Help, can't find LCD panel replacement for Alienware 18

Hi,
I have an Alienware 18. It LCD panel broke and I need to replace it. I have called dell multiple times over the last month but they have never given me a satisfactory response.
"Sorry we don't have it in stock, check in two weeks"
Called after two weeks, "Sorry we don't have it in stock, check in two weeks"
Contacted dellcares via twitter. We don't have the panel, please try again after 2 weeks.
Dell has been so ridiculously ignoring me. I bought the 18 over a Razor or MSI because dell has customer service in India. If, I wanted to live without any tech support, I believe I wouldve been better off buying a cheaper MSI.
Anyways, that is my story. Now I have decided to replace it by myself.
Please help me find a panel LTM184HL01 which ships to India.
I can only find some ebay listings in which the panel is listed at 400-500$
It is out of stock elsewhere including parts-people and pchub(website recommended by dell)

This so called "premium" notebook has been nothing but pain in the butt for me.

I would really appreciate any help from you guys.
Thanks in advance

Also, I have attached my conversations with dell and also how they "close" cases without customer consent.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vlcc8a51r2efu8x/dell-compressor.jpg?dl=0
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Twitter chat

Customer care was unable to help you as the LCD screen part is not available. As suggested contact any of our authorized service center. ^SJ

Mar 24

Me

When I went to the service centre they told me that phone support is supposed to deal with alienware devices

Mar 24

Me

Atleast give me a time frame when the part would be available

Mar 24

DellCares

We do not have an exact ETA on this as of now, as suggested by the care team you may try giving them a call again after 2 weeks to check.^FA

Mar 24

Me

Ok

Mar 24

Me

I called after 2 weeks as you said. They neglected me and again told me to call after 2weeks.

Thats what I get for the most 'Premium' laptop

4h 4 hours ago

Sorry for the poor experience. The part is not available. Please check with http://pchub.com as informed 1/2

DellCares

2/2 and check with our Customer Care team after a week or two. ^NR.

4h 4 hours ago

Me

Pchub doesn't have it

How much are you gonna delay it?? Everytime I contact you I am told to check after 2 weeks

3h 3 hours ago

Me

How don't you have a part for it. The 18 is a mere 2 year old notebook

Just tell me to throw my 3k$ in the trash

3h 3 hours ago

DellCares

We understand your concern. However, the part is not available. You may use an external monitor as a workaround. ^NR.

2h 2 hours ago

Me

How do I know you will have the display in stock anytime soon?

1h 1 hour ago

Me

That's a good idea! Maybe you can tell your customers, to buy new devices for themselves because you can't provide them with proper service

1h 1 hour ago

DellCares

We do not have an ETA. Please contact our Sales after a week and check for an update. ^NR.

52m 51 minutes ago

Me

Why are you repeating the same thing again and again? You said the same thing two weeks ago

45m 44 minutes ago

DellCares

We understand your frustration. As this is taking time, please check with service center or local vendors to see if they have the part. ^TM

25m 24 minutes ago

Me

They told me to contact tech support

24m 24 minutes ago

DellCares

Well, in that case we request you to wait for the part to be available. We are sorry we could not help you much in this matter. ^TM

15m

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Unfortunately that ~$450 is the going rate for this item, even new from the factory (on alibaba/aliexpress). Since it's still ' in production' it seems a question of supply & demand; this is the only 18.4" panel left, so you'll pay though the nose ...

Did find a $220 in Europe, but seller doesn't list shipping outside the EU. Can't hurt to inquire though.

Option B is to get a 17.3"/40-pin/2-channel/bottom-left/LVDS panel; that won't cost more than $50, but you'll have to diy the bezel, of course.

 

Thanks anyways man.
I would probably buy from aliexpress then.

Sucks that dell doesn't have a replacement part for 1.5 year old notebook. And that too of their most premium range

 

Doesn't the XPS 18 use the same panel?
Has XPS 18 production been stopped as well?

 

Yes, same panel, same price too ... you might try these guys, they claim $75 ... but they do that for all panels they don't have in stock.

 

Do they allow display panels in flights? My uncle in the EU can bring it but the question is whether he would be allowed to do so.

 

Idk, check with airliner, doubtful they'll understand the question though ... do recall there's some rule about non-functioning electronics since, supposedly, you might've stuffed explosives inside (so a panel might be safe then). Inane regulation, to be sure, since a working laptop has ample free space inside anyway.

 

Shouldn't be a problem.. Just make sure it's in a laptop bag with a laptop...

 

Check my sig, it has the exact model number you want to be looking for

 

Parts-people didn't have the panel in stock
I contacted them and asked them if they could arrange one any time soon.
I received the email today (about a month later since last contact) that its in stock and I was also told that only one is left and there is interest from multiple people so I ordered immediately.
And its arriving for 240$ inclusive of shipping charges via fed ex international priority shipping by an estimate of 25th April.


Parts-people.com saved me 300 bucks
Lesson learnt: nothing wrong with asking even though they don't have it in stock

Dell has certainly lost a very loyal customer in me. Atleast 3 people bought alienwares upon my recommendation.


Anyways, guys thank you so much for all your valuable advice
Youve always been there to help and guide me

 

Please never buy anything from DELL again. CLEVO FTW

 

After 2 stuck pixels developed on my screen the other day I was originally going to go through dell to have them replace it. After calling them hoping it would be fast, they wanted to run diagnostics on the computer.. After that I just said f it and ordered the screen for 150 from eBay to save myself the headache.

 

if your still looking i have a brand new one just sitting here collecting dust..