vik@lynx.uucp (Vikram Sohal) (07/19/90)
Recently I took my A500 to "HT Electronics" a local "authorized" dealer here in the San Jose area to get it fixed under warrenty. The dealer initially told me that they would not fix it even though it was under warrenty and they were listed in the Authorized Warrenty Repair Location list that Commodore includes with all their hardware products. They claimed that they did not have to repair any hardware that was not purchased from their store. After a little haggling, they said that they would fix it but it would take around 2 weeks! because they were going to put me in a queue behind all their regular customers. They told me to take it back to the place I brought it from and that they would fix it. I told them that the warrenty had said especially not to do that but to bring it to the the nearest authorized warrenty repair site. Theirs was the first one who's location I knew how to get to that was listed in the repair location list. He also added that it is difficult to get reimbursed from Commodore for warrenty repairs and that was the main reason for their policy. I find this kind of behavior inexcusable for an "official" dealer and I encourage any of you considering doing business with this dealership to think twice. The only way that we customers can have any kind of effect on this kind of flim-flam is to let others know. I don't think that they realize that most of the money that they are going to make is going to be from people purchasing perhiperals and software from them, and not from the system units. In fact, I had already purchased over $500 worth of software and hardware from these people, but since I did not purchase the actual A500 from them, they give me this kind of treatment. An interesting side note, as I was arguing with the dealer, a Commodore employee listened in and took my side, the dealer seemed to ignore him, even when the employee offered the dealer a 1-800 number to call to get a clarification of policy. I have already filed a dealer complaint with Commodore and will hopefully see some kind of action against these guys. On a closing note, have any of you had similar problems with Commodore dealers? how about mail order houses? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vic Sohal - vik@lynx.uucp Lynx Real-Time Systems ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
papa@pollux.usc.edu (Marco Papa) (07/20/90)
In article <7890@lynx.UUCP> vik@lynx.UUCP (Vikram Sohal) writes: >Recently I took my A500 to "HT Electronics" a local "authorized" dealer > On a closing note, have any of you had similar problems with Commodore >dealers? how about mail order houses? All mail order houses that sell Commodore Amiga hardware are considered 'grey market' and therefore it is VERY dangerous to buy hardware from them. Harry Copperman clearly stated that they are going to de-certify any dealer that resells to mail order houses. If you buy CBM hardware from mail order you might NOT have the same recourse that you would have if you'd bought from a regular dealer (including possibly the warranty). The problems with Montgomery Grant where widely discussed in this group a while back. -- Marco -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Xerox sues somebody for copying?" -- David Letterman -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
castorca@EA.USL.EDU (Christian Castor) (07/20/90)
In article <26037@usc.edu>, papa@pollux.usc.edu (Marco Papa) writes: >In article <7890@lynx.UUCP> vik@lynx.UUCP (Vikram Sohal) writes: >> On a closing note, have any of you had similar problems with Commodore >>dealers? how about mail order houses? Yes, I did have (and still have) that problem with my dealer. He refused to give me a copy of the new Janus software (for the bridgeboard). He told me that since I didn't got the bridgeboard from him, I should get the update from my original dealer, not from him. >Harry Copperman clearly stated that they are going to de-certify >any dealer that resells to mail order houses. If you buy CBM hardware >from mail order you might NOT have the same recourse that you would have >if you'd bought from a regular dealer (including possibly the warranty). Yes, I did buy the brigdgeboard mail order, and yes, I agree with Commodore's policy about supporting local dealers. The problem is that I did buy the bridgeboard (summer '88) long before that policy existed. What do I do? Never buy *ANYTHING* again from my local dealer. Period. -Chris -----///----------------------------------------------------------------------- /// Christian Castor : (318) 232-2045 (voice) || INet: castorca@ea.usl.edu \\\/// Compuserve: 73030,2734 || PeopleLink: ChrisC || Alcatraz: Cell#1234-A1 -\\\/--------------------------------------------------------------------------
terry@helios.ucsc.edu (Terry Ricketts) (07/20/90)
