5/5

posted Jun-19-2002

Let's flip the coin over.

I, however, do not agree with EBC selling used parts as new. The parts do go through a 36-hour re-testing process, but this doesn't mean they are new or refurbished. This is a very gray area to try and verify the parts are as good as new. Especially, if the problem was intermittant in the first place. EBC should lower the price on these parts, sell them as used, and raise all of their prices on other products slightly to cover the increased cost ( or loss). They should also offer no in-store warranty and state the remaining manufacturers warranty on the used parts. In this manner there are no illusions in the customer's mind as to the customer service on these parts.

I also feel that there are some customers requests that have been mis-handled. Unfortunately, anger often gets in the way. I am not speaking so much of Eddy personally (he's usually as cool as a cucumber), but of some of the staff and some of the customers. The key is to be civil and polite. If you lose your temper as a customer, it can result in the management losing their tempers and then you lose. At that point, you may as well kiss your service goodbye. As my mother used to say, "honey attracts flies better than vinegar".

Additionally, the time that it takes sales associates to enter an order is too long. They need to revamp the invoicing system to a realtime system that makes a sales order and invoice all at once by scanning the serial barcode or an EBC specific SKU barcode into the system. This would solve the long waits for sales orders.

And finally, I suggest that you inspect all parts that you recieve from EBC extremely closely, and be extremely careful with the part when installing it into your computer. Any physical damage caused directly by you or others (besides Tech support) will void any EBC AND Manufacturers warranties expressed or implied.

If you recieve damaged or equipment that you suspect is used, I suggest that you refuse that equipment. (Keep in mind that in order to scan serial number barcodes into their computers the seals on the static bags are often broken on motherboards and modems. This means you should inspect the part closer for possible marks from mounting or inserting motherboards or video/modem/network/sound cards. Also, check the seals on monitor boxes and power supplies {whether inside or outside the case}.)

My final words are this:

Research your products
Know what you want
Call ahead for a will call
Don't accept used equipment
Inspect closely
Wear static wrist strap when installing your equipment
Don't overclock (or admit to overclocking), or play with settings in the BIOS you don't understand
Know the warranty, RMA, and return polices of EBC and expect them to enforce them.
Don't break seals or remove stickers
Keep your original invoice
Be polite and calm when seeking a return/RMA


This is a way to avoid problems and hassle with EBC if you follow it closely. If you choose to ignore me then, "let the buyer beware."

This review was modified by brightglaive on June 19 2002 04:31:10 PM

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