Just as an FYI... I just purchased a Hitachi 5K3000 3TB drive (retail box) from B&H Photo. I
checked my warranty online and it gave a 2015 date. I obviously expected a 2016 date. I contacted tech support, and this was their reply:
So at least in this case there was no retailer feedback process. Sounds painless enough though, we'll see if and when the time comes.
Kind of painful though, as I need to keep notes on this drive now. Say it dies within my real warranty period, but past the date the online tool shows. If I forget that it actually has a longer warranty, I might just write it off as loss, when I'm in reality entitled to a replacement under warranty.
Also FWIW, that drive was stamped with a Jul-2012 manufacture date, and said made in Thailand. That's pretty old stock, and I thought these Hitachi drives were made in China?
Anyway, $120 seemed like a good deal to me.