posted on January 30, 2001 07:28:48 PM new
I'm so upset I could choke & I don't know where to turn!
Here's the background. Over the past 3 yrs, I've become semi-computer literate to the point where some friends ask me for advice. I live in Boston & my family lives in FL.
Last April, I was in FL & my kid's brother-in-law asked me to help him design his first computer system. So, we spent some considerable time reviewing his needs and price range & came up with a basic system -- you know, 19in monitor, good memory & HD, and a CD BURNER & GOOD WARRANTY!
So we called Gateway & Dell, & after some haggling, Gateway GUARANTEED they could match Dell's price. So, we decided on the Gateway system, after reviewing the components AT LEAST 3 times with the sales rep -- who also told us that we were being recorded.
I come back down Xmas and go over to the kid's house to give him some computer lessons, and much to my shock, THERE IS NO CD BURNER & NO 3 YR IN HOME WARRANTY!!!!!
I look at the invoice &, yes, they DID NOT CHARGE for a burner, but does anybody see what they did to us? If Dell was charging $1500 for a system WITH a burner & Gateway sent the same system WITHOUT THE BURNER for $1500, then THEY SCREWED US out of $200.00!
I called Gateway & they said we should have gotten the quote in writing! I said, why did you record the transaction? They said the rep is no longer there & they don't keep records!
If they pull this on every NEWBIE computer purchaser, they are saving a FORTUNE!
The lesson we learned from this sad experience is:
1. NEVER BUY GATEWAY! and
2. DON'T TRUST ANY COMPUTER CO!
I hope this warning will save someone else from being screwed by COW-FLOP COMPUTERS! If so, then I'll feel better!
Tom
posted on January 30, 2001 08:55:52 PM new
You did a good deed, Tom. My mom was set to buy a piece of outdated junk from them. Now, she'll wait until my brother or I can help her find the right computer WITH the components she needs at the right price---and, hopefully, from a more honorable company. Might take some doing, but we'll sure try.
posted on January 30, 2001 09:46:04 PM new
I just bought a new PC for myself last month & I learned a very important FACT: the "prices" mean NOTHING!
Here's what I mean: I entered the Dell site via 3 DIFFERENT portals, but entered the same info 3 times -- I got 3 DIFFERENT PRICES!!!!!!
BUT, Dell allows you to lock in a price on the internet & gives you a reference number. I called to order & the salesperson quoted me $2600.00; I gave her the reference number & I ended up paying $1999.00 for the same PC!!!!!!!
posted on February 8, 2001 10:24:52 AM new
I too bought a gateway computer. I had it financed through MBNA. I was quoted a price for $1499 and when I received the computer it was $1799. I called, and they were supposed to fix it on my account. They never did. I had to reformat my harddrive within a week of purchase because the system was fouled up. After I reinstalled the software, I discovered that it was a used system! The computer had a lot of software on it that wasn't part of the computer package that was to come with it and wasn't therefore in the package of backup software. Then MBNA screwed me over big time! I sent payment regularly each month and on time for several months and it had always been credited to my account promptly. Well I paid (and this was the last time I'd pay on this account) a hundred dollars over the minimum payment and they cashed the check and didn't credit the payment to my account. They then stiffed me with late charges, extra finance charges, doubled my monthly minimum payments, and I believe they raised my finance rate as well. Well that was over 2 years ago and they never would correct it even though I sent them at least 5 photocopies of the cleared check. They totally ruined my credit rating over this matter. I wasn't about to send them any more money because I couldn't trust them. They basically stole all the money that I paid. They caught up with my new listed address and sent a statement of what I supposedly owe now and it's about twice what the computer was supposed to cost. I have had nothing but problems out of this computer since I bought it. The printer that they sent with the computer wouldn't work right, so I had to purchase a different one because they wouldn't honor warranties. The monitor was defective when the computer was received and would spastically black out while you were working and you'd have to take the thing and wiggle it, turn it off and on several times to get it to come back. It finally never came back and I had to get another monitor. I had to reformat my harddrive every other month because the system files would weird out. I have a computer degree, so I knew it wasn't anything I was doing. I finally had to purchase new software and it's been fine since. I would NEVER buy anything from GATEWAY again.
posted on February 8, 2001 09:23:34 PM new
I have owned two gateways at home (one is my current computer) and have had five at the office. I have had very few problems with the computers. I don't like there tech support (usually I know more then they do).
Whne I purchased the last time, I new exactly what I wanted, went into the local Gateway sotre and got it in writing. The PC shipped with the wrong network card. I called them and they sent a replacement.
I have been happy with the Gateway and would buy one again.
Greg
Edited to add, I have no affilitation with Gateway.
[ edited by gjsi on Feb 8, 2001 09:24 PM ]
posted on February 8, 2001 10:56:57 PM new
I use to have the same type of trouble. I use to buy a new PC every year and was tired of getting screwed. Let me tell you folks. You would be suprised as to HOW EASY it is to build your own system that is not only cheaper, but better than any manufacture. I now have my own company making custom PC's and I would never go back to another manufacture. Make em yourself, or find someone who knows how to make them!
posted on February 8, 2001 10:59:18 PM new
Oops, forgot to add. WARRANTEES ARE FOR SUCKERS! Think about it. They get you to pay $300 for a warantee but your pc will be worth less than that in a year! Trust me, warentees are for suckers. Any of you who do work for best buy, circuit city, comp usa, etc know what I'm talking about. Especially if you have ever tried to take them up on a warentee when you have a problem!
posted on February 9, 2001 08:02:30 AM new
I actually had a technician at Gateway, after I explained my problem to her, say, "that's beyond me, I don't know anything about computers." I'm not joking either.
posted on February 9, 2001 10:25:52 AM new
We buy from this little hole in the way computer store/ ---where they know every component that goes into the computer and how each of them will work with other components.....I'll never buy from the big guys.
FOR YOU! Good Grief! Your story is worse than mine!