Do ANY On-Line Vendors Tell the TRUTH ??

[DrCorvette]

With the exception of Buy.com,
I've had terrible luck getting stuff on-line.

Lately I've tried ordering several video cards.

The site says "in-stock" or "1-3 days shipping" , so I give em my card no. then the next day a letter arrives in my e-mail something about "sold out" SURE !!

For example, a generic OLD card like->>
3DFX Voodoo2 1000 12MB DRAM PCI <<-

examples->
soft4u.com "In Stock: YES", try to order NO !
sparco.com "In Stock: 99" order it;Total: 0
shoppingplanet.com "In stock" go to the order page; NO LONGER AVAILABLE
staples.com "ships in 3-5 days" then OOPS, Sorry "Out of Stock"

There is a whole host of other vendors who claim "In Stock" on the web page but I'm very leery as some of them I've contacted.

I e-mailed about 5 of them last week and got back responses from ALL saying "NO LONGER IN MANUFACTURE"

One company even called me at work and was very nice, but my time is valuable too. Don't waste my time teasing me with a product that is NOT EVER gonna be available.

A very poor way to conduct business, IMHO.

DrVette

[Graham]

Funny, I had the same problem with gb.buy.com, ordered a webcam 1-2 weeks, after four got them to check, not expected till end of November, that would have been three months, if then!. I cancelled, shame, it had a £20 off anything over £40
So to answer your question, it would seem , no they dont tell the truth.

I have had some successes though.

G

[voogru]

Do ANY On-Line Vendors Tell the TRUTH ?? The Anwser is NO
If you find one that doesnt lie let me know!


voogru

[DrCorvette]

Graham, please re-read.

with the >>EXCEPTION<< of buy.com..

I've had absoulutely NO-PROBLEMs with buy.com

The other vendors are another story.

Then again I DO READ THE "IN STOCK" OR "BACK ORDER" status at buy.com, unlike some others.

The deal at sysopts WONDERFUL(no pun intended) price guide is disapointing.

The vendors claim merchandise to be available when in fact it is NOT nor IS NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABLE, EVER !

It is not just SYSOPTs price guide, techbargains and priceguide are all VICTIMS of overzealous vendors trying to stay afloat in this cut-throat world of e-business.

my .02
DrVette

[DrCorvette]

FYI, my recent buy.com transactions

order date order # total status

10/6/2000 xx53306 $111.40 Complete
9/28/2000 xx41976 $103.95 Complete
9/24/2000 xx99672 $17.95 Complete
9/20/2000 xx37470 $99.99 Complete
9/14/2000 xx76352 $189.99 Complete
9/8/2000 xx82881 $34.95 Complete
9/5/2000 xx48370 $34.95 Complete
8/30/2000 xx78908 $164.85 Complete
8/20/2000 xx29520 $39.95 Complete
8/15/2000 xx70262 $96.80 Complete
7/19/2000 xx93326 $173.66 Complete
7/14/2000 xx00937 $71.00 Complete

I don't know how these folks could do any better,, ummmm, maybe if it was FREE.

Then they'd be like another company I got good service from. OUT OF BUSINESS !!

No company is perfect, everyone makes mistakes.
False advertising is non-forgivable in my book.

ecost.com is another company I'll never, never again visit the website. Bad taste is still in my mouth over them, and yes darling SOCAL, I did em in at reseller ratings http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

DrVette

[Dputiger]

I've had GOOD experiences with the following websites:

Amazon.com
bn.com
Quixtar.com
Buy.com

Coincedentally, these are some of the largest retailers on the web.

By contrast, both the Overclockerz Store and 123cdc.com screwed me over by selling me defective hardware and refusing to warranty it. So be careful.

[pickel]

I recently bought a new proceesor from PC Infinity.com and was very well pleased with the response time and the product. They sent me the chip upon arrival of my check without even waiting for it to clear, which was surpising. However, While at Resellerratings.com, I looked up this company just out of curiousity and they were blasted by two other irate customers. Probably wouldn't have dealt with them if I went there first. But all seems to well on my deal. Goes to show , you never know......

