Awesome Service and attention. Sterling really worked to help me out. I needed the parts in 2 days he got them shipped out the next day with overnite shipping and a he upgraded my processor free of charge because they were out of the one i ordered and it would have taken longer to redo the order. Incredible service. Highly recommended!!!!

Except for one other machine, I have build all of my computers from scratch and am well acquainted with the associated problems.  
 
I've read a lot of comments about components not working on computers built by Monarch.  
 
People need to be aware that when you spec your own system from parts, it's your responsibility to know what you are ordering and whether any component compatibility issues exist. Otherwise the ONLY way to guarantee a conflict free machine is to buy one that's pre-configured by the vendor.  
 
That said, this is an excellent company to do business with as long as you have the capicity for two simple things, good communication skills and patience.  
 
It's a smaller company that is experiencing some "growing pains" as their sales volume increases. Most of their orders are still tracked and handled via paperwork and some of the problems are nothing more than a misread, hand written, note on an invoice.  
 
On Nov. 7 I spec'd and ordered a custom built dual AMD workstation running Windows XP Pro. Lian-Li PC 70 case, 400W PS, Tyan 2460 MB, Dual AMD 1600+ CPUs, 1 GB RAM, Elsa GLoria III, 40GB HDD, USR Modem, SB Live 5.1. For a minimal $68.00 charge I decided to have them put it together instead of ironing the bugs out by myself. 8 days later I realized I had made a error in my choice of a graphics card. A simple email and follow-up phone call was all that was required. Was there a change order charge? Of course, and rightly so. The machine had already been built. It had to be un-boxed, put back on the line, old card and drivers removed and put back into stock, new card pulled from stock, installed, new drivers installed, burned in and tested again, then re-packaged for shipping. They're entitled to the $25.00. They earned it.  
 
There was a minor mix up on the billing, double charge. Again, a simple email and follow-up call fixed it in one day.  
 
The last problem was a shipping mix up due to illegible paperwork. They sent me the wrong machine. After "calmly" explaining the problem, they jumped through hoops to straighten it out ASAP. Before shipping my workstation they re-tested it which was fortunate because it wouldn't get past POST. They installed, and removed, 4 motherboards before getting one that worked properly. Was it their fault? No. Apparently Tyan's QC isn't up to snuff. Put the blame where it is due.  
 
In spite of all this, I received my machine within the time-frame laid out in their contract. The only other problem was with the Plextor CDRW that I ordered. That, however, was my fault. Unlike another reviewer here, I immediately went to Plextor's website and found a compatibility issue with my CDRW and Windows XP, as is often the case with any new OS. So, I knew not to install the supplied software.  
 
I have been using my new workstation for the last 4 months without so much as a hiccup. It posted the fastest benchmark score to date for the CAD application that I use and has been rock stable. An excellent product and exceptional workmanship.  
 
Treat these people like human beings and they will bend over backwards to accomodate you. Rant and rave like an idiot and, well.... I wouldn't help you either.  
 
I will be purchasing from this company again and will continue to do business with them in the future. I have also recommended them to several of my colleagues and acquaintences.  
 
Frank Trykoski  
Acchitectural and Mechanical Designer

Had the best price on Lian-Li PC-60 and Enermax power supply. Received them sooner than I expected.

The following is an exact copy of a letter I sent to Monarch after dealing with them recently.  
 
[Dear Sir,  
 
First of all let me give you my order #43081 and name, John Hall. I wanted to do that so that you can easily verify that what I am about to say is true.  
 
I bought my system back in October of 2001. I asked for and received both a WinXP OS and a Plextor CD drive. Along with my system came the Roxio software package which I opened and installed. There was no warning of any kind that the software (Plextor Manager 2000, to be exact) would cause me any trouble. (I highly recommend that you consider including a warning in the future) I do not know exactly why, but my system continued to function well until a few days ago. At that time I received an error message stating that my NTFS.sys was corrupted and that windows had traced the problem back to my Plextor drive. I went to their website and discovered that I should never install Plextor Manager 2000 on a WinXP OS. Alas, I had already done so.  
 
