Poor explanation of hidden fees for returning defective items. Poor customer service in processing returns. Unnecessary delays. PCNation exemplifies the risks of dealing with internet companies.
Their motto should be we cut you out from buying anything from us. I went to purchase a netbook due to the lower price. I received the confirmation e-mail and then a few minutes later I received another e-mail wanting me to click on a link and authenticate my e-mail, no big deal. I woke up the next day to find an e-mail wanting me to call them. I called them and the customer service rep told me that I had to use a commercial e-mail address; I use one from my own personal website that I run. He said we can use that address, but it's going to take longer to authenticate you. I said Ok, use it. He then told me to hold on and came back after a couple minutes and said "we don't allow transactions from PayPal debit cards. I said ok, you guys don't want to sell anything. I wanted to use my PayPal for the little cash back savings; I went to another site and made my purchase hassle free.
Ordered a Hairer Wine cooler. Advised that it was shipped FEDEX on 6/23. Fedex had a iniation entry only. Nine days later not shipped. Cannot contact PC Nation on the phone. Five attempts with a hold time of 25 minutes. No response from my email asking advice on shipment.
I searched for a Cannon 8800F scanner. Many online retailers had it "Out of Stock". I needed it before the 21st so I ordered it from PCNation since it was "In Stock". Guaranteed 3 day FedEx shipping. March 12, emailed the item was on BACK ORDER. I should have followed my instincts and canceled right there. I went online to cancel my order since it had been two weeks and no email. When I tried to cancel, I was told it shipped and was delivered 23 March. I received No email when it finally shipped and no signature was required by the shipper so FedEx left it on my front door. I had left town two days before and when I returned home 1 April, no scanner. Not happy. If the item is not in stock, say so. And how bout an email when it ships. I could have had the neighbor looking out for it. Why no delivery signature? That is what I get for using the lowest price and believing it was in stock.
They take your money and think they can treat you as they wish. I purchased a $1400 laptop but before I did so, I made sure that the manufacturer was not on the list of manufacturers that you need to directly negotiate with in case there is a need for a return. The product arrived defective so I contacted the PCNATION returns specialist dpt. the next business day. The specialist told me that I had to get a confirmation number directly from the manufacturer before they’d let me return the product. I told him that the manufacturer is not on the list that requires me to do so and that it is the retailer’s role to take care of their customers and break their heads with the manufacturer in case a product is defective upon arrival. The representative insisted that was the way they’d always dealt with returns and that it was my responsibility after all, so I asked him “do you know how busy I am?” and he replied, and I kid you not, “do you how busy I am?” with an emphasis on the “I.” At this point, I figured out that I wasn’t dealing with an honorable representative so I resorted to contacting the manufacturer for a confirmation number. The manufacturer replied after a few days and after several E-mails told me that they only deal with the retailer and not the end user. I then contacted PCNATION again and the representative was this time kind enough to contact the manufacturer himself. I still had to wait for a confirmation number from the manufacturer so that PCNATION could cross-ship another laptop to me. It took nearly two weeks for the confirmation number to arrive and for PCNATION to ship me another laptop. I return-shipped my defective laptop immediately after I received the new one, and even though PCNATION states that it takes on average two weeks for a refund to be processed, it took me a month and several E-mails and phone calls to get it.
Following our initial argument over the phone, the representative was polite but that impressed about as much as his previous inattentiveness and ridiculous remarks. He claimed to have requested that each process along this endeavor be expedited since he knows that it caused me inconvenience, but that never happened.
Overall, there are other reputable retailers that are usually cheaper and even if they are slightly more expensive, the price difference is far outweighed by two weeks of decreased productivity due to a defective computer and dealing with an unprofessional returns department. Look elsewhere.
Ordered some RAM and paid $32 for overnight shipping, 2 days later still hadn't received the order though their system showed the order as completed and shipped. They did not supply tracking numbers, I emailed twice with no response, called and after holding for 10 minutes was told my order hadn't even shipped yet. Cancelled the order, won't be using them again.
This review was modified by its author, dukie748, on
1/25/09 2:03 PM.
Selected site largely due to "In Stock" availability for wanted item. No automatic order status updates. When inquiring online, conflicting order status between summary and detail. Reseller called after 3 business days to say product would not ship for more than a week but could they charge my credit card anyway. Cancelled order and purchased product at another site I had used before, even though I'll be waiting another week. At least I'm sure it will get to me. Worst online shopping experience in recent memory.
