COMPUSA Horror

William Toll

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
THEIR SCAMS..........

What a scam!

Midtown Manhattan Store

I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...

All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..

The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...

Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.

He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
He has 70 on order....
And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)

The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
weeks sale...)

I HATE CompUSA.

Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...

wmtnyc...@ibm.net

Mike Smith

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

William Toll <wmt...@ibm.net> wrote in article
<34b37...@news2.ibm.net>...

> BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
> THEIR SCAMS..........
>
> What a scam!
>
> Midtown Manhattan Store
>

That's what you get for living in the big city. The CompUSA in Hauppauge
and the one by Roosevelt Field are both perfectly nice places to shop.
(Except maybe the week before Christmas ;-)

--Mike Smith

Andrew Rush

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

On Wed, 7 Jan 1998 07:27:56 -0500, "William Toll" <wmt...@ibm.net>
decided to take finger to keyboard and send:

>BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
>THEIR SCAMS..........
>
>What a scam!

Oh, come on! This doesn't happen mail order either? I wish I knew
how many times I've called up and been told, "Oh, that's on order and
should be in REALLY SOON NOW." CompUSA isn't alone in this regard by
any means.

>Midtown Manhattan Store
>
>I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
>I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...

If you had any idea how much "shrinkage" (no, not cold water swimming
- theft) retailers like CompUSA have to deal with, you'd understand
the necessity of the bagcheck. As for the upgrade counter, I have
this unproven theory that only morons work there. Slow morons, to
boot.

>All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
>Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..

Zip disk 3 packs are ALWAYS sold out.

>The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...
>
>Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.
>
>He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
>He has 70 on order....
>And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)

Those two were accounting errors or broken ones. There is something
wrong with only having a handful in stock when a sale runs.
Ordinarily, sale items are plentiful. Looks like the shipment for the
sale was late.

>The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
>in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
>next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
>He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
>if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
>weeks sale...)

There are plenty of people in the line who could have screwed up the
arrival of those disks. Chances are, they WILL arrive before the sale
is up. It could be Iomega's fault, too (whoever the manufacturer is),
if there is a shortage or problem at the distributor.

>I HATE CompUSA.

Many could be run better than they are, but it beats Computer City
that's for sure.

>Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
>STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...
>
>wmtnyc...@ibm.net

Being a retailer with a very tight margin, they don't carry a great
many items in large quantities. Neither do mail order houses, but you
don't see the quick order and shipping before it arrives at your
house. If you walked into a mail order place the size equivalent of
CompUSA, I doubt that you would see much of a difference in inventory.
Just a guess.

As for freebie items, you would not believe the lengths people go to
get free cheap crap. Do they really need 3 crappy printer stands?
Nope, but they will buy them and send in three rebates from three
different addresses because they are trailer trash. It is amazing to
see, really.

As you can tell, I used to work there. It didn't take long to be fed
up with the way they handle personnel, though. ;)

Andrew

Michael J. Sussman

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

William Toll <wmt...@ibm.net> wrote:
: All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on

: Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..

They won't give you a rain check?

- Mike

Shane A. Bushman

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

William Toll wrote:
>
> BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
> THEIR SCAMS..........
>
> What a scam!
>

> Midtown Manhattan Store
>
> I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
> I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...
>

> All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
> Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..
>

> The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...
>
> Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.
>
> He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
> He has 70 on order....
> And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>

> The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
> in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
> next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
> He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
> if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
> weeks sale...)
>

> I HATE CompUSA.

>
> Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
> STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...
>
> wmtnyc...@ibm.net

I had the same problem with crappy ass CompUSA. Went there to get Tomb
Raider 2 because it was on sale for 37 bucks. Wow I thought! What a
deal. The deal is, there aren't any in the store...at least not that I
can find. the computer says there are six though, and the pimple faced
pre-pubescent computer geek working the register tells me "...all I can
say is there are six out there. If you can't find them, it's not my
problem." What!!!!!! Not your what!!!! So I ask for a manager, and
after waiting a good 15 minutes I am face to face with a pretty young 16
or 17 year old girl asking how she can help. i say "Are you the store
manager?" and she says "well, I am the supervisor on duty...how can I
help you?" I tell her I want Tomb Raider, and despite the computer
saying 6 are in stock I can find none. She responds "well, we may have
sold them this morning. You see, our computer doesn't update its'
inventory until after we close?" WHAT!!!! One of the largest computer
chains in the Nation doesn't have a system that's advanced enough to
update inventory in real time?! So I ask for a rain check because the
sale ends today...and she smiles her gleeming white baby teeth and
proudly states "I'm sorry, we don't give rain checks." ...and of course
the sale ends today.

FUCK CompUSA. They are a bait and switch scam. I will never go there
again, and I hope none of you will either!

Shane

Paul Copsey

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

In <34b4b51e...@news.mindspring.com>,

Andrew Rush <af...@no.spam@mindspring.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 7 Jan 1998 07:27:56 -0500, "William Toll" <wmt...@ibm.net>
> decided to take finger to keyboard and send:

> >He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
> >He has 70 on order....
> >And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>

> Those two were accounting errors or broken ones. There is something
> wrong with only having a handful in stock when a sale runs.

Not if the price reduction is a big one on a popular item, and carries
the phrase 'While stocks last'

Stores use such products as a way of getting you through the door.

Paul
--
Usenet '97 - The year of 12 Septembers.

Dervish

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to William Toll

> He has 70 on order....
> And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>

> The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
> in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
> next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
> He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
> if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
> weeks sale...)
>
> I HATE CompUSA.
>
> Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
> STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...
>
> wmtnyc...@ibm.net

I can understand your frustation. CompUSA in Portland, OR advetized
Philips OmniWriter CD recorder for $299 after $50 rebate about 3 weeks
ago. I drove a total of 50 miles one day in horrible pre-Chrismas
shopping traffic to the 2 stores in the area and neither one had any in
stock. When pressed, the clerks admit they had not received a single
unit! They would not offer raincheck, company policy!

The ad with the same offer again reappeared in the previous Sunday
Oregonian. I called them on Monday and after many minutes on hold I
discovered both stores did not have a single unit to sell. Again, no
raincheck!

I don't know how thwe can get away with this kind of business practice.

I'm very upset!

Dervish

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

Steve m...

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

They had them at the Computer show in Pgh Pa for $10 . That's the cheapest
I've seen them.
Steve..

William Toll wrote in message <34b37...@news2.ibm.net>...

>BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
>THEIR SCAMS..........
>
>What a scam!
>
>Midtown Manhattan Store
>
>I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
>I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...
>
>All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
>Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..
>
>The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...
>
>Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.
>

>He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)

Roger Barbosa

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

Same here guy...move to Orange County, CA and you'll love the CompUSA here
(no bag check...guess we're honest folk)...but you'd have to settle for the
same old sun, same old beaches, same old palm trees, same old tanned, buffed
bodies, same old winters in the 70's and 80's...oh well...it can't all be
perfect..:)

Roger

Brent S. Green

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

I went there for the 32 meg EDO simms (PNY). They are advertiesed as 60 ns,
the box says they are 60 ns, the chips on the simms themselves say 70 ns.

Brent

Brent S. Green

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Jan 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/7/98

to

I tried that at Compusa. They said I had to prepay for a raincheck.

