I purchased a Rackable Systems Dual Xeon 2.8 Ghz $GB 4x36GB 2U Server from www.Surpluscomputer.com on 7/30/2008. I tested the computer a week or so after receiving and the power supply worked initially (but very,very loud), but the server would not respond to Keyboard in order to access the CMOS. A week or so later, I tried again and now the power supply is bad. I contacted surpluscomputers.com tech support, and they informed me to request an RMA. after waiting another 5-6 days, I got an RMA. Sent the server back, and now I cannot get them to respond to my emails for 2 weeks now. They do not offer a phone to contact them for any reason. I feel absolutely helpless in that there is no way to contact but via email, and they are either slow or no response. I have ordered a number of items in the past 4-5 years, but I cannot continue to purchase from a company that ignores requests for customer support.  
 
Update 10/21/2008 - finally received a response and they shipped a replacement computer that does at least start-up and responds to the keyboard. I would probably avoid buying from SurplusComputer in the future just because they do not respond in a timely manner to rma requests & followups.

This review was modified by its author, antmall, on 10/22/08 10:44 PM.

Bought 2 New 120Gb hard drives got 2 used junk drives that would not power up. Got a RMA and was told I would get a credit on the drives not the shipping. Now the wait and see. Always remember 2 things I didn't. 1. If the price is too good to be true beware. 2. Always check ResellerRatings first like I wish I did.

Bought five Dell 2650's which were supposed to have 2GB of memory, only 1 had that amount. One of the machines was DOA also.

This company is pretty sketch these days. I used to have no problems with orders or customer service. Of course, that was while they still had a retail store in Bonaventura. Now that they've gone exclusively to internet sales, their attention to detail, product quality and customer service have, sadly, declined dramatically.  
 
I ordered a fairly cheap accessory for my phone (a Motorola SLVR.) It was supposed to be a stereo headset to play music that plugs into the USB port. When it arrived, it was a mono earbud for incoming calls. Their website informed me that I had ten days to let them know if I got the wrong product. I had e-mailed them three times and gotten no response. So, when the nine day mark came around, I called their phone number, 408-327-0420 (which I had done at first.) But, instead of letting the message tell me that I couldn't get customer service, I hit "0". This led me to their automated phone bank. It asked me to put in an extention. I tried a few, and then typed in "102." All of a sudden, the phone is ringing through and a voice on the other end of the line picks up and answers as some body shop. I asked how I could get a hold of Surplus Computers and he informed me that he was the owner of that as well. (I wish I could remember his name, but I can't.)  
 
It would appear that they are running many different companies from the same phone number and same address. But, after a short description of the problem, he quickly offered to "take my request down to customer service", himself and make sure I got the right order.  
 
So, here's the trick to getting "customer service" from Surpluscomputers.com...  
 
1. Dial 408-327-0420  
2. Type "0" when the voice is telling you about their lack of phone customer service.  
3. Type "102", and speak to the man in charge, himself.  
 
Enjoy!  
 
--Danny Speicher

Tried getting this on the cheap for my nieces- Should have waited a few weeks  
FYI- Don't buy this item from SurplusComputers.com. Paid $50 3 weeks ago and was shipped a defective unit. System just flashes LED, will not connect to the guitar. While the Tech response time was good no good tech support(less than 24 hr response to tell me to request a RMA), still no RMA#- 2 weeks and 4 emails later. Tried ordering a replacement guitar from www_overstockdealz_com for $22 since shipping the original guitar back was going to cost $15.  
Bottom Line- if you do not buy new and your unit (both guitars) came with batteries installed, chances are you will have the same problem as the original buyer.  
Buyer Beware when dealing with  
surpluscomputers.com  
www_overstockdealz_com or their parent company www_consumerdepot_com.  
I will not be dealing with them in the future.  
Just passing along information on these vendors crummy customer service .  
At least with Amazon, they make it right at their cost and probably sell their defective units to these other yahoos :-(  

First time ordering from Surplus Computers. I placed my order 10 days ago and still haven't received a confirmation or shipment notice. I emailed them to check on the status and received a reply that I would receive a tracking number once the order was shipped. They assured me they don't charge credit cards until items have been shipped. I just checked my credit card, they processed the transaction a week ago. So far i'm not impressed, just sent another email, if i don't hear back in a few days i'll have to call mastercard. Hopefully everything works out and I can change my review, but from the sounds of recent reviews I'm not too hopeful...

