Feedback on Computer Companies
We get a lot of feedback from our customers about places they've bought PCs, printers or other computer related bits and pieces. Here's a summary of what they've said so you can know what other people have thought about a company before you buy from them yourself.
Comet
From our experience over the last 5 months we will avoid buying from Comet in the future. We bought a computer from Comet in 2003 and insured it till 2008. In January we tried to connect to the internet but failed. The insurance reads "repair or replace" but that is not the case in practice. The tower went back to Comet twice.. the second time it was to be sent away to be repaired.. but when we fetched it we were told an engineer had fitted a new Modem the previous day (but failed to install it or leave a disc for us to do so). Again it failed and after much haggling we were given a number to phone... the call alone cost us £11... but we got it sorted but for the disc to install it... which would be sent to us. Three weeks later the disc arrived but it was the wrong one... so another one was sent which came today. Hopefully this one will get us connected. Incidentally I am 74 and my husband is 81 and we have taught ourselves with the help of your books and newsletter. We also bought a laptop this spring and I've achieved my goal which was to order groceries online and have them delivered.
PCWorld
Many thanks for your interesting newsletter. Now in answer to your question. Never, ever go to PC World! I bought my first computer from there and had nothing but trouble from day one. It was a Packard Bell and I thought given the name it would be a sound buy. There was trouble all the time with it and even the people at the PC World Clinic made it even worse. I gave up in the end and guess what I bought a Dell. 0oer! on reading your newsletter it is fingers crossed from now on. Thanks for all your help in the newsletter - its great!!
Thought you may like to know my experience of buying a laptop. I went with my son to PC World as we both needed to buy a laptop. I would just like to point out to others to beware that PC World will, if given a chance, add to your order lots of other items saying that you could need them, they make up what he called a 'package' and we have both paid for things such as a pack of 10 CDR's, a package called PC Performance which is costing me £7.99 per month (Do I need it?) Just a warning to folks to be on the look out for this practice !!!
Dell
I too had a disappointing experience with, dell were doing a deal with an lcd computer, a printer, and speakers, i phoned a uk number to place the order, i was switched to Ireland and they switched me to the sales department which was in india, i was told it would be delivered in ten days, after the ten days no computer i phoned same number, again to India and was told it had not been ordered. That’s when alarm bells started to ring they had my bank details but on enquiring everything was in order, I told them i still wanted the computer, but what i got was not the flat screen no printer and no speakers, I phoned to complain but I was told the promotion had expired and i got what i paid for. I was ripped off. I now deal with PCWORLD and GHI computers
I had used "Inkjets and Toners" in Somerton, Somerset for several years and found their service and goods (mainly for Epson printers) satisfactory. I then acquired a DELL 962 All in One printer. The cartridges "Inkjets and Toners" provided gave me constant problems and when I complained I found the company very awkward to deal with. I now buy all my products from Dell and have had no problems.
I recently bought a Dell Dimension E521.(with Vista OS). Ordering process - excellent. Delivery - excellent. Set-up - easy. One problem - modem was not compatible with Vista. Contacted my ISP (Tiscali) who sent me a different modem (free of charge), in fact I received two. There was no way I could get the modem to work so finally 'phoned Tiscali. After long conversation with suggestions I still couldn't get it going and they suggested I contact Dell. I did this and spoke to a very helpful young lady who was somewhere up the Khyber Pass. With her help I did things to my computer that I did not know about but all to no avail as she reported that there was nothing wrong with it. She then set up a conference call with Tiscali (somewhere in the Punjab) so we could all talk together. After some two hours we were all none the wiser and gave up. I then thought I would try something - I changed the Ethernet lead for a spare, (remember I got Two modems) and Bingo, it all worked perfectly, and still does!! A very frustrating time but I could not fault the politeness and helpfulness of those two people. They even both phoned me back the next day as they were concerned that they had not been able to resolve my problem. How's that for service? I just wish the help centres were in this country - but would I get the same service?
I bought my computer from Dell, it came with only half the memory that I had ordered. I contacted them to no avail, also sent a letter recorded delivery, this was ignored, it took nearly 3 Months and cost me nearly £50.00 in phone calls and letters before they sent an engineer to install the extra memory.