Brent

Michael J. Sussman wrote in message <690dag$b...@nntp02.primenet.com>...
>William Toll <wmt...@ibm.net> wrote:
>: All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on

>: Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..
>

root

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

On Wed, 07 Jan 1998 15:10:16 -0800, "Shane A. Bushman"
<sbushman*@gate.net> wrote:

>William Toll wrote:
>>
>> BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
>> THEIR SCAMS..........
>>
>> What a scam!
>>
>> Midtown Manhattan Store
>>
>> I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
>> I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...
>>

>> All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
>> Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..
>>

>> The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...
>>
>> Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.
>>
>> He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
>> He has 70 on order....
>> And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>>
>> The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
>> in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
>> next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
>> He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
>> if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
>> weeks sale...)
>>
>> I HATE CompUSA.
>>
>> Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
>> STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...
>>
>> wmtnyc...@ibm.net
>
>

>I had the same problem with crappy ass CompUSA. Went there to get Tomb
>Raider 2 because it was on sale for 37 bucks. Wow I thought! What a
>deal. The deal is, there aren't any in the store...at least not that I
>can find. the computer says there are six though, and the pimple faced
>pre-pubescent computer geek working the register tells me "...all I can
>say is there are six out there. If you can't find them, it's not my
>problem." What!!!!!! Not your what!!!! So I ask for a manager, and
>after waiting a good 15 minutes I am face to face with a pretty young 16
>or 17 year old girl asking how she can help. i say "Are you the store
>manager?" and she says "well, I am the supervisor on duty...how can I
>help you?" I tell her I want Tomb Raider, and despite the computer
>saying 6 are in stock I can find none. She responds "well, we may have
>sold them this morning. You see, our computer doesn't update its'
>inventory until after we close?" WHAT!!!! One of the largest computer
>chains in the Nation doesn't have a system that's advanced enough to
>update inventory in real time?! So I ask for a rain check because the
>sale ends today...and she smiles her gleeming white baby teeth and
>proudly states "I'm sorry, we don't give rain checks." ...and of course
>the sale ends today.
>
>
>FUCK CompUSA. They are a bait and switch scam. I will never go there
>again, and I hope none of you will either!
>
>
>Shane

Sorry to all for the additional bandwidth on this thread, but both of
these posts are worth reading. I think there is value to voting with
your pocketbook as these two folks will apparently do, but I'd also
suggest you take a few minutes to compose an accurate, but unemotional
representation of your experience and send it to the president of the
company or even to the individual directors of the company. You may
not get a response, but you'll get the satisfaction that you have
taken your complaint to the highest level of the company.

Years ago, I wrote a letter to Fred Akers, who was chairman of IBM,
over what I percieved to be shappy treatment in the support and
software made available for a dead end system they promoted as a big
deal and a first generation product - the IBM PC Jr. (OK - don't all
laugh at once)......I did get two calls..one from headquarters in NY
and another from the SF area representative, and I at least got to
express my views as a customer of theirs. Just my 2 cents.

BTW, you can get names & adresses off the 10k or other SEC filings
that are all online on the EDGAR database.

Aloha

Jimmy Hummer

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

I live in Northern Virginia. I am 20 minutes from 3 Comp USA's and almost
always have the problem of getting sale items. I know now that if an item
goes on sale Sunday, I better get to the store same day and make them call
around. Even then it's 50/50. THEY JUST DON'T STOCK ENOUGH LOW PROFIT
STUFF!!!! Go figure?? And "NO" they do not give rainchecks...

Normally, I wouldn't take the time to reply to a nagger in the newsgroup,
however, I was relieved that I wasn't the only one who had experienced this
bait and switch bullshit.

cheers

William Toll <wmt...@ibm.net> wrote in article
<34b37...@news2.ibm.net>...

Andrew Rush

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

On Wed, 07 Jan 1998 21:00:13 +0000, pa...@hectortd.demon.co.uk (Paul
Copsey) decided to take finger to keyboard and send:

>In <34b4b51e...@news.mindspring.com>,
> Andrew Rush <af...@no.spam@mindspring.com> wrote:
>> On Wed, 7 Jan 1998 07:27:56 -0500, "William Toll" <wmt...@ibm.net>
>> decided to take finger to keyboard and send:

>> >He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
>> >He has 70 on order....
>> >And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>>

>> Those two were accounting errors or broken ones. There is something
>> wrong with only having a handful in stock when a sale runs.
>
>Not if the price reduction is a big one on a popular item, and carries
>the phrase 'While stocks last'
>
>Stores use such products as a way of getting you through the door.
>
>Paul
>--
>Usenet '97 - The year of 12 Septembers.

I can tell you that CompUSA, as a policy, does not use such a tactic
when employing sale items, at least not the one at which I was
employed.

An intelligent manager would never do that because of the very
reactions that are expressed here -- it's counter-productive in the
long-run. Of course, no one ever accused all managers of being
intelligent...

CarrProg

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

I saw the Winnov AV card on the CompUSA web site, so I decided to call my local
CompUSA so I could pick one up. I called the price and availability number and
waited on hold for 20 minutes (I was working, so it flew by).

Once I reached the clerk, he said he couldn't find the card in his database. I
told him I found it on the CompUSA web page. He asked if I had a part number. I
didn't. He said to call up the web page again, get the part number, then call
him back - like it's *my* job to find products for them.

Needless to say I ordered it from MicroWarehouse. They have *great* service.

Jim Carr

GeorgeKnighton

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

I dunno...but I've only had good experiences with our CompUSA store here in
the west end of Richmond, Virginia.

One incident concerned an ad run recently for a Maxtor 4.3-gig DiamondMax
hard drive. The price was $199, but it came with a $30 rebate and an
ergonomic keyboard, so this all looked like a good deal.

On the first day of the sale, the drives were in stock but of course the
keyboards were NOT, and they hadn't ordered them in time to beat the rush of
all the other stores ordering them for the giveaway.

My hackles were up, and I could smell the bait and switch, but on faith I
bought the hard drive, anyway.

On my next visit to the store, a couple of days later, things were handled
correctly. They still didn't have the keyboards, but when my plight was
brought to the attention of the retail sales manager, he admitted that
they'd screwed up, and walked over to the shelves and asked me if I'd be
satisfied with a Mouse Systems ergonomic keyboard. I know these aren't the
best in the world, but they're probably as good or better than the "free"
one that was going to come with the hard drive.

The checker asked if I'd mind paying a penny for the keyboard to get out the
door with a receipt, which I glady did.

--

--------------------------------------------------------------------
<<Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit.>>

myn...@ibm.net <-----get it?

Shane A. Bushman wrote in message <34B40B...@gate.net>...

Dom.

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

>I can understand your frustation. CompUSA in Portland, OR advetized
>Philips OmniWriter CD recorder for $299 after $50 rebate about 3 weeks
>ago. I drove a total of 50 miles one day in horrible pre-Chrismas
>shopping traffic to the 2 stores in the area and neither one had any in
>stock. When pressed, the clerks admit they had not received a single
>unit! They would not offer raincheck, company policy!
>
>The ad with the same offer again reappeared in the previous Sunday
>Oregonian. I called them on Monday and after many minutes on hold I
>discovered both stores did not have a single unit to sell. Again, no
>raincheck!
>
>I don't know how thwe can get away with this kind of business practice.
>

well. I am not sure is this true... but I think you can file a complaint to
your local government which deals "WAYS OF DOING BUSINESS" ... and tell them
CompUSA is doing a "FAULTY ADVERTISMENT" ... or something.....

I am sure if you transfer all this newsgroup message to the bureau.. they will
do something.....

Dom.

Herb Montes

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

On Wed, 7 Jan 1998 07:27:56 -0500, "William Toll" <wmt...@ibm.net>

wrote:

>BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
>THEIR SCAMS..........
>
>What a scam!
>
>Midtown Manhattan Store
>

>I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
>I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...
>
>All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
>Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..
>
>The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...
>
>Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.
>

>He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
>He has 70 on order....
>And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>

>The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
>in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
>next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
>He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
>if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
>weeks sale...)
>
>I HATE CompUSA.
>
>Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
>STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...
>
>wmtnyc...@ibm.net
>
>

Sounds like a variation of the old bait-and-switch tatic. You should
file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency. Or at
least tell them you'll shop elsewhere. I don't go to CompUSA anymore
since a friend of mine, confined to a wheelchair, got the cold
shoulder from the salepeople. Their staff should get sensitivity
lessons like those at Denny's.

Brad "Zippy" Burleson

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

>[...]

>I can understand your frustation. CompUSA in Portland, OR advetized
>Philips OmniWriter CD recorder for $299 after $50 rebate about 3 weeks
>ago.

I'll have to admit that I've been to both these stores.

>[...]

>They would not offer raincheck, company policy!

I've just got to add this: Both stores _won't_ give rainchecks, BUT they
will allow you to buy whatever they are out of stock on (if it isn't a one-
time type of sale) and pick it up when it comes in.

>I don't know how thwe can get away with this kind of business practice.

Not a raincheck, but I guess it's the next best thing (I don't really like
it
either).

Brad.

Clay

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

>I had the same problem with crappy ass CompUSA. Went there to get Tomb
>Raider 2 because it was on sale for 37 bucks. Wow I thought! What a
>deal. The deal is, there aren't any in the store...

Same thing happened here. But I took the flyer to Best Buy and they
matched the price. Both stores have their problems, but they make
tons of $$$ and if you handle them right you can get some pretty good
deals. I got Wing Commander Prophecy for $37 and got out the door in
5 min. the day before Christmas (went to the returns desk--no one was
returning. I said ComUsa had it two dollars cheaper and wanted a
price match. For $2 they didn't bother to call--not like anyone would
answer at CompUsa--I had tried before I left). A friend of mine got a
full P166 computer system (when 166 was the sh*t) from Best Buy for
$200 because an employee mismarked it and the checker didn't notice.

