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.

[mlmr]

I could use freeper feedback...am I expecting too much??

[Psycho_Bunny]

I've had good experiance with Alienware.

[Wright is right!]

That's a highly unusual experience with Dell. There must be more to the story. Can you fill us in?

Michael

[jacquej]

Get a Mac! You will never regret it.

[MineralMan]

A few more details would be helpful. What was wrong with the PC? Did it not work? Was it not what you ordered? I've had very good experiences with Dell. If you could be more specific about what happened.....

[Petronski]

Hmm. I would probably recommend Dell, but, well...I have no help. I buy generic parts and assemble them myself, but that takes some experience/skill you might have.

Mostly I'm curious: what was wrong that you were shipped TWO and neither one worked?

[bcoffey]

I've had very good luck with Gateway and so-so luck with Dell.

Since you only want a straightforward system with nothing fancy, I'd look around locally to see if there's a "white box" dealer (no name or local brand) near you. That way if something goes wrong, you can show up on their doorstep.

[Spruce]

I've always "rolled my own". Try Pricewatch.com for parts. Otherwise Gateway is not a bad machine.

[js1138]

If you need service, have it built locally. Find a mom and pop store that's been in business for a few years and builds computers.

[MineralMan]

"Mostly I'm curious: what was wrong that you were shipped TWO and neither one worked?"

I'm curious, too. I've never had a problem with Dell. Maybe something else is going on here other than a dead PC.

[vrwinger]

I don't know what to say... I bought a Gateway in 1998 (200 Mhz PII, Win 98 OS) and was super please, and then bought a Dell a year ago January (1.6 Ghz P4, Win XP OS) and have been super pleased... Sorry...

[saluki_in_ohio]

Go to a local "mom and pop" computer store and have them build you a computer. PC's like these are very upgradeable and you can save money down the road when your computer gets "long in the tooth". Computers such as IBM, Dell and Gateway have proprietory motherboards which are not easily upgradeable, and you have to end up buying another computer.

Better yet, learn to build your own computer. It is fun!

[Michael Barnes]

MPI

Been using them for seven years now.

[finnman69]

Sorry about your story. Dell user for life and I always have had good service calls with Dell.

I had asimilar experience to you with Gateway.

[i_dont_chat]

Here's my experience.

I make a spreadsheet of the specifications. I watch the newspaper and note the specs, who has it, the price.

After gathering data for about 2-3 weeks, I make a visit to the retailer who has the best computer for the money. I look over the computer, making sure it has what I want.

And I buy from a local retailer -- so if I have problems, I can take it back.

Works for me!

[nana4bush]

We recently bought 3 Dell's for our office. They are great. No problems. Excellent purchase experience.

[KneelBeforeZod]

You could always build one

[AgentEcho]

In the past 2 years I've purchased about $300,000 worth of equipment from Dell for work and about $3000 for home use. I've needed tech support for both home and work which is two different call centers. The only problem I've had was that for basic support I rarely get someone that speaks english very well. But for returns and such (Dell branded and other equipment) I've never had any problem. As a matter of fact they called me on a potential problem with some equipment and asked when I would like to have someone out to take care of it. I'm not trying to defend them, I'm just reporting my experience.

BTW, what kind of problem were you having? Using so much of their equipment I've found a few incompatabilities that they hadn't ever seen before.

Æ

[MineralMan]

"Mostly I'm curious: what was wrong that you were shipped TWO and neither one worked?"

I just had a thought. It could be that the new PC's wouldn't work with her existing peripherals. I had that problem when I upgraded to a PC with Windows XP. My old Xerox laser printer, a scanner, and one other peripheral just weren't supported by XP.

Never mind. I bought a new printer and scanner, which I had needed anyhow, and am much happier now. Two bits says that was the problem.

[saluki_in_ohio]

Too cheap to by a case, eh? :)