bad vendor: googlegear.com

[robelanator]

I recently purchased a motherboard through an online
vendor, www.googlegear.com. Their prices were okay
and the 2 day fedex shipping was hella cheap so I
thought I was in for a pretty good experience. I was
wrong.

Upon recieving the board I installed it (as I have at
least 50 others) and, as always, checked and double
checked every jumper and connector before booting up
for the first time. Everything seemed kosher so I hit
the power button. I was greeted with the sound of an
Ellen Feiss-esque "beep beep beep beep beep" and
noticed smoke rising from the case. I immediated hit
the kill switch on the power supply and upon closer
inspection, it seems a faulty capacitor or diode had
lit up and charred a good section of the board.

Already late on building this system for a customer
(because of some delays from UPS on other parts), I
immediated went online to get an RMA# from
googlegear.com. I sent the board back and waited.

Finally, they shipped the board back to me with nary
an email. Great, I thought, I can finally put this
system together. I opened the returned box and inside
was a note explaining that the warranty was void
because there was "physical damage" to the board.
Well, no duh! That's why I sent it back! I suppose
they would've taken it back if it had been a software
problem such as Windows compatibility? Common sense
dictates not.

So what is the point of the RMA system then? Any
blantant damage caused during shipping would obviously
be taken up with the carrier and software problems
would have to be remedied with the software publisher.
I guess customers of googlegear.com are to assume
that ANY problems with their order must be resolved
with the hardware manufacturer.

I will admit that I have had relatively little
experience with returning goods to vendors because of
defects, but of the 3-4 times I have had to do so the
problem was resolved in a timely manner with a
replacement part.

My advice: do you shopping elsewhere just in case of
the rare instance where you get a faulty part.

On the upside, I've had nothing but excellent dealings
with www.cnetpc.com and www.newegg.com and would
highly recommend these two companies over
www.googlegear.com.

Thanks for listening,
Willis

 

[minendo]

Rate them here

 

[ViperMagic]

Just a warning, I think you are going to get flamed out the ass. Maybe not, but thats my prediction

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

I've dealt with googlegear.com, I bought a stick of Samsung-on-generic PC2700. It kept generating a ton of errors on memtest86 so I asked if I could exchange it for another Corsair and pay the difference. They said no, so I asked for a refund, took the hit on the restocking fee and ordered from elsewhere. (getting stuff shipped to Canada from US vendors is a PITA). A lot of people have had good experiences with googlegear. I can't really complain about mine since the no exchange thing was in their return policy.

 

[thawolfman]

and here

 

[Viper GTS]

In general GoogleGear is good.

Ratings

Their return methods seem to be their weak point though.

Have you attempted to contact them to allow them to rectify the situation? That would seem to be the sensible thing to do, rather than complaining here.

Viper GTS

 

[andylawcc]

seems like robelanator is just another disgruntled e-commerce customer who just copy-and-paste his rage and post it all over all the message boards he know of and flood all his friend emails' mailbox with this bs.
welcome to Anandtech robelanator, I hope this will be your first and last post here.

in short:
dude, sh|t happens, so stfu.

 

[flot]

First of all, I don't know that I've ever seen a motherboard *smoke* on bootup where it wasn't a total screwup by the guy building the system.

Second of all, how did you send it back to them? Did you pack it properly? Or did you put the motherboard in the motherboard box and slap a UPS label on it or something like that?!?

What was the physical damage to the board? (Aside from the fried capacitor?)

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: flot
Second of all, how did you send it back to them? Did you pack it properly? Or did you put the motherboard in the motherboard box and slap a UPS label on it or something like that?!?

What was the physical damage to the board? (Aside from the fried capacitor?)

 

[andrey]

Googlear.com does have good prices, but agree that their customer service is far away from being even good.

Several weeks back I was going to order 2 sticks of 512MB Corsair XMS PC3200 from googlegear.com, and when I clicked on items to put in my card, the price of each module was $185. When I clicked to check out, after several minutes of waiting I received "500: The Server Error", so I reloaded the page and guess what? The price is now $191 for each module. I picked up the phone and called them to ask if they can honor the price which is on pricewatch, $189 per stick. Their answer to me was exactly in these words: "We already have the best price on the Internet, as well as pricewatch and if you don't want to pay $191, please take your business elsewhere".

You know, I honestly didn't mind paying several extra $$, since it still was cheaper than to order from other vendors, but at least instead of being rude and disrespectful, googlegear.com could apologize and honestly admit that they've changed the price while I was ordering, that's perfectly understandable. But the answer "you don't like what we do, go somewhere else" really threw me off and I personally never will be ordering anything from them. There are plenty of other vendors who will respect me as the customer who pays them money.

--Andrey

 

[glenn1]

First of all, I don't know that I've ever seen a motherboard *smoke* on bootup where it wasn't a total screwup by the guy building the system.

And as we all know, the proper procedure for dealing with a flaming motherboard is to pour a big glass of water on it. Geeez, it makes me feel so deprived that i've never had a mobo spontaneously combust like some of these folks.

 

[PowerMacG5]

I have dealt plenty with googlegear, and have to say I was always pleased. Great prices on products and shipping, and when I RMA'd I had no problems. But that's just me and my opinion.

 

[Nessal]

From my expierence with them, they have always been the best.

