CompUSA Horror Story
Tom Rategan
re: CompUSA Service Order # 29705093
Compaq Case # 589081301156
CUTTING TO THE CHASE: If you are thinking of doing business with CompUSA, be
it new hardware, software, service or training; READ ON!!! If you read my
story which follows, you'll know to CUT YOUR LOSS BEFORE IT BEGINS!! This
company is clearly screwed up from the top brass to the bottom workers-
especially the top brass which plainly isn't "watching the store". To the
brass at Compaq Computer who is tarnishing their own name and causing their
valuable customers to wring their hands in frustration: STOP AFFILIATING
WITH COMPUSA!! Your name is being diminished by association!!
MY STORY:
Day 1
Thursday Aug 13 1998: Brought my Compaq Presario 1622 Notebook to CompUSA
store in San Bruno, CA for warranty service. Suspected failed motherboard.
I'M TOLD SERVICE WILL TAKE 5-7 DAYS, and they'll call me upon completion.
Day 12
Monday Aug 24: I have heard nothing from CompUSA, I call the store, navigate
the voice mail system to connect to the service dept., listen to the phone
ring for TWENTY (20) MINUTES. Finally an answer, I ask what's the status on
the repair, I'm told an ordered part came but was DOA, it's been re-ordered.
I ask what's the new time frame for completion, he could not tell me at that
time. I ask to please call me when a new time frame is known, he says okay,
verifies my phone number, SAYS HE'LL CALL. I didn't get his name, but I
gather from the history on my final receipt that his initials are "CC".
Day 14
Wednesday Aug 26: No callback from CompUSA. I call the store, navigate voice
mail to service, listen to 10 rings or so, then a click as someone picked
the line but simultaneously put it on hold. Now it's a repeating loop of the
handful of different CompUSA radio commercials. I listen to this nonsense
for NINETY (90) MINUTES, then hang up in dismay as I need to leave.
Day 15
Thursday Aug 27: CompUSA is still AWOL, I have no laptop and I'm totally in
the dark as to when things will be back to normal. I call the store again
during business hours (as always), navigate voice mail to service dept, this
time only one ring and then a message asking that I leave a message and
someone would return my call. Now normally, a company which would choose to
have an answering machine answer their customer calls during business hours
would be a bad thing; but I had been through a twenty minute wait on day 12,
and a FUTILE ninety minute wait on day 14; so by comparison- this was a
relief. I could leave a message without waiting, and they could return my
call after they've done the investigating. I leave a message with all the
proper info, and a brief review of what has happened, and an urgent request
that I get a call back at once with the latest info.
Day 17
Saturday Aug 29: COMPUSA IS STILL AWOL!!! I call the service dept again, get
the message again. I leave a message reviewing all of the above, emphasize
the importance of this matter, emphasize that this situation is escalating
and escalating, and I URGENTLY REQUEST AN IMMEDIATE CALLBACK WITH SOME INFO.
Day 20
Tuesday Sep 1: You guessed it- remarkably, CompUSA IS STILL TOTALLY AWOL. I
decide to call again and see what happens. I call the service dept, listen
to about 20 rings (no message this time- so much for consistency), get that
deja vu feeling. I hang up, decide the way to do this is to call the store's
main line, get ANY HUMAN, and insist that they keep me live on the line
while they walk over to service, grab someone by the earloab, and put them
on the phone to me at once. Executing my fail-safe plan, I call, choose the
voice mail option "for all other calls", and wait for an answer.
Unbelievably, on the store's MAIN LINE, I WAITED NINETY (90) MINUTES AND NO
ANSWER!!! (yes during business hours as always...) I gave up and hung up. I
figure, "Wait one hour, they're the fools. Wait two hours, I'm the fool..."
I cut my loss after 1.5 hours.