Just don't expect great service or reliable product availability. In
an industry when a product can go from the hottest selling item to the
bottom of the barging bin this is to be expected. Factor into the
equation these problems on a national scale and CompUsa and BB start
to look pretty good.

Their corporate sales have gone down horribly. Last year I bought
over $20,000 at CompUsa for my company. I was on a first name basis
with my sales rep. This year I only go there for quickie items I need
right away and sales have totaled less than $2,000 (most of which was
for a printer a director decided he needed that afternoon). I don't
even know who my sales rep is now since they change every month (other
guy left for Seattle). We can get huge discounts from what they
charge retail, but would rather shop someplace else. Getting a simple
price quote is a nightmare.

Ken Johnson

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Jan 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/8/98

to

Herb Montes wrote:

> Sounds like a variation of the old bait-and-switch tatic. You should
> file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency. Or at
> least tell them you'll shop elsewhere. I don't go to CompUSA anymore
> since a friend of mine, confined to a wheelchair, got the cold
> shoulder from the salepeople. Their staff should get sensitivity
> lessons like those at Denny's.

Exactly.

Simply put, computers(hardware, software tech support) are very sought
after right now so they feel they can treat you like crap and if you get
pissed an leave, oh well there about 10 more in line to take your place.
Just TRY and get a salesperson in CompUSA, Computer City or wherever on
a Sat-Sun afternoon and if you are really brave try giving them a call
either of those days. The Computer City near me may not even answer the
phone. Why? Why should they, chances are the same people that are in
the store at the time tried calling themselves. They know you'll be in
sooner or later. At some companies when demand for their services go
up, customer service goes in the sh*tter. It simple arrogance

/Bests
KJ

hw...@juno.com.nospam

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Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

I hate Compusa as well. They always don't send you your rebates if
you send them in so you actually spend $20 on a $5 printer stand. ANd
then if it is software you spend like $60 but there was a rebate so it
makes it $40 but you never get the rebate so that you end up spending
more than anywhere else. Plus everytime I go to the hardware upgrade
thing and try to get a pricematch they flatly tell you no. ANd they
do it really fast too. It is like 'Could I get a price mat...' "NO!'.
Especially if you are a teenager like me and they think you are a
moron. One time I brought an ad from a local shop just because I
didn't want to go there since it was farther. Then they give me all
this BS about it not being a big store. Then I asked the hardware
manager and he says he can't price match it because he doesn't know if
the warranties are the same as theirs. Then after the general manager
gets through talking to some moron about the fact that he can't return
his Powerbook he bought in some other state 2 years ago for full
credit I finally got to talk to him. The moron was going to return
the powerbook because it locked up 3 times and he said that it was
broken. Then after 1 hour I got the memmory.

p.s. I think Fry's is even better than COMPUSA. I only go to compusa
because Fry's is far away and I try to get copmusa to pricematch
everything I want to buy from fry's.

ZenTron

unread,

Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

The whole reason they do that is to get you in the store so ya can buy other
shit, I remember we released a flyer and EVERY single sale item or freebie
or any deal worth a shit in the whole flyer was sold out, i remember people
driving 100+ miles to our store to buy some of the stuff.. they should of
called up, but sometimes even when they call our computer system will say
they are in stock and they arent, heh

William Toll wrote in message <34b37...@news2.ibm.net>...

ZenTron

unread,

Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

we would of gave ya credit off the hd

GeorgeKnighton wrote in message <34b4a...@news3.ibm.net>...

ZenTron

unread,

Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

they dont recieve that shit till fridays when most of the stock comes in

Dervish wrote in message <34B45ACE...@teleport.com>...

>> He has 70 on order....
>> And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>>
>> The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
>> in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
>> next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
>> He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
>> if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
>> weeks sale...)
>>
>> I HATE CompUSA.
>>
>> Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
>> STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...
>>
>> wmtnyc...@ibm.net
>

>I can understand your frustation. CompUSA in Portland, OR advetized
>Philips OmniWriter CD recorder for $299 after $50 rebate about 3 weeks

>ago. I drove a total of 50 miles one day in horrible pre-Chrismas
>shopping traffic to the 2 stores in the area and neither one had any in
>stock. When pressed, the clerks admit they had not received a single
>unit! They would not offer raincheck, company policy!
>
>The ad with the same offer again reappeared in the previous Sunday
>Oregonian. I called them on Monday and after many minutes on hold I
>discovered both stores did not have a single unit to sell. Again, no
>raincheck!
>

>I don't know how thwe can get away with this kind of business practice.
>

>I'm very upset!
>
>
>
>

Paul E Larson

unread,

Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

In article <695bfe$1...@camel19.mindspring.com>, "ZenTron" <pcju...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>The whole reason they do that is to get you in the store so ya can buy other
>shit, I remember we released a flyer and EVERY single sale item or freebie
>or any deal worth a shit in the whole flyer was sold out, i remember people
>driving 100+ miles to our store to buy some of the stuff.. they should of
>called up, but sometimes even when they call our computer system will say
>they are in stock and they arent, heh
>

I have read this thread and have one question. Have any of you sent a
complaint to the Consumer Affairs department of your state? I copied this from
the New York Consumer Affairs web site(http://www.consumer.state.ny.us/).

"What kind of complaints does the CPB handle?
The CPB handles complaints involving marketplace activities including
improper selling practices, non-delivery of goods or services,
misrepresentation, unhonored guarantee or warranty, unsatisfactory
service, credit/billing problems, contracts not fulfilled, etc. "

It sounds like your complaints would fall under this definition, at least in
NY.

Paul

GeorgeKnighton

unread,

Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

Who are "we?"

--

--------------------------------------------------------------------
<<Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit.>>

myn...@ibm.net <-----get it?

ZenTron wrote in message <695bp0$r...@camel19.mindspring.com>...

Dupont Randolph Gray

unread,

Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

Yea, I had a fucked up experience at CompUSA when I bought some Microsoft
Windows software.I did not like the software and wanted to exchange for W95.
Yet instead of giving me my money back right there according to the
Microsoft Money Back Guarantee. They told me to call Microsoft and send my
exchange request to them. It took me about 4 weeks to get my money back from
Microsoft in Washington State. I just felt that CompUSA is so damm cheap
with this type of policy. One of the reasons why so many people here in
Southern California are turning away from CompUSA and going to Frys
Electronics which has built a reputation for taking care of its customers
when it comes to returns and cheaper prices as well.

Ciao,
dupont

Mark L. Mitchell

unread,

Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

That's been my experience with CompUSA also. After waiting forever they
never have what they advertised, which is the only reason I would go there
anyway.

In article <34b37...@news2.ibm.net>, "William Toll" <wmt...@ibm.net> wrote:
>BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
>THEIR SCAMS..........
>
>What a scam!
>
>Midtown Manhattan Store
>

>I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
>I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...
>
>All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
>Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..
>
>The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...
>
>Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.
>
>He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)

Keatahh

unread,

Jan 9, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/9/98

to

Mail order is best for saving money when you put together your own
system; just be sure you know exactly what you want. The chain stores
can't even come close to mail order :-)
--
Remove the extra "h" if you wish to reply.

Darran Hamer

unread,

Jan 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/10/98

to

hw...@juno.com.nospam wrote in message <34b567c6...@news.pacbell.net>...

...and you *still* give them your money??! What a berk!

Keith R. Williams

unread,

Jan 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/10/98

to

On Thu, 8 Jan 1998 02:40:54, "Brent S. Green"
<bre...@swbell.net> wrote:

> I tried that at Compusa. They said I had to prepay for a raincheck.

In what state? I'd want it in writing and be at the AG's office
immediatly. I'm not a big government type, but this is absurd.
Either they have the item for sale or don't. If they don't have
it and haven't made it obvious it's a limited offer, too bad.

BTW, I travel to California several times a year and find the
stores like CompUSA and Fry's are really poor. We have nothing
better here (nothing actually), but mail order beats these places
any time.

----
Keith

Keith R. Williams

unread,

Jan 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/10/98

to

On Thu, 8 Jan 1998 00:32:53, wind...@lava.net (root) wrote:
>
> Sorry to all for the additional bandwidth on this thread, but both of
> these posts are worth reading. I think there is value to voting with
> your pocketbook as these two folks will apparently do, but I'd also
> suggest you take a few minutes to compose an accurate, but unemotional
> representation of your experience and send it to the president of the
> company or even to the individual directors of the company. You may
> not get a response, but you'll get the satisfaction that you have
> taken your complaint to the highest level of the company.

