1/5
posted Nov-04-2008
I don't think they train these people... A former co-worker of mine bought a Gateway PC last May. The hard drive developed bad sectors out of warranty this October. I told him to buy a new one and I would install it and restore his PC. Well the restore disc he had was damaged (scratched) sometime in the year he had it. I first attempted Gateways website to see if I could order a replacement online (Had to do that once before with a friends Sony PC-great exp there). Couldn't find it, but I did see a link to chat online with a tech.
After explaining the situation their online tech (Steve), he confirmed the PC was out of warranty and tried to sell me phone based support. I reminded him that I didn't want/need tech support as the problem was fixed, I just needed a replacement restore disc. He tells me they do not carry them and directs me to an outside company website to buy it. Well I looked on that website and most of what they listed were for older PC's running Windows98 and earlier. I only seen a few XP's and no Vista's. I found a phone number for the company and called, they confirmed they do not carry anything Vista. They specialize in older hardware no longer supported. They did recommend to call Gateway and ask for their parts department as tech support were "idiots", the discs should be in stock.
So I found their number and called their customer service line. I will say Gateway's hold times are better than most, only took about 5 minutes. The guys I talked to (Cody) said they do have the disc (really?), it was $10 for the disc + $10 for regular ground shipping. I explained the situation that my friend was going into the hospital for surgery Monday (11/3) and the needed the disc sooner. I asked if I could get it overnight shipped so I'd have it Friday (10/31). He tells me sure, but the next day shipping will be an additional $10. I said fine $30 is ok and asked to verify it was shipping the same day & also asked where was it shipping from. He said it would ship that day, and it would be coming from Texas.
So Friday passed and no disc, Saturday passed and no disc, finally Monday came and the disc arrives. The label shows "Deliver by 03Nov08", checking the tracking number online it shipped from Washington and it wasn't shipped until the next day. This portion of the blame should be shared by both Gateway (overnight orders shouldn't sit around an extra day) & FedEX (three business days to ship an overnight package?)
General incompetence all around... The first tech should have directed me to customer service to order the disc, the second should have been a little more forthcoming in the shipping. Lastly, FedEx...that's another review.
36,423 stores
1,205,340 reviews
6346 shoppers online now
Total Reviews
Helpful Reviews
Forum Posts
Member Since
posted Jul-10-2006 
This review was modified by 
This review was modified by 
posted Mar-14-2002 
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"I don\u0027t think they train these people... A former co-worker of mine bought a Gateway PC last May. The hard drive developed bad sectors out of warranty this October. I told him to buy a new one and I would install it and restore his PC. Well the restore disc he had was damaged (scratched) sometime in the year he had it. I first attempted Gateways website to see if I could order a replacement online (Had to do that once before with a friends Sony PC-great exp there). Couldn\u0027t find it, but I did see a link to chat online with a tech.<br><br>After explaining the situation their online tech (Steve), he confirmed the PC was out of warranty and tried to sell me phone based support. I reminded him that I didn\u0027t want\/need tech support as the problem was fixed, I just needed a replacement restore disc. He tells me they do not carry them and directs me to an outside company website to buy it. Well I looked on that website and most of what they listed were for older PC\u0027s running Windows98 and earlier. I only seen a few XP\u0027s and no Vista\u0027s. I found a phone number for the company and called, they confirmed they do not carry anything Vista. They specialize in older hardware no longer supported. They did recommend to call Gateway and ask for their parts department as tech support were \u0022idiots\u0022, the discs should be in stock.<br><br> So I found their number and called their customer service line. I will say Gateway\u0027s hold times are better than most, only took about 5 minutes. The guys I talked to (Cody) said they do have the disc (really?), it was $10 for the disc + $10 for regular ground shipping. I explained the situation that my friend was going into the hospital for surgery Monday (11\/3) and the needed the disc sooner. I asked if I could get it overnight shipped so I\u0027d have it Friday (10\/31). He tells me sure, but the next day shipping will be an additional $10. I said fine $30 is ok and asked to verify it was shipping the same day & also asked where was it shipping from. He said it would ship that day, and it would be coming from Texas.<br><br> So Friday passed and no disc, Saturday passed and no disc, finally Monday came and the disc arrives. The label shows \u0022Deliver by 03Nov08\u0022, checking the tracking number online it shipped from Washington and it wasn\u0027t shipped until the next day. This portion of the blame should be shared by both Gateway (overnight orders shouldn\u0027t sit around an extra day) & FedEX (three business days to ship an overnight package?)