Many of you reading would have done this long before, but it was day 20 for
me when, after all of the above, I drove to the store to retrieve my
notebook computer regardless of the status. There was no line at all
(imagine the line of people I expected to see after spending all that time
on hold...). I was helped by the same guy who helped when I dropped off the
notebook 20 days before; "GOJED". I was conscious of not unloading any anger
on him- I figure he's an underpaid guy who's already got a bad lot in life
working for CompUSA. Calmly taking care of business, I gave him my receipt
and requested the machine. He punched it up in the terminal, and then said a
new part had arrived, it's not installed yet, and "uh, it'll be, uh, a few
more days." With the above experience, I knew that the proper translation of
this from CompUSA-ese to English was, "The time frame for getting your
notebook back is COMPLETELY OPEN ENDED AND DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME TRYING TO
CHECK ON THE STATUS..." Without providing my whole sob s tory (doing this
would profoundly change my mood...) I told him that I was cutting my loss on
this transaction, and I absolutely MUST get the notebook at once. About ten
minutes later I had my computer, and a final receipt. I gathered the names
of the store's Service Manager and the General Manager (Joseph Ramos and
Gary Sebastian, respectively) from GOJED, thanked him, and left.
While my dissatifaction was plain from the action I was taking, GOJED
offered no apology. Twenty days after dropping off my machine, and after
incalculable frustration, I have my machine back and I need to start from
scratch in getting it repaired. This time I'm having Compaq pick up the
machine and drop it off after completion.
I hope that those of you who have read this far now understand my warnings
at the top. I feel it is my duty as a diligent consumer to do all I can to
"pass the word" about CompUSA's systemic problems, and to save as many
others from grief as possible. CERTAINLY don't buy any new systems from
them, as you are marrying the whole disfunctional CompUSA family including
the service department which is a lost cause. As for new peripherals, YOU
CAN ALWAYS find them cheaper elsewhere. CompUSA has that "warehouse discount
store" size and feel to them-- but the fact is, the prices may as well be in
a boutique on Rodeo Drive. They're publicly held and need to try to keep
quarterly profits high, they pay for massive radio and newspaper
advertising, and they are located in high rent strip malls and other high
traffic metropolitan areas. Look to the REAL discount outlets in your free
computer rags and elsewhere. If you've just bought something within 10 days,
RETURN IT JUST OUT OF PRINCIPLE! A Company this screwed up should simply
dis-evolve; go the way of the dinasaurs. I've told several friends and
co-workers (I work with computers) about my experience, and every time the
dialog quickly became an exchange of CompUSA horror stories. I kept asking,
"Where were you people before I made this mistake of going to CompUSA??" Now
I urge all readers again- Don't shop CompUSA; and CUT YOUR LOSS BEFORE IT
BEGINS. Pass the word.
Thank you for reading,
Tom Rategan, MCSE
Ronald P. Hunter
Tom,
while I can certainly understand your frustration, and anger, I can't IMAGINE
why you didn't ever attempt to contact the store management, or CompUSA
management about this abysmal service. Perhaps if you had given them the
opportunity, things would have been resolved more to your satisfaction, or
perhaps not... Also, your experiences with ONE store in California don't
necessarily indict the whole chain, nationally. Much depends on the management
of each store, and some of them aren't the best at what they do, others are
great. It's just the way things are in the world.
I guess you can see why I don't do much business, other than accessories and
software, with large chains.
--
Ron Hunter rphu...@airmail.net
Richard Kawamura
Ronald P. Hunter wrote in message
>Tom,
> while I can certainly understand your frustration, and anger, I can't
IMAGINE
>why you didn't ever attempt to contact the store management, or CompUSA
>management about this abysmal service. Perhaps if you had given them the
>opportunity, things would have been resolved more to your satisfaction, or
>perhaps not... Also, your experiences with ONE store in California don't
>necessarily indict the whole chain, nationally. Much depends on the
management
>of each store, and some of them aren't the best at what they do, others are
>great. It's just the way things are in the world.
>
>I guess you can see why I don't do much business, other than accessories
and
>software, with large chains.
>
>--
>Ron Hunter rphu...@airmail.net
How about this one from Virginia Beach, VA.
