Cold Open
Welcome back to W.T.F. Lab, where we don’t deliver verdicts — we deliver receipts, replay, and the occasional boomerang counter.
We record what happened, link it to evidence, label speculation as speculation, and let readers decide.
TL;DR
- Board purchased in 2023; instability appears mid-2025; RMA begins.
- Warranty denial → escalation → BBB involvement → “courtesy” repair.
- Post-repair instability escalates; later evidence shows visible residue near socket area.
- “NIB replacement” path pivots into “buyback default workflow” loop.
- Inventory search concludes: no NIB stock; recertified replacement offered under warranty terms; customer proposes invoice-based reimbursement for a clean resolution path.
Meters
Trigger condition: identical phrasing repeated after proposals are acknowledged but not addressed.
Timeline
Format: Play-by-play (fact) → Replay (receipt) → Color commentary.
Play-by-play
ROG Strix Z790 WiFi D4 purchased from Amazon.
Replay Booth
Play-by-play
Board still boots, but BOOT LED may stay on for a long time; slow boots can take ~20 minutes.
Replay Booth
Play-by-play
While preparing the board for shipping, visible residue is observed around the LGA socket latch area after the prior repair.
Note: we describe what is visible; we do not claim causality. Readers can evaluate the photos.
Replay Booth
“Visible residue … indicating the socket was manually reworked but not properly cleaned…”
Play-by-play
Response acknowledges documentation, states no suitable NIB replacement available, asks for proof of purchase requirements.
Replay Booth
Play-by-play
Buyback process proposed after receiving the unit; payout quoted as 4–6 weeks with JP Morgan/Concourse flow.
Replay Booth
Play-by-play
Alternative proposals are restated; response repeats the same default reimbursement phrasing.
Replay Booth
“At this time the only reimbursement … initial cost … 4–6 weeks … purchase from any reseller…”
Play-by-play
Customer notifies ASUS the case is now publicly documented (receipts-first, no personal naming).
Replay Booth
“If ASUS is able to resolve this professionally, I’ll gladly follow up with a positive outcome… If not, I’ll let the documentation stand as-is.”
Play-by-play
Agent reports the inventory team needs 3–5 business days (no weekends) to respond.
Replay Booth
“I am still waiting on a response from the inventory team… this can take 3-5 business days, not including weekends.”
Play-by-play
Inventory confirms no New-In-Box units; offers same-model recertified replacement and cites warranty terms.
Replay Booth
Play-by-play
After customer rejects recertified and proposes invoice-based reimbursement, no follow-up is received (as of 12/29).
Replay Booth
“(No response yet.)”
Evidence Vault
Full text excerpts, sorted by date. Redactions applied for privacy.
🧾 2025-12-09 — “No suitable NIB… POP requirements”
PASTE THE EMAIL HERE (short excerpt only)🧾 2025-12-10 — Buyback instructions (JP Morgan / Concourse)
PASTE THE EMAIL HERE (short excerpt only)📋 2025-12-16~12-17 — “only reimbursement … initial cost” loop
PASTE THE REPEATED PARAGRAPH(S) HERE📨 2025-12-18 — “Reached out to the Warehouse again”
Dear Jim Ling,
Good Evening,
... I have reached out to the Warehouse to see if they have anything available at this time again.
The reason that we offered the Buyback ... no suitable replacements ...
Once I hear back from them I will let you know.
Thank you.
(Rep name redacted)📨 2025-12-19 — “3-5 business days (not including weekends)”
Dear Jim Ling,
Good Evening,
... still waiting on a response from the inventory team as this can take 3-5 business days, not including weekends.
Once I receive an update I will reach out to you.
... replacement if one is available or the reimbursement option of the buyback.
Have a Great Weekend,
(Rep name redacted)📨 2025-12-23 — “NIB none, recertified available”
Good Afternoon,
... unfortunately we don't have any New-In-Box units available at this time, however we do have same model recertified units available.
Our warranty terms are for repair ... if repair is not possible then a same model recertified replacement may be provided.
Would you like to proceed with a recertified replacement at this time.
(Rep name redacted)No Verdict — Just a Framework
- RMA timeline includes denial, BBB involvement, and subsequent instability reports.
- NIB availability was first discussed, later stated as unavailable with no ETA.
- Buyback option is repeatedly offered as the default resolution path.
- What internal criteria triggers “NIB search” vs “buyback default workflow”?
- How is post-repair QC documented and verified?
- When proposals don’t fit a script, what path exists besides repeating the script?
Combat Report
A satire scoreboard for process behaviors. No conclusions. Only receipts, timelines, and patterns.
Rating scale: 5⭐ is the maximum for normal human workflows. If a case triggers W.T.F. Overclock Mode, the scale expands to 10⭐ (boss tier).
Active Skills
Passive Skills
- Liability Redirect: attempts to offload process cost to the customer via time, shipping, or uncertainty.
- Proof Gate: requests documentation late in the timeline to re-validate already-known facts.
- Silent Turn: brief response gaps that increase user blood pressure by +15.
- Warranty Clause Shield: when negotiation branches appear, cites standard terms to collapse options back to repair/recertified workflow.
🎒 Drops & Outcome
- Receipts logged: timeline, photos, and escalation trail preserved.
- Primary lesson: “Transparency isn’t a favor — it’s part of after-sales QA.”
- Reader verdict: you decide. We only show the tape.