tod4@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (phillip a todd) (01/15/87)
I am considering buying a PC clone (8088-2) through a mail-order company such as those that advertise in PC Magazine, BYTE, and PC World. I would greatly appreciate any comments or experiences, good or bad, about the quality of products and service of the following mail-order computer dealers: -- PC Network (T-H-E Computer Products Company), Chicago, IL. -- PC Connection, Marlow, NH. -- Logicsoft, Farmingdale, NY. -- PC's Limited, Austin, TX. -- Computer Direct, Austin, TX. -- Compuclassics, Reseda, CA. -- CompuAdd, Austin, TX. If you know of other reliable dealers, please post the info. In particular, has anyone had any experiences trying to return a defective product for refund or exchange? Do their warranties hold up? What about support? Has anyone had experience with PC Network's "PC+"? It has 256K, one 360K drive, 135W PS, AT-style keyboard, etc. for $444 plus 8 percent. Is it any good? Thanks in advance. p.todd UUCP: ..!ihnp4!gargoyle!sphinx!tod4 Bitnet: tod4@sphinx.UChicago
jon@amc.UUCP (Jon Mandrell) (01/20/87)
In article <1058@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP> tod4@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (phillip a todd) writes: > I would greatly appreciate any comments or experiences, good >or bad, about the quality of products and service of the following >mail-order computer dealers: > >-- PC Network (T-H-E Computer Products Company), Chicago, IL. >-- PC Connection, Marlow, NH. >-- Logicsoft, Farmingdale, NY. >-- PC's Limited, Austin, TX. >-- Computer Direct, Austin, TX. >-- Compuclassics, Reseda, CA. >-- CompuAdd, Austin, TX. > Add to this: --American Semiconductor ($699) -- Jon Mandrell (ihnp4!uw-beaver!tikal!amc!jon) Applied Microsystems Corp. All I want is the chance to prove that the statement "Money is not everything" is wrong.
campbell@maynard.BSW.COM (Larry Campbell) (01/20/87)
We have bought random hardware and a few clones from PC*USA, somewhere
in Texas (why are they all in Texas??). The clones seem to work, the
prices are good, delivery is quick, people courteous.
--
Larry Campbell The Boston Software Works, Inc.
Internet: campbell@maynard.uucp 120 Fulton Street, Boston MA 02109
uucp: {alliant,wjh12}!maynard!campbell +1 617 367 6846
ARPA: campbell%maynard.uucp@harvisr.harvard.edu MCI: LCAMPBELLdck@houxj.UUCP (D.KWONG) (01/21/87)
I have to post this because my machine couldn't send directly to gargoyle!sphinx!tod4. I just went thru a similar excercise, although I bought an AT-compatible rather than a PC. I ended up buying from Computer Direct in TX because a) they offered a 30-day money back guarantee, and b) their phone staff were courteous and seems knowledgeable. The PC/AT was shipped with a slip that says it was tested in the listed config before being shipped (even though I didn't order a complete system from them). The only other mail-order dealer I found that offered the 30-day guarantee was PCs-Limited, but their AT cost 40% more. Good luck. David Kwong homxa!houxj!dck
urbina@hppcgo.UUCP (01/23/87)
> / hppcgo:comp.sys.ibm.pc / tod4@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (phillip a todd) / 12:38 pm Jan 15, 1987 / > > > Has anyone had experience with PC Network's "PC+"? It has 256K, one > 360K drive, 135W PS, AT-style keyboard, etc. for $444 plus 8 percent. > Is it any good? Thanks in advance. p.todd > > UUCP: ..!ihnp4!gargoyle!sphinx!tod4 > Bitnet: tod4@sphinx.UChicago > ---------- I bought the PC+ w/640K recently, along with the THE I/O plus, both from PC Network. I ordered them on Oct 9, 1986. At that time, they told me that the I/O Plus would be shipped that week, but that there was a back order of 10-12 weeks on the PC+. The I/O Plus card was shipped promptly and I got it about 2 weeks later. The PC+ itself was another story: On or around Nov 9, I got a card saying that there would be a delay of at most 30 days in shipping, and that if I wanted, I could cancel my order and get a refund. (By the way, they charged my AMEX as soon as I put the order). I