<br><br>General incompetence all around... The first tech should have directed me to customer service to order the disc, the second should have been a little more forthcoming in the shipping. Lastly, FedEx...that\u0027s another review.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Gateway\/comment\/417016#comment417016","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Gateway.jpg","store_name":"Gateway","username":"DSLaBuda","rating":"1"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"Excellent company to deal with. Phil the owner took the time to answer a lot of questions back and forth through email awhile back for me about underbody lighting. I ordered 5 sets green ccfl\u0027s for the amp rack & underdash of my Saturn ION. Shipping was fast (couple days) and cheap (under $4). Overall one of the better experiences I\u0027ve had with an online retailer, Ozinum is definitely in my top list now.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Oznium\/comment\/266391#comment266391","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Oznium.jpg","store_name":"Oznium","username":"DSLaBuda","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"I have purchased my entire car audio system from crutchfield on multiple orders for two simple reasons; value and customer service. Their advisors have always been there whenever I had any question. Shipping has always been prompt and inexpensive. The big thing however is anytime I ever had a problem they were always there to help out. The Alpine reciever I recieved turned out to be defecive and they made the return process the easiest I\u0027ve ever encountered. Add to that a 99% complete selection of products and little extras like free radio install kits and I\u0027m now a lifelong crutchfield customer, thanx guys!<br><br>Tip for others, watch their specials. They make a great deal even better. :)","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Crutchfield\/comment\/223919#comment223919","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Crutchfield.jpg","store_name":"Crutchfield","username":"DSLaBuda","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"excellent prices, they are the lowest i\u0027ve found for a lot of case modding products. the only problem with this their shipping carier, airbourne. the tracking system needs a lot of work. it showed my package right away from each step to the warehouse, and then nothing beyond that until a few hours before it arrived. (the warehouse was across the country from me)","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Case_Mod\/comment\/67949#comment67949","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Case_Mod.jpg","store_name":"Case-Mod.com","username":"DSLaBuda","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"***EDITED***<br>I ordered a asus a7n8x deluxe motherboard from newegg on feb 18th. I received the board, installed it and found it was defective. in my haste i posted a negative comment here about the company, however i would like to retract it. Paul from Newegg contacted me and setup a crosship for a new board and even offered a credit for the return shipping. I have to apologize for jumping the gun here and posting my previous comment before they had a chance to respond. After dealing with various companies that treat the customers as just a number, newegg gave me an unexpected surprise. They have gone out of their way to satisfy a customer and has earned a repeat customer. I would like to recommmend newegg be placed high on everyones list of places to shop.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Newegg\/comment\/67948#comment67948","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Newegg.jpg","store_name":"Newegg.com (USA)","username":"DSLaBuda","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"all in all, good selection. my only beef was their credit card verification system wouldn\u0027t work with the \u0022deskshop\u0022 software i got from discover. (it issues a one time use cc number to avoid stolen number)","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Directron\/comment\/48502#comment48502","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Directron.jpg","store_name":"Directron","username":"DSLaBuda","rating":"4"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"I made five orders from TC, all five were quick to come. although when the radeon all in wonder card turned out to be bad, i\u0027m getting the runaround on the return. i just spoke with \u0022sam\u0022 on their customer help line and was told the new card would need to be recharged to my account--and he didn\u0027t know where i could send it back too. i was told to call tech support--tech support said to call cust service. Stay away from this company, i wish i would have found this site before i ordered from them!","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/TC_Computers\/comment\/41058#comment41058","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/TC_Computers.jpg","store_name":"TC Computers","username":"DSLaBuda","rating":"1"}, "single");){kind=link}