I want to share with you my bad experience with Dell, I bought my computer about a year ago from Dell, and found that the printer was not working, when I informed them they just messed me around they told me to try different things, when I tried to tell them I had already tried that they just wouldn’t listen. It took three months to get a replacement, what I’m trying to say is that the after sales service from Dell is disgusting.
Whilst I did not have problems with my Dell Product delivery. I have found their support line operators to be impatient arrogant and unhelpful in dealing with product questions and/or problems. I avoid contact with them at all costs.
I saw Dell Computers ad in the daily Mail, Phoned My order In 25/10/06, Dim 3100 windows XP, was connected to India I told him I was on pay as you go, but not to deliver until after 9/11/06 as I was away from home. They tried to deliver 2/11/06, then 3/11/06, I arrived home to a card through the door. It took Me three Phone calls to sort it out and get delivery on 11/11/06, I found that there was no modem fitted, even though I told them i was on pay as you go; I emailed them to see if I could get a modem I did not receive any response from them.
TSG Systems
Hi, thanks for May Issue. Here is my experience. Knowing nothing about computers, I went to a local independent dealer, who made me one, and according to his publicity offered free help by phone or email. When ordering, I paid for Norton Internet security to be installed. Several months later, I had a colour problem when printing photos, the shop was no help, just gave me a phone number of someone who would fix my problem[At a cost to me]. They also said I would have to contact the manufacturer, if that was the problem. The man came and fixed it for me, and asked about security on my computer. He stated I had none. I phoned the shop, and after a delay the owner phoned to apologise and said he would post a disc to me. As this did not arrive, I insisted on collecting from the shop, offering to return the posted one when it arrived. It has never arrived, and the shop has ignored emails from me. Trading Standards confirm that the retailer cannot pass any problem on to the manufacturer, as the contract is between them and me. It seems to me that you are welcome when you are spending money, but not when you have a problem. The name of the company is TSG Systems.
xlshop
xlshop.com [based in Guernsey] have good prices for computer peripherals e,g, ink cartridges, memory sticks - no VAT - p&p usually £1.99 per total order, but £0.99 temporarily.
Viking Direct
Hope this is of use. Bought my first computer 15 months ago, complete ignoramus on the subject. Needed a printer, thought I would get the best, and went to VIKING DIRECT www.viking-direct.co.uk. Got a Hewlett-Packard £110. Absolutely useless, pages of printed manual installation diagrams in a dozen languages, took me and my expert neighbour three hours to try to install, finally got colour print but no black. Couldn`t seem to contact anyone at manufacturers for advice. Complained to VIKING who agreed it was a useless machine, decided to go for cheapest, and they sent me an Epson Stylus D68 (£39) overnight and took back the HP. Epson came with an installation CD, virtually installed itself in a few minutes, and has worked perfectly ever since. Viking is a smashing firm, they do not supply computers, but all the peripherals and supplies, inks etc. as well as all other office supplies. Orders are delivered anywhere overnight, free (over £30, but only £3 if less), long guarantees, no quibbles, very helpful and efficient. Have used them for years.
Norton
Norton Security. Had this installed originally by the supplier. Came up for renewal, tried to do it on line, but right at end of order form, (IF you scroll up off screen past the RENEWAL button) is small print which says in effect that your credit card details will be supplied to USA from where they would not be responsible for them disappearing out to other countries not so security conscious as Europe. E-mailed them to ask if I could pay by cheque, as am trying not to use plastic these days, and told can`t accept cheques, try their various suppliers, which I did and got told the same. Asked what I could do, and told to go buy an update kit from Currys or somewhere. Asked my local computer man, and he said forget Norton, came and uninstalled them, reinstated Windows, and added a FREE security system, which is working perfectly, and faster. Norton then had the cheek to send me a survey form asking if I was satisfied with their service. I took great pleasure in replying to it!
Having only owned a PC for 1 year my Norton Antivirus was due for renewal. After a month of pop ups telling me that there was only however many days left I eventually (in the last week) decided to go for it and renew online. Then came the form filling and they obviously wanted my credit card number. A preview of this was stressed as ``Put it down just as it is on the card, so when it came to putting my card expiry date in, it wouldn`t accept it and try and try as I did it kept asking me to check the expiry date. My expiry date on the card is 12/08 and there was one box for the month and one for the year. After trying for ages, I resolved myself to looking up some other antivirus programmes namely Mcafee and SE Adaware, eventually I got a brainwave and looked in the book I bought from you to see what you had to say about Antivirus programmes and I see that you use Norton so I had a retry but this time it worked because I put 2008 instead of 08, but it isn`t as its written on my card. All this seemed to take me all evening after removing my old programme and downloading my new one. Very Frustrating.