A friend of mine took his computer in for a "free installation" of a CDROM
that he purchased at CompUSA. The cdrom worked fine when he returned home
but his 5.25" floppy didn't respond. I got to his house as he was about to
open up the case. He described all he had checked, BIOS, config.sys, etc.
And I concurred that the next step is to look internally. We found that
CompUSA had disconnected the power to the floppy to power the CDROM. This
computer had two hard drives and two floppy drives originally. Now what
kind of logic was that.
On another occassion I was in the store when a clerk asked if he could be of
assistance to another customer by the accessory cable display. The customer
needed a serial cable for an external modem. The clerk immediately handed
him a 25 to 9 pin modem cable. The the customer said he needed a 25 to 25
pin modem cable. The clerk said "You have a 25 pin serial port? That's
very rare." And proceeded to sell him a $10.00, 9 to 25 pin adapter that
doubled the total sale.
Richard Kawamura
RK...@usa.net
navyg8r
CompUSA rep to get a pricing/availablity check on a scanner. no one ever
answered, i "cut my losses" and hung up. those two goofy guys on the
recording can really drive some one nuts!!!! =)
sad thing is, computer city is now compusa. I wonder what that'll do to
retail prices and service?
Tom Rategan wrote in message <6sqaoh$dh$4...@its.hooked.net>...
Mike Philben
I stopped in for some speakers a while back -- a specific brand. None
on the floor but the sales drone said he would check in the back.
Twenty minutes later I got the attention of another sales guy who
informed me that the first guys shift was over and he had gone
home.....
And no speakers of course.
Mike Philben
bigg...@nospamcomputech-online.net
> Tom,
> while I can certainly understand your frustration, and anger, I can't
IMAGINE
> why you didn't ever attempt to contact the store management, or CompUSA
> management about this abysmal service. Perhaps if you had given them the
> opportunity, things would have been resolved more to your satisfaction,
or
> perhaps not... Also, your experiences with ONE store in California don't
> necessarily indict the whole chain, nationally. Much depends on the
management
> of each store, and some of them aren't the best at what they do, others
are
> great. It's just the way things are in the world.
>
> I guess you can see why I don't do much business, other than accessories
and
> software, with large chains.
>
> --
> Ron Hunter rphu...@airmail.net
Trust me, the problems are systemic. I took the hundred mile trip to the
nearest one during their anniversary sale because I was interested in a new
HD and they had 8 models from 3 manufacturers on sale. When I got there one
week into a two week sale, not only did they not have any of the advertised
models, they had a grand total of THREE HDs of any type in their
"superstore" which is their only store for a metro area of over a million
people (Central Ohio). Those three were identical, part of a shipment of 8
they got by accident that morning.
So I spent 20 minutes on hold to their national hotline ordering number
(imagine making someone who wants to hand you money wait for 20 minutes),
and they told me that they had no Western Digital HDs in ANY of their six
Ohio stores. In fact, their computer didn't even realize they HAD a store
in central Ohio. They said they could mail order one from their nearest
location with one in stock...in Kansas City, 500 miles away.
In an era where a mom and pop computer store will stock a half dozen HDs,
and even office supply stores may have a dozen at each of six locations in
the same area served by a single Comp USA store, this is absolutely
inexcusable. You can't tell me these people haven't been in business long
enough to have any idea how much invenmtory to carry in a store, much less
in every store in the state.
A couple months later, I wasted another trip for a whole shopping list of
bargains they listed in another flier. Out of nine sale items, they had two
in stock, and they were the least worth the price (natch). In five of the
items' cases, there wasn't even a spot on the shelf to indicate that they
EVER had any in stock. When I asked for help, I was told that "you pretty
much have to be here on the first day of the sale".
And on any given day, you can go to http://www.deal-mac.com and read a
truckload of complaints about Chump USA, so the problems aren't specific to
PC owners, either.
