[porto52]

I have an old Dell monitor that was a legitimate purchase, so I thought I'd try to get a replacement from Dell.

I did the "Transfer Ownership" thing on their website with my service tag. It went through after about 10 days. I got a local number to call in EU.

I called them up the other day, told them my monitor has stopped working. They ask what's the problem, I tell them it stopped working suddenly and had a burning/chemical smell, so I threw it out.

They told me they can't process any replacements unless I can send it back. I offered to send back the box, which I still had, but they declined. I told them to ask their manager, they came back with the same response. I didn't press too much. They asked for my name, and since they already had it in their system from the "Transfer Ownership" process, I gave it to them. I'm guessing it'd be harder to claim any Dell products caught on fire in the future under the same name.

I have a 2nd old monitor, wondering if I can damage it somehow, and actually send it back this time. Since it's a discontinued model, I'm guessing they would have to replace it with the newer version. Any ideas?

[mothered]

I have an old Dell monitor that was a legitimate purchase, so I thought I'd try to get a replacement from Dell.
I tell them it stopped working suddenly and had a burning/chemical smell, so I threw it out.
They told me they can't process any replacements unless I can send it back.

Dell require the defective unit be returned, before they can process the claim.

Given It was a legit purchase, may I ask why you disposed of the monitor?

I have a 2nd old monitor, wondering if I can damage it somehow, and actually send it back this time. Since it's a discontinued model, I'm guessing they would have to replace it with the newer version. Any ideas?

Generally speaking, Dell will Inspect the return and run diagnostics to Identify and confirm that It Is In fact defective. If so, a refund/replacement will be processed.

Due to the second monitor being obsolete, they'll establish that It's not the one In question.

[porto52]

Given It was a legit purchase, may I ask why you disposed of the monitor?

That's what I told them, as a reason for not returning it. I still have the monitor and it's working.

Due to the second monitor being obsolete, they'll establish that It's not the one In question.

The 2nd monitor would be a separate warranty claim. If I can make it stop working, without looking like I damaged it, and send it back to them, they'd have to replace it with a newer model.

[mothered]

That's what I told them, as a reason for not returning it. I still have the monitor and it's working.

In that case, you've answered your own question.

Given you have the monitor, there's no Issue getting a replacement when they request the return.

The 2nd monitor would be a separate warranty claim. If I can make it stop working, without looking like I damaged it, and send it back to them, they'd have to replace it with a newer model.

Again, your question/concern has already been taken care of.

It's simply a warranty claim.