The choices for a new screen

NEW LP133WX1 13.3" 1280X800 GLOSSY LCD SCREEN FOR APPLE

well I ordered a new screen for my Macbook. The way I saw it I had three options

• Order a part and install in myself, the cheapest but also the scariest
• Send it away and get someone lese to install it, but that's time consuming. I use this Macbook on location all the time.
• get it repaired locally. This option was the most frustrating to entertain....

I called Advance and after reciting my situation to 4 different people  only to have them say "oh justa sec.." I get one guy who tells me the cost of replacing the screen is somewhere between $800 and $1000! I remind him that a new machine costs $1200. He agrees with me. I say thank you, hang up and proceed to order the $200 part to install myself.

If the guy said $400-$600 for a new screen, I would have considered it, thinking $200-$250 for the part and the rest for the install, as I have several online guides on how to do it, and it doesn't look THAT hard. But $1000? I am sorry, as much as I want to buy local am not stupid.

While Advance may have enjoyed the luxury of isolation back in the "HI-FI" days, in these days of Ebay and overnight shipping, that kind of gouging isn't gonna fly. I have railed to some of you in the past about Advance's lousy service department, the dumpy counter space, the people with inept social skills, so I will spare you that rant. It just amazes me that in this age of Big Box stores, one of the last sucessful independent electronics retailer wouldn't try harder at the service level. I've bought several machines from the gang in the computer department, and their great, I recommend them to everyone. But when something breaks, or if you have an warranty issue, I'd suggest dealing with someone else.

Blogged with Flock