I need a New Computer Update: My terrible mail order computer experience

3.25.03 | mlmr

[mlmr]

About a month ago I posted a request for infomation since I was planning to buy a substantial PC. I subsequently bought a Dell. About 2000 worth of computer. Thursday Dell is picking up both the computers they sent out... it has been a terrible experience. The returns man was abusive. He didn't have to be. He had the ability to give me the return but I had to fight for it. The customer service was the same, I had to argue for parts and service. I don't ever want to use them again. Any other computer recommendations for the kind of machine I am looking for??

I am looking for a 3.06 GH 1 GB RAM 120GB hard drive with Office XP and Windows WP a good graphics card , sound blaster, speakers etc.

[MikeD]

You aren't expecting too much. I'm pricing computers for my Mom and have come up with a decent solution for $1100 from HP. OK, so it's an Athlon instead of a P4, 512 MB RAM instead of 1 GB, and 80 GB of HD space, but it comes with a Geforce4 Ti4200, SoundBlaster, a CD burner, and a flat panel monitor.

As an alternative, Alienware makes good stuff. Their cases are certainly non-conformist. Just be forewarned that they cater to gamers more than, shall we say, the general public. Also, you pay a bit more for the "cool" cases and the gaming-rig parts.

If I had to actually buy a computer (instead of build my own from scratch), I'd probably go with Alienware. I upgrade too much to go HP and I don't trust Dell. Gateway is just way out.

MD

[HarryKnutszacke]

I've used to approaches to buying computers and accessories.
1) If I have to have the latest and greatest, I go to a store, and hold my nose. If I have a problem (and I have) I put it in back in the box, take it back, and say I want another one. If you belong to one of the warehouse clubs, Sams/Costco, etc., they have good deals. I know mail order is cheaper, but if you have a problem (and you will, if you buy enough computers) its much easier to put it back in the box and drive back to the store. I truly believe it is cheaper in the long run.
2) If I really want cheap, not latest and greatest, I troll ebay/half.com, look for a seller with lots of good feedback, and wait for a really smoking deal, something so cheap that even if there's a problem, I don't feel I got screwed.

From what you describe you want, I'd walk into a store, (Costco if you belong), pay up, pay the sales tax, and realize you're likely to save yourself hours of aggravation if its DOA.

Just one man's worthless opinion.

[browardchad]

Well, since you haven't answered any questions regarding the problems with the Dells, can we assume you work for Gateway? When you start a thread, it's customary to stick around and respond to questions.

I have a Dell now, after having built my previous PC. The Dell had a problem with a bad CD player. They replaced it (tech came to the house) within 3 days. I haven't had a problem since (2 years).

[MineralMan]

"Well, since you haven't answered any questions regarding the problems with the Dells, "

Yes, that is disturbing. Several folks are here, ready to help, but nothing after that first message. Why waste our time?

[KneelBeforeZod]

an old aquarium makes a good case, and prevents filling up the landfills!!

[Petronski]

Dude! Is that computer in the picture real? Don't you have heat issues?

And I'm guessing you don't own any cats...LOL.

[saluki_in_ohio]

LOL!

[mlmr]

I would be happy to. I ordered the computer and installed it. It had video card problems immediately and a new card was sent out. Eventually a customer service rep came out to install the card. (this is only after hours on the phone and on my knees in front of the mother board as a woman from India read to me from her troubleshooting manual. sigh!!) Blue screens continued with Bios errors. The cusotmer service rep said he would not touch anything except the video card even though on the phones I was told he would also investigate the bios issues and the blue screens. He took me aside and said, exchange the machine.

After more hours on the phone they finally sent out a new machine. It arrived around twelve days ago and I scheduled someone to help me switch towers today. I opened the box and the config is wrong on the new box and the Read write CD thingie is not installed.

Soooo I call Dell and ask what to do. They initally tell me that they will send out a new Read write CD drive and send someone to install it. then they sent me over to customer service to set this up. This happened twice before Iwas actually connected to customer service. The nice man from India told me that yes, he would send out the Read Write part...but only after I sent back the first comptuer because there was only one service contract and it had to be transfered to the new computer before anything could be done.

Deep breath!!

Then they argued about sending me a rep to install it too.

