Introduction
Before I begin, this article, unlike many other tutorials you will read, describes more of an art than a science. That being said, this is a disclaimer: I am NOT guaranteeing this will get you a new computer. However, what I am providing is an efficient and intelligent method of dealing with the folks over at Dell, Compaq, Sony, or wherever.


First, we need to analyze exactly what is wrong with your computer. Is it a hardware issue, meaning you cannot start it up, the hard drive is dead, battery won't last, or an issue like that? If you took your computer to Dell, gateway etc. in the hopes of fixing it, and they told you they could not fix it due to the fact that it is a hardware issue, then you are almost ready to take it to the next level. Otherwise, just let dell gateway etc. fix it. If it's a hardware issue, make sure your computer is still under hardware warranty (usually 2 years) before continuing.

If your problem IS a hardware issue, you need to think about what type of hardware issue it is. If it is a battery issue, then call your computer manufacturer's technical support, send in your machine, and have them send it back with a brand new battery. If your hard drive is dead, then you have probably lost all of your data, and you need a replacement.

The bottom line is, before you can get anybody to replace your entire computer, they need to be sure that the machine you have isn't working properly. Translation: You need to send it in for repairs 2 or 3 times. If it comes back, and the problem still isn't fixed, you are eligible for a new computer. Most companies will follow this policy.

Level 1: Dealing with Tech Support
Those of us who are tech-savvy have an advantage here, because we can describe exactly what the problem is. If you do not have the technical know-how to describe what your problem is, all you need to say to the technician who answers the phone is "I'd like to talk to your supervisor. I want a replacement machine." No matter how much whining or complaining you do to the first person who answers your call, that person will be absolutely useless in getting you what you want: a new machine. If the technician gives you grief of any sort, just say to him or her that you'd like a replacement, you don't want to send it in for repairs, and that you'd like to speak to his or her supervisor. Be uncompromising about this, otherwise you'll just make a number of mistakes and not get what you want.

Level 2: Tech Support Supervisor
Once you're speaking to that person's supervisor, you can start calming down. This person doesn't deal with customers all that often, and the calmer you are, the more they're going to want to help you. Like before, all you want to tell them is that you've sent in your computer multiple times, and that you need a replacement machine. More often than not, the supervisor will direct you to the appropriate party. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE SUPERVISOR'S NAME, DEPARTMENT, AND PHONE NUMBER! If you do not know whom you're speaking to along the way, you won't be able to keep track and you'll end up exactly where you started. Make the supervisor give you the phone number of the people you're supposed to talk to. Usually they'll call you, but demand their phone number anyway, in case they don't. They don't like giving out new computers unless they have to.

Level 3: Case Worker
Now you're getting somewhere. Once you get past the supervisor, you should be speaking to a customer support representative. This is the person you want to be speaking to. The Customer Support Representative has the power to give you a new machine, so you need to be respectful but determined to get what you want. All of the people you'll be dealing with are trained to get you to send in your computer one last time before getting a new one. Be determined and uncompromising, but be polite. Think about it - if you had to deal with extremely rude people who disrespected you all the time, wouldn't you want to help that one person who wanted a new computer, but was polite about it? Exactly. Be polite.

Level 4: Success!
It should take a day or two for the person assigned to your case to get back to you regarding whether or not you're eligible for a new machine. It probably depends on how new your machine is, how many times it's been sent in, how often you've called about it, and how severe the problem is. If you get approved by the case worker, then you're scott-free! Talk to him or her about the details of the machine, and you should be good to go. You probably will be getting not just a new model of your current machine, but an UPGRADE to a current model! If you're feeling bold, you can ask the rep if you would be entitled to an upgrade. Possible reasons you can give are: My computer's been out of commission a long time, I bought upgrades on the original machine and I feel I'm entitled to them on the new one, etc. I personally got them to upgrade my wife's processor and hard drive by pulling some of these ($2200 machine, free!). Good luck!

I see youve been working hard Merlin ? good tutorials! , but i like this one best , if you manage to pull it off.