[BBA]

Well...I just ordered a video card. They told me it was not in stock yet...so I know they were not lying. This time...but, I'll be one of the first getting one! ( GeForce 2 Ultra (http://www.nvidia.com/Products/GeForce2ultra.nsf) )

[Gomer]

www.rei.com (http://www.rei.com) More outdoor then tech related.... but S&H for most purchases is $3.99. I had my items 3 days after I ordered them.

Best Buy has free SH on music and DVD's right now. Ordered The Nightmare Before Christmas Special Edition for $19.99 today. We will see how they do. I think that the main reason I ordered was the free SH. Low SH is a big selling point in my book.

[randy48]

pcconnections.com
egghead.com
and
ubid.com
have all been pretty good. I usually had the stuff I ordered in about 5 days. Now I pretty much just buy off ebay.

[mudoggy]

Yeah, you take your chances somewhat on those first orders with a company you've never dealt with before.. both online and off.

I too have had very good service from Buy.com, and also Multiwave Direct (www.mwave.com).

((Knocking on wood)) Haven't really been jerked around much by the handful of others that I had small orders with.

[TechJumper]

I BUY DIRECTLY FROM THE DISTRIBUTERS!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Lately I have been turning the companies themselves for my purchases. They ALWAYS haver their products in stock and I have never not been treated with respect. The price goes down as well. I wish I could rate that on reseller ratings!

[Graham]

DrVette,

Perhaps I should have phrased my post better, I was pointing out the irony of the fact you had had no problems with buy, and that I had, thus supporting the proposition that none of the online vendors tell the truth.

Graham

[This message has been edited by Graham (edited 10-11-2000).]

[MadMatt]

Have had several good experiences with egghead.com recently. They're on-line order tracking is exhaustive - it practically tells you the second it was pulled, packed, stamp put on, shipped, etc.

[awwall]

I'm with you DR on Buy.com

I now do all my business on line with them and after 10 or 12 orders, have NO complaints whatsoever. I have never had them advertise a product in stock that wasn't. Always get rapid email confirmations of both order and shipping. Prices are among the best also and always make use of their coupons.

Another company which I have no complaints about either, is CDW. We use them alot at work along with BUY and have no complaints with them, except that they may be a little higher than some of the other online companies.

SO...total thumbs up for BUY.COM

aw

[RobRich]

I've always had good luck with Lynn Computers (http://www.lynncomp.com) and PC-Cost (http://www.pccost.com) . I ordered numerous items from both vendors and all have arrived with the specified times. Also, I have had no trouble with RMA's from these two companies, which I can't say that for other vendors I've dealt with.

Later,
Robert Richmond

[crockett]

I'll tell you another one to watch out for,is www.gamestop.com (http://www.gamestop.com) I ordered a game from them it was a pre order pre release thing...well they claimed I would receive it the same day that the local stores did.

Well the day it was put on sale at the local stores I decided to check my order..well it had not even been shipped yet.The only reason I ordered it online was the claim that I would get it the same days the stores did and normally the stores around here don't get them or about a week after its released.So I canceled my order went and bought it at a local store , then 3 days later the fed -ex guy knocks on the door...I didn't except it ofcourse but this was on the 20th of last month,they charged me even after I canceled my order plus they still have not credited my account. THEY SUCK

[barbados]

I just finished three fire-breathers from the case up and purchchased 95% of the parts from axiontech.com and mwave.com.

Both websites show stock and have never let me down. Both ship the same day as the order and you get e-mail verification immediately.
RMA's (the true test) are fast and friendly.

Prices are competitive and shipping fair.

I too bought almost everything from Buy.com and they never let me down either, but their selection was somewhat limited.