I recently purchased an Intellistation from them.  
It has a locking cabinet, and it arrived locked. But the keys they shipped don't fit the lock.  
 
It also shipped with a non-standard 60-pin video port requiring a special cable... (not mentioned and not included)  
 
What does customer service have to say? Request an RMA! They expect me to pay $35.00 shipping EACH WAY for the privilege!!! Thank you very much.  
 
You have been warned.  
 
 

two items were ordered, only one was shipped. I was charge for the more expensive item that was not shipped. No response from them. They give no way of contact other then email. Stay away from this shady company

A previously reputable company, this outfit has gone down the tubes. Prices are great, but if there is a problem, WATCH OUT, THEY SIMPLY DO NOT RESPOND.  
Only recourse is credit card chargeback, the aggravation isn't worth the savings.

Like others have posted, I have not had any issue with Surplus Computers until this order. I have ordered probably 8 items over the past few years.  
 
With this order, they sent the wrong item. Customer service e.mailed me back with how to obtain RMA info. I completed the RMA form and sent via e.mail and fax. Now I can not get them to return e.mail or FAX. Contacted Discover Card and they are going to open a grievance with them. This is my last time doing business with them.

This review was modified by its author, SnowDoo, on 4/10/08 1:02 PM.

I like most of the posts have been doing business with Surplus conputers for 3 to 4 years. My last experience was not good, I bought 2 IBM intellistation m with XP PRO preloaded. one was fine, on the second one the keyboard port did not work. I filled out the form they ask for and can npt get anyone to answer emails. This is the last time I will do business with them. something seems to have happened to them. It took 3 weeks to ship my towers

I have ordered stuff from Surplus Computers for years - but no longer. They sold a refurbished IBM P4 2.8ghz computer with Win XP Pro installed. however, when I tried to validate the build and install updates, Microsoft identified this as a fraudulent or pirated copy of Windows. Surplus Computers will not answer their phone and has not responded to multiple requests for tech support or customer service.  
 
Steer clear.

Add me to the long list of less than satisfied customers. After several years of satisfactory experiences I recently ordered two 1GB sticks of RAM which were DOA. Numerous emails over the last three weeks go unanswered. They no longer have a phone contact for customer service. I guess they couldn't stand the heat. This marks the last time I'll do any business with this company.

Please notice that my order date was back on August 1. I am posting here because I don't know anywhere else to express my discontent at this point. I will NEVER do business with this company again, and I echo the sentiments of other recent negative reviewers.  
 
I originally purchased 6 laser pointer/pen/USB drives. One was DOA. It took me 2 1/2 months just to get an RMA issued. Email support, while recommended by them, was terrible. It often took me 3 weeks just to get a response, with me sending emails asking for updates once a week. It's funny, because the only times I got responses were when the email I sent stated that if they kept being unresponsive, I would have no choice but to file a complaint with the BBB.  
 
Eventually, by November, I was notified that I would receive a refund for the DOA item. I would not be refunded the cost I had to pony up to ship the defective item back to them, but at that point, I really didn't care. I waited a month, again, requesting updates weekly (none of which were responded to) before giving up on that. To this date, I have not received a single email from them since the "we are going to credit your account" email. I have since filed a complaint with the BBB (in January), and had it closed due to the company's lack of response (beginning of February).  
 
I agree that Surplus Computers seemed to be better in the past, and I don't know what's happening with their management, but this last experience will indeed be my LAST experience with them.  
 
I think that their normal day-to-day order filling process might be ok, but once you have a problem, consider yourself SOL. I had an item arrive DOA and have still not been able to get a refund SEVEN MONTHS LATER....

I have been a customer of Surplus Computers for about 2.5 years now. "Timeliness" tends to fluctuate -- Sometimes my orders are processed right away (this one was -- I got my order confirmation the same day as well as UPS tracking info) and others seem to linger for a day or two before being processed. Overall, this has been a really good company to do business with. I have placed at least 20 orders with them, and have not had a problem yet.

This review was modified by its author, justinaparr, on 3/10/08 11:52 AM.