CompuDirect.com - Computers, PC Parts, Electronics

What This Warranty Does Not Cover:
This warranty does not cover: (a) installation or service of product; (b) conditions resulting from consumer damage such as improper maintenance or misuse, abuse, accident or alteration; (c) all plastic surfaces and all other exposed parts that are scratched or damaged due to normal use; (d) the operations of our products with equipment not supplied by CompuDirect; (e) products which have had the serial number removed or made illegible; (f) products rented to others.

Lifetime Limited Labor Warranty For Complete Systems:
CompuDirect� will repair any complete system purchased from CompuDirect� However, if the need for repair was due to customer negligence (at CompuDirect�'s discretion) or is in any way the fault of the customer (at CompuDirect�'s discretion), CompuDirect� reserves the right to charge the customer for the cost of labor at CompuDirect�'s current hourly labor rate.

Lifetime Technical Support Warranty For Complete Systems:
Any customer who purchases a complete system from CompuDirect� is entitled to free technical support for as long as they own the system. To obtain technical support services or to invoke warranted privileges, customers should either contact CompuDirect�'s Technical Support Department.

Replacement Policy:
After thirty days or when customers choose, defective items may be returned to CompuDirect� for replacement. The defective item is returned to CompuDirect� and a replacement is shipped back to the customers after it is determined that the original was defective. This avoids charging then crediting items to your credit card, but takes more time.

Money Back Guarantee:
Every CompuDirect� complete system includes a 30-day money-back guarantee subject to a 20% restocking fee. All Refunds/Credit must be approved. No Returns/credits will be replaced immediately. CompuDirect� reserves the right to thoroughly test all items. Absolutely no Refunds/Credits after 30 (thirty) days from date of invoice. Allow 4 - 6 weeks from date of RMA for refunds. Shipping and handling, or open software and printers are not refundable.
Customers have up to thirty days from the invoice date to arrange for authorization to return this merchandise for credit. The original invoice value of the merchandise is refunded to the customer. This offer is valid for up to fourteen days after the authorization is issued. Stipulations and exceptions to this policy are that software and printers must be unopened. Printers that have the ink cartridge installed may be returned with as twenty percent restocking fee for up to 15 days after the invoice date. Sales of special order items are final � no refunds. Special order items are items not advertised on the CompuDirect� web site yet are ordered due to special customer requests.

Cancel Orders, Special Orders and Restocking Fee:
Sales on Special Order merchandise are final - no refunds. Special Orders which are not picked up within 30 (thirty) days of notification will forfeit deposit. There is 20% cancellation fee for all cancelled orders (NO EXCEPTIONS).

What it Means to be an OEM Product

To put an OEM product in the simplest terms, it is a product from a manufacturer that is sold without the retail packaging to system integrators and retailers for purchase in or with a completed computer system. Often they are sold in larger lots or groups to help reduce the costs to the company using the parts for integration. What the OEM product will come with will vary depending upon the type of product being sold.

So, how does the product vary? Typically the component that is purchased as an OEM product lacks all retail packaging. Also missing might be cables or software that may have been included with the retail version. Finally, there may be no or reduced instructions included with the OEM version of the product.

A good example of these differences can be seen between an OEM and retail hard drive. The retail version is often referred to as a kit because it includes with it the drive cables, installation instructions, warranty cards and any software packages used to help configure or run the drive. The OEM version of the drive will only include the hard drive in a sealed anti-static bag with no other materials. Sometimes this will be referred to as a "bare drive".

Retail vs. OEM

Since price is such a huge factor in the purchase of product by consumers, OEM products offer a major advantage over a retail product. The reduced items and packaging can drastically reduce the cost of a computer component over a retail version. This leads to the question as to why anyone would chose to purchase the retail version.

The biggest difference between a retail and OEM product is how warranties are handled. Most retail products come with very well defined terms for service and support in case the product has any problems. OEM products on the other hand will generally have shorter warranties and limited support. The reason is that the OEM product is supposed to be sold as part of a package via a retailer. Therefore, all service and support for the component in the system should be handled by the retailer if sold in a complete system.

As a user who is building a computer system or upgrading a computer system, the retail version may also be important. If you are unfamiliar with what is required to install the component into the computer system, the manufacturer instructions can be very useful as are any cables that you may not have.

OEM Software

Like hardware, software can also be purchased as OEM. OEM software is identical to the full retail versions of the software but it lacks any packaging. Typically this will be seen with software items such as operating systems and office suites. Unlike OEM hardware, there are more restrictions on what will allow the software to be sold by a retailer to a consumer.

OEM software typically can only be purchased with a complete computer system. Some retailers will allow the purchase of the software if it is also purchased with some form of core computer system hardware. In either case, there must be some additional purchase of hardware to go along with the OEM software. Be careful though, a number of unscrupulous retailers and individuals sell OEM software that is actually pirated software, so check the retailer before purchasing.

Determining OEM or Retail

When shopping for computer components, sometimes it may not be obvious if the item is an OEM or a retail version. Most reputable retailers will list the product as either "OEM" or "bare drive". Other items to look for would be in the product description. Items such as "Packaging" and "Warranty" can provide clues as to whether it is an OEM version.

The biggest problem comes with the various pricing engines on the web. If a manufacturer uses the same product designation for an OEM and retail product, it is possible that retailers on the results page could be offering either version. Some pricing engines will list "OEM" next to the price, but others may not. Always read the product description if you are not sure.

Are OEM Products OK?

There should be no physical difference in a component if it is sold as OEM or in retail. The difference is the extras that are provided with the retail version. If you are comfortable with the terms of the OEM product compared to the retail version, then it is generally better to buy the OEM product for the reduced cost. If items such as product warranties bother you, purchase the retail versions for the peace of mind they provide.