Sony Vaio Series Consumer Reviews - Page 2

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY -- My new (less than three months old) Sony Vaio ultrabook stopped working. It was working fine but stopped completely. No lights, nothing. I called and sent it in under a warranty claim. I received an email advising that they were awaiting a call and when I called, I was told that the unit showed corrosion inside. According to the technician, this was due to moisture inside and they would not provide any repairs.

I asked about the causes of the corrosion and was told it was either because the unit was put into water or possibly, it could have been the result of using the computer from a hot environment and coming into air conditioned space which is entirely possible given that, like many American homeowners, I had central air conditioning. This seems to be a defect of design. Nowhere does Sony warn of the risk of using a computer outside and bringing it inside (which was done constantly as we also have, in addition to central A/C, wi-fi which allows us to work outside and inside).

In addition to the dispute about the design limitations and their statement that they do not cover this because they have no control on the environment in which a user uses his or her laptop, we discussed the replacement of the motherboard. The technician told me to call the parts department and inquire about a new motherboard. Sony does not sell motherboards and I was told to ask Andrews Electronics and Encompass, both of whom are parts distributors but offer sales to retail. Pricing for both companies was the same, about $1100 plus a $700 core charge or more than $1,800.

I asked the representative how the motherboard, which was inside a $800 computer, could cost more than twice the price and she assured me that Sony set the prices but it did seem silly. I know that Fry's will sell the same motherboard for around $800 packed neatly inside a new laptop but that seems to be the point, Sony refused to stand behind their product and will do everything in their power to force a consumer to buy a new product.

I called the repair center and number of times and I called customer support and was given the runaround most of the time. I was given different prices for repairs ranging from $1,300 to $1,500 but, in every case, they would NOT provide the service. Customer Service people will routinely apologize for the way I was treated but every time I asked for an email address to send in a statement, I was put on hold for more than ten minutes.

I purchased a Sony Vaio vgn nw150 j/s laptop 13 months ago. On the 13th month the Hard Drive died and needs to be replaced. Sony will not honor the warranty past the 364th day and wants me to pay them $499 to repair it. First off I'm upset that they are selling products that do not last more than a year and are charging top dollar, and you have no recourse. I paid $800 for the laptop and don't feel I should have to pay this every year for a laptop, or even one time for a years worth of lap top. I could rent one cheaper than that.

Sony's products are not good quality. I don't understand why we all think they are a good company because they are not. A few years ago I purchased a DVD player, and just before a years time, it died. I went to return it to the store but did not have the original packaging so they would not exchange it. I had to purchase another one, then put the old one in the new ones box and return it. This one also died before a years time, and since I had no packaging again, I had to do the same thing again.

If you are unsatisfied with the answer you get from customer support, too bad. They will not give you to a manager and say that they are the highest ranking for this issue. they will not provide corporate headquarters address or phone number. Why would Sony not want consumers to call them? Probably because they anticipate so many unsatisfied customers and do not want to hire that many people to take all the calls. They do not want you to be able to find them. What kind of company is this? Can we kick them out of the USA? I WISH!!

I will never purchase another Sony product and would warn any other consumer about their quality and service before they consider Sony products. If you were also ripped off by Sony, paste as many complaints as you can on the web. lets at least try and diminish their profits.

PENNSYLVANIA -- Bought a Sony laptop Oct of 2010 at a cost of $700.00. Starting in Dec. of 2012 black screen all the time off and on was with premium tech support trying to fix it. They had it running off and on then the screen just went black, took it to a PC doctor was told the soldering used when my computer was made by Sony was bad. They have since upgraded their soldering procedure on the Vaio laptop. OK then I sent it to Sony. They told me the screen part of it was the cause of the screen going black, they want $ 317.00 to fix it.

Sony has ripped me off and now they want more money, so I guess all they expect from their product is 2 years that you will get out of their product. Well I will go to Attorney General with this problem if anyone out there has this problem please call me ** and please call your Attorney General and file a complaint. This is a manufacturing problem and the consumer is paying for this error is making it. I will log down your names and follow through with this against Sony. Please help me do this.