I cannot disagree, but it's usually met with a form-letter.

>
> Years ago, I wrote a letter to Fred Akers

Nit: John Akers.

> who was chairman of IBM,
> over what I percieved to be shappy treatment in the support and
> software made available for a dead end system they promoted as a big
> deal and a first generation product - the IBM PC Jr. (OK - don't all
> laugh at once)......

I don't believe the PC Jr. was on Mr. Aker's watch. It should
have been, but...

>I did get two calls..one from headquarters in NY
> and another from the SF area representative, and I at least got to
> express my views as a customer of theirs. Just my 2 cents.

So, you get calls from Billy when your Windows break?

> BTW, you can get names & adresses off the 10k or other SEC filings
> that are all online on the EDGAR database.

Most have lives to live.

----
Keith

Bob Stock

unread,

Jan 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/10/98

to

k...@ibm.net (Keith R. Williams) wrote:

>BTW, I travel to California several times a year and find the
>stores like CompUSA and Fry's are really poor. We have nothing
>better here (nothing actually), but mail order beats these places
>any time.

I live in California (LA), and I agree. The only problem with mail
order is it's harder to return an item, not that CompUSA makes it
easy, but if you follow all their rules, you can return things.

Unfortunately, for stores, we don't have a lot of choice. It's
whether you want to make yourself miserable at CompUSA or at Fry's or
at BestBuy. I think most people just go to whichever has the better
price or is closer or both.

Bob

Mike Gallaway

unread,

Jan 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/10/98

to

Ken Johnson wrote in message <34B557...@nospammindspring.com>...

Well put....that is *exactly* the attitude you encounter at these stores. I
might add that they seem to be staffed by tech school dropouts.....

I only buy online these days....

Mike

c...@oakweb.com***

unread,

Jan 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/10/98

to

I went to CrapUSA in Reno yesterday to look at 21" monitors.....
Interesting experience......
The person trying to sell me a monitor was completely lost on the demo
pc....they should have kept him in the stockroom.
BTW, their prices were not all that great.
c...@oakweb.comNOSPAM

unread,

Jan 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/11/98

to William Toll

William Toll wrote:

> BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
> THEIR SCAMS..........
>
> What a scam!
>
> Midtown Manhattan Store
>
> I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
> I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...
>
> All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
> Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..
>
> The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...
>
> Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.
>
> He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
> He has 70 on order....
> And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>
> The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
> in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
> next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
> He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
> if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
> weeks sale...)
>
> I HATE CompUSA.
>
> Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
> STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...
>
> wmtnyc...@ibm.net

I'm sure you can have a bad experience anywhere. Odds are, in today's
service environment, it's bound to happen all to often no matter where
you shop. Sorry to hear about that. Maybe they need a new store
manager.

I just started using CompUSA. They opened, 2 months ago, a huge
"Flagship Quality" store on Michigan Ave. (the magnificent mile) just a
few blocks walk from me. Funny, they are right next to the new Ralph
Lauren and Tiffany shops. I have bought many things at this new store,
and they have among the best selections in town. Hard to find software,
etc. Also, they are really good twice to take mail-in rebates off at
the check-out counter, when they could not provide the rebate slip. Got
a SB AWE64 Value for $79 because they didn't have the rebate slip.

They have great sales. Got Jedi Knight for $19.99. I just keep an eye
out. Their sales staff leaves much to be desired, but most computer
stores like Best Buy, Circuit City and Computer City don't hire sales
people based on their knowledge of PCs. You really need to do your
homework before buying computer equipment. That's where Magazines, the
internet and newsgroups come in real handy.

I feel lucky to have such a nice, huge new CompUSA just a few blocks
walk away.

Gary
--
Gary Higgins
Chicago, IL USA <The Windy City>
ga...@mcs.net
http://www.mcs.net/~garyh
+++ Don't Dream It, Be It +++

Hyeong-Min Kim

unread,

Jan 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/11/98

to

Sometimes COMPUSA gets ridiculous. I recently asked the price of the new
Sony 200PS monitor to a COMPUSA sales rep. He quoted $989 for the
monitor although Sony's web site clearly states the street price around
$849! And I said, "Urr...is the price correct?" The rep confirmed, "It's
a special order item, but I can get you one for $950"

'WULFF

unread,

Jan 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/11/98

to

On Sat, 10 Jan 1998 20:29:41 GMT, six...@worldnet.att.net (bp) wrote:

>On Fri, 9 Jan 1998 09:16:36 -0500, "ZenTron" <pcju...@mindspring.com>

>wrote:
>
>>The whole reason they do that is to get you in the store so ya can buy other
>>shit, I remember we released a flyer and EVERY single sale item or freebie
>>or any deal worth a shit in the whole flyer was sold out, i remember people
>>driving 100+ miles to our store to buy some of the stuff.. they should of
>>called up, but sometimes even when they call our computer system will say
>>they are in stock and they arent, heh
>

>This is just plain out illegal. How do they get away with this ?

It isn't illegal if it has fine print on the ads about limited
quantities(which can be 1..even if it's a floor model)
or if the Store places a sign at the front entrance explaining that a
mistake had been made on the flyer.
The flyers and ads get made up weeks ahead of time in most cases so
there tends to be lots of mistakes.
They have their ways out.

'Wulff

unread,

Jan 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/11/98

to

I've got an even better CompUSA horror story. I have purchased with them
for many many years, since they were SoftWarehouse. I bought two
computers this year from them (a laptop 6 mos. ago and an new Aptiva
just before xmas). I also bought an upgrade chip for my son's PC for
xmas. It fried the motherboard. The manager of the Park Meadows CompUSA
store near Denver where I bought it and the new PC, would not even have
his tech look at the damage and even though I never raised my voice or
said one bad thing, he told me to get the hell out of his store and
never come back. He didn't need my business and had customers who
appreciated their store. (I USED to be one of them. No more)

DonSimon

unread,

Jan 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/11/98

to

I, too, have only had good experiences at CompUSA. So far. I have found
that generally they are well stocked. The only thing that I have a problem
with is that it is almost impossible to get help from an associate. It is a
trade off, though. I prefer to be left alone and not hounded like some
other places. I live in Knoxville, TN and find they are the only place with
any selection. There is a Best Buy opening in about a month so I will check
them out. Until then I am going to stick with CompUSA. Unless, things
change and they screw me. Then I will hope Best Buy is open by then!

Jason
DonS...@Mindless.com

Mike Stucka

unread,

Jan 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/11/98

to

Gary Higgins (ga...@mcs.net) wrote:
: I just started using CompUSA. They opened, 2 months ago, a huge

: "Flagship Quality" store on Michigan Ave. (the magnificent mile) just a

Funny, that's the one that was totally sold out of everything that was on
special sale, or the rebates had misteriously disappeared. We'd tried
_everything_, from disks to powerstrips to joysticks.

I'm never going there again. I normally wind up going to the CDW (their
staff has bent overbackwards for me too many times to drop loyalty) or
sometimes to the Computer City across the street (cheaper prices, tho CDW
sometimes will match). Both are on Grand.

unread,

Jan 13, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/13/98

to

"William Toll" <wmt...@ibm.net> wrote:

>BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
>THEIR SCAMS..........
>
>What a scam!
>
>Midtown Manhattan Store
>
>I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
>I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...

That's it? Consider yourself lucky. The problem with CompUSA is very
much the same with many other businesses....THERE IS NO "SENSE OF
CUSTOMER URGENCY* sorry for screaming there, but I get really pissed
off just thinking about many of my dealings with them and stores like
them.

>All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
>Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..

I'm trying to figure out why they have *absolutley* no CPU's in stock
myself, at a Miami location...

>I HATE CompUSA.
>
>Is it me or do they never have anything in stock
>STB Velocity 128....all the freebie items etc...
>
>wmtnyc...@ibm.net

It's not just you, but be sure to write letters to their corporate
office and complain. They, like any other business need to know when
they're screwing up. Alternatively, or in addition ask for "their 800
number" almost every business has one set up for complaints. You gotta
sound off.

Keith R. Williams

unread,

Jan 13, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/13/98

to

On Sat, 10 Jan 1998 19:46:44, six...@worldnet.att.net (bp)
wrote:

> You know if you read that MS money back agreement it says to return it
> from where you bought it.
> My guess is that the stores have an agreement with MS, Many just don't
> know it. Why would/should MS give back the full retail price for
> something they sold a store at whole sale ?