At this point I called your Tech Support team and asked for help. The problem was, I'm sure, made much more difficult by the fact that I know next to nothing about DOS operations, or the installation of operating systems. Your staff where polite, curtious, positive to a fault, and knowledgeable. One gentleman in particular was nothing short of a saint. I called repeatedly throughout the day for three days in a row. I always asked for him by name. He stuck with me, and treated me with respect, even when I know things where getting frustrating. His name is Duane, and he is a credit to your company. My system is now up and running again and I am certain that without his help I would be smashing it to pieces with a ball pin hammer right about now.  
 
I will now go out of my way to encourage anyone I know to buy from your company, and I will also go to any consumer websites that I can find and give your company a shining review. The value and service you have provided me is truly remarkable. Thank you Monarchcomputer, your Tech team, and especially Duane.  
 
John Hall]  
 
They really did take good care of me. In addition to the above information it should also be added that during the course of correcting my problems I discoverd that one of my memory (RAM) sticks had gone bad. I called back a few days after my system was up and they quickly gave me a RMA number so that I could return the bad memory to be tested. I haven't sent it back yet but will be shortly.

My original review posted Feb 26:  
 
I purchased a computer from Monarch in December. I used their online configuration service, and realizeed almost immediately after I made the order, I had erred. First thing the next morning, I called and spoke to one of the people there, and we agreed to change the motherboard to a less expensive model which I was told was actually a bit faster than the original one I had selected.  
 
When the computer arrived several weeks later (they were not very fast in getting it out to me, apparently because they couldn't find memory which worked properly) I discovered the machine came with a different (more expensive) motherboard than ordered, and not the one we agreed on as a substitute. When I called about it, I was told that they switched based on the phone conversation. I told them I did not authorize the more expensive motherboard, and the representative argued with me about whether I had done so. At the end of a lengthy phone call, he told me he would refund the difference (I replied "Do what you think is right.")  
 
After waiting a month for my statement on my card, I discovered that they did not remove the additional charges which were never authorized by me.  
 
I contacted them again, and have never been able to get them to discuss this. In fairness, I received a phone call from them, but the message was accidentally deleted, and attempts to contact them again were not successful.  
 
At this point, I will be taking it up with my card issuer.  
 
It's a shame, because the quality of their work, and the assembly, was first class. I've had a number of PCs of my own over the past 18 years, and as an I.T. professional, have literally purchased and installed hundreds. Their product was right up there with the best, but I cannot trust nor recommend a company which will add charges without notification or authorization. The invoicee I received with the computer bears the notation to change out the motherboard, but no indication of a price change from the original order. In addition, they wanteed to charge me an additional fee for changing the configuration, even though their website did not indicate at the time that they did so.  
 
Monarch has fine products at exceptional prices, but I must question their business practices.  
 
-------  
 
An addendum posted later (Mar 4):  
A follow up to my earlier posting:  
 
Monarch tells me this morning I have had my $33 refunded. Unfortunately, I couldn't get across to the person I discussed this with exactly why I was displeased. He explained to me that their systems have been upgraded so they would not make the same mistake in the future (as he explained, the paperwork which noted a change to a less expensive motherboard to correct my ordering error was lost in an office move.)  
 
I'll again say the quality of work was excellent, and I do not truly believe the company made the error intentionally. I'm convinced that they intended it as good service, but they did not then and do not now understand why I have an issue with agreeing to a less expensive compnent to correct an error I made in ordering and then, having a more expensive part shipped instead, even with good intentions.  
 
If you are considering them for a purchase, I would not use MY story to stop you- I would only recommend that you make sure all things are clear in advance. In fairness, that was MY error as well. In spite of the fact that our last conversation wasn't very friendly, I don't think this is a bad resource to use, and would still consider recommending them as long as you're aware of any changes to your order. I do believe you won't find a better balance of quality and pricing- I didn't, and that's why I ordered.  
 
So, in conclusion- they made good (though not in good spirit) and that's the important thing. And I learned a lesson I should have known all along- when you ask for a change, make sure you get them to update your change in an email.  
 

Had the AMD Athlon MP processors in stock very fast after release. Great price and a 3 year OEM warranty for that low price.

Follow up to my posting on Dec. 7th. The returned CPU/MB combo was received by Monarch on Dec. 11th. But nothing has been shipped back after a week. It looks like that the tech support department is yet to look at the defective board. I was told that because I was an existing customer, this would be looked at immediately after it was received. I do want to note that the RMA deparment lady is very friendly on the phone (I called three times since last week) but still nothing is on the way back. I was told again that they'd do their best to get it out today. We will see. I will keep you posted.