Mesh Computers
My experience of bad service has been with Mesh computers, their customer service is diabolical even whilst I had a 3 year service cover they were not at all helpful when my system crashed just before Christmas. My experience of good service is with IJT who provide me with good quality recycled inkjet cartridges at a very affordable price. I hope this helps with your survey and I look forward to the results in due course, Best Wishes.
Activ Computer Products
I have always found ACTIV COMPUTER PRODUCTS quick and reliable also Premier Ink Supplies.
Choice Stationery
I get my ink cartridges from Choice Stationery Supplies as recommended by the person who helped me get going with my laptop. They are compatible and fine for everyday printing.
I would like to recommend Choice Stationery.com for cartridges, print and photo paper etc. , Play.com for DVDs and CDs, and directusbstore for computer and camera bits. Sorry about your problems with Dell - my son had the same with a new computer with Vista installed - it just would not work !!!
Evesham
I bought my Laptop (Voyager X5) from Evesham Technology and I would recommend Evesham to anybody wishing to purchase a Computer/Laptop I am truly delighted with it and have been since I purchased it 2 years ago and their backup is top class.
Update: Evesham no longer exists but some of the people who ran it have set up a new company called Tewktech. You can see their website at: www.tewktech.com
Local Companies
For buying a new PC, I recommend using a small local company. They were within my budget and for £25 they delivered the equipment and connected up everything (printer and modem) and showed me how to use the desktop etc. When I needed help, it was sorted over the phone. Should I need someone to come out to solve a problem, the charge would be just £25. I'm sure most towns have similar suppliers, so I say ignore Dell and PC World and support local businesses.
Tesco
For buying Hewlett Packard print cartridges, I looked around and found Tesco prices were pretty good.
InkCycle
Have used Inkcycle for black and colour cartridges for years now with excellent response and price for my old Epson printer 600 and that is to Spain.
Printcartridge
Excellent service from this ink cartridge firm. Had a duff cartridge which I returned and they replaced no quibble the next day www.printcartridge.net
I can recommend www.printcartridge.net for black or colour print cartridges at ridiculously low prices and fast service. The ones I have bought are all compatibles and have worked really well - they also sell all the branded makes at discount prices.
Refresh Cartidges
I recommend the following web site for ink cartridges. Order one day, receive them within 48 hours. Service is second to none. You can email them with a query and receive a personal response. http://www.refreshcartridges.co.uk/
Photobox
Also very impressed with www.photobox.co.uk - on line photo lab offering very efficient service (prints next day), good quality, great gift ideas and excellent promotions.
Google - Picasa
Still on subject of photos, I really rate Google's Picasa photo organisation and editing software. It makes it a doddle to import and locate your photos (so many other programs bury them in obscure places), you can email and order prints easily AND IT'S FREE.
Cartridge People
www.cartridgepeople.com great service and helpful
SVP
I and my family have always had good service from Sales@SVP.co.uk., on a number of occasions. I would recommend them to anybody. although I have only dealt with them once
Crucial Technology
Just recently I added more RAM to my computer. The company I went to was Crucial Technology, www.crucial.com. very helpful in choosing right item to match what I had, free shipping & very quick delivery. Would recommend to anyone.
Nicepc (in Halesowen)
My experience in buying computers on line is limited to one. I bought my computer in November 2001 from a Company called nicepc at Halesowen in West Midlands. It is a Fujitsu Siemens and apart from a few niggles in setting it up (it was my first time) it has been a good runner. I have, of course had the usual crashes and breakdowns but I have probably caused most of these.
999inks
Now a good bit....Re printer inks, I have always used 999inks.co.uk and find them very good, genuine inks mostly delivered the next day if ordered before noon.
IJT Direct
I've had excellent service and prompt attention from IJTDirect.co.uk who provide compatible ink cartridges at very competitive prices.