Ivan Ivanov
1. The Co. plays the numbers: i.e. if you can give the runaround re:
warranty,
service, rebates, refunds, exchanges etc. lossess will be less than
100% :)
2. Buyer beware: if you buy a complete system from CompUSA: you are
asking for it :)
Same as to blame an accident on someone else when you decide to take
the freeway
in the opposite direction :) Or go broke trying to break a casino :)
3. Wasting your time is YOUR choise: if you use common sense and logic
you can come
on top money-wise, frustration-wise, and dignity-wise.
I recently had a ~$100 rebate overdue by 7 days. I faxed a letter to the
manager
[not because I am kind, read on] requesting immediate action [just like
CompUSA will
if you are late with your CompUSA charge card payment]. He called the
same day saying
they have no record of my rebate. I faxed him a copy [yes, I was wise
enough to keep
a copy] of the rebate documentation - see above re: playinig the
numbers*] and gave
a deadline of 4 business days for "making things right". End of step
one.
By this time, I had spent very little time and frustration dealing with
them on the
phone or in person. And, I have set my position straight. At the end of
4 days, I
filed a small claims court claim against CompUSA for $585. All you need
to know is the
Statutory Agent for the Co. in your county which is probably online @
your Corporation
Commission, and demonstrate due diligence [giving a fair chance to make
things right].
2 days later I got a FedEx letter with my check [for rebate amount]. I
kept
it but did not cash it. CompUSA settled 3 days later - full settlement
[$585] deliverd my messenger the same day. I returned the rebate check
with my signed liability release. End of story: made my point, got fair
compensation for the hassle, and showed that you can beat these guys in
their own game fast and easy, all by playing their game :)
Chins up, and do your share to exterminate scam :)))) CompUSA KNOWS the
number game:
what if 2 out of 3 customers took them to court instead of humiliating
themselves?
I think the CO. WILL understand this message - after all, it is in THEIR
language :)
If this helps at least one victim-to-be, it's worth the typing :)
=====
Ronald P. Hunter
>
> X-No-Archive:Yes
>
> > Tom,
> > while I can certainly understand your frustration, and anger, I can't IMAGINE
> > why you didn't ever attempt to contact the store management, or CompUSA
> > management about this abysmal service. Perhaps if you had given them the
> > opportunity, things would have been resolved more to your satisfaction, or
> > perhaps not... Also, your experiences with ONE store in California don't
> > necessarily indict the whole chain, nationally. Much depends on the management
> > of each store, and some of them aren't the best at what they do, others are
> > great. It's just the way things are in the world.
> >
> > I guess you can see why I don't do much business, other than accessories and
> > software, with large chains.
> >
> > --
> > Ron Hunter rphu...@airmail.net
>
> Hampshire. CompUSA Sucks!
>
> Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the
> statue.
Actually, I don't play either role. I buy my computers from local mom and pop
stores that have been in business for several years. Software and accessories
I buy where it is cheapest, and I don't often require any kind of support. So
far, this has worked out well for me.
--
Ron Hunter rphu...@airmail.net
J.A. McCulloch
>
> >... your experiences with ONE store in California don't
> > necessarily indict the whole chain, nationally. Much depends on the management
> > of each store, and some of them aren't the best at what they do, others are
> > great. It's just the way things are in the world.
> >
> > I guess you can see why I don't do much business, other than accessories and
> > software, with large chains.
> >
> > --
> > Ron Hunter rphu...@airmail.net
>
> Hampshire. CompUSA Sucks!
>
> Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the
> statue.
Add Nevada to the list of crappy CompUSA's
Carey Gregory
>
> CUTTING TO THE CHASE: If you are thinking of doing business with CompUSA, be
> it new hardware, software, service or training; READ ON!!!
With dozens of web-based computer hardware and software outlets available, I
can't imagine going into a retail store at all. The last HD I bought took a
couple of mouse clicks and a credit card. A small problem during installation
was solved in a 5 minute phone call to their tech support line, which was
staffed by people who obviously knew what they were doing.
