False Advertisement.  
Bought a HP laptop.  
Here's the link for it http://www.ecost.com/Detail.aspx?edp=50569182&navid=155441519  
They didn't give me my ext DVD±RW  
Call them up, they say even though it's listed under description and specifications it doesn't mean the dvd rw included. It only means its compatible with the laptop. Its like saying even though wireless 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN is listed, it isn't included. Might as well sell me a a empty shell of a laptop. eCost have no integrity or honesty, dont do business with them. I'm sticking to New Egg and Amazon.

I ordered 3 panasonic digital cameras for some employees. Understand that we order inexpensive cameras because of the work environments. We go through them regularly, so we are not looking for high quality images, just a decent camera. The cameras we received do not work well at all. The flashes give you a range of about 4 ft and they all hang up when trying to review images taken. I contacted ecost.com customer service to discuss a return and was advised to contact the manufacturer. I know that it was my responsibility to understand the return policy prior to ordering, but it just never dawned on me that an exchange would not be possible. Needless to say, the customer service rep was less than helpful and would not let me talk to anyone else.  
All I want to do is exchange these cameras for some decent ones.  
My recommedation is NEVER BUY FROM ECOST.COM!

Stay Away From eCost!  
I purchased memory for my desktop machine last July for $125. I still have not received the item, and worse still, I have called them five times and never got a clear response from them on the issue. Each call ends in "i will talk to a supervisor and we will contact you within 72 hours". They have never followed up. This is eCost's way of saying "Goodbye and F**k you"

I ordered a wireless router online that was listed in stock on a Sunday. Sunday afternoon I received a phone message from eCost to call and verify my credit card. I returned the call within minutes of receiving the message. Only to find out that eCost isn't open to receive calls on Sundays. They're open enough to call, but not to receive return calls.  
 
Fast forward, I call during their normal business hours and the product I had ordered is now backordered because my order was on hold and they sold out while I was unable to return their calls.  
 
It's hard to understand why a company can call you and leave you a message to call them back while they're closed. Since they are unable to fulfill my order, I will be taking my business elsewhere. This is not the first time this has happened to me at eCost. Really crappy way to do business.  
 
REPLY TO ECOST:  
 
Perhaps your credit department should leave a number that *THEY* can be reached at on Sundays, then. They left me the general customer service number. That number will not be answered on Sundays. I don't think your answer does anything to help, only to deflect the criticism.  
 
The issue is that you should not leave a message to call you back if you're not available for the return call less than 1 minute after you leave the message at the number you leave. You obviously can't process the order quickly if you call me about a credit issue (I presume because I was shipping to a work address instead of a billing address) if your credit people are not available to receive the return call.

This review was modified by its author, gwells, on 9/25/09 11:39 AM.

Easy to order. I've actually had several orders from these guys and each time the thing I order gets delivered. This last time, it was 4 different items and they all arrived before the 5th day.  
 
The only problem with this merchant is that if something goes bad with the product, they won't deal with it, but ask you to contact the manufacturer. It's a minor beef, since the manufacturers are good. Overall quality products. I'll be shopping with them again, too.

After 4 emails and 3 phone calls all dealing with pitiful customer service representatives, it seems writing a review on this website is the quickest way to get a problem sorted out since the Resolutions team seem to be checking this website and responding.  
 
So resolution team I address this to you. I ordered a Compaq notebook computer and paid via funded paypal (ie it was actual money not a credit card transaction) and an authorization of my actual money was sent to ecost. I then receive an email saying the notebook I ordered is back ordered despite the website saying it was in stock. I then called ecost and cancelled the order. That was the easy part. Getting ecost to understand that funded paypal authorizations dont just "drop off" like temporary credit card authorizations and that someone in their credit department needs to physically reject the authorization has been a whole other matter. The people on the phone say I will send a request to the credit department, the people on email say, you have not been charged, the authorization will just drop off and I am still out $331 dollars of my hard earned cash that is sitting in the paypal universe somewhere because apparently ecost have no concept of how paypal works. So I implore you ecost read this review and give my bloody money back!!  
 
My favorite part of this whole experience has been how the day after I have to cancel my order because they dont infact have the notebook they were advertising, the send out their "hot sheet" emailing advertising the exact same computer! Wonder how many other people ordered the non existent computer as a result of this.  
 
CANCEL THE PAYPAL AUTHORIZATION AND GIVE MY FREAKING MONEY BACK YOU SCAMMERS!!!  
 
