Anyone ever RMA'd something to SVCompucycle? Giving me the run-around sorta.

[Evadman]

I have always ordered light kits and some HSF's from SVC, as their prices can not be beat. They charge close to actual shipping, and tend to get stuff out fast.

I saw that more than a few people were complaining in Hot Deals about them being slow around the Christmas Season, but that was expected. Of course they would be busy. They have always done cecently for me and my friends who order from them, as we order stuff well before we need it.

Well, I ordered 2 HSF's, 1 CC kit and 2 extra bulbs (I like having extra, just in case ) Shipping was $10.85 for priority, for a total af just under $50. Chump change for them.

The problem is, the inverter on the kit is broken. It did not light up. So I took the case that the inverter is in apart ( it snaps apart so you can add another tube to the same inverter ) and one of the transisters is broken. The black insulator is 1/2 gone, and there is soot or a scorch on the PCB right under the transister. Hard to tell. I would take a pic of it, but my camera sucks for anythign closer than 5 feet.

No biggie right? Just e-mail them up and get another inverter, no big deal. Well, they want the entire kit back. A total waste since the bulb and everything else work just fine ( I hooked the bulb up to another kit and it worked great) Why would they need the whole kit back? It is an SVC branded kit, so they would be eating the cost (not another company).

So anyway, I have an RMA for the kit. I can send the whole thing back if they want. No skin off my back. The problem is, I do not know how to ship it back. Their policy states, "Defective products will be replaced and we will pay for return shipping." If they are paying for me to ship it to them, shouldn't they tell me how to send it? Priority (what I ordered) or standard 1st class? Should I just assume they pay for priority since that is how I ordered it? They have not replied for 2 buisness days to my e-mail.

Oh, and for those who are counting, I was charged $10.85 to ship the stufff, but actual shipping was $5.75 per USPS. (zone 8, 2lbs). Since they "...do not charge handling fees." I guess the peanuts were $5.10 (I am not complaining about the shipping. Everyone seems to make money on shipping. no biggie. Just wierd that theur policy is in direct conflict with their pricing. 100% upcharge is a little to large to be a mistake )

 

[Jeff7]

What about the heatsinks? Could they have added to the total weight of the package, pushing the shipping cost into the next higher bracket?

As for them needing the whole kit, that sounds familiar. I guess when they deal with broken items, they need the entire set as it was sold; Walmart's the same way - they can't just replace a piece of an item, they have to replace the entire thing - Iguess it has to do with the way they get replacements from their suppliers.

 

[Evadman]

What about the heatsinks? Could they have added to the total weight of the package, pushing the shipping cost into the next higher bracket?

The package itself had the rate rigth on it in the upper right. "2 LB Priority Mail Rate Zone 8"

As for them needing the whole kit, that sounds familiar. I guess when they deal with broken items, they need the entire set as it was sold; Walmart's the same way - they can't just replace a piece of an item, they have to replace the entire thing - Iguess it has to do with the way they get replacements from their suppliers.

I understand why they would want the whole kit, I just disagree with it. Most of you know I used to work at Home Depot. We NEVER required the entire product. Just the defective part assuming that is all you wanted. Also, this ligth kit was branded "SVC" so they have a hand in making it I doubt they send the whole thing back. they probably get a cut rate discount or a set # of RMA's that are credited per month reguardless of how many they get that are damaged. That is the way most venders work.

 

[Howard]

Didn't they stop zoning a long time ago?