waited, and on the 12th of December they sent me another letter, this one telling me that there would be another delay of at least 45 days, and that if I still wanted the product, I should return the postage paid card as soon as possible. I called their Technical Support number and was told that my PC+ would ship before Xmas. I finally got it on Dec 30th, almost 90 days after I ordered it, pretty close to the 10 to 12 weeks they told me it was going to take. I'm pretty happy with the product, with no complaints. I haven't had any problem with any software, yet. It has a turbo mode which makes it run 1.7x as fast, according to Norton's System Info program. They keyboard is AT style, nothing great, nothing bad. Overall, I'm happy with it, and if you're willing to wait, it's worth the $506 it costs. My experience with PC Network is pretty much the same: they have good prices, but they take a long time to ship. (I bought a 20MB hard disk from Warehouse Data Products - a good outfit in Phoenix, for the same price as a PC Network one, $400, and got it in two days!). Have fun, - Fernando A. Urbina ...!hplabs!hpda!urbina
rps@homxc.UUCP (01/23/87)
> > I would greatly appreciate any comments or experiences, good > >or bad, about the quality of products and service of the following > >mail-order computer dealers: > > > >-- PC Network (T-H-E Computer Products Company), Chicago, IL. > >-- PC Connection, Marlow, NH. > >-- Logicsoft, Farmingdale, NY. > >-- PC's Limited, Austin, TX. > >-- Computer Direct, Austin, TX. > >-- Compuclassics, Reseda, CA. > >-- CompuAdd, Austin, TX. > > I have ordered an Epson printer (with free printer stand) from PC Connection and they were nice, fast, accurate (in their billing). They have also fielded a number of questions for me and have always been willing to help. Russ Sharples homxc!gritz
tod4@sphinx.UUCP (02/04/87)
Thanks to all of you who responded to my query about the reliability of PC mail-order dealers <1058@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP>. What follows is a summary of comments and experiences relayed to me by contributors to the net. Any comments not in quotation marks are my own. I hope some of you find this info as useful as I did. >>Re: PC Network (T-H-E Computer Products Company), Chicago, IL.<< 1] "PC Network is almost sure death." 2] "I have a PC Network's PC+. I ordered it in June when the configuration they were selling included 640K standard. Basically, I am very satisfied with it, although I haven't had it very long. My major complaint with PC Network is that I ordered and paid for it (by check) in early July and did not receive it until late November. All that time they were earning interest on my money." 3] "I am writing to you on my THE PC+ via a Prometheus 1200B modem here at home. Since I received my system last September, I have had no significant incompatibility problems. The machine seems to be extremely well built... Unfortunately, even though the system seems to be a good one, I urge you not to buy anything from PC Network. I ordered my system in early May and was encouraged by the helpful sales rep on their toll-free line. The gentleman I spoke to told me that I could expect my system in 4 to 6 weeks. Within two weeks my monitor and I/O card arrived. And that was it for a very long time... My unit finally arrived on September 25... In summary, AVOID PC NETWORK AT ALL COSTS!!!" [Reports about PC Network's customer service were uniformly bad. No major complaints about their hardware were sent to me.] >>Re: PC Connection, Marlow, NH.<< 1] "Excellent. Very professional bunch. Good prices too." 2] "PC Connection in Marlow, NH has a well-deserved reputation for honest dealings, fast service, and low prices, extending back to just after the IBM PC came out... I've placed many personal and business orders with PC Connection and their Macintosh counterpart, MacConnection, and have never been dissatisfied with any transaction." 