ront@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (Ron Thielen) (01/15/86)
I recently had dealings with a mail/phone order company whose ads I am sure you have all seen in MacWorld, MacUser, and the like. The company is Icon Review of Carmel Valley, California. I would like to share my experiences with you, so that you may make an informed decision if you ever decide to order Mac products by phone. Having recently come into a little (very little) extra money, I decided that I'd finally get a fan for my Mac. Having talked to some people and looked at some products, I decided that the Fanny-Mac from BECK-TECH would suit me best. Icon Review had the Fanny-Mac for $30 less than BECK-TECH, so I gave them a call. This was Monday, 12/30/85. The person I spoke with said that it was a neat little gizmo which really did the job. I asked if they had them in stock. He said that he wasn't sure, didn't think so, would go check. At this point, someone else came on the line and assured me that they had the product in stock and would ship it right out. I asked how it would be shipped. I was told that for $6 it would be sent Federal Express Standard Air (2nd day service to Chicago). This sounded great. I ordered it expecting to see it Thursday or Friday. When it hadn't arrived by 17:00 Friday, I decided to call Icon Review and get the airbill number so Federal Express could trace it. After 4 or 5 minutes of shuffling paper and misspelling my name, they found that my order hadn't been shipped yet. When I asked why, the reply was that Wednesday was a holiday and everyone left early Tuesday. So I asked why it hadn't been shipped Thursday or Friday. "Gee, I don't know. We're really busy. I'm sure it will go out Monday, or maybe even tonight yet." Fine, I just want the product. I asked again if it was in stock. Oh sure, no problem. Monday, 1/13/86, and still no Fanny-Mac. I call back. They find the order. "No, it hasn't been shipped yet." "Is it in stock?" "Sure." "Why hasn't it been shipped?" "I don't know. Three of our shipping people quit and our computer broke in December." "Can I speak to somebody who can tell me why it hasn't been shipped and when it will be shipped?" "No, there's nobody here like that. I just take messages and give them to someone else who calls people back, usually the next day." "Does the word misrepresentation mean anything to you?" "Yes." "Have someone call me back this afternoon, or you'll be hearing from my attorney tomorrow." Later that same day... The same lady calls me back. She informs me that my order was never shipped, because they have been back ordered on Fanny-Macs. They won't be able to fill my order for at least two weeks. I have been told at least three times that they have the product in stock when it turns out that they have never had the product in stock. Needless to say, I cancelled my order. I would rather give BECK-TECH an extra $30 then deal with these bozos. Somebody out there has probably had good experiences with Icon Review; anything is possible. I didn't and thought I could save you some anguish next time you're looking for a place to order Macinware.
rick@nvzg2.UUCP (Rick Gessner) (01/19/86)
> I recently had dealings with a mail/phone order company whose ads I am sure > you have all seen in MacWorld, MacUser, and the like. The company is > Icon Review of Carmel Valley, California. I would like to share my > experiences with you, so that you may make an informed decision if you > ever decide to order Mac products by phone. > I have never dealt with Icon Review or most other software vendors because I have finally found a small mail order house that is HONEST!. DeskTop Software Center (404-446-2295) near Atlanta, Ga. is usually priced 5% higher than the lowest prices in MacWorld, etc. , but if he (Mike Sellars) doesn't have it in stock he TELLS YOU HE DOESN'T HAVE IT. If he has to order it and can't get it when he thought he could, he usually calls and tells you. I share the same opinion that a few additional $$ is worth saving a lot of aggrivation. I have not affiliation with DeskTop Software except for being a VERY satisfied customer. --------------------------------------------------- Rick Gessner @ AT&T Information Systems Software - Technical Support Altamonte Springs, FL {ihnp4,codas}nvzg2!rick Voice: (305) 869-2742 #include <std.disclaimer>