I went back to customer service and told them I wanted my money back and to take both computers. They said no becasue the first comptuer more than a month out.
I was transferred to a man who refused to consider taking the computers back for twenty minutes. He would not even negotiate with me. He refused to transfer me to a superior or to let me talk to anyone else, including his manager. I was in tears by the end of our conversation. He told me that the exchagne could not be made. He then put me on hold for the second time, to review things, and then made the return.
After he processed the return paperwork, I told him that he didn't have to put me through this...and instead of having a disappointed customer, Dell now has an appalled ex-customer.

I found the customer service to be appalling and heard regret and I am sorry so much in the past month....it was awful.

I certainly would appreciate feedback.

[KneelBeforeZod]

Costco has a NICE system, with an awesome video card, tons of memory and kicks butt even over the sony they have.

$1,800 built by Northgate

Burns DVD rom AND CDRs.


but it is sold with a monitor....

Processor & Memory:

AMD Athlon XP 2400+
1 GB of PC2100 DDR SDRAM memory

Drives:
120 GB Maxtor (7200 rpm) hard drive
2.4X DVD-RW Drive can burn both DVD's and Normal CD-R Discs.
56x CD-ROM
1.44 Floppy Disk Drive
6-in-1 Media Card Reader

Graphics & Video:
nVidia MX440SE-T 64MB DDR 4x AGP w/TV Out Video Card
17" LCD Monitor (silver)
Media Center TV Tuner
Media Center PC Remote Control

Communications:
56K Fax Modem
10/100 Integrated Ethernet

Audio:
AV512 C-MEDIA 6 Channel Dolby 5.1 Sound Card
Juster DHT-630 6 piece 5.1 Dolby Digital External Speaker set with Subwoofer and multi- directional satellite speakers (Home Theater)
Headset with Microphone

[Petronski]

I would love to hear the whole story. My only problem with Dell is really a problem with Microsoft: They are not including a full install disk for their software, only a 'restore' disk.

Of course, since it was WinXP, the first thing I did was erase it all anyway.

[mlmr]

The first one had Bios problems, the second one was improperly configured and the customer service was abysmal.

[MineralMan]

Buy locally. Go to one of the big stores and buy what you want. If it breaks take it back. It doesn't sound like mail (web) order is for you.

That's my only advice.

[mlmr]

No, it wasnt a peripheral problem. It was a Dell problem.

[mlmr]

No, I dont work for anyone except myself. I am a computer user and not tech savvy. It took me a while to type up the explanation of what happened.

[Petronski]

Pity you were treated that way, but as I read it, you got one defective computer, and one mis-equipped computer, plus the NAFTA-esque service department (so-called), and a rude customer service rep.

I know this will sound crazy, but if you live in a city, I would recommend you go to a Staples or CompUSA or whatever, and buy a Dell from them. You'll get better service in person and if it is defective out of the box, just box it back up and take it back.

Best of luck.

[mlmr]

You know, I almost bought from the stapels guy but all he had were HPs and I have been told to avoid them.

[Petronski]

Or better yet, when you go to that local 'bigbox' retailer, get a list of a few brands that fit your specs and price range and bring the info back here. I guarantee there will be at least half a dozen of us who can tell you it's a good deal or wave you off with a red flag.

The beauty of FR (thank you JimRob) is that there is at least a handful of people in ANY field of expertise you might imagine.

[Petronski]

There are some families of HP computers that you DO NOT WANT. But there are some that run just fine. It depends on the family and specs. They're not universally bad (like, say, Packard-Bell used to be).

[Henrietta]

I too had a horrible experience with Dell. I'll never buy from them again.

Crappy 'puter and crappy "service" was what I got.

[AgentEcho]

You didn't happen to have an ATI Radeon VE (sometomes called the Radeon 7000) in there did you? There was a plug and play problem with those and a run of their monitors. There was nothing wrong with the PC it was the monitor. (I think it was the E771 though the same monitor is used on several configurations like when they add a base with speakers they call it an MM model) This was one of the problems that frustrated me for a while until I found the problem. As a matter of fact when I called them on it they had just released the memo to the Gold Level support people and from there it takes a while to get to the lower levels.

This sounds suspiciosly similar.

Æ