Serif
Many thanks for your latest newsletter which my wife and I find most interesting and informative. We ordered an Audio Cleaning CD ROM from SERIF and was assured that it had a lead we required and that we could return it for a full refund at any time. Well it had a lead we already had, not the one we required, so I purchased one locally, but the CDROM still did not perform, so I phoned their returns line, but they tried to sell me something else quite pushily, they would not hear of me returning it but they did give me the £10 I paid for the lead so make what you like of it.
Ezee PCs
In response to the above and as requested would highly recommend Ezee PC'S, 16 Broad Street, Pershore, Worcs WR10 1AY, www.ezee-pcs.co.uk, tel: 01386 554562, e mail: enquiries@ezee-pcs.co.uk. As a senior citizen and very hesitant newcomer to the world of computers I have found them SO helpful with an excellent after sales service.
Border Computer Solutions
Just to let you know of the excellent service I had when I bought my first computer and printer last year. I can thoroughly recommend Border Computer Solutions based in Ludlow South Shropshire. I was a complete beginner, so I needed all the help I could get, and I wasn't disappointed, nothing was too much trouble. I was just so pleased that I bought locally and wasn't tempted into buying from the big companies. I have also found a very good company for ink cartridges called Internet-Ink.co.uk. Very reasonable prices, and a fast efficient service, with no delivery charges.
Ink2u
I have a Canon i250 printer and get my new inks from ink2u.co.uk. Next day service (almost) and good prices. Admittedly they are copy inks but I find them suitable for purpose.
Talktalk
I signed up for broadband with talktalk at the local carphone warehouse shop, luckily, because it saved hours of frustrating button pushing & waiting on the phone, I signed up on the 22/11/06 to go on line 28/12/06 (35 days) then 11/1/07 (14 days) I did not get on line until 18/1/07Total of (56 days). But I am having a small problem on the internet about 40% of the time the pages I connect to shoot to the bottom of the page when I try to scroll down the page bounces up & down, I can control it by pressing Ctrl button but it is annoying.
Mail2web
Tim do you know there is a free web site where You can pick up Your e/mails if you are running another e/mail address or if You are away from home, it is www.mail2web.com. Kept my old email address and use that site for rubbish coming in.
Phoenix Direct
Printer Consumables Current supplier is Phoenix Direct [Internet] - competitively priced and swift service.
Staples
Keyboard & [cordless] Mouse - both from local branch of Staples - expert knowledge if you pick the right assistant [or better still the manager] and competitively priced.
Jessops
Digital Camera [Canon] - Local Jessops for expertise [tho' patchy] especially as they will now often match internet prices.
Richer Sounds
DVDr [Panasonic] - Local branch of Richer Sounds; good price, helpful, knowledgeable and interested staff. I anticipate a high level of after-sales service.
Pipex
ISP - Pipex.com. Reasonably reliable service at a moderate price but customer services pretty basic, and leisurely to say the least.
Phillips
Nothing to do with the above but I'll feel better if I get it off my chest. In the last 10 years I have bought 3 appliances, [all of them quite expensive, comparatively,] manufactured by Philips - a telephone/fax machine, a VCR and a Philishave Coolshave electric shaver, All 3 have bombed in an indecently short space of time [but outside the warranty period, natch] and have had to be consigned to the recycling bin because "spare parts are no longer available for this appliance". So I shall never, NEVER, N E V E R buy a Philips appliance again. E V E R !!!!
Backontrack
There is a program called backontrack you press a number on the computer and it takes you back to were you last did a restore without having to go through the rigmarole of system,then create a restore point then having to wait for it to perform. The only problem is if you don't use a credit card it's a devil to get satisfaction up to now I have had 5 emails asking for payment, this was sent by cheque to a address in Hounslow, but there is no way of contacting the by phone,so I am still waiting for them to send me some joy, I did manage to get the program by downloading it from there email which is on a 30 day trial, I have a friend who got the program and he says it is OK.
Crazy Daves
Hi, my friend recommended your company and I'm very impressed. I recently bought in for my HP photosmart D6160 from Crazy DaVeS. The price was good, and the ink arrived quickly.
Wilkos
I have a lexmark 1200 series and I have found "Wilkos" the cheapest. I got cartriges for this machine £4.00 cheaper than my local PC World.
Waitrose
Large branches stock laptops and I bought mine about 18 months ago. HP Pavillion ZE 2000. No problems - and 30 days free help over the phone - good for a complete novice!! They were patient and very helpful.