In article <7890@lynx.UUCP> vik@lynx.UUCP (Vikram Sohal) writes: >Recently I took my A500 to "HT Electronics" a local "authorized" dealer >here in the San Jose area to get it fixed under warrenty. ( most of complaint deleted ) > An interesting side note, as I was arguing with the dealer, a Commodore >employee listened in and took my side, the dealer seemed to ignore him, even >when the employee offered the dealer a 1-800 number to call to get a >clarification of policy. I have already filed a dealer complaint with >Commodore and will hopefully see some kind of action against these guys. > I find the reaction you got very strange. I have found them to be extremely helpful & have gone out of their way to offor me service even on equipment I did not buy there. They have been so helpful and knowlegeable that I drive 30 miles (and past 2 other C= dealers) to visit them. You eithor caught them at a bad moment or they have been swamped with customer's repairs. For the past several months they have been selling Amigas awfully fast. I am always amazed to see the number of boxes on their floor ready for pickup each time I go in. | Terry Ricketts | Internet: terry@helios.ucsc.edu | Senior Electronics Engineer | loel@helios.ucsc.edu | Lick Observatory Electronics Lab | Phone: 408-459-2110 | University of Calif, Santa Cruz |
collins@Alliant.COM (Phil Collins) (07/20/90)
I am a Commodore repair center in MA. You have every right to bring your computer in and have it repair under warranty.Commodore is very good to there dealers and repair centers.I have never had a problem with Commodore's warranty policy. I think your dealer just didn't want to be bothered. That type of a dealer we don't need.
aaronf@hpfcbig.SDE.HP.COM (Aaron Friesen) (07/23/90)
This is a direct response regarding the support/service offered at HT Electronics in Sunnyvale, CA. (I recently moved from the area.) Generally speaking, I have been very happy with the service offered at HT. In my opinion, they are the best Amiga dealer in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, they do employ one or two BOZO people. What I would suggest is that you give them a second chance. Talk with the manager and explain what you have explained to us: "I did not buy the computer from you, but I have been an excellent customer, purchasing $X worth of software and peripherals." Also, tell the manager the name of the BOZO that gave you the lousy treatment. If you have bought a computer or large peripheral from them, they also have a "preferred customer" deal that gives you a discount on software (where they pay the sales tax, making about a 7% discount). I dealt with HT almost exclusively and even had a few problems, but was always able to work something out. Aaron, aaronf@hpfcsup.hp.com ----------------------------------- Disclaimer: Not associated with HT, just a (usually) happy customer.
vik@lynx.uucp (Vikram Sohal) (07/26/90)
In article <7100002@hpfcbig.SDE.HP.COM> aaronf@hpfcbig.SDE.HP.COM (Aaron Friesen) writes: >This is a direct response regarding the support/service offered at >HT Electronics in Sunnyvale, CA. (I recently moved from the area.) >Generally speaking, I have been very happy with the service offered >at HT. In my opinion, they are the best Amiga dealer in the Bay Area. > >>Unfortunately, they do employ one or two BOZO people. What I would >>suggest is that you give them a second chance. Talk with the manager >>and explain what you have explained to us: "I did not buy the computer >>from you, but I have been an excellent customer, purchasing $X worth >>of software and peripherals." >> <additional text on how to deal with them> >>----------------------------------- >>Disclaimer: Not associated with HT, just a (usually) happy customer. After a Faxed letter, and a message to Commodore, I recieved an apologetic letter from the president of HT, Dwain A. Holst. He explained that they have a limited number of service people and that they try to service their customers exclusively. I called him up and talked about the fact that he should pay attention to customers coming in to their store who have purchased their A500 from other sources and come in to have it repaired. The main reason I gave for him giveing these customers better attention, was that they will provide him with a lot of repeat business. He agreed, but said that they have limited resources to provide the kind of service that they would like to provide. He did say that they would fix my Amiga if I brought it in. I have had good dealings with these guys in the past, and I actually prefer to deal with small stores because of the more personal service, but sometimes a BOZO or two can really mess up my attitude. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vic Sohal Lynx Real-Time Systems ---------------------------------------------------------------------------