My HDD recently started to malfunction. Apparently it’s something to do with the port inside.
So I opened an Advanced RMA ticket with Western Digital today. They charged me about $260, which they said will be refunded when they receive my original hard drive. So, they’re sending me a replacement drive in the mail, and then I’m boxing up my original defective drive and sending it back to them.
But this thought occurred to me: what if (because it wouldn’t be the first time) the package gets damaged on the way back to WD, and my defective hard drive suddenly becomes physically damaged, voiding the warranty. When they receive the hard drive, will I be stuck with the replacement drive and having to pay $260? Or will I have the option to have them mail be back the damaged drive, and I mail them back the replacement?
The reason I ask is that I am very worried about being stuck with that much of a charge on my credit card, and I’ve had stuff damaged in the mail before, even stuff properly packaged, so I don’t think my worries are too unreasonable. While it’d be nice to get my defective drive replaced, I’d rather just keep it than have to pay $260 for a new one if anything were to happen to it en-route to Western Digital.