I read your terms, and you know people the consumer buy a product and expect more than 2 years out of their purchase and if this company can do no better than the way they treated me and look at the complaints that other people are having on the same issue, I believe in my heart this has to be addressed to the public and they should stand up for their name. Yes it's out of warranty but 2 years that really sad. My 3 cents means a lot to me and your product should mean 3 cent to you also.

550 MADISON AVENUE -- This is to answer Sony Corporation of America response: I do NOT agree with their response. Early May 2011, I was able to contact ** and a 2nd representative at Customer Relations to inform that the laptop in reference started to have software and hardware problems while the 5-year extended warranty was active. I also explained to them that the AON Insurance 5-year extended warranty that SonyStyle at Menlo Park, Edison, NJ had sold to me had expired in March 2011.

** and the 2nd Sony Customer Relations representative promised that Sony and AON will honor the repair of the laptop or change it if they are not able to repair it even though the 5-year extended warranty had expired in March 2011 as the laptop started to show software and hardware problems while the 5-year extended warranty was active. Then a couple of days later Sony changed its position and they refused to transfer several calls I made to contact **.

Now, Sony is saying that the issue is between me and AON Insurance. It is important to indicate that I bought this laptop at the SonyStyle store located in Menlo Park, Edison, NJ 08837. It was SonyStyle that sold me the AON 5-year extended warranty agreement. An AON Insurance representative indicated that they will not repair the laptop unless Sony ask them to repair it. Sony cannot say now that they are not responsible as they were the ones that sold me the 5-year extended warranty. Sony and AON are showing lack of ethics in conducting business by not following the agreement.

My Spouse listened all conversations I had with Sony and AON Insurance representatives and she certifies with her signature below that Sony first agreed to repair the laptop or change it in the event it could not be repaired, under the 5-year extended warranty, as the laptop started to show technical and hardware problems while the 5-year extended warranty was active.

I purchased a high end Sony Vaio laptop in May 2010 for over $3000 and paid an additional $400 for a Sony 3 year extended warranty. Within seven months after the purchase the laptop became unusable because the Nvidia video card had failed requiring the motherboard to be replaced. When I called the Vaio support line they scheduled an on-site repair visit and assured me that the repair will be done within 3 business days as stipulated in the warranty. Based on this information I postponed two important business presentations for which I needed to use the laptop.

The nightmare began soon after. No one showed up for the repair after 3 days or the following weeks. I called Sony countless times to inquire about the repair and was never able to break through the stonewalling of the Philipine-stationed gang which represents Sony Vaio. Every time I called I had to retell the story only to find out that they used my call to reset the clock to give themselves another 3 -4 business days before someone would purportedly call back, but of course no one did call.

When I asked for details about the delay or to talk to a supervisor they would refuse or become rude. Eventually when I managed to break through to a supervisor Mark. I found out that the reason for the delay was that a part was "back-ordered" and that no delivery date is available. Mark promised to call back within 3-4 business date to give me an update. He never called back.

Next time I called there was another supervisor named Mike. Mike continued to give me the runaround and refused to tell me when or if the laptop will be repaired. He would not say if it will take one week or one month or one year. He absolutely refused to give me a loaner stating “policy”. So I am still stranded without a laptop. If you are shopping for a laptop don't be fooled by Vaio's good looks. Their product is unreliable and their customer service is a scam.

I purchased a Sony Vaio in July of 2009 and purchased a one year warranty (I did not get the extended one because Sony claims their Vaio is "#1" and I didn't think it was necessary.) Five months after the warranty has run out, the hard drive failed and nothing can be done.

I've taken it to two computer stores, both of them telling me it would cost upwards of $400 to install a new hard drive and even then, they can't guarantee that my computer will even work after that. They recommend buying a new computer. I don't have money for that! I already blew a thousand dollars last year for a computer, now I have to get a new one?!!

