Mark One Computers doesn't honor Pricewatch ads...

[ntruder42]

On Dec 5 2004 I ordered an Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe from Mark One Computers through an ad on Pricewatch.com promising a price of $215. I clicked the link and ordered it and got an order receipt for a total of $232 including shipping. First the site claimed the boards would ship on Dec 15th but then it was changed to Dec 29th. On January 3rd I checked to make sure my order had been shipped and it was marked on hold because the shipping address was not verified. So I thought no problem, I'll just have it shipped to my billing address. I called them up and they said it was fine to ship it to the billing address but the price had gone up and I would be charged more. I tried to explain that I had a receipt and he claimed that wasn't actually a receipt because I hadn't been charged yet. After arguing with him I told him to cancel the order because there's no way I'm doing business with someone who advertises one price and charges another. Pricewatch instituted its shipping cost rule to keep places like Mark One from advertising a low price then tacking on a ridiculous shipping price.

I posted a review using my order number here on ResellerRatings.com and someone from Mark One posted a totally bogus reply claiming my shipment was ready for two weeks, which it wasn't because it wasn't indicated as on hold on their web site until after Dec 29. The person also claimed the price increase was out of their hands. Well when you advertise on Pricewatch.com you are expected to honor the price you advertised on Pricewatch.com especially when the contract was entered into with the buyer at that advertised price.

Now after I read this reply I wrote ResellerRatings.com asking how I can respond. I figured out how to revise the entry later but ResellerRatings.com said my review is actually invalid because I didn't actually pay for the item and receive it even though I have a valid order number. So basically because I was smart enough to cancel the order and not get ripped off by Mark One who would not honor their Pricewatch.com price, I don't have a voice here. I'm sorry but these forum posts just don't carry the weight or get the attention of the individual reviews. Frankly, I feel insulted by ResellerRatings.com.

And to top it all off, Mark One Computers has deleted my order records, obviously because they didn't like me using the number to post a negative review here. I'm surprised they didn't delete the account entirely.

I hope someone will read this and benefit from it. I also hope one day ResellerRatings.com will wise up and realise that not everyone has to get scammed to have an experience relevant to the rating system on the web site, especially when its backed up with a verifiable order number.

In case anyone was wondering, I did order the board from somehere else, and at an even lower price than Mark One's bogus $215 Pricewatch.com price.

- Ntruder