The next time you need a HD try this http://www.hard-drive.com
--
Carey Gregory
jda...@i-america.net
At work, a colleague had purchased a notebook for a customer.
The customer requested "Backup System Software", due to none being provided with the pc.
CompUSA flatly refused to order, and said to take it up with the manufacturer.
I urge you to write the CEO of this company, and give vent to your frustrations.
BUSINESS ADDRESS:
14951 N DALLAS PKWY
DALLAS TX
75240
BUSINESS PHONE:214-982-4000
1-800-COMPUSA
http://www.compusa.com.
CompUSA Inc.
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
/s/ James F. Halpin President and Chief September 22, 1997
- ------------------------------------- Executive Officer
JAMES F. HALPIN
/s/ James E. Skinner Executive Vice September 22, 1997
- ------------------------------------- President and Chief
JAMES E. SKINNER Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and
Accounting Officer)
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
/s/ Giles H. Bateman Chairman of the September 22, 1997
- ------------------------------------- Board of Directors
GILES H. BATEMAN
/s/ James F. Halpin Director September 22, 1997
- -------------------------------------
JAMES F. HALPIN
/s/ Leonard L. Berry Director September 22, 1997
- -------------------------------------
LEONARD L. BERRY, PH.D.
/s/ Warren D. Feldberg Director September 22, 1997
- -------------------------------------
WARREN D. FELDBERG
/s/ Lawrence Mittman Director September 22, 1997
- -------------------------------------
LAWRENCE MITTMAN
20
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
/s/ Kevin J. Roche Director September 22, 1997
- -------------------------------------
KEVIN J. ROCHE
/s/ Denise Ilitch Lites Director September 22, 1997
- -------------------------------------
DENISE ILITCH LITES
/s/ Morton E. Handel Director September 22, 1997
- -------------------------------------
MORTON E. HANDEL
/s/ Barry L. Williams Director September 22, 1997
- -------------------------------------
BARRY L. WILLIAMS
V. P. Satya
I sympathize with you on your nightmares with these retail bozo's! I too had
a similar problems with one of the stores. Finally got sick of them and sent
them a nasty letter urging them to act or else I would suit their ass!
Believe it or not, I must have scared the Kaka out of their pants ---> they
resolved my case in 24 hrs. Try it you may get lucky! It always worked form
me. Good luck and let me know what happened!
Vish
JP
Don't get mad, get even!
BestBuy and Circuit City CEOs also received a "LOVE" letter regarding
their lack of product support, rude clerks, bait & switch tactics,...
http://www.sec.gov/edgarhp.htm Search from here.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/880323/0000930661-97-002232.txt
CompUSA info
William Hill
stores which have a BAD service department and BAD attitudes when a
customer needs to return something that was defective at purchase.
I have heard that Atlanta may be under new management - this may have
fixed some of the problems. The small claims court idea is VERY good.
WLH
In article <35f1d006....@news.ncal.verio.com>, mi...@ccnet.com
says...
>
>
>I stopped in for some speakers a while back -- a specific brand. None
>on the floor but the sales drone said he would check in the back.
>Twenty minutes later I got the attention of another sales guy who
>informed me that the first guys shift was over and he had gone
>home.....
>
>And no speakers of course.
>
>Mike Philben
>
>On Sat, 5 Sep 1998 00:21:58 -0400, "navyg8r"
><nav...@removethispartearthlink.net> wrote:
>
HD
1-2 months, and always after a phone complaint. I think many others like me
have become complacent dealing with them and expect to have to call for
rebate, and who knows how many simply forget or dont bother. Next time Im
doing as you have done. If they delay on rebates, not much individually but
very substantial all together, theyre making a load of money. They in
effect are getting interest free loans from their customers.
Ive read many many of these complaints in the USENET, certainly enough to
justify a class action lawsuit. Consider that USENET posters are a small
percentage, how many others must be getting taken advantage of. I bet a
sharp lawyer can find out with a quick subpoena how many rebates were
"forgotten" about on COMP-USA end.