Yep, and the MS agreement said they could only return x% (where x
was in the low single digits).

----
Keith

Keith R. Williams

unread,

Jan 13, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/13/98

to

On Sat, 10 Jan 1998 20:29:41, six...@worldnet.att.net (bp)
wrote:

> On Fri, 9 Jan 1998 09:16:36 -0500, "ZenTron" <pcju...@mindspring.com>
> wrote:
>
> >The whole reason they do that is to get you in the store so ya can buy other
> >shit, I remember we released a flyer and EVERY single sale item or freebie
> >or any deal worth a shit in the whole flyer was sold out, i remember people
> >driving 100+ miles to our store to buy some of the stuff.. they should of
> >called up, but sometimes even when they call our computer system will say
> >they are in stock and they arent, heh
>
> This is just plain out illegal. How do they get away with this ?

How about an IBM Aptiva with a Pentium 233 w/MMX, 64MB RAM, IBM
6.4GB drive, 17" monitor and printer, yadda, yadda, yadda, for
$795? Interested? See Sunday's NY Post. Sunshine Computers has
a hell of a deal! BTW, they won't ship. You gotta go there.
Does anyone think this is legit?

Hey they *are* selling the Brooklyn bridge (well, sorta).
Sunshine Computers in in Brooklyn. Connection? BTW, they're
selling a 27" Sony stereo TV for $208. Interested?

----
Keith

HWeidner

unread,

Jan 13, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/13/98

to

>>> ... released a flyer and EVERY single sale item or freebie

>>>or any deal worth a shit in the whole flyer was sold out
>>

>>This is just plain out illegal. How do they get away with this ?
>

>It isn't illegal if it has fine print on the ads about limited

>quantities...or if the Store places a sign at the front entrance

explaining that a
>mistake had been made on the flyer.

They usually don't do either one. They merely say they never got the
item, or they only got two, come back again during the sale and see if
they get more.

Then the week after the sale ends, they get a flood of the item.

To be fair, I think the smaller stores are ignreo when shoipmetn are
made. If I go to one of the huge stores out of my area, I usuallt find
the sale item, at least if I go early enough in the sale period.

Rebate forms are another problem. Too often they just don't exist.
Promises to mail one are not fulfilled. I don't open an item until I
have the rebate form in hand too, in case I have to take it back for a
refund. (Only once did a sales rep offer to give me the rebate at the
store for lack of forms.)

David Potts

unread,

Jan 14, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/14/98

to

>Rebate forms are another problem. Too often they just don't exist.
>Promises to mail one are not fulfilled. I don't open an item until I
>have the rebate form in hand too, in case I have to take it back for a
>refund. (Only once did a sales rep offer to give me the rebate at the
>store for lack of forms.)

I wonder if this is the newest form of scam that these stores are doing. I
have often found that they don't have the rebate slips and have started to
mail them to you. Just a few years ago they never had a problem like this..
This is the second time that it has happened to me. When I went to purchase
my Mystique they didn't have the rebate slips but I was able to get one from
Matrox directly (from the web site) and use that. But recently I purchased
generic (no name) CD-R disks from Best Buy and they didn't have the rebate
slip but promissed to mail it. Well, on the 10th we (my coworker purchased
them also) got the rebate slip (actually he got his, I have yet to get
mine)but the rebate period was over! It ended on the 4th and the rebate
slips were not mailed out till the 7th! I can't expect the company who made
the disks to honor a late rebate; but I do blame Best Buy and I will go back
to them and see if I can make them give me my money (it wasn't a large
amount but it is the principle of the thing). Now I'm really pissed about
Best Buy and I will not return there (for anything) unless they refund my
money! We will just have to see...

Dave

davi...@brightok.net

unread,

Jan 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/15/98

to

On Wed, 7 Jan 1998 07:27:56 -0500, "William Toll" <wmt...@ibm.net>
wrote:

All of you ignorant shits need to get a life. If your stupid enough to
go to a retail chain for you computer hardware needs, then you deserve
everything that they hand out to you.

>
>

Shane Bushman

unread,

Jan 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/15/98

to

You are a dork. I do bout as much shopping in retail chains as I do
mail order and have been burned by both. It is a lot easier to drive to
the store to get a replacement or to handle an issue though. Once I
mail ordered a USR X2 modem...got a Phoebe 14.4! Sent back the 14.4 at
my expense, and got a Phoebe 33.6! Sent that back at my expense and got
a USR X2 that had been opened and looked used. i kept it, but I won't
order from Micro Trends again.

Bottom line is...you have made a completely irrational statement and now
look like an as*hole to all the people in this newsgroup.

But I'm sure you had a reason. Maybe it made you feel better about
yourself.

I hope so.

Shane

Dawson Wong

unread,

Jan 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/15/98

to

Has anyone gotten any of their rebates? Not the ones from the
manufacturers, but the ones CompUSA sends to you? I've bought several
items, my friends have too, but have long ago received the manufacturer's
rebates, but NONE of CompUSA's ones. I tried to call them, but all I got
was a busy signal or put on hold. CompUSA SUCKS!!!
Mark L. Mitchell wrote in message <6969fv$9006...@or.intel.com>...
>That's been my experience with CompUSA also. After waiting forever they
>never have what they advertised, which is the only reason I would go there
>anyway.
>
>In article <34b37...@news2.ibm.net>, "William Toll" <wmt...@ibm.net>

wrote:
>>BUY MAIL ORDER DIRECT ONLY...AVOID
>>THEIR SCAMS..........
>>
>>What a scam!
>>
>>Midtown Manhattan Store
>>
>>I wait 5 minutes to get in the store (bagcheck)
>>I wait 8 minutes at the upgrade counter...
>>

>>All this waiting...to find out that this weeks special on
>>Maxell Zip Disks (3pack) is ....sold out..
>>

>>The annoying manager checked his screen for stock...
>>
>>Today is January 5th, Sale Started Sunday the 4th.
>>
>>He sold 17 MTD (month to date?)
>>He has 70 on order....
>>And has two in the store (stolen? misplaced?)
>>
>>The sale flyer was printed 6 weeks ago....why are they not
>>in stock and what makes me believe that they will be in the
>>next 2 weeks while the sale is on.
>>He tells me to come back they should be in, in a week, (well
>>if that is the case...why did he not order them last week...for this
>>weeks sale...)
>>

Robin Sequira

unread,

Jan 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/15/98

to

If you're stupid enough to use "your" instead of "you're" then you're not in
any place to call anyone stupid.

--
<<Phoenix>>
"Well, we'll find out when we die, won't we?"
-me

davi...@brightok.net wrote in message
<34bd79ce...@news.brightok.net>...

Keatahh

unread,

Jan 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/15/98

to

It would be a horror just buying the compusa brand name systems. They
use the virge with 2megs in a p2 machine. What a scam!

Keith
--
Remove the extra "h" if you wish to reply.

Daniel

unread,

Jan 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/16/98

to

I have also had problems with rebates and they never seem to have
the hardware I wish to purchase on sale in stock. I tried to buy a HD
one day after the sale started and they were already out of stock.

Dan

Daron Myrick

unread,

Jan 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/16/98

to

Comp-USA is shit.
Everytime one wants a new card, they are the last to have it but the first
to have it on their "special order list" which takes a month to
receive products.
Also, Comp-USA is not price competitive, salesmen are idiots, and most of
their products, once they make it to the store as a steady product, are
already obsolete
garbage which sits for months.
Also, I want to kill those bastards who we are forced to listen to while on
hold with Comp-USA.
You know... the two guys who remind you of Doug and Bob McInzey from "Take
off from the great white north" etc.

WAR

unread,

Jan 17, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/17/98

to

On Fri, 16 Jan 1998 19:26:39 -0600, no...@m.cx (user) decided to take
finger to keyboard and send:

I wanted to comment on a couple of these, since I don't really
understand why they were put on here...