So today I decided to call Sony, to see if they would actually stand behind their products being the "best." I was on the phone with tech support for two hours, who kept asking me to try different things with the laptop (hit f8 or f10 at startup for different options etc,) I continued to tell him that I've already tried all of this myself and that the computer stores said it couldn't be fixed.

I asked for a supervisor because I told him I want compensated and for them to either fix my laptop or send me a refurbished one...At which point I was put on hold. And then "disconnected." I tried three or four other phone numbers, expressing the problem and then getting "disconnected." Four hours, wasted. Oh and when the Sony man asked where I was calling from, I told him what state I lived in and then jokingly asked where he was calling back from..His response? Not America. Wow. Thanks captain obvious. ** Sony.

Never again will I buy from them if they don't do anything, its just ridiculous, I need my laptop for college. Guess I shouldn't have decided to take on more classes by going online...Seeing as how I don't have any way to get on for my classes.

Thanks Sony. Go screw yourself and your "number one computer." Thanks for not helping whatsoever and giving me the runaround. I hope no one else out there has an experience like this with them, and that other consumers out there can see my review and not buy Sony... Even though a Vaio is pretty awesome... Until it stops working and you're out a grand.

I purchased a laptop (model US-VGN-SR90LBOM) on 12/29/09. It was delivered a few weeks later. Since then, I have had 4 service calls, each resulting in my inability to use the computer for weeks at a time.
Most recently, on 12/17/10 I contacted Sony to tell them that the hard drive had crashed. (This was confirmed by a data restoration company which I hired independently to restore whatever data they could.)

Sony represents that within 3-5 business days, someone will contact consumers with issues to fix the problems. On the 5th business day, I began calling Sony to inquire as to the status of my repair. I called Sony each day and was told that the hard drive was shipped to the company that Sony contracts to perform the actual service.

On 11/24, 7 days after reporting the hard drive crash to Sony, I asked Sony that my issue be escalated. On 11/26, 9 days after reporting the incident and still not receiving even 1 follow up call or email from Sony, I finally contacted the service company who told me that no parts had been shipped by Sony. Later that day, I went to the Sony Style store, with the laptop and requested help. I was told by the store that they would escalate my service request and test my pc, so I left it with them.

On 12/1, a full 14 days after my 1st call to Sony, the store representative told me that Sony had not yet given an answer as to when my computer would be fixed, although, he did learn that the hard drive was on back order. At this point I told the store representative that I could not wait any more for my computer. I also called Sony and told them that I was going out to buy another pc, as I could no longer wait for them. I then returned to the SonyStyle store and picked up the laptop.

As this was now the 4th issue requiring service on a new laptop, purchased directly from SonyStyle.com, which was less than 1 year old, I am entitled to a refund of my money. I told the representative that I wanted a refund, as I could not work anymore without a pc and would now be forced to go out and buy another. I then purchased another computer and was up and running later that day.

On 12/3, now 16 days after my 1st call to Sony, the service company called to tell me that they had received a hard drive. At this point, I reiterated that, this was the 4th issue requiring service on this pc, after spending countless hours calling Sony and visiting the SonyStyle stores, not receiving any calls or updates from Sony, and being without my pc (necessary to run my business) for over 2 weeks, I had already purchased another pc and wanted my money back.

BOSTON -- Bought Sony Vaio laptop for around 1/25 1/25 VBHNMSJ8 BEST BUY MHT 00005967 WATERTOWN MA 1,049.90. Called Bestbuy Dist. Mgr. ** who did call us back a few days later and tell us that we could get our laptop back without paying BestBuy the $150 examination fee for returning to SONY that was not previously explained. He also offered us $100 off another laptop if we do so before the end of August.

Other people feel like the computer companies ought to come up with a better way to seal the keyboards and computers from water damage (that we don't understand how it happened or when of if)- Did the water just come out of the air or was it sweat on the hands or what?

