I have had pickit 3's replaced free of charge, all were because of a driver issue with win7 64 bit computers. They replaced them swiftly and at no cost.
All I had to do was goto the account support page and fill a ticket in, a new device would arrive within 24 hours.
A couple of years ago I upgraded to a ICD 3, I havnt used it much as I dont like the RJ11 cable and sockets, I also used silicon labs chips more. I decided to have a go with a pic 24, I plug in my ICD 3 and discover its died, the power light comes on but thats it.
So I spend HOURS on the support site trying to submit a ticket, I got no where! It wouldnt take a target device part number. Then eventually I found a link on the site for people with PK3 or ICD3 problems, I follow the link and find a form to fill in, its just like the old support form.
Only this time when you enter your ICD3 serial number it whirs around and finally tells you........... Your Device is out of warranty, we will be charging you $50 to fix your hardly used ICD3.
I dont use all the features of the ICD3, Things like software break points I find useless, many times it skids over the stop point. So I am faced with paying $50 upfront, then postage to get it fixed or replaced. It just dosnt seem worth it, I can get a PK3 for the same money. What surprised me is I was told by MC when I got the ICD3, it was guaranteed for life! Looks like they are going down hill. I might save up for a PK3 or More likely stop using pics and go with sil labs, the parts are all smd or smaller, but the customer service is like MC's was.
I just feel conned, that suddenly a life warranty turns out to be 3 years.