mark@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Horton) (07/21/84)
I just ordered a Keytronics keyboard from Micro Mart (they have two page ads toward the back of PC magazine, e.g. page 372 of the May 29 issue, and are in Norcross GA.) I ordered it from them rather than PC network because Micro Mart told me they had it in stock, and PC network makes you wait 2 weeks while they order it from the mfr. Even though they told me it was in stock, they lied. 2 weeks later, when I wondered why I didn't have it, we called them up. Their handling of the situation was very unprofessional. They were not interested in the invoice number they had given me to track the order, they wanted the name of the salesman. (This person had not given me his name when I placed the order, or if he did I don't remember it being important enough to write down.) They couldn't find the order and said they would call back. 3 hours later, after they had manually searched through every piece of paper they had around, they called back. Apparently it had been backordered and was just being shipped on that very day. (Uh huh. Sure.) When it was pointed out to them that they had claimed it was in stock when the order was placed, they said they can't be expected to know if they have things in stock, and they don't have the staff to call people and let them know when things are backordered. If you're in a hurry to get a product, don't order from these guys. And don't believe them if they claim the order is in stock. If you are not in a hurry, you probably should be ordering from PC network, anyway, as they sell at 8% over wholesale (but there's a 2 week delay, a 3% surcharge for visa, and I'm still waiting for my catalog which they keep promising is in the mail.)
arl@mb2c.UUCP (Arlan R. Levitan) (07/22/84)
I too had a recent run in with Micro-Mart. I ordered a PTI Dtashield PC-100 battery back-up power supply from them about two months ago. Imagine my dismay when I received a TrippLite power supply instead, especially in light of the fact that the invoice which was enclosed specifically listed the former brand. I called their sales department and was told that somebody in shipping had goofed and was connected with another party who would "straighten out" the problem. The person I was shunted to told me that the TrippLite was really a much better product and in fact, MicroMart didn't carry the Datashield any more because of a high number of defective units. He exerted a great deal of pressure, which less flint-hearted customers would have relented under, that I should keep the TrippLite. I immediately demanded to speak to someone in authority and was connected to the "Vice President of Sales" (probably the owner's brother-in-law). I told him that I wanted my money back or a Datashield.He said they would order me a Datshield if I insisted but that it would take at least a month to get and that I would have to pay return shipping for the TrippLite unit which I had never ordered. He once again offred the opinion that I should keep the TrippLite. At that point I told him that what he was doing was a "bait-and-switch" and was decidedly illegal. After threatening to write the FTC, he backed down and offered me a credit but insisted that I pay for shipping the TrippLite back. "We'll take your cost off of your next order" he magnamimously offered". I returned the unit and ate the nine bucks return shipping. Needless to say I have no intention of placing a "next order" with these bozos again. This is one of the few mail-order firms I have ever had a hassle with. STEER CLEAR OF MICRO-MART.