I think there are still a few honest retailers out there that are really trying. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[DrCorvette]

Here's another LOSER->> HardwareStreet.com

please read->>
From: theCorvetteDoctor@go.com>
Date: Tue Oct 10 2000, 6:50 PM GMT-05:00
To: order.status@HardwareStreet.com
Subject: 3DFX 1000 PCI 12MB
IN Stock or Not ?
3DFX 1000 PCI 12MB $29.99
sku # 75412

THEIR REPLY ->>
From: Tom Everett <teverett@hardwarestreet.com
RE: Product Information:SKU#75412
Dear Valued Customer:
We do show that SKU#75412 is in stock.
Price $29.99, shipping charge of $5.70.

Soooo, I placed the order http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif oh boy, oh boy!!

Then->>
Wed Oct 11 2000, 11:57 PM GMT-05:00
order.status@hardwarestreet.com
Thank you for choosing HardwareStreet/Software Street.
We successfully received your order.
Order Number: HS1323sq89
This is the ONLY confirmation of your order you will receive.
Please keep a copy for your records!

THEN->>
Patti McCann <pmccann@hardwarestreet.com
Thu Oct 12 2000, 5:25 PM GMT-05:00
unfortunately the item you requested is currently on backorder with no estimated availability date being provided by the
manufacturer.
Patti
Customer Service

Gee, We got it in stock,, Oh,, Sorry No we don't.. Must be "UPPER MANAGEMENT MATERIAL"

This puts a sour taste in my mouth.
another time for "reseller ratings & reviews"

[c3p0-11n]

Hi I don't buy as much as you guys do but have had little trouble with pricewatch.

Only the last order I made was with justdeals.com. When I received the MB I ordered but with no cd, no manuel, no cables, no mounting kit. Ho and the mouse did not work I ordered also.

Is there a vender watch .com?

[tonym]

I've had very good success with the following:

Access Micro
PC Connection
Tiger Direct
Multiwave Direct
CDW
Seagate
Staples.com (delivered right to my hand!!)
Directron
Amazon.com

I give these vendors very high marks for availability and on-time delivery.
I'm not always shopping for the lowest price...I'd rather pay a few extra bucks but feel as though I'm going to get what I ordered!

Sometimes you have to do some research and be REAL nit-picky. If I get the "red flag" feeling that something is out of stock or discontinued or etc., then I call the vendor's cusromer support/service and have them verify who has the product in stock. This process works real well. I had a heck of a time recently finding a Voodoo 3 2000 AGP video card...I called 3dfx and they pointed me towards Amazon.com, and I had 3 cards two days later!

JMHO!!

Tony



[This message has been edited by tonym (edited 10-14-2000).]

[jamis]

I've had the best luck lately with:

buy.com
necx.com
Amazon.com
bn.com
ubid.com
onsale.com/egghead.com

I usually never go with the 'cheapest' price sites as given by price comparision websites. I'll gladly spend a few extra bucks for service i can typically depend on.

[Dputiger]

I've had terrible experience with TigerDirect. The product itself has always been on time--but always breaks, is substandard, or fails.

[DrCorvette]

My ex g/f has a 95 model Tiger and is a bit unhappy.
The main thing is NO TECH support and the support for the motherboard was weak allowing the mobo to move downward.

So,,, when seating cards, guess what,, NO connection, or partial connection.

After a month of diddling, Mr Retard here finally found the problem and now it's running fine.

[jman01pa]

My best are
www.BUY.com (http://www.BUY.com) www.Axiontech.com (http://www.Axiontech.com) www.TCWO.com (http://www.TCWO.com)

Great prices and service and real fair on shipping...

J http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Madcap]

Well I feel a little uneasy when I call and ask a vendor and they can tell me they have plenty in stock without giving the product I asked for a second thought. No hesitation at all!