BestBuy BackBay wanted $499 to fix this laptop bought 4 1/2 months before (they also had the computer in March for a month of repair). I told them that price was outrageous (and I did check eBay where the advertised price is $249 for a guaranteed repair). Plus BestBuy wanted $150 more to let us have the laptop back (when I turned them down as their repair price was outrageous). Alleged water damage the second time even tho repaired once two months before and did find any water damage.

This raises several questions as to their SONY /GEEK Ripoff charges- first the alleged repair being twice as much at widely advertised competitors and second about not informing us that there would be additional charges if we turned down repairs and third, why can't Sony build a laptop that prevents water damage?

I could understand water damage if it fell into a lake but we don't know where the water came from or if BestBuy or Sony did it but my son thought it might have been caused by an electrical surge. The first BestBuy Customer Service agent who answered my phone and promised to get back with me NEVER did. They are slow on getting back with you and also slow in finding the problems to repair. Anyway I still am concerned by Sony who ought to be more receptive to determining what the problem was shortly after the purchase. That is something that their [former] customers should not have to pay. A diagnose fee ought to be included in all warranties.

I bought a Sony Vaio in December. I had a previous Vaio that had worked pretty well for 3 years, and has some minor issues. I thought I would stick with the same product, but get a more powerful machine. It was a huge mistake to buy the new Vaio. After owning it less than 3 months, I pressed on the black frame portion surrounding the window to get a closer look at the screen, and an internal crack appeared. I was shocked to see this happen, with such a light touch. All I was doing was adjusting the screen.

I compared the old and new Vaio. The frame of the old is made with solid material. The frame of the new is made with pliable flimsy material. This may be why a normal light touch has such an effect. I went to the store where I purchased it, and they said that Sony will not repair this issue, even under warranty. They will say that the owner broke it, and that it is not a manufacturing defect, when it actually is. The person at the store said "Sony would rather lose a customer than fix a cracked screen."

I then called Sony, and the guy said that if it was a "known issue" they would fix it under warranty, and if it was not a "known issue" they would not. Upon further questioning, it would be unlikely that they would fix this issue, so they must have loopholes in the warranty. I read enough complaints online to know that it might be a waste of time and money to send this off to Sony for repair. It would be ~$100 to get a part and fix it myself.

I would hope that enough people complain about this and other issues, that consumers buy better products than Sony. UPDATE: Update, I later decided to send the laptop to Sony. They didn't honor the warranty of course. And now I am having trouble getting them to send my laptop back to me.

I sent in my laptop for repair (under warranty) for a power button cover that had simply fallen off. The plastic piece should not have cost more than $1. Sony opens up my computer and says they've "found a serious crack" in the bottom housing that's going to cost me $380 to repair. Clearly, they couldn't JUST replace the little cover--they had to charge me for the whole kit and kaboodle.

They tell me that I must have dropped my computer, which I obviously hadn't (I should know). If I really had dropped my computer, how could there be such a huge crack to the INSIDE of the computer without there being ANY damage to the outside of the computer? They tell me with absolute certainty, "because you clearly dropped your computer, your warranty is null and void against all future complaints."

My computer has been sitting on my desk or wrapped in a soft computer case since the minute I received it in the mail. No drops, no scratches. Now other problems are appearing: gigantic splotches of dead pixels in the middle of the screen, wireless not working, etc. I've only had this computer for 6 mos and have always been very careful with it. Either the computer was damaged by Sony during shipping, or Sony introduced damages to my computer when I sent it in for repair (which wouldn't surprise me).

I've been on the phone with over 20 customer service reps, who "put me on a brief hold" and then transfer me to "customer service" lines that don't exist, when I tell them that I'm not paying X hundred dollars to repair something that I DID NOT BREAK. Besides, whatever happened to my warranty??!! I splurged on a Sony computer because I thought that Sony meant quality, durability, and good customer support. How could I have been so naive? Sony, you've lost another customer. I hope you're happy.