EDIT:Thanks you Beverly for proving my point with another useless reply. As I stated in my review Paypal authorizations DO NOT CANCEL THEMSELVES! How freaking hard is that to understand? Someone in your office needs to cancel the authorizations physically. Take ote everyone, even the resolutions team is totally inept.

This review was modified by its author, amberweaversmith, on 9/29/09 9:50 PM.

On 7/31/2009 I purchased 12 Thinkpad X41 series tablet computers. These arrived on 8/5/2009 as ordered and I have been very pleased with this purchase. I made another purchase on 8/11/09 for more tablet computers. This time I ordered 2 more Thinkpad X41 series tablets that included docking stations and messenger bags and again, as expected, these arrived on 8/14/09 as ordered. This order also included 2 HP Elitebook 2530p computers which I selected from the same list on the website identified as “TABLETS” and from where I had selected the Thinkpad tablets. I had no indication these were not tablets similar to the Thinkpads. When they arrived, I opened one of the boxes and discovered these are not tablet computers, but notebooks. They do not have pen-enabled touchscreens. I did not expect to have a problem getting them exchanged. I called customer service on 8/17/2009 and explained the situation, hoping from a customer service standpoint that an EXCHANGE could be made. I still need and want 2 more tablet computers. I even found 2 more that would be adequate replacements. I was informed that I would not be issued an RMA because of Ecost's policy of ALL SALES FINAL. I called customer service back on 8/18/2009 to request consideration for an exchange and was informed that my request would be forwarded for consideration. I asked when I could expect to hear back on a decision and was told that it was customary for this process to take 2-3 days. I emailed ecost the morning of  
8/21 and that afternoon received an email from James in the eCOST resolutions department asking me to call. I called twice and left voice mail with no response. On 9/2/09, I sent another email asking James to please consider how much money ecost stands to lose if I terminate my company's relationship. As of 9/16/09, no response. I have offered to exchange for other tablets, pay the shipping of these tablets back to them, and nothing is getting their attention or consideration. I expect better customer service than I have received and DO NOT RECOMMEND SHOPPING ECOST.

I was nervous after reading all the negative reviews about eCost after I ordered a refurbished Dyson from them. The order arrived within the specified time limit and the vacuum looked like new, all of the attachments and the book were included which apparently is unheard of with refurbished sweepers. I did not have any difficulty with the company and the price was great. And by the way the Dyson sucks big time in the way it is suppose to!!!

This review was modified by its author, juna, on 9/10/09 5:21 PM.

My item arrived missing several non-vital components that the website said they came with, and the serial number was blacked out on the back. I've bought refurbished items in the past, and have never seen that before. It just has a shady feel, and I wanted a response as to why they felt that was necessary.  
 
After two weeks of constant e-mails to this company, my problem has still not been resolved. I've only received one e-mail (other than the automatic "We'll get back to you within 24-48 hours!" e-mail) which directed me to call customer service. I spoke with the customer service representative, who told me I'd receive a response by e-mail. I never did. I've e-mailed them several more times over the last few weeks, and still have not received a response.  
 
This is an unacceptable level of customer service. I will never buy from this company again, and would encourage others not to as well.  
 
09/11/09  
I was never sent a return label. However on the 9th I did receive another e-mail telling me to contact their customer service number (again) after I left a bad review with shop.google.com, and yet another "Your letter has been forwarded to the Appropriate department, you will receive a response within 24 to 48 Business hours." So it's not for lack of them being able to contact me, it's pretty much them straight up lying.  
 
Also obviously ecost.com has no idea what "recertified" actually means. I still very strongly recommend that you do NOT ever buy from this company.

This review was modified by its author, cynmoon, on 9/11/09 1:58 PM.

I ordered a GPS with delivery in 2-4 days according to delivery zone on UPS map. Product took 2 weeks to arrive. I called to cancel the order or send it back unopened, but they refused. THEIR DELIVERY SERVICE SUCKS!!

I ordered a refurbished Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360. I was unaware of this site and all week I had been dreading the order.  
 
Well low and behold this afternoon (4 days after ordering) my console shows up complete with everything as promised on the website.  
 
The box was a bit worse for wear but all the contents were in there and I plugged the system in and was able to go right to playing and using Xbox Live. And despite being "refurbished" it still had the seals in tact so my console is covered by Microsoft for another 2 years replacement!  
 