But I have had a bad experience with Buy.com They had a 100 pack of TDK CDR's on sale plus like $30 or some bucks back in a rebate. I placed my order 1 month before Christmas (the rebate needed a receipt purchased before 12/31/00) I email them 2 weeks later and they say it will be shipped out tomorrow. 12/28 rolls around and I remember I never got the discs yet. Email them and get no reply, but my order status stills ays in processing! So I go to cancel it and check back today, still says in processing! Ignore all my emails about it and ignore all my emails about giving my money back! The bank says the bank check I got for them was cashed so I know they got my money! They even said they got it when they told me it would be shipped out the next day!

And it';s really not pricewatch's fault for the guy who said he had trouble with them, they just list vendors.

And to the guy who said he buys direct from the distributer, they always tell me they don't sell to individuals, do you own a business or osmething?

[Richard_Cranium72]

You can also get Help by calling our toll-free Help number 1-888-880-1030

buy.com

[Madcap]

Thanks for hte number. Just for an update I called after the # was posted. I asked why I have tried to cancel my order repeatedly and it wouldn't let me. Also why they ignore every single email I send them other than to say someone will reply within 12 hours (but they never do)

They claimed their computers were down at the moment so they could not look my order up. I gave them my name, order # and phone number and told them I wan my money back right now. They said they would call me back when their computers were up and they were able to access their accounts and asked for a good time to reach me. I told them basically anytime except for the hours i work and gave them to them.

A few days later they left a message (of course they called during the hours I said I would not be there. They left a msg saying my order has been canceled and they are mailinmg me a refund check that very day. Now here it is a month and a half later and still no **** check!!

How the hell can a company treat customers this way?? Give me my **** $78! I had to look this thread up for hte humber since it is impossible to find it on their site. I'm sure they'll just lie to me once again.

On a good note axiontech.com DOES tell the truth. I called asking if the had a motherboard their site said they did. They said they had 1 left. I bought it and went back the next day to check it's specs again and it said none in stock.

[neo_otyugh]

www.axiontech.com (http://www.axiontech.com) has been awesome for me. i have been using them for 2 years now and have built 3 systems and bought numerous parts from them. have referred many people to them and all have had good feedback on axion tech. the only time i was ever disappointed was an item that was out of stock, but it was listed as limited availability on the site, so i bought a $4 more expensive 52x cdrom (samsung was $34 creative $38) no big deal to me.
ive also been very happy with www.upgradeplanet.com (http://www.upgradeplanet.com) as well. their customer service is wuite good and i have never had an issue with them, only have had like 3-5 orders with them though.
www.bestcomputerusa.com (http://www.bestcomputerusa.com) i cant stand. they sold me an abit zm6 telling be it was a bm6 and then chared $22 to return in. i will never buy from them again.

i bought a linksys kvm 4port from www.ecost.com (http://www.ecost.com) and they shipped it right out and it was defective out of the box. linksys support was totally worthless. i figured ecost would blow me off when i called em. the next day i had a replacement for it on my door step and i got an email with their corporate fedex account to ship the defective item back. i did got with a more expensive item to replace the linksys. i will definitely shop at ecost.com again, but will never purchase a linksys product ever again.

[socalgal]

These guys are the best and a model of what every vendor should be:


ResellerRating - Evaluation (http://www.resellerratings.com/comview.cgi?MushkinMemoryModules)

[elroy]

I usually just buy from pricewatch ads. I've had VERY good luck. I've probably used at least 15 different companies that list on pricewatch. Only trouble I had was when UPS destroyed a package and then delivered half of it 3 weeks late. Never did bring the other half. Even then the seller was very understanding and took care of it. I can't say enough good about EMS, Voltex Pricepc, newegg, Premier systems, Coast to Coast Memory, Viking and many others.

[T-Bird]

best one for me out there is www.z-buy.com (http://www.z-buy.com)

[Brangwen]

No one can argue with this:
www.crucial.com (http://www.crucial.com) only sells memory (I believe!) BUT they are awesome!

