buying SL-5500 on Ebay - does Sharp honor warranty?

[sashby11]

I realize no-one here is likely to speak for Sharp, but I\'m curious if anyone has experience with Sharp support.  I\'m considering buying a SL-5500 or SL-5600 on Ebay.  I\'m curious if Sharp typically honors their warranties on a device that, while never before owned, was boxed up 2 years ago.  Is this considered out of warranty (1 year warranty)?  If it\'s used, should I expect the warranty to transfer to me?  Any thoughts are appreciated.  Also interested in any feedback on buying a Z used.  Thanks!

[rikiya]

Well, I have no expeirience of buying from ebay etc. but I don\'t think companies from overseas will give you any kind of support even within warranties if you tell them you are in somewhere else than Japan. If you send it to soemone in Japan you know then they\'d be able to give help but they probably won\'t help you, and probably any company in Japan won\'t help you overseas vice versa

[Stubear]

Generally the warranty period starts when you (or someone else) hand over the cash. It generally doesn\'t matter to Sharp if it has been a box for 2 years or used after 1 year your warranty will be void - unless the person selling it on ebay is a distributor.

Stu

[Stubear]

Well, I have no expeirience of buying from ebay etc. but I don\'t think companies from overseas will give you any kind of support even within warranties if you tell them you are in somewhere else than Japan. If you send it to soemone in Japan you know then they\'d be able to give help but they probably won\'t help you, and probably any company in Japan won\'t help you overseas vice versa

Did you bother to read his question fully before replying? He\'s talking about the 5500/5600 models, NOT the Japanese models.

Stu

[amdonati]

I bought my Z 5500 on Ebay and after around 10 months I had to send it back due to a bad reflash that froze my machine.
They only asked me the payment receipt with the date of purchase and then they repaired the Z with no costs.

Ah, I live in Italy, so this is true for overseas customers too!
Adalberto

[sashby11]

Thank you everyone for your responses.  I\'m still interested in any other experience buying used, and any experiences in dealing with Sharp.  

Thank you Rikiya - while I\'m not looking at Japanese models right now, I have considered it.  Your response in that regard is helpful.  Thank you also Stu - I\'ll keep in mind the distributor aspect.  I\'m pleased to  hear, Adalberto, that Sharp solved your problem.  It sounds like their support is very good, if this is the typical response.

I\'ve been very impressed with the overwhelming helpfulness of everyone here in the Zaurus User Groups.  I\'m determined to get a Zaurus now, just so I can contribute something!  

I\'m considering calling Sharp to ask them about their warranty policies.  I will post the result here if I\'m able to get a statement on this issue.

Thanks again everyone!