Computer Store Rant

[daveofspades]

I'll start by saying that I'm a "don't fix it until it's broke" sort of guy when it comes to computers, and cars for that matter. As long as it still does what I want it to do, I'm good. I don't care about the newest bells and whistles. I understand that the computer I buy today for $2000, I can pick up in a year for $800 and that unless I want to do some cutting edge gaming, what I have will do just fine.

Just before Christmas, my computer's AGP slot died. Screen flashed, went dead and the box just beeped at me. Tried a different AGP card, still no video and beeping. Slid in an old PCI card...and we were back running. I couldn't play City of Heroes, but I could do everything else I wanted.

Late February, my dad decides to buy me new stuff to fix my computer with. Spur of the moment, we run up to Micro Center Mall in Sharonville. Long story short, on the advice of the salesman, we buy an Elitegroup mobo/AThlon 64 combo and a PCIx video card. Normally, I walk in knowing exactly what I want, but this time was a surprise so I trusted the sales guy.

Pull out the old mobo, put in the new one. Just beeping. It won't even go all the way through POST for me. Get online, do some research...the mobo is a POS. It's 50/50 that it comes DOA. There is, however, one guy that got it working by putting 3200 RAM in it. Apparently it isn't set to auto detect; but he found the speed it was set for got it to boot and fixed the problem in CMOS/Bios.

So after all my troubleshooting the problem was all in the mobo, either this memory problem or it was another DOA. I foolishly assume that customer service still matters. I figure Micro Center would be willing to plug the thing in, slap a stick of PC3200 in it and see if it boots. If it does, we reset the thing and move on happily. If it doesn't, I 'll exchange the board for another one, no big deal either.

No. To do that will cost me $75 and up to TWO DAYS. Either return the mobo or pay them. That was their response. And I was being unreasonable to ask otherwise. Sure, I have two dozen reviews saying that this mobo COMES DOA. Sure their salesman should have KNOWN this problem, but sold it to me anyway. Now they want to charge me MORE THAN THE BOARD to do a common curtousy check?!?!?!

This after driving an hour to get there in the ever fuel effecient Isuzu Trooper.

I am pulling the mobo, cpu fan etc and returning them to Micro Center. I will NOT be doing business with them ever again. They intentionally sold a prodcut that they knew was spotty at best. They could have spent 10 minutes helping me, but that would've meant forgoing $75...in favor of all my purchases, my father's, my last employer's my family's...etc. Now, I will run them down to everybody I get the chance.

I figure I can get the same prices on stuff at Newegg.com, so....

I could even see if it was $75 to check it out...then if it was the defective mobo, waiving the fee and exchanging it or keeping the fee if it was discovered that I did something wrong to break it (which I didn't). No...either pay us for our bad product or return it.

Got to hell.

DD

[Requiem]

I can understand your frustration. However it's a sad fact that all of the large chains don't actually have any "Tech" people working as sales people and their "Tech" people aren't the sharpest tools in the shed to begin with.

Large stores are good for sales and if you need something now. Otherwise online is usually cheaper and you can check reviews.

[nhill0408]

+1 for newegg. I just built a completely new gaming rig with parts ordered exclusively through them. Same specs as a $2500 Dell XPS, for about $1100 before mail in rebates. The upgrade from a GeForce 5900 to an 8800 is unbelievable. Crysis looks amazing. Now that I'm no longer a poor college student hopefully I won't have to go 6 years between upgrades again.

[BB61]

Another +1 for newegg.com. The reviews helped me so much when I decided to build my first PC, and they ship for nothing (or close to it).

One of the big reasons I decided to build my own is that I don't trust the CS at any of the big stores anymore.

[thisismyusername]

+1 for Newegg.com as well as Buy.com. The only time I'll buy from a chain like Micro Center. CompUSA, etc is when I have done the research and they have a lower price or if it's common items like cables and CD's/DVD's.

EDIT: I agree with BB61 - I use Newegg.com, Buy.com and Amazon.com for their reviews.

[FrankRizzoXD40]

Customer service is a dying practice these days...which is why I work in customer service! This computer store is shooting itself in the foot by not accomodating you. They forget that word of mouth advertising can make or break your business, depending on the experiences of your customers.

Did you try replacing/checking the power supply?

If you are still having the same problem even after changing the MB, you might want to check that.

The new MB is probably DOA like you said, but it never hurts to check.

Like others, I usually use newegg.

Frank

[kannibul]

newegg is where my business goes.

If you know how to put together a system (not hard AT ALL!), then buy your own components and put one together.

Honestly, I don't know how those computer stores stay open any more...oh wait - it's by screwing customers...

[Fish609]

Another +1 for newegg. I have built probably 6 or so systems from the ground up there for myself, freinds, and family. I wouldn't go anywhere else. I have never had a problem with them and they RMA'd some bad RAM without a single problem.

The Best Buys of the world are no longer a very good place to buy components because of reasons like these. I would still go there to get a system when they discount the heck out of them for a freind or grandparent who just needed an entry level with a printer, monitor, and everything else as a first system. They are also good for small, cheap (but not so cheap) things like network cables and what not. Stuff where you can't wait 7-10 days for shipping.

[The Knight Of Light]

There are still computer stores? Like as in a walk in the door store?

[Ride the Lightning]

I'm not a computer person at all and I don't know what the hell most of this thread is about. I consider it a success when I can get to the internet or fire up solitaire without causing personal injury to myself or someone near me. That said, can you not do a search online for reviews on this stuff before you buy it at the big box store? I know their customer service sucks most of the time, but a little prior research would have saved a lot of hastle. Or am I missing something?