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Dputiger]

Oh, I'M gonna argue with it--in a BIG way:

Crucial has NOT responded to my attempts to get in touch with their customer support. I have called FOUR times--each time hanging up after spending a half-hour on hold. Twice I was disconnected, once I hung up because I called their PAY line, hoping that it would be answered first.

After six emails and 80 minutes on hold you can bet I won't be buying from them again. The amount of money I saved was paid back in the lost time, aggarvation, and phone bill.

[Maginno]

Well, my 2 cents, I like buy.com, but my favorite and probably most honest I have ever dealt with is Multiwave. www.mwave.com (http://www.mwave.com)

Never had one problem ordering or returning. Quick prompt service and fast shipping to Michigan from California. I have ordered over $15,000 over the past few years from them and never had a problem. Might want to try those guys next time.

[dafremen]

Ok so...I'm watcha call a Frugal Techie.

I let everyone else buy their PCs and accessories at retail, then I go out and scout the papers and the yard sales. I'm always at least 6 months behind the rest of the world, but I'm also MANY MANY dollars AHEAD of the rest of the world too, so a year or so to wait is NO problemo for me.

Here are some of my FAVORITE bargains:

HP560C Inkjet printer $0.00
(The previous owner had thrown it out with his garbage. What he didn't seem to realize was that if you turn your PC off FIRST then wait 30 seconds, the printer will clean the ink off of its head and you WON'T get the blotchy printing that he thought meant the printer was bad. I cleaned it out with an airhose and some Tri-Chlor and viola!)

Two Comrad CCL-901 Wireless Data Links $7.00 the set.
(Ok so this poor guy at the yard sale had NO idea what he had. I did, but wasn't about to tell him. He ended up sayin...how does $7 sound? GREAT!!! Especially since the pair retail TODAY for about $700!!!) Check it out here:
http://www.awc-corp.com/TN_Comrd.html

I have 3 free monitors, 2 15"s and a 17".

I bought a voodoo3 PCI 16M of RAM from a guy who's kid had just upgraded to AGP. Price: $20.00

Ok enuff bragging...and YES I'm still looking for that replacement for my old Pentium 200MMX dammit!!! (GAWD I'm cheap!)

8) Daffy

[MiKe85]

They tell the truth
Normally they just 'Mislead' you...That's not exactly NOT telling the truth http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif


Mike

[Tom Pico]

Never had any problem with www.azzo.com (http://www.azzo.com) - reasonable prices, excellent service. If you email them you will get a prompt response. I've ordered from them 3 or 4 times now. They ship fast and and keep you informed. My most recent order was a PIII 700E pre-tested to run at 933MHZ. Not only does it run at 933MHz - it does so at default voltage. (Also runs 980MHz at default voltage -- yes, I'm a happy camper http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif)

I've had major problems with AccessMicro and Tiger Direct.

With Access Micro they shipped me a Pentium EB when I ordered an E. When I placed the order, I specifically told them that I did not want the EB version (some companies will substitute when they don't have exactly what you ordered - read the fine print) but they pulld a substitution anyway and sent the EB, even though the invoice said they were shipping an E. I got NO -- NONE, NADA -- response to numerous emails and telephone messages. I tried reaching these guys for two weeks, couldn't get ANY contact to get a RMA until I contacted my credit card company to cancel the charge. They had no problem getting through and getting me an RMA so I could return the CPU.

Tiger Direct shipped me Norton Utilities for DOS when I had ordered the Windows version. I got an RMA, reurned the DOS version and requested a Windows version. They shipped me DOS again! Again I called got a RMA and retured the DOS for Windows and THEY SHIPPED ME THE DOS VERSION AGAIN!!! Since I had to pay for return shipping I had already lost the price savings that had lured me into ordering from them. Needless to say, I've never done business with these guys again -- "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me three times -- Boy am I a bozo!"

[capybara]

honesty and good prices are at
computer depot
www.mypcparts.com (http://www.mypcparts.com)
they're a big warehouse and ive never seen them out of anything advertised.