"I ordered an advertised AMD XP 3200 "Retail Boxed Processor" from this retailer. The reason I ordered a retail boxed CPU and NOT an OEM version is the rampant fraud and conterfeiting of OEM CPU's. Retail Boxed CPU's come in a sealed box with a heat sink and documentation, while "OEM" CPU's come with just the CPU.

I just received this so-called "retail boxed' cpu and what I recieved was the _contents_ of a retail boxed processor rolled up in bubble wrap with no box... I already knew what I was in for and lo and behold, when I examined the processor, the L12 bridges were laser cut, identifing it as a conterfeit. The tech rep at unitedmicro.com says "we don't sell conterfeit processors," I told him, "now you do!"

He issued me an RMA and claimed no manager was available to speak with until Monday.

I called my credit card company, they advised me to return the item and wait for a full refund, including shipping charges.

I left a message with the AMD fraud department and expect to receive a call back from them. Advertising a retail boxed processor and sending out a laser cut-conterfeit in OEM packaging is brazen fraud. This retailer advertises itself as an AMD Channel Partner to boot.

Ah well, I'm going to take a couple pictures of the packaging and the CPU itself and send the POS back to them.

The laser cutting transforms a much cheaper mobile processor to appear and actually perform like a XP3200 desktop processor and as I mentioned, it's almost impossible to find an OEM version of this CPU in OEM form that is genuine. That's why I paid extra for the boxed version. All in vain and causing me a considerable amount of lost time and frustration.

Thanks unitedmicro! For NOTHING!


Update 7-23-05

The vendor did refund my money, including the intitial shipping charges so they have at least redeemed themselves in that regard.

"

"Attempted to get warranty service on laptop purchased last year. Laptop has has managable problems since shortly after puchase, such as not screen flicker and not powering on some times. Eventually these problems developed into the laptop never turning on. After the spring school semester ended I attempted to get these problems resolved and sent the laptop to the company with a repair order number and a 1 page description of the problems and all the relavant order number, contact information, etc.

The Laptop was returned 2 weeks after arriving at that company with a refusal to perform warranty service paper and the broken laptop. The reasons stated were an expired repair number and a missing serial number on the laptop.

I contacted the company regarding this notice on June 7th. The repair number expires 15 days after receiving it, which would mean that it was indeed expired. This is fine, although this policy is not written down anywhere, or told to customers upon receipt of the number. The second issue with the serial number is the real dispute with the company. The laptop has not been modified or out of my possession in the year that I have been using it, meaning I haven't taken apart or removed any stickers on the model. The company contends that I have removed the label and that warranty repairs will not be completed without the serial number on the case. From my order number the company was able to identify the model number, purchase price, manufacturer, etc for me on the phone."

"I have completely changed opinions.

This company is amazing. They shipped my computer (awesome packing, brilliant) and it works like a dream. This is proved by the fact that I'm writing this review on my new computer!

Processing time and customer service? I won't lie: they suck. Two-and-a-half weeks to get here. Boy was it worth it! Customer service was rude to me though. But I'd still buy from them again, for sure.

Prices A+! Can't beat 'em."

"I was very happy with the price, swift availability of the tracking number, and speed of delivery. I definitely plan to order from them again."

"The worst tech support imaginable. Should it REALLY take thirteen weeks to replace a failed disk drive? This was only after many patient phone calls, followed up with many heated phone calls. They ship White Label drives when I ordered disks with factory warranty, then they balk at covering the warranty. The poorest choice."

"United Micro claims to warrent ABIT mainboard I bought for the first year. After it failed I shipped it back and that was the end. No answer
on the phone and no email response to repeated follow up for a status. Since ABIT has has a 24/7
real time status for their vendors why no response from UM? Resold it? Did not forward it?
Who knows. I should have read Resellerratings before I ordered."

"My order came in a timely manner and my item was just as advertised. The customer service staff was very prompt in answering my questions.."

"After reading some of the reviews posted in December relating to United Micro, I felt somewhat compelled to share my experience with the company. I was shocked to hear all the negative reviews and problems others have had. It sounds like a Jekyl and Hyde kind of syndrome. Luckily, my experience has certainly been more of the Jekyl fare--positive. I've ordered several custom boxes from the company, each for purposes ranging from business to gaming. I've been very happy with the website and the number of choices available for each component. I've noticed they don't nickel and dime you for every little thing (like shim's, or burn in time) like some of the other shops I've found on Pricewatch. On one of my orders I did get a call informing me that the budget video card I had ordered was out of stock, but they offered me an upgrade at a cheaper price than they had posted on their website. Being a huge Newegg fan since before they closed their retail stores, the processing and shipping time was certainly slower than what I've grown accustomed to, but it wasn't outrageous. When the boxes have shown up, not only have they included everything I ordered, but I could tell the company, at least in my experience, did not cut any corners. In fact, they made some nice touches--they included 3 fans with my case, the cabling was done intelligently and they included rounded cables. Most importantly, I haven't had any problems with anything I've ordered. It sounds like United Micro has made a lot of people angry over the last few months, but for what it's worth, I've been quite pleased. "

"Thank you for the very fast processing and delivery of my new system."

"Customer service response was prompt and professional. Order was processed within the stated time, and delivery was on time. No problems whatsoever with the order or the product. Definitely recommended."

"User Friendly website. Customer service is great! Easy order,easy ship with great prices and great shipping rates"

"These people are literally crooks and should be prosecuted. I ordered enough computer parts (case, motherboard, etc) to assemble my own computer but United Micro neglected to send me the CPU Fan and Heatsink assembly that I had ordered - without which I couldn't use my new computer. When I called United Micro, the person I spoke with seemed to doubt I was telling the truth when I told him they hadn't shipped the CPU Fan/Heatsink I had paid for, but finally did agree to ship the Fan/Heatsink to me the same day at no additional charge. Two weeks later I still haven't received the Fan/Heatsink and have just ordered it from a different reseller (CensusPC).

Ron Dotson
"

"Great service, ordered several different items, all arrived promptly, well packaged and as expected."

"I had a great experience purchasing at United Micro Inc, excelent service and the price was very good."

"Ordering was quick and easy. I found the prices to be unbeatable. I would definitely buy from you again."