DO NOT PURCHASE THE PERFORMANCE WARRANTY FROM FRYS I purchased a Toshiba Laptop computer from Frys Electronics almost 3 years ago, paid $1,300.. It is my 5th Toshiba, going back to the XT model. Although I almost never purchase the Performance Insurance from stores, this time I did. The salesman did a great job on selling the policy, giving me statistics on laptop failure and the associated costs. Telling me it covers everything except the battery. The laptop came with three USB ports, one on the right and two on the left side of the computer. After about 2 years I purchased an External Hard Drive from Frys which required using 2 USB ports. Already using the right port for my printer, I plugged in the two USB cords to the right side. The External Hard Drive did not operate. After much trouble shooting, I disconnected the printer and used the one port on the right and one on the left side. Great the External Drive operated fine. This is when I noticed that one of the far USB ports was not operating. A couple of months later I took the laptop to Frys to have them look at why the USB was not operating, thinking it was probably just an internal setting. I was told that I would have to leave the laptop there for a week. I use my laptop for both work and personal use. This was not an option, as I may as well take a vacation to the North Pole without my laptop. I asked if I could make an appointment for them to look at the computer for one week, two weeks or two months in the future. This was not an option. Since the laptop was working fine except for the one USB port, I deferred the repair. About a month before the Performance Warranty expired the screen began to flicker and horizontal lines began to appear at times and I took the laptop in for repair. After a few days, they gave it back to me saying they found nothing wrong with the screen and refused to repair the USB port stating it was Damaged. I asked for a further explanation and was told that an internal prong (not visible to the eye) was out of alignment and appeared to be bent. I explained that this USB port did not function since I purchased the computer, if the prong was bent it must have been improperly positioned from the factory, if I bent it plugging in the External Hard Drive this was not fault. The port looks like new with no visible defect to the eye. The screen continued to periodically flicker as well as USB port not working. I returned the laptop again and showed the Service Manager, Ben Thornton how the screen flickered. They kept the laptop. After several days I called and the computer had not been worked on. I requested a loaner (which is provided for in the warranty package) and was provided one. Another week went by and I am now told that the screen has been repaired (it was a loose internal cable) although they refused to repair the USB port. I used the USB port as designed and it failed. There is no sign of physical abuse. If I plugged in a USB plug and an internal wire bent then the port was defective and failed to perform as designed. This defect was not my responsibility. Toshiba is a great product although do not purchase the performance warranty from frys electronics it is a ripoff they try to find any excuse not honor the warranty save your money and use it towar d a new computer in the future.
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