>From the February 1998 Issue of PC World
>
>Did They Really Say That?
>
>by Aoife McEvoy
>
>Sales reps say the darnedest things. During our day of PC shopping, we
>got our fair share of bizarre advice and outrageous statements from
>retail sales staff. Heck, we even got bad recommendations from fellow
>shoppers. Here are the ten dumbest things we heard along the way.
>
>10. "You can't get an internal Zip drive because HP and Compaq bought
>them all." Best Buy, Greensboro, North Carolina
>
>9. "You can get a RAM upgrade from 32MB to 48MB for $20." Circuit City,
>Greensboro, North Carolina
>
>8. "This is the day the CompUSA built-to-order PC has arrived, and
>nobody here knows much about it." CompUSA, Natick, Massachusetts

Well, that's true! When they were released, no one in the store was
actually trained in the systems, relying instead on personal
knowledge. What they said in the story was very accurate -- it all
depends on the particlar salesperson you find. Some of my coworkers
didn't know the first thing about computers, while others were close
to receiving their MCSE.

Of course, using this as a criticism of retail computer stores when
the article mentions several examples of serious teething problems in
mail order companies is rather unfair. Those problems with mail order
led to enormous delays in refunding money, which I'd say is somewhat
worse.

>7. "Compaq's software support is awful, but CompUSA will help you with
>any problem you have forever." CompUSA, Natick, Massachusetts

Heh. Usually they just refer you to the publisher. ;)

>6. "For a small fee, I will personally come and help you set up your
>computer and make sure you're comfortable using it." CompUSA, San Jose,
>California

This is the one I thought was wrongly included. For $80, that
salesperson would actually take the computer to the buyer's home, set
it up, and do a very brief tutorial. Obviously, for a computer savvy
buyer, it is a waste, but for a first time buyer with no experience
with a computer, it can be a nice safe way to ease into computing.
It's overpriced, of course, but what isn't these days?

M. Savad

unread,

Jan 17, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/17/98

to

yeah COMPusa is much more expensive also, the pentium upgrade was about
30% more then in Tiger direct. for $50.00 they'll install your software,
for $100.00 they install your software that's on a CD. how hard is it to
click the OK button?

i wish that COMPusa would train their staff in the computer basics, at
least they don't need to know how it turns on (becuase they are on
already). oh well, at least their convient, though i would'nt buy
anything more than computer wire and games from them anyway...

---Mike Savad

--
Mike's Stained Glass
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1141
New Pages Added: Over 40 new stained glass links, Tips: How To Set Up A
Shop, and My adventures with the Aliens.

WAR

unread,

Jan 18, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/18/98

to

On Sat, 17 Jan 1998 14:44:13 -0500, "M. Savad" <mo...@nac.net> decided

to take finger to keyboard and send:

>yeah COMPusa is much more expensive also, the pentium upgrade was about

>30% more then in Tiger direct. for $50.00 they'll install your software,
>for $100.00 they install your software that's on a CD. how hard is it to
>click the OK button?

Those tech services prices are a joke -- if they charged an hourly
rate, even a high one, it would certainly be to the benefit of the
consumer. Come on, $30 for a memory installation?? It takes 5
minutes from opening the case to powering up and checking it, if you
have to use a screwdriver.

>i wish that COMPusa would train their staff in the computer basics, at
>least they don't need to know how it turns on (becuase they are on
>already). oh well, at least their convient, though i would'nt buy
>anything more than computer wire and games from them anyway...
>
>---Mike Savad

Here's the biggest problem with people's perception of CompUSA, or any
other retail chain. People expect them to be perfect with everything,
and they always fall short. When you know, as Mike does, that they
have certain strengths, you can see their usefulness much better. The
best things are the promotions and prices on certain equipment, which
often can rival mail order options. (I ended up buying my HP Colorado
T1000 tape drive at CompUSA because the price was the same there as
buying at a reputable mail order outfit -- I was surprised!)

Trent Piepho

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Jan 19, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/19/98

to

In article <nosp-ya02368000...@news.jump.net>,

user <no...@m.cx> wrote:
>From the February 1998 Issue of PC World
>
>Did They Really Say That?
>
>by Aoife McEvoy
>
>Sales reps say the darnedest things. During our day of PC shopping, we
>got our fair share of bizarre advice and outrageous statements from
>retail sales staff. Heck, we even got bad recommendations from fellow
>shoppers. Here are the ten dumbest things we heard along the way.

Maybe Pc world isn't as smart as they think. Most of these things don't
seem odd to me at all.

>9. "You can get a RAM upgrade from 32MB to 48MB for $20." Circuit City,
>Greensboro, North Carolina

16 MB for $20, what's so odd about that? 8 MB simms go for around $12 or
less these days, so two for $10 each is nothing special.

>5. "The speed of the computer doesn't matter--it's all in the modem."
>Helpful customer wearing fish-print shirt, Staples, Brighton,
>Massachusetts

How for downloads go is determined by the modem. A 486 with a 56k modem
will d/l faster than a P2 with a 14.4k.

unread,

Jan 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/23/98

to k...@ibm.net

Keith R. Williams wrote:

> I guess that's why computer stores in Brooklyn advertize IBM
> Aptivas with Intel P233's, 64MB, IBM 6.4GB drives, 17" monitors,
> printer, and scanner for $799 in the Sunday Post. Please. NY is
> no safe haven from B&S.
>
> BTW, a friend called to have one shipped here. Nop, gotta be
> there in person. Nope they will not deliver to a cabbie. *You*
> have to come in and pick it up. Right.

I don't see what the problem is. If I was anywhere near
your state, I would make the effort to go out there to get one,
even though I already have several PCs...

--

Ron Ablang

"Blah blah blah. Um, girl power. Blah blah... feminism..."

Keith R. Williams

unread,

Jan 24, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/24/98

to

On Fri, 23 Jan 1998 17:32:27, "Ron \"RPSpice\" Ablang"
<sac2...@saclink.csus.edu> wrote:

> Keith R. Williams wrote:
>
> > I guess that's why computer stores in Brooklyn advertize IBM
> > Aptivas with Intel P233's, 64MB, IBM 6.4GB drives, 17" monitors,
> > printer, and scanner for $799 in the Sunday Post. Please. NY is
> > no safe haven from B&S.
> >
> > BTW, a friend called to have one shipped here. Nop, gotta be
> > there in person. Nope they will not deliver to a cabbie. *You*
> > have to come in and pick it up. Right.
>
> I don't see what the problem is. If I was anywhere near
> your state, I would make the effort to go out there to get one,
> even though I already have several PCs...

You're obviously wet behind the ears. THis is an obvious
Bait&Switch. ...or are you this (or like) thief?

Michael N. (Technical Support)

unread,

Jan 25, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/25/98

to

WAR wrote:
>
> Those tech services prices are a joke -- if they charged an hourly
> rate, even a high one, it would certainly be to the benefit of the
> consumer. Come on, $30 for a memory installation?? It takes 5
> minutes from opening the case to powering up and checking it, if you
> have to use a screwdriver.

Umm....and this seems unreasonable to you? $30 seems like a low price
to pay for one's inability to do a basic computer task. CompUSA should
charge this much for a RAM install...if its so easy the consumer can
(and really should) do it themself.

> >i wish that COMPusa would train their staff in the computer basics, at
> >least they don't need to know how it turns on (becuase they are on
> >already). oh well, at least their convient, though i would'nt buy
> >anything more than computer wire and games from them anyway...

--
- Michael
--
Michael...@WOLFE.net WOLFE Internet Access, L.L.C.
+1 206 812 4000, ext. 136 2001 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2328
fax: +1 206 443 9446 Seattle, WA 98070 USA

WAR

unread,

Jan 27, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/27/98

to

On Sun, 25 Jan 1998 11:25:31 -0800, "Michael N. (Technical Support)"
<michael...@wolfe.net> decided to take finger to keyboard and
send:

>WAR wrote:

>>
>> Those tech services prices are a joke -- if they charged an hourly
>> rate, even a high one, it would certainly be to the benefit of the
>> consumer. Come on, $30 for a memory installation?? It takes 5
>> minutes from opening the case to powering up and checking it, if you
>> have to use a screwdriver.
>
>Umm....and this seems unreasonable to you? $30 seems like a low price
>to pay for one's inability to do a basic computer task. CompUSA should
>charge this much for a RAM install...if its so easy the consumer can
>(and really should) do it themself.

But, you see, people are scared of opening the computers, and some
vendors even REQUIRE that you go to a certified technician or you void
the warranty on the unit (PB for one, Compaq also). You open the case
and break the seal, bye bye 3 year warranty if the terms are applied
rigidly.

The technicians do nothing to dispel the illusion that working on
computers is very difficult. Anyone after tinkering with computers
for a couple years is as capable as any of those technicians in doing
the majority of the work they do. If you haven't tinkered with
computers, buy a book or RTFM -- it really is that easy.

