Where do you live that shipping takes longer than the return period?
My mistake for not being verbose enough, I thought we could all keep up by applying earlier details.
Buying New Old Stock. (NOS) means the MSoft warranty most likely started when the current vendor bought the thing. How do I know? I recently bought two SP2, U4300, 128g and using the serial number with msoft, found that my 12-months of tech-support expired before even I bought them. The 12-months warranty was partially intact with 4-months remaining. Not sure why there was a difference but you could ask msoft, I don't care.
So, the point I was trying to make was, you only get the serial number when you have the thing in hand.
Once you have the SP2, you can use that serial number on the msoft site and see what warranty is left.
I guess you could ask the vendor to hold one for you and send the serial number so you can check first. Good luck with that.
Oh, and that "vendor?" Newegg had these on special about two months back and I asked them before buying and they are via a market place vendor with their OWN return policy. I checked with them and it was 7-days for non-faulty and a mandatory 30% restock fee plus return shipping. Their stated warranty was that if it was working when received then it is good.
So, the point I was trying to make, you own it by the time to have the serial number.
The msoft warranty would be a mystery until it arrives and you can use the serial number to check. Ttttooooo Late if all expired!! LOL
To return a non-faulty SP2 back to the market-place vendor would cost you return shipping + $239.70 for 30% restock.
Ummmn, words on the tip of my fingers, ummm, er, ummm, oh yup, Caveat Emptor.
I have never had buyers remorse. Guess why?