3] "PC Connection - highest recommendations from myself, publications and friends. Excellent technical help, they know what they have in stock and if they're out, they know (and will tell you) when they expect replacement stock. Fast shipping, low prices." [Nobody who responded to my query had anything bad to say about PC Connection.] >>Logicsoft, Farmingdale, NY.<< 1] "Very good." 2] "Logicsoft: Very happy with this company. Low prices, overnight delivery, good selection. They did recently have to withdraw the challenge to beat any price in the magazine that they were advertised in. Too bad. That really made them the best." 3] "Logicsoft - very good. Not as knowledgeable or efficient as PC Connection, but very reliable." >>Re: PC's Limited, Austin, TX.<< 1] "I really recommend PC's Limited. I've dealt with them a couple of times before, and my stuff has come quickly, and it all has been high-quality equipment. They have a 90 day 'satisfaction guaranteed' warranty, but I never have had to return stuff." 2] "PCs Limited: I bought a hard drive from them and had mucho problems. Not their fault. I did get 3 faulty drives, but I guess I must be a lucky guy. What I did like was that they did everything possible to help me out. When I sent a drive back, I didn't have to wait too long to get the replacement. I have heard many good stories obout their clones, too." 3] "I'm working on a PC's Limited AT. I've had it a few months with no problems." >>Re: Compuclassics, Reseda, CA.<< 1] "A friend has ordered a bunch of stuff with no problems." >>Re: CompuAdd, Austin, TX.<< 1] "I bought my 30M hard disk from these folks. Good group. Very prompt delivery. Good prices." 2] "The equipment was shipped on time, and the prices were VERY reasonable!" >>Re: Computer Direct, Austin, TX.<< 1] "I ended up buying from Computer Direct in TX because a) they offered a 30-day money back guarantee, and b) their phone staff were courteous and seems knowledgeable. The PC/AT was shipped with a slip that says it was tested in the listed config before being shipped." The responses that I have summarized here are not the result of a formal survey and should not necessarily be interepreted as representative. I have no connection with any mail-order dealer and am posting this info because several net contributors have requested it. Thanks again to all those who took the time to respond! Phillip Todd
madd@bucsb.bu.edu.UUCP (02/15/87)
In article <1115@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP> tod4@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (phillip a todd) writes: >>>Re: PC Network (T-H-E Computer Products Company), Chicago, IL.<< [...] > >1] "PC Network is almost sure death." > [deleted stuff about long delays in shipping PC+'s] > >[Reports about PC Network's customer service were uniformly bad. >No major complaints about their hardware were sent to me.] Only their delivery of PC+'s is poor. Their customer support is very good. After a friend ordered a PC+ (and waited an ungodly amount of time to get it) he had a problem (RAM error on power up). We called their tech support. Over the phone, the guy told us how to check for which bank was giving us trouble, and how to fix it. When the problem persisted, he decided it was a problem with the mother board, and told us to ship it to them to be replaced. We asked about turnaround time, and were told "about a week". We UPS'ed it to them with a letter explaining that we needed it back immediately and could they UPS red it to us as soon as possible. They did. At *their* cost. UPS red is very expensive. In summary, their people know what they are talking about (compare that to the IBM support people I've dealt with, who couldn't tie their shoes). It's true that their PC's take forever to get delivered. Other items they sell, however, are very promptly delivered and are of high quality. No complaints from me. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% - Jim Frost * The Madd Hacker - UUCP: ..!harvard!bu-cs!bucsb!madd | ARPANET: madd@bucsb.bu.edu CSNET: madd%bucsb@bu-cs | BITNET: cscc71c@bostonu -------------------------------+---+------------------------------------ "Oh beer, oh beer." -- Me | [=(BEER) <- Bud the Beer (cheers!)