I had no problems with them accepting my payment, no lost shipments (got a UPS Tracking Number on Day 2) and everything was as advertised.  
 
I know I am not the majority but at least for my transaction I got a steal (entire Special Edition console for $214)

I ordered a smith corona typewriter from ecost and it caught on fire in my living room. I returned it to ecost and they acknowledged receipt but after 2 months, they still have not credited my account.

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY FOR ANYTHING EVER. THEY WILL TRY TO RIP YOU OFF AND DOUBLE BILL YOU.  
 
Erly this month I ordered Fantom Drives 1TB eSATA / USB 2.0 Hard Drive - GF1000EU from eCost.com. I also purchased their extended warranty.  
 
When it arrived, in a timely fashion, I opened the box to find it improperly packaged. There was insufficient packing material from their warehouse to prevent the drive from sliding around. The results was a dead drive out of the box. After fighting with the drive for more then a day in an attempt to format, scan, etc... it was dead.  
 
I called eCost.com to get a RMA due to their bad packaging job. First they wanted to charge me a 2nd time for the replacement drive. This was not going to happen. I am not going to pay for a 2nd drive when I only ordered one and they screwed up.  
 
Once they agreed to send me a call tag from UPS with the promise of sending me a replacement drive once they had it in their warehouse we moved forward. I just checked, again, the UPS tracking number and eCost.com received the drive back on the 18th of August 2009. Yes 9 days ago and they have not sent me my replacement drive yet.  
 
I called their 800 phone number and the lady on the other end was happy to announce that they would NOT be sending me my replacement drive I have paid for and claim to of refunded my money. They have not. At least my credit card has not received the full refund.  
 
I am working with my credit card company to force them to give me the full refund since they refuse to do their job and that is provide working product for good money paid.  
 
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY EVER.  
 
just to add, I am now (typo, not should of been now) having to dispute the charges in order to get my money back.  
 
09/01/2009  
Again according to my credit card company if you had issued a refund/credit it would be instant, not 7 - 10 business days or 2 billing cycles.  
 
So again please do not lie to me. I have been a merchant for over 15 years and know how merchant services work. When a credit or refund is issued by the merchant it is reflected within 12 - 24 hours, not 7 - 10 days or 2 billing cycles.  
 
09/04/2009  
 
I just received a letter from my CC company and they are pursuing the dispute and are going to force eCost to refund my money. Thank God for a strong CC company. eCost is the worst online business company I have had the displeasure of dealing with.  

This review was modified by its author, lleb, on 9/5/09 6:14 PM.

Ecost provides a very misleading on line ad.  
Ecost publishes under the wrong section -- they make the mistake I did  
When I go to return the item they refuse saying I should have understood. They send me on a week long saga designed specifically to stop me from getting my money back. Of course they don't take the return and you talk to no one.  
Great prices but it you don't like it your screwed  
Terrible customer service policies.  
 
On another return item-- defective they have me buy another and put out cash without an RMA and then take days -- using my money before allowing me to return item.  
 
I will purchase things anywhere else when I receive customer service of this nature- I suggest you do the same

Finally received a refund on credit card, but had to jump through several hoops and make/spend untold amount of calls and time on phone with eCost to get it. Unless you like gambling on what you'll received when you buy from eCost, and keeping whatever you get, I would not buy from them. They use 3rd party order servicing and it's like playing russian roulette.  
 
Updated: 9/14/2009  
Received RMA and returned drives, however actually getting a refund has proved unattainable. Again, I highly suggest staying away from Ecost.com, unless you like losing money! At this point I leaning toward letting credit card company handle this.  
And don't believe the responses you see from Ecost, at least the one to mine is a non-existent person.  
-------  
Ordered harddrive and was shipped wrong, lower cost model. Paid for 2-day shipping, item shipped ground. Contacted customer service, they indicated that original item I ordered was not in stock. Why did they not notify me prior to shipping out lesser item or refund cost? This company is running a scam, advertising quality items and shipping lower value items in there place. Carefully review items you receive from them, since they will not notify you of changes to order. If I had not noticed different item, I'm sure eCost would never said anything. Had to prove to customer service that I ordered higher cost item, even though it's in there system. Better places to buy items even if cost is a little more, save yourself the headache know as "eCost". I think I need an Advil, although I won't be buying it from eCost, I'm sure I'd get a genric asprin!

This review was modified by its author, egor, on 9/16/09 7:29 AM.