Not for Importation into the United States

Self ^ | 2/1/2010 | papasmurf

[papasmurf]

I am a Computer Hardware tech. I bought a computer display replacement part through eBay. I received the part today. The eBay listing said it was coming from Bkyln, NY, and the post mark confirms that.

Here's the issue...It bears a label that says..."Not for Sale in, Use in, or Importation into the United States."

I bought the same part number that was in the unit, which is the same as listed in the Dell Service Manual, with the slight exception of the Revision identifier, and it cross references back to the original revision identifier, as well.

[papasmurf]

What gives with this? I've not seen this before. Is there a contravening trade agreement, or are they trying to avoid tariffs, or what?

Should I send it back, or rip off the label and use it? Should I report it, and to whom? One would think, that if they were actually breaking the law, they would have removed the label before shipping it, no? What would you do?

It's still inside a sealed a-static bag.

[papasmurf]

Can I get a ping on this?

[Leo Farnsworth]

Perhaps it’s PAL rather than NTSC (if this relates to monitors).

Just a WAG.

[GeronL]

does it work?

oh.. ping

[papasmurf]

No, it’s an inverter, supplies power to the backlight.

[Pontiac]

Have you searched the part number on the manufacturer’s website?

[wendy1946]

Most likely a 220V versus 110V thing. I wouldn’t even think about trying it unless I was sure that wasn’t the case.

[Pontiac]

it’s an inverter,

Then it is probably designed for 50 hertz and it would not work long on a 60 hertz system.

[kingu]

Dell and HP like to make deals in the global marketplace. Their parts are made overseas and some allow the manufacturer to sell parts locally in exchange for noncompetative agreements and labels.

[Jewbacca]

Bingo.

[GraceG]

All computers use 12/5v power internally.... Especially laptops.

[papasmurf]

No, 115.240 comes from the external power supply that you into the wall. The regulated internal power comes off the power rail on the MoBo.

An inverter is a stepping and converting device. It converts DC to AC using it’s own on board oscillator. It increases (steps) and then decreases the voltage, as needed, to cause the gas in the bulb to radiate, or “ignite”, and glow at a controlled rate.

[papasmurf]

That’s my guess, as well. Especially since they are of the same manufacturer (Sumida), something I rarely see.

[papasmurf]

It’s only “gray” if it came from the US, otherwise, it’s “grey”-as in Grey Poupon. (LOL-the spelling nazi’s got to me!)

But, yeah, kingattax and I believe that it’s the result of a non compete agreement, and that would make it gray...I mean grey. ;)

[papasmurf]

oops! Should say...

It’s only “gray” if it came from the US, otherwise, it’s “grey”-as in Grey Poupon. (LOL-the spelling nazi’s got to me!)

But, yeah, kingu and I believe that it’s the result of a non compete agreement, and that would make it gray...I mean grey. ;)

[anonsquared]

You’re in trouble now!

When Obama’s feds come knocking on your door, just don’t let them know that you’ve removed the tags from your mattress! :)

[papasmurf]

Too late. It’s installed and lappy is all closed up. Besides, it’s not mine, it’s a customer’s. LOL

[kingu]

I assume it worked just fine in the laptop.

[papasmurf]

It did. I pretty much knew it would, all of the cross references and the part numbers came back the same. I’d just never seen a not for USA sticker before on anything.

In the last 4-5 months, I’ve been buying from a Singapore distributor, and not seen that. Now, I get something from Bklyn, NY, and it has it. LOL

Tell you what, though, I’ve been focusing on LCDs in laptops, monitors, and big screens, and it’s been picking up steadily every week. I’m becoming a happy camper again. :)