I'm not saying consumers on the whole are smart, but I am saying it's
dishonest to rape them for it like CompUSA often does. $70 to install
a definitely plug and play CD-ROM drive under Win95? Again, a 5
minute job. $840/hour is reasonable?

HWeidner

unread,

Jan 27, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/27/98

to

>>> Those tech services prices are a joke -- if they charged an hourly
>>> rate, even a high one, it would certainly be to the benefit of the
>>> consumer. Come on, $30 for a memory installation?? It takes 5

>>> minutes...

To install memory in my computer I think you have to remove everything
including the motherboard. Not exactly a 5 minute job. But the memory
slots are so close to each other and to the case edge that there isn't
room to slant one at 45 degrees, maybe not even half of that. I tried.

HW

B P

unread,

Jan 27, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/27/98

unread,

Jan 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/28/98

to

In article <6al8qj$h...@obi-wan.fdt.net>, 0doubtREMO...@foonet.net
says...

>
>>Remove Everything including the Motherboard ? Then where are you going to
>>put the memory ?!!!
>> Look I have been working with pcs actively since I was 14 and
>Then you must not have put memory in ANY mini-towers, or desktop cases.
>Almost every computer I have worked on (I have been a tech for three
years,
>AND built ALL of my computers since my original 286) has been difficult to
>add memory to. Memory is difficult to put in when you have a mini-tower
due
>to the 99% chance of the harddrive bays being in the way. Assuming they
>ARENT, they usually isnt enough space to turn them 45'. EVEN IF there is,
>your lucky if you dont have to do anything else..

umm on mini-towers, most memory slots are on the opposite side of where the
drive bays are. at most there might be a card getting in the way of your
hands, but it only takes <1 minute to remove it.

>Memory DOES take time. And any store worth its salt has to do a baseline
>test FIRST, then use static-protect the whole time they are working on it,
>and must do a backup in case the memory causes a fault in windows, causing
a
>catastrophic loss of data (lost clusters/bad sectors even). It IS the most
>REMOTE possibility, but I know that it happened at least twice that I have
>known of where I have worked.
>

Yea right. Like any store is going to do a full backup of your system
before they work on it? And the only "test" they do, if any, is the bios
memory count up screen.

>Btw, I used to work at CompUsa as well.

Figured so.

'WULFF

unread,

Jan 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/28/98

to

On Tue, 27 Jan 1998 13:23:05 -0500, "0doubt"
<0doubtREMO...@foonet.net> wrote:

>Then you must not have put memory in ANY mini-towers, or desktop cases.
>Almost every computer I have worked on (I have been a tech for three years,
>AND built ALL of my computers since my original 286) has been difficult to
>add memory to. Memory is difficult to put in when you have a mini-tower due
>to the 99% chance of the harddrive bays being in the way. Assuming they
>ARENT, they usually isnt enough space to turn them 45'. EVEN IF there is,
>your lucky if you dont have to do anything else..

Maybe i lucked out but this is my 3rd mobo in 2 years and on the 2
that were tight all i did was unsnap ALL of the ram(not remove
though),move the ram to a good angle and add or replace as needed.
i spent more time unscrewing the case than i did adding/replacing.

'Wulff

B P

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Jan 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/28/98

to

On Tue, 27 Jan 1998 13:23:05 -0500, "0doubt"
<0doubtREMO...@foonet.net> wrote:

>>Remove Everything including the Motherboard ? Then where are you going to
>>put the memory ?!!!
>> Look I have been working with pcs actively since I was 14 and

>Then you must not have put memory in ANY mini-towers, or desktop cases.
>Almost every computer I have worked on (I have been a tech for three years,
>AND built ALL of my computers since my original 286) has been difficult to
>add memory to. Memory is difficult to put in when you have a mini-tower due
>to the 99% chance of the harddrive bays being in the way. Assuming they
>ARENT, they usually isnt enough space to turn them 45'. EVEN IF there is,
>your lucky if you dont have to do anything else..
>

>Memory DOES take time. And any store worth its salt has to do a baseline
>test FIRST, then use static-protect the whole time they are working on it,
>and must do a backup in case the memory causes a fault in windows, causing a
>catastrophic loss of data (lost clusters/bad sectors even).

Give me a break ! You don't really to expect me to believe BB or Comp
USA do a backup of my system to do a RAM install, do you ?

It IS the most
>REMOTE possibility, but I know that it happened at least twice that I have
>known of where I have worked.
>

>Btw, I used to work at CompUsa as well.
>

>0doubt
>
>

WAR

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Jan 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/28/98

to

On Wed, 28 Jan 1998 13:16:59 GMT, six...@worldnet.att.net (B P)

decided to take finger to keyboard and send:

>On Tue, 27 Jan 1998 13:23:05 -0500, "0doubt"

><0doubtREMO...@foonet.net> wrote:
>
>>>Remove Everything including the Motherboard ? Then where are you going to
>>>put the memory ?!!!
>>> Look I have been working with pcs actively since I was 14 and
>>Then you must not have put memory in ANY mini-towers, or desktop cases.
>>Almost every computer I have worked on (I have been a tech for three years,
>>AND built ALL of my computers since my original 286) has been difficult to
>>add memory to. Memory is difficult to put in when you have a mini-tower due
>>to the 99% chance of the harddrive bays being in the way. Assuming they
>>ARENT, they usually isnt enough space to turn them 45'. EVEN IF there is,
>>your lucky if you dont have to do anything else..
>>
>>Memory DOES take time. And any store worth its salt has to do a baseline
>>test FIRST, then use static-protect the whole time they are working on it,
>>and must do a backup in case the memory causes a fault in windows, causing a
>>catastrophic loss of data (lost clusters/bad sectors even).
>Give me a break ! You don't really to expect me to believe BB or Comp
>USA do a backup of my system to do a RAM install, do you ?

I know for a fact that at least two CompUSAs do not back-up anything.
Maybe there is one that does, but I sincerely doubt it.

0doubt

unread,

Jan 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/28/98

to

>Yea right. Like any store is going to do a full backup of your system
>before they work on it? And the only "test" they do, if any, is the bios
>memory count up screen.

I think it is excessive, and stupid, But I assure you, when I worked for
them, that was the policy, and it WAS done. And yes, on EVERY system.
(It's been 2 years now).

>>Btw, I used to work at CompUsa as well.

>Figured so.
And that is how I know..

Todd Stanley

unread,

Jan 29, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/29/98

to

0doubt wrote:
>
> >Yea right. Like any store is going to do a full backup of your system
> >before they work on it? And the only "test" they do, if any, is the bios
> >memory count up screen.
>
> I think it is excessive, and stupid, But I assure you, when I worked for
> them, that was the policy, and it WAS done. And yes, on EVERY system.
> (It's been 2 years now).

Really? How (Tape?). Many new computers have a 4+ gig HDD! Also,
wouldn't simply disconecting the HDD from the controller protect it if
something went weird in the POST when you turn it on?

Todd

John C. Dechon

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Jan 30, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/30/98

to

d2d.5...@news.mindspring.com> <34CB91...@wolfe.net>
<34cd60ee...@news.mindspring.com>
<6ajp97$6...@dfw-ixnews12.ix.netcom.com> <34CDD6BE...@interactive.net> <6al8qj$h...@obi-wan.fdt.net> <6anaon$f...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>:
Organization: The Rio Grande Free-Net, El Paso Community College, El Paso, TX
Distribution:

B P (six...@worldnet.att.net) wrote:
> >Then you must not have put memory in ANY mini-towers, or desktop cases.
> >Almost every computer I have worked on (I have been a tech for three years,
> >AND built ALL of my computers since my original 286) has been difficult to
> >add memory to. Memory is difficult to put in when you have a mini-tower due
> >to the 99% chance of the harddrive bays being in the way. Assuming they
> >ARENT, they usually isnt enough space to turn them 45'. EVEN IF there is,
> >your lucky if you dont have to do anything else..

I guess you haven't worked on all of them, of course...like the kind I
have and MANY other people also have (or had).

I have a very generic 486 VLB mid-tower homebuilt and the SIMM slots are
easily accessible...no need to remove anything. Perhaps you shouldn't buy a
computer MB/case that is diffucult to work with...they ARE available, you
know.

John Dechon
El Paso, TX

David Crilly

unread,

Jan 30, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/30/98

to

0doubt <0doubtREMO...@foonet.net> wrote in message
<6aoe1c$9...@obi-wan.fdt.net>...