darren@ethos.UUCP (02/18/87)
In article <1115@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP> tod4@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (phillip a todd) writes: > > > > >Thanks to all of you who responded to my query about the >reliability of PC mail-order dealers <1058@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP>. >What follows is a summary of comments and experiences relayed to >me by contributors to the net. Any comments not in quotation marks >are my own. I hope some of you find this info as useful as I did. > : > : > etc... > >Phillip Todd I couldn't beleive that Norteastern Software wasn't mentioned. This is going to sound like complaining, and in part it is, but it's more of a warning to others not to deal with them. In July of last year, I ordered a PC Mouse from them. I had dealt with other mail-order companies and I knew to wait it out, but after 2 months I got wrestless. I had heard that they were unreliable and I was getting concerned. I call the tech support line (just the toll free line, but the telephone company charges for it), and asked for the status on my order. They told me they were still waiting to get it from the supplier and it was only a matter of days. After about a month of this, I decided to cancel my order. They wouldn't return my money, but Mastercard said they could transfer the money from Northeastern's account to mine if it was confirmed that the goods were never sent (YEAA!). Northeastern got the message damn quick. I had the mouse in half a week with a few extra pieces of bundled software I hadn't ordered. I didn't mind this at all, but everything was dated 1984. How long had this been sitting on the shelf!?! I grudgingly accepted the situation and now have the mouse. One other situation that didn't end so happily. A friend of mine ordered several pieces of software from NE for his work (this was 1 1/2 years ago). He got about half the order, but to this day, hasn't gotten the rest. They even had the nerve to call and tell him that he hadn't paid for WordStar. He had all the checks to prove it, and, working for the state government, had all the receipts and documents to prove it. He hasn't heard from them since. Please, heed my warning. Don't order from them unless you can wait a LONG time. And make sure you can get your money back for unreceived goods (they won't). Disclaimer - I have no affiliation, professional or otherwise with any of the companies mentioned above or their competitors. -Darren *----=====-----=====-----=====-----=====-----=====-----=====----* // Darren Friedlein, ANSI-FX software Phone: 919/596-7746 \\ (( Rt 4 Box 416, Durham, NC 27703 919/596-9492 )) \\ ...{burl,cbosgd,ihnp4,mcnc}!ethos!darren // *----=====-----=====-----=====-----=====-----=====-----=====----* Zaphod Beeblebrox is now appearing in "No Sex Please, We're Amoeboids and Gatularians" at the Bruntos Vogon Star House.
tankus@hsi.UUCP (02/20/87)
> In article <1115@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP> tod4@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (phillip a todd) writes: > > > > > > > > > >Thanks to all of you who responded to my query about the > >reliability of PC mail-order dealers <1058@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP>. > >What follows is a summary of comments and experiences relayed to > >me by contributors to the net. Any comments not in quotation marks > >are my own. I hope some of you find this info as useful as I did. > > : > > : > > etc... > > > >Phillip Todd > > > I couldn't beleive that Norteastern Software wasn't mentioned. This is going > to sound like complaining, and in part it is, but it's more of a warning to > others not to deal with them. In July of last year, I ordered a PC Mouse from > them. I had dealt with other mail-order companies and I knew to wait it out, > but after 2 months I got wrestless. I had heard that they were unreliable and > I was getting concerned. I call the tech support line (just the toll free line, > but the telephone company charges for it), and asked for the status on my > order. They told me they were still waiting to get it from the supplier and it > was only a matter of days. After about a month of this, I decided to cancel my > order. Text deleted for brevity. A buddy of mine just cancelled a order with 47thSt for similar reasons. He ordered an Epson Equity II in a standard configuration. They promised delivery in 10 days. After almost 4 1/2 weeks of phone calls and haggling, he threw in the towel. Now, I know there are probably many of you who have had good experiences with 47thST. That's great. I am merely stating what happened in this particular case. Cheers! -- -- Ed. Net : {noao!ihnp4!yale!}!hsi!tankus Snail: Health Systems Int'l, 100 Broadway, New Haven, CT 06511 Bell : (203) 562-2101
mvolo@ecsvax.UUCP (02/23/87)
Regarding varying reports on the reliability of even some of the better known mail order dealers, could variability in the import channels, rather than the integretiy of the dealers, be the cause in some cases? More and more even "American-made" products are actually being made off-shore, possibly causing delays beyond the dealers con- trol (although they should be honest about it if this is the cause). --Mike Volow, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC mvolo@ecsvax.UUCP