I cant imagine a company this "efficient" being able to defend their
position on these delays. I read an article sometime last year about how
their chairman brought a virtually bankrupt comp-usa, shares about 4$ each
back to great profitability (maxed at 48$ a share, settling on 36$) within
18 months. So how can a company this sharply run fail in such a trivial
manner?
I guess I know one tactic in how they made it back to black.
HD
--
++++++++++
Please edit and use the following email address if you wish to reply via
email:
squadl...@earthlink.net.SPAM
++++++++++
Ivan Ivanov wrote in message <35F100...@SoftHome.net>...
:My sympathies to all who had met CompUSA :) Several observations:
:> Tom Rategan, MCSE
Bill & Sherry Q.
had a confrnce in Dallas. I looked at a Matrox M3D card while in Dallas and
saw that it sold for $39.95. I then traveled to Houston to visit relatives
for a few days a day later. While in Houston I went to the local COMPUSA on
the US59 south. I looked at the same M3D card and found that it sold for
$49.95 at this store. When I questioned the clerck about the price
differrence all he could say was "ya they sell things for less in Dallas". I
asked to speak with managment since I figured they could call the Dallas
store and get their pricing right or at least sell me the card for $10 less.
No such luck, no managment available. Needless to say I went to another
retailer in the area (UBM Computers). Not only did they think COMPUSA was
crazy, they sold me the card for $25.99 just for explaining my COMPUSA story
infront of a bunch of other customers. I do most of my computer hardware
shopping on the net but, I thought this time I'd save the S&H charges.
--
bs...@msn.com
Family4Him: Christian family fun and resources
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/8456/
Bill's Windows Links
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lab/7190/
jda...@i-america.net wrote in message <35F1AF...@i-america.net>...
Du Haße Mech
J.A. McCulloch wrote in message <35F16A...@concentric.net>...
>Wizard wrote:
>>
>> >... your experiences with ONE store in California don't
>> > necessarily indict the whole chain, nationally. Much depends on the
management
>> > of each store, and some of them aren't the best at what they do, others
are
>> > great. It's just the way things are in the world.
>> >
>> > I guess you can see why I don't do much business, other than
accessories and
>> > software, with large chains.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Ron Hunter rphu...@airmail.net
>>
Pascal Delcour (AMC)
HP-computers Cannon-printers, CompUSA and others came accross this newsgroup,
but you need the info when you are looking for it when you are in need for a new
computer!!!
Pascal
PS. It is a pitty we don't have CompUSA here in Holland...
--
(Gelukkig hebben we de COMPLEET klantonvriendelijke FUNTRONIKS in Hilversum)
--
Man! I also have all these problems,
I just didn't have the guts to post them.
CA member (Computers Anonymous)
--
P.Delcour
Academic Medical Centre
Amsterdam
Holland
TEG
<bsa...@SpAmemail.msn.com> wrote:
>My only complaint about COMPUSA is their pricing policy. I live in Texas and
>had a confrnce in Dallas. I looked at a Matrox M3D card while in Dallas and
>saw that it sold for $39.95. I then traveled to Houston to visit relatives
>for a few days a day later. While in Houston I went to the local COMPUSA on
>the US59 south. I looked at the same M3D card and found that it sold for
>$49.95 at this store. When I questioned the clerck about the price
>differrence all he could say was "ya they sell things for less in Dallas". I
>asked to speak with managment since I figured they could call the Dallas
>store and get their pricing right or at least sell me the card for $10 less.
>No such luck, no managment available. Needless to say I went to another
>retailer in the area (UBM Computers). Not only did they think COMPUSA was
>crazy, they sold me the card for $25.99 just for explaining my COMPUSA story
>infront of a bunch of other customers. I do most of my computer hardware
>shopping on the net but, I thought this time I'd save the S&H charges.