>>Yea right. Like any store is going to do a full backup of your system
>>before they work on it? And the only "test" they do, if any, is the bios
>>memory count up screen.
>
>I think it is excessive, and stupid, But I assure you, when I worked for
>them, that was the policy, and it WAS done. And yes, on EVERY system.
>(It's been 2 years now).

What store do YOU work at? As someone who dealt with the tech dept on a
daily basis, I can assure you that they did NOT perform full backups (at
least for the two years that I spent there). Sounds like more brain washed
"team member" rhetoric to me. Say, is Comp still charging $20 for a $4
cable? Retail computer stores are a joke. I have friends who are not very
computer literate and I talk them OUT of having any tech services done
because the prices are a joke and the service is worse. I had more computer
experience than some of the tech's that worked at my Comp. You and your
store may indeed be the exception to the rule, but I highly doubt it.

>
>>>Btw, I used to work at CompUsa as well.

If so, what store #?

>>Figured so.

>And that is how I know..

401. That is how I know!

Dave

Kevin McFerrin

unread,

Jan 30, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/30/98

to

Yes and no. Most computer stores (not CompUSA types) will give you free
labor on upgrades for the life of your PC, assuming that you buy the upgrade
component from them as well. At least, the stores in my area give you that
service.
Personally, I wouldn't bother. But I would practically KILL to get a
job where I did nothing but install memory in PC's at the rate of $30 per
PC.

--
To send mail, remove SPAMTHIS from my email address.

HWeidner wrote in message <6at8pl$8...@dfw-ixnews6.ix.netcom.com>...
>>... I have friends who are not very

>>computer literate and I talk them OUT of having any tech services done
>>because the prices are a joke and the service is worse. I had more
>computer
>>experience than some of the tech's that worked at my Comp.
>

>OK, prices seem high, $30 to install memory, $50 to install a hard
>drive. But, the time I stuck my head in real computer store and asked
>about prices I was told $50 just to open the case and that is before
>they do anything inside.
>
>If that is true, then CompUSA/Best Buy prices don't sound so bad.
>
>HW

faver...@austin.ibm.com

unread,

Jan 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/31/98

to

If you don't like the price, go elsewhere or do-it-yourself.

Although the prices are high, don't forget that the customer expects
to get his system back completely working. If something else fries
while the the machine is in the shop, the store is going to have
to cover it.

Any service, computer upgrades, lawn mower repair, or tax preparation
is going to seem quite expensive to those who already have the
knowledge to do it themselves.

Dave

--

My views are my own, and not necessarily those of my employer.

WAR

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Jan 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM1/31/98

to

On 31 Jan 1998 01:03:09 GMT, faver...@austin.ibm.com () decided to

take finger to keyboard and send:

>

> If you don't like the price, go elsewhere or do-it-yourself.
>
> Although the prices are high, don't forget that the customer expects
> to get his system back completely working. If something else fries
> while the the machine is in the shop, the store is going to have
> to cover it.

Nope -- read the agreement at CompUSA. If something goes wrong that
was unforeseen, they are not responsible. Obviously, if they cause
the problem through mistakes, that is something else. But, there was
a case where this guy's hard disk was wiped while replacing the memory
(some really, really odd glitch in the system -- no one knew what
happened exactly), and we told him, "Sorry, Charlie." Well, "we" as
in the tech services manager as representative of CompUSA.

> Any service, computer upgrades, lawn mower repair, or tax preparation
> is going to seem quite expensive to those who already have the
> knowledge to do it themselves.

unread,

Feb 2, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/2/98

to

I've worked as a service manager for Computerland and Xerox and am currently
an independent computer support tech.

When I'm ready to work on equipment the first question I ask is "did you
back up your system?" Most people don't. When they haven't I made a
recommendation as to whether they should have me do it. In any case it is up
to the customer to be sure that it is backed up.

Whether I think it needs backing up depends on what I am going to do. If
diagnostics point to simple hardware then I don't bother. But if you've been
doing tech support a while you know that most system errors are not caused
by hardware but by incorrect system setup or bad software. Under DOS and
windows 3.x it was a simple matter to back up the system files before doing
work. With WIN95 and NT it can be a big chore since the system and
applications files are so integrated. The system needs to be backuped
because if the changes don't resolve the problems or make them worse the
system needs to be returned to it's received state. Since large backups
require tape drive, tape and time resources. And large backups take time and
bench space. This needs to be factored into the repair. Would YOU do a
backup for free? Or would you just charge everyone whether or not they had
this service performed?

As for "popping" in memory chips or other boards. Every time you open and
work on a machine you risk something going wrong. And if something goes
wrong you eat it. What if the chip you install is bad and since WIN95 loads
from the top it immediately scrambles the hard drive on boot.

And sometimes the upgrade impacts the system in ways that are foreseen. Up
the memory and performance might need to be tweaked. Some programs even hate
more memory. And if a customer comes back do you charge them again? What
about diagnostics after the upgrade?

These considerations might explain the differences between the $15 and $30
dollar charges you see. Maybe even the $60 charge. I charge $65 for onsite
service and this does not include multiple machines. Most stores are
happiest when you do it yourself.

And stocking inventory is a losing proposition. Why do you think places like
Egghead are closing their stores? My biggest cost is inventory. Buy chips
today at a thousand, they are worth five hundred next week.

Given all this, I still buy things at CompUSA but I do my won research and
inspect the merchandise carefully. One I bought merchandise at a popular
local shop which was defective. It also appeared to have been installed
previously. When I returned the merchandise I tried be sure the clerk knew
it had been previously used and that it was defective. A few minutes later I
saw the clerk put the repackaged item back on the shelf. I try not to shop
there. The DOA rate is WAY TOO HIGH.

B P

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Feb 3, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/3/98

to

On Mon, 2 Feb 1998 17:34:22 -0800, "Vasco Maher" <vma...@ccnet.com>
wrote:

>I've worked as a service manager for Computerland and Xerox and am currently
>an independent computer support tech.
>
>When I'm ready to work on equipment the first question I ask is "did you
>back up your system?" Most people don't. When they haven't I made a
>recommendation as to whether they should have me do it. In any case it is up
>to the customer to be sure that it is backed up.
>
>Whether I think it needs backing up depends on what I am going to do. If
>diagnostics point to simple hardware then I don't bother. But if you've been
>doing tech support a while you know that most system errors are not caused
>by hardware but by incorrect system setup or bad software. Under DOS and
>windows 3.x it was a simple matter to back up the system files before doing
>work. With WIN95 and NT it can be a big chore since the system and
>applications files are so integrated. The system needs to be backuped
>because if the changes don't resolve the problems or make them worse the
>system needs to be returned to it's received state. Since large backups
>require tape drive, tape and time resources. And large backups take time and
>bench space. This needs to be factored into the repair. Would YOU do a
>backup for free? Or would you just charge everyone whether or not they had
>this service performed?
>
>As for "popping" in memory chips or other boards. Every time you open and
>work on a machine you risk something going wrong. And if something goes
>wrong you eat it. What if the chip you install is bad and since WIN95 loads
>from the top it immediately scrambles the hard drive on boot.

OK I have to ask
1. What is load "from the top?" Are you talking about loading into
memory ?
2. How would this scramble you HD on boot ?

Lance Alworth

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Feb 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/10/98

to

On Wed, 14 Jan 1998 08:19:23 -0500, "David Potts" <dav...@lucent.com>
wrote:

>
>>Rebate forms are another problem. Too often they just don't exist.
>>Promises to mail one are not fulfilled. I don't open an item until I
>>have the rebate form in hand too, in case I have to take it back for a
>>refund. (Only once did a sales rep offer to give me the rebate at the
>>store for lack of forms.)
>

The same thing happened to me with Comp Usa. It occurs when I
purchased a five pack of cdr. I work on a ship and was busy for two
months and couldn't do anything about it. Later when I called and
finally got a hold of anyone, I was told I would have to submit a
letter stating why I didn't complain sooner in order to get my 20$
back. However I know I did the wrong thing when I blew it off and
took the loss because that's probly just what they expected me to do.

John Borges

unread,

Feb 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/10/98

to

Rebates are for suckers. They use them when they want to close out a bunch
of stuff which is going to be obsolete real soon anyway.

Even if you do have all of the crap they want for a rebate there is not
assurance that they will honor it anyway. The scam is that the firms that
use rebates use an outside company to handle them. It is apparent that
they must get a bonus out of rejected claims since they relish it and you
can't ever get around them. They keep all of your receipts and have no
easy way to reach them.