If they don't even allow customers to return or exchange the memory they bought, they are on the safe side - and the joke is on the customer if the modules weren't the right ones. Retailers could test modules themselves if they had the necessary equipment. SIMCheck cannot only tell you about the size and timing of DRAMs, it can also detect defective modules - which customers would surely appreciate. Unfortunately, however, most retailers are reluctant to invest about DM 5000 in such a device. In many cases, what's printed on the chips themselves tells you as little about the DIMM as does a sticker on the module.
Many modules have illegible company logos and are mounted on unidentifiable boards.
One electronics retailer, a 'corner shop' according to his own description, told us about an especially drastic case. The original labelling was still visible. When tested with SIMCheck, the module proved to be PC66 compliant - which it was supposed to be according to the original supplier's as well as the DIMM supplier's specifications. It is fair to wonder why these modules were relabeled. One possible reason could be import duties.