Anandtech vs. Gateway, lets get it on! *UPDATE* Time to take Gateway down.

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: arod
Its the way all computer companies do buisness. How do you think dell can afford to give you a computer for 499 or whatever the ad is these days.

Doesn't make it right.

 

[shiftomnimega]

Thanks for the recognition farmer and I'm glad you fixed the problem Cuda.

I am also glad you're gonna rip Gateway. Gateway is THE ONLY computer company that charges the premium prices and uses the crappiest parts. Compaq/Hp and Dell use better parts and are either the same price or cheaper for a comparable Gateway.

Emachines uses similar parts to Gateway (notably those crappy power supplies) but charges you pennies. The way it should be.

That's part of the reason why I build my own computers.

 

[Schadenfroh]

well, if you upgraded and it still did not work, what would they say then?

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
well, if you upgraded and it still did not work, what would they say then?

Then I would have them troubleshoot the PC with me (Agh, the horror!). Basically I would have had to reformat to satisfy them first, before anything else. Thats what they wanted me to do this time, but I KNEW it was a PSU. Thats why I checked that first. Im so pissed at them right now though, especially cause they tried to tell me the reason for me having this problem was because I needed to upgrade, and then continuing to try and sell me a new video card.


So what Im going to do is try my damndest (is that a word?) to not only get my PSU replaced like it should be, but get the new PSU I bought paid for, and get a free video card that they wanted to sell me. They use fradulent tactics to deceive the customer and make more sales, IMO that borderlines on illegal. I'm going to try and jack them the best I can. Dunno how much luck I'll have though.

 

[daballard]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447

So what Im going to do is try my damndest (is that a word?) to not only get my PSU replaced like it should be, but get the new PSU I bought paid for, and get a free video card that they wanted to sell me. They use fradulent tactics to deceive the customer and make more sales, IMO that borderlines on illegal. I'm going to try and jack them the best I can. Dunno how much luck I'll have though.

Ask for too much and you may get nothing... Take your replacement PSU and inform them you're never purchasing anything from the again.

 

[thorin]

Why didn't you just hang up after your first call, then call them back in a hour and tell them you reformatted and installed ME and still had the problem?

Thorin

 

[Booty]

I don't see why you think you deserve a new video card out of the deal. If all was fair they should pay for the new power supply you bought and that's it. Odds are they won't even do that, though, because you bought an Antec, and they would have replaced it with something significantly cheaper.

Anyway, I'd try to get them to pay for the Antec. If they won't do that, do you have one of those Gateway Country stores near you? Maybe you could put the faulty PSU back in, take it in there and tell them you're sure the PSU is bad and have them try a spare right there in front of you (so to speak). From there, I don't know... you'd probably get stuck with whatever they want to replace it with... maybe you could turn around and sell the Antec one you bought, or keep it for a spare.

Yes, Gateway sucks and owes your a new PSU (and some of your time back), but the reality of the situation is that all you're going to get from them is a replacement part, if that. If you want to get them back, about all you can do is not do business with them again, and share your story with everyone you know... hopefully you can help keep others from having to go through what you did, and maybe down the road Gateway's reputation will spread enough that they have to do something about it.

 

[Viper96720]

I got a new hardrive from gateway. Cousin got this computer from a friend but windows wouldn't install. Just told them hard drive didn't work. So I got another one sent to me. I still got the broken one. Computer works now.

 

[jm0ris0n]

Originally posted by: thorin
Why didn't you just hang up after your first call, then call them back in a hour and tell them you reformatted and installed ME and still had the problem?

Thorin

Agreed. Or if you feel like being a little more honest you could use a program like arconis true Image and make an image copy of your hardrive. Create a new partition and put ME on that to make the tech support camp happy. Then if it works, they are right. When it most likely will not, then you have the upperhand.

Also, I would like to add my 2Cents about Gateway. I have found that in the past (anything made 2002 or before) Gateway puts together a very solid system. They generally use high quality parts, ship you an actual CD with Windows on it instead of some POS Multipart disk image like some manufacturers do (cough *Dell* cough) where it is impossible do a clean install of the system without the preinstalled garbage. Of all the Gateway laptop users I know, all of them are happy about their gateway purchases. Nothing has needed replacing, and my roomates girlfriend tells me all the time she is glad she has a gateway because she has many friends with a Dell who have had serious problems.

I would rather work on a Gateway any day more than a dell. If I were to buy a notebook today it would more than likely be branded with HP/Compaq or gateway.

Just my thoughts and experiences.

 

[johnjkr1]

They won't pay for your power supply. Tech support does not have the ability to give anyone money. And your really getting mad at the wrong thing. The tech likely wasnt trying to "screw you", he was just not very good at his job. The people they outsource support to are very poor and just read from scripts.

 

[EeyoreX]

I'd agree that they probably weren't trying to "screw you" but it is often very difficult to diagnose a problem over the phone. Just as it is here, that's why you had several different replies. I also don't see how you think they "owe" you a video card, a new PSU yes, and probably an apology as well. In any event, they follow a script "Problem is this, answer that." and it probably doesn't help that the tech support people are more likely than not outsourced outside of the US. Whatever the case, glad you got it fixed.

\Dan

 

[Cuda1447]

Ahh, the reason I believe they owe me is I think they were trying to sell me new upgrades when they knew I didnt need it, and basically told me I did and that was the problem. Ive herad of this tactic before, but never experienced it. Basically they told me quite a few flat out lies that could not happen. The most amusing of which was something along the lines of this:


OH, so you have windows 2000 installed, no longer ME that came with the system? Ya, that'll do it then. I've got windows 2000 on my computer at home and I can tell you that even if it has the smallest conflict problem it can cause your computer to shut off. Especially with games!

Me: No, Windows 2k is FAR superior to ME, ESPECIALLY WITH GAMES.


Him: Buncha BS!





Thats just an example of one of the flat out lies they told me.

 

[Viper96720]

It's their job to try and make you upgrade. If your computer is still under warranty. Go to gateway support enter your serial number and get yourself a new power supply. Tell them fan in PS doesn't spin or something. Hard drive I had failed maxtor diagnostics.

 

[Cuda1447]

To late, to replace my old PSU now I have to take it in to a countryside center. Even after telling them that the PSU I replaced it with fixed the problem they still won't admit the PSU was the problem.

 

[Farmer]

On a slightly related note, I find this pretty odd. I am currently running a P4HT 2.4GHz/FX 5200 system on a 200w (!!!) HP-OEM (or some Taiwanese company) mATX PSU, and there has not been the slightest power related hiccup (I havn't tried anything like Prime95, but it really doesn't matter because it works fine for what I use it for), and I'm surprised hearing that XP1600+ systems cannot run well with a 250w Antec. I guess PSU quality is really hit or miss.

Glad to hear it works now.

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: Farmer


Glad to hear it works now.

Ya it works, but I got screwed outta alot of time and now have a PSU I don't really need. Unless I decide not to waste alot of time and hassle by getting my new PSU. Not sure what I should do, I kind of want to get my old PSU replaced though cause I want to take the Antec I just bought and use it for a new rig Im saving up for.


Lesson learned:

GATEWAY SUCKS, NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER BUY FROM THEM!!!! AIIEIEEIEIEIEIEINOOOOO!