Could you give a description of your dead pixel. how you discovered it, where its at. I just want to know so I'll have a better idea of what to look for on mine.
I noticed in an app that displays a barcode at max brightness on a white background that there was a blue spot on the screen. With some more time web surfing white backgrounds, I saw it again. I downloaded a free app called Screen Test that will cycle through test colors/patterns. I've got a red subpixel out. (On an all red screen, there is a black dot.) When the pixel is supposed to be showing white (R+G+B) its showing as a light blue (G+B surrounded by "white" light which I assume "waters down" the true color mixing appearance.)
I've got a lot of electronics, and I've returned several things with dead pixels before, but usually an entire pixel (or more) was out--black dots on any background. But given the high DPI/low viewing distance, overall price (with contract), and the fact that I noticed it in every day usage was enough for me to hassle over it this smaller issue.
I was told any orders after the 9th will be shipped on or after the 26th of May! And they are treating replacments like new orders with a full $299 charge. Once they recieve the old one they will credit the card back...Major BS, never heard of that before.
Thats generally how all cross-shipping or ship-ahead RMA works. Generally companies are uneasy mailing expensive hardware around and assuming "good faith." They charge, you return the item. Generally the turnaround is less than seven days and all you'd see on a bill is -300 followed by +300, if they actually bother charging at all. Some places will take your billing info but don't even bother charging under the assumption you'll return it. A few RMAs with Seagate have done this. I've never saw a credit or debit. I assume they "secure" an amount to see that its a valid CC capable of covering the fees, but don't immediately charge to avoid transactions fees on both the "sale" and the "return."
Mainly, they're getting authorization to charge you to cover their own asses. It is a convenience for you and a lot of places don't offer that.
VZW support offered to just put it on my monthly bill. Nobody will incur transaction fees, and as I said above, there will be a -300 +300 and thats the end of it. Hardly anything to get up in arms over.
Also with support, there was no mention of any shipping delay. She checked to make sure they had warehouses with inventory before authorizing it, and then offered me the option to overnight for few extra bucks. (I'm in no big rush.) I got no hassle and they weren't trying to do the runaround which was nice. Conversation basically went, "Whats the issue?" "I've got a dead pixel." "Have you tried a full software reset?" "Its a hardware problem." "Oh okay, let me check warehouse inventory to make sure we can get a new one out to you quickly."
Also, got my SGP anti-fingerprint shield in today.