 

[boi]

Whew, I was about to order from them but instead I ordered from a trusted vendor, newegg.com

 

[Jzero]

Googlegear will not accept items that have been physically damaged or misused.

While I somewhat disagree with this policy because it is so hard to prove whether the physical damage was a result of user error or not, at the end of the day, it's not like they mislead you. It's right there on the page, clear as day.

Further, did you even bother to try to work it out with them? Did you call them up and ask for help? Something tells me....no. You just come to a forum where you have neither history, nor credibility and berate a vendor in the completely wrong place and in the completely wrong tone, when I'd bet the smart money you probably caused the problem anyway.

Wrong, sir, wrong! Under Section Thirty-Seven B of the contract signed by him it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void: "I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera...fax mentis incendium gloria culpum, et cetera, et cetera...memo bis punitor delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You stole Fizzy Lifting Drinks. You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you get nothing!

Good day, sir.

 

[Nessal]

Originally posted by: boi
Whew, I was about to order from them but instead I ordered from a trusted vendor, newegg.com

 

[robelanator]

I've rated them on resellerratings and the anandtech database.

Just a warning, I think you are going to get flamed out the ass. Maybe not, but thats my prediction

prolly. it's just the truth of my experience.

Have you attempted to contact them to allow them to rectify the situation? That would seem to be the sensible thing to do, rather than complaining here.

Ummm...yeah. I gave them a full and complete description of the problem as well as the expected solution when I submitted for an RMA and then again when I sent the board back to them. They obviously chose to ignore me since I got nothing back except a prewritten letter and the faulty board.

welcome to Anandtech robelanator, I hope this will be your first and last post here.

guess not. flame on if you must.

First of all, I don't know that I've ever seen a motherboard *smoke* on bootup where it wasn't a total screwup by the guy building the system.

I've never seen it either nor have I ever heard about it happening to a friend. I've installed this same model board at least half a dozen times (ECS K7S5A, in case you were wondering) with no problems.

Second of all, how did you send it back to them? Did you pack it properly? Or did you put the motherboard in the motherboard box and slap a UPS label on it or something like that?!?

It was packed as it came to me.

What was the physical damage to the board? (Aside from the fried capacitor?)

There was none besides that.

I've been a reader of anandtech for a couple years. The first computer I built was a K6-2 system, back when they were still hip... since I've built on every PC platform save the Xeon. I understand as a first poster I'm gonna get screamed at, but this is, as I see it, a justified complaint against a major vendor on the net and I wanted to give you all a heads up. You can choose to disregard it if you want. Write if off as my fault if you feel the need. I KNOW I've been screwed, though.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
seems like robelanator is just another disgruntled e-commerce customer who just copy-and-paste his rage and post it all over all the message boards he know of and flood all his friend emails' mailbox with this bs.
welcome to Anandtech robelanator, I hope this will be your first and last post here.

in short:
dude, sh|t happens, so stfu.

Congratulations, you're a moron.


The mobo was probably damaged during shipping (desoldered capacitor or something), but it wasn't visible. I'd definitely be mad if they sent it back saying it's my fault...

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy

Originally posted by: andylawcc
seems like robelanator is just another disgruntled e-commerce customer who just copy-and-paste his rage and post it all over all the message boards he know of and flood all his friend emails' mailbox with this bs.
welcome to Anandtech robelanator, I hope this will be your first and last post here.

in short:
dude, sh|t happens, so stfu.

Congratulations, you're a moron.

Yea for one he is..

I bet if he was in this situation he'd be whining and crying to his mommy..



as for the dude that posted it.. just call up your cc company and dispute it... I think most credit cards offer some type of warranty .. or buyer protection.

 

[robelanator]

as for the dude that posted it.. just call up your cc company and dispute it... I think most credit cards offer some type of warranty .. or buyer protection.

Well now I feel dumb for not thinking of that... thanks!

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: flot
First of all, I don't know that I've ever seen a motherboard *smoke* on bootup where it wasn't a total screwup by the guy building the system.

Actually, that did happen to me. My old Soyo 6BA+IV blew a capacitor and "let go the magic blue smoke" this spring after 2 years of faithful service. Too bad too, it was one of my favorite boards. No screw up on my part. It just booted up one time too many, I figure.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I have ordered from them before and had a very good experience. I regret that you had a bad one.

 

[Rushour]

Googlear.com does have good prices, but agree that their customer service is far away from being even good.

Whew, I was about to order from them but instead I ordered from a trusted vendor, newegg.com

I have a bad luck in Googlegear, I ordered VGA Card 4XAGP from them & take 4 days to ship me. I have to call them where is my order? I want to talk to your manager & put me on hold for 5 minutes & i hang off!! I sent an e-mail to cancel my order & call my credit company to stop the payment. Anyway, "THANK YOU GOOGLEGEAR I WILL NOT VISIT AGAIN"

I have no problem with newegg.com & good customer service. Newegg ship FAST & RMA return has no problem at all. I return CPU with no question ask!!! I will pay few dollars more for the service, because they give you peace of mind.

 

[BDawg]

This is what happens when consumers who value the lowest price over anything else dictate the market. You don't pay for service, you don't get service.

I for one have had excellent service from newegg. I'll buy from them even if the part is a few bucks more.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

sh|t happens ...RMA direct to ECS