I had to cancel my order because PC Nation will NOT take MasterCard from PayPal. It's the only one I use, but they would not accept it because they say they have verification problems with PayPal-issued MasterCards. What a crock! Won't do business here again. They need to print a warning that they will not under any circumstances accept PayPal-issued credit/debit cards. Had I known, I wouldn't have wasted my time. I ordered what I wanted from CompubizUSA.com, paid with my PayPal-issued card, and received excellent service.
This review was modified by its author, jdfgcc, on
1/2/09 1:02 PM.
Inaccurate website, poor customer service. I placed an order for christmas delivery. After a lengthy verification process, I was assured that there was adequate stock. The next day, I happened to log in to check the item, and it had changed status to "backordered", even though the website continued to show the item was in stock. THERE WAS NO EMAIL NOTIFICATION that the item would not be shipped. Customer service was rude, and said that it wasn't their fault. DO NOT RECOMMEND. It is much easier to go with a real retailer like Amazon.
Monday - October 6th - ordered a flat screen monitor.
That evening I looked and it said "shipped". I thought wow, that was pretty fast.
Tuesday - I did not have tracking info so I called. I was told it left that morning on the fed ex truck and I would have tracking info by next morning. Call back if it does not appear online or I dont get an email.
Wednesday (this morning) at 9am I called and I was told it was on a private truck since they handled this type of product better.
I advised them I needed delivery info since a truck can not make a delivery to my apartment without an appointment or advance notice. They said since their warehouse is in another state they will get it and send to me.
I called back (2pm)and was told Fed Ex has the order and its going ground. I was told not to worry, its shipping in the same state as where I live so it should be here on time with ground service.
I told them to cancel it. I was told it could not be canceled since it left this morning. But wait this morning you told me it left on a private truck, now you are telling me its Fed Ex.
The man told me to "trust him, don't worry".
If in fact it did ship (which I doubt) I have advised our doorman NOT to accept the delivery and have called the credit card company and explained to them. They are now disputing the charge.
I will never consider ordering from them again.
This review was modified by its author, valk, on
10/8/08 3:31 PM.
I ordered a bar code scanner from PC Nation. I was very pleased with the fact that the product came in 2 business days after ordering. However that's where the good reviews stop.
This has got to be one of the worst customer service ordeals I've ever had to deal with. After discovering that this product was incompatible with our barcodes, I attempted to return it. At first, they wouldn't give me an RMA number, necessary for any return at PC Nation. They INSISTED that I talk to HP tech support (even though I ordered this from PC Nation) in order to determine what was WRONG with the product even though I had specifically told them it wasn't compatible with our needs. Only after struggling with HP Support was I able to finally get my request for a return verified by PC Nation. This was ONLY after I gave PC Nation a Case ID Number from HP Tech Support and after waiting over 8 business days for the RMA request to go through.
I find it incredibly ridiculous that it took me over two weeks to even get APPROVED for a return, and that I'll now have to wait another 2 weeks to get a refund. And it's not even a full refund! I have to pay for shipping and "restocking" fees. I strongly discourage anyone from dealing with PC Nation, this has to be one of the worst online experiences of my life.
PC Nation is a zero in my book.
I ordered a lens and a battery grip.
I was told it would be 10 days before I received my order.
It actually took 20 days.
In the mean time I cancelled part of the order and parts are missing from the rest of the order.
PC Nation refuses to send me the total refund for the cancelled items and wants me to pay shipping for the missing parts.
I have had to get the Dept of Consumer Protection involved and I hope I can get my money back.
I ordered an item listed as "in stock".Checked my account and it was listed as backordered...Called the next day to see why. Was informed their shipment was late. They sent an email two hours later saying it had arrived and would ship the same day with 3 day shipping.
Two days later I called to check and was told the shipment had just arrived, and would ship today. Good prices without credibility won't cut it in my book...I canceled the order and won't be ordering anything else from them.....
Tried to order an Epson projector. They delayed order due to an account validation (1st time customer). Wanted either my business email address, business telephone number or me to call 3rd party number to verify info based on SSN public records. Provided my business telephone number. Said it was not in their database and could not validate. They cancelled my order without my consent. Called back and got the same guys. Seems like small outfit. Check out return policy. Refers you to manufacturer unless defect.
