Technology changes so fast that anything manufactured becomes obselete once they hit the stores.
Seriously, I have no idea that there are so many model number just for Apple's products. You probably know them as Macbook, Macbook Pro or Macbook Air until you need to replace any part of your laptop.
Even Apple's support staff got all confused. A staff I chatted with online even gave me the wrong model number of my laptop. Imagine how disastrous if I were to purchase the wrong replacement battery online.
Of course, you can always send in to their service center to save all the trouble. But somehow I cannot give myself a valid reason to pay the exorbitant charges, which amount to one-third the price of a new laptop.
So off I went searching online for a compatible replacement battery.
Sad to say, buying something online for something that you need once in a blue moon is like trying to conquer Mount Everest.
Even the tons of positive reviews did not help to alleviate my fear. What if I am the unlucky one to get a defective product. What if the model number is correct but doesn't fit? Are there any return policy? Why is this cheaper than that? Why is that double the price of others?
How can I be sure their return and refund policy is easy?
It's not dificult to see why Zappos is so successful. They make it convenient and hassle free for their customers to return online purchases.
The next best alternative is to get computer shops that do battery replacement. Though much cheaper but the two that I contacted were just disappointing.
The first is the shop where I bought my laptop previously. The other was in an IT mall that I walked in.
None of them offered to find out more information or take a look at my laptop.
In fact, both shops charge the same prices for replacement.
My problem is very simple. I just want to find the correct compatible replacement battery for my laptop and have it replaced (either myself or by paying a small fee) without spending a bomb as this laptop is already 4 year old.
Anyone who can answer my question gets my business.
Imagine...
You make a call or walk in to a repair shop. The staff asks you more questions when you ask about replacing battery.
He asks you if you intend to buy online and replace it yourself.
If yes, he points you to a reliable supplier and offers to order on your behalf. Alternatively, he recommends you purchase it off the shelf and get it fixed immediately. He explains the difference in prices between the online one and the one in the shop, if any.
He then highlight to you what additional tools you need, if any (in fact, there are). Again, you got the option to buy online or at the shop.
Next, he gives you an url on his website on how to replace the battery and offers you the option to have him do it for a small fee.
He throw in a free service to do a check on your laptop at the same time.
And he asks you to bring it in if you encounter problems when replacing the battery.
Is it stupid to go to such an extent for someone who probably is not going to buy from you or use your service?
Definitely not.
Thinking so is a sign of short term thinking.
How often do you come across a business that goes all out to help solve your problem without making a sale?
Who do you think I will go to the next time I have problem with my laptop again? Who will I recommend to my friends?
And with proper follow up by the company, where do you think I will buy my next laptop?
There are too many alternatives available.
P.S. May I add, my adaptor is also giving me problem too.