later (today in fact) I get a box from UPS, it's my hdd in a 10 foam padded container, I open it up, first thing I see, my 320gb turned into a 750 gb YYYYAAAAYYYY !!!

I can't emphasize enough how happy I am with buying seagate right now

Interesting piece of literature: Seagate Void Checklist - PDF Link
QUOTE

Improper packing – Drives
not packed in ESD bags/Seashell

Is it just me or don't "/"s mean OR?

Excerpt from Warranty Terms:

Spoiler: I ran out of quote blocks... Spoilers now

For Internal Hard Disk Drives:

Remove all accessories and/or spare parts. Ship the DRIVE ONLY. Seagate is not responsible for accessories; they cannot be returned.

Some examples of accessories are:

Blah Blah Blah
Use original packaging when possible, such as packaging sent with Advanced Replacement Order:

Enclose each drive in an ESD (electrostatic discharge) bag or in an anti-static plastic shell (SeaShell).
Secure each unit in 2 inch-thick foam rubber in a corrugated box. Do not use popcorn, peanuts, bubble wrap or newspaper. If packaging more than one drive, use a separate container for each drive.
Print the order number on the outside of each box.
For more information on how to pack your unit, please view: http://www.seagate.com/support/service/pdf/pack.pdf
For European customers, a T1 document must accompany the shipment if applicable (notify your agent).

Covering the Foam Rubber:
http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/packaging2.htm

Spoiler

Foam rubber block packaging

Foam rubber block packaging

Where am I supposed to get those?

I may add more later...