Jeez, the Matrox M3d is a pretty crappy card. It goes for about $10
in some stores.
jAgoRi
I acutely thought that the m3d card was great especially for the price. just because its not expensive doesn't mean its "crappy" i hope your speaking form experience and not speaking out of plain ignorance.
sorry if a come off as being rude.
-jagori
ted jordan
ted
> Add Nevada to the list of crappy CompUSA's
--
get your *FREE* WEB Page
see http://freedomstarr.com/?JO4554535
Jeff S
$20 mail-in rebate). It's not the greatest 3D card (runs Quake slow) but
Tomb Raider and Jedi Knight run fast and look great...definitely worth 10
bucks until I can get a 3DFX Voodoo 2.
Jeff S
$30 mail-in rebate for a net cost of $0. Well, of course, they were
out-of-stock on it. So, they tell me to pre-pay for it so I can still get
the sale price and I would still qualify for the rebate because the date
that I technically bought it was within the rebate timeframe. The rebate
processors keep looking at the date I picked-up the card, not the date I
paid for it and refuse to issue my rebate. Meantime, CompUSA refuses to take
back the card because I had to cut the UPC symbol off the box. Actually, I
blame SIIG because my friend did the same thing and she got her rebate. I've
written them five times and have yet to hear one word.
James Volstad
>
>
> TEG wrote:
>
> > On Sun, 6 Sep 1998 22:28:36 -0500, "Bill & Sherry Q."
> > <bsa...@SpAmemail.msn.com> wrote:
> >
> > >My only complaint about COMPUSA is their pricing policy. I live in Texas and
> > >had a confrnce in Dallas. I looked at a Matrox M3D card while in Dallas and
> > >saw that it sold for $39.95. I then traveled to Houston to visit relatives
> > >for a few days a day later. While in Houston I went to the local COMPUSA on
> > >the US59 south. I looked at the same M3D card and found that it sold for
> > >$49.95 at this store. When I questioned the clerck about the price
> > >differrence all he could say was "ya they sell things for less in Dallas". I
> > >asked to speak with managment since I figured they could call the Dallas
> > >store and get their pricing right or at least sell me the card for $10 less.
> > >No such luck, no managment available. Needless to say I went to another
> > >retailer in the area (UBM Computers). Not only did they think COMPUSA was
> > >crazy, they sold me the card for $25.99 just for explaining my COMPUSA story
> > >infront of a bunch of other customers. I do most of my computer hardware
> > >shopping on the net but, I thought this time I'd save the S&H charges.
> >
> > in some stores.
>
> I acutely thought that the m3d card was great especially for the price. just
> because its not expensive doesn't mean its "crappy" i hope your speaking form
> experience and not speaking out of plain ignorance.
>
>
> -jagori
>
For the money I also think it's a nice addition to my system. I am using
the Rainbow Runner system so it fits right in. Besides that, I am not a
game fanatic.
Jim Volstad
Tandem Consultant
--
To reply via email, remove nospam from my address.
William Garrison
store in a very Prominent area:
The store was competing with a well-established Computer City 2 miles
away, and a grove of small shops 3 miles away. The store kicked butt:
Rebates in cash, check, back to card instantly. 100% price guarantee,
30 days return, no questions asked. The sales people were hired on 1)
Attitude, 2) Knowledge. Even stockers were quizzed on what their
computer and software knowledge was. Prices were high, but I saw there
costs and margins when working HW quotes -- they wer tight (large retail
brings much oiverhead, and economy of scale plays no role in the
computer industry)
I left the store on good terms.
Today, that store has a 14 day policy, no price guarantee, and mails
checks. The salesman are/were use car salesman, and the software
dept/stockers have with few compuer skills and no motivation. Why? The
local Computer City went out of business. The store wiped them dry, no
contest. I was proud to be part of that. But now they sell Sony
Playstations, Gaming equipment, DVDs -- they are becoming Circuit City.
Why? Its easier. Its more profitable. And it won't change.
And that, my friends, is the way of large business. Anyone ever heard
of Wal-Mart?
> :> Tom Rategan, MCSE