On Your Side responds: We contacted Asus, and a company rep helped Shores fill out a return merchandise authorization request on the Italian website. The request was granted, Asus sent the tablet out to the Czech Republic for service, and just two weeks later the repaired tablet made it back to Shores via UPS.

Consumer electronics companies that operate internationally have different policies for warranty repairs on devices bought in one country and used in another. If you plan on traveling long term with electronics bought in the United States, or if you are purchasing from a U.S. vendor that will ship overseas, look into the manufacturer’s international warranty policies so that you’ll know what to expect.

Hard-drive makers have been gobbling one another up in the past few years, making it difficult to know where to turn for warranty service.

Many recently sold drives have that companies should still honor despite all the mergers and acquisitions. If you’re wondering about support for a drive maker not listed here, try a search for “[your brand of drive] warranty.”