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Something to consider before buying ATI

R

rickon66

Golden Member
After using Nvidia products for the last few years, I recently bought a Radeon 9500PRO. I could not get the DVI to work, so I called ATI tech support and they were clueless as to what the problem might be. I never did get the DVI to work, so the card went back to Circuit City. Yesterday, I got my phone bill and was shocked to see a $18.65 CHARGE FOR A 12 MINUTE CALL TO CANADA. I knew the call was not toll free, but I had no idea it was to CANADA!!!. I will never buy another ATI product. Rant over.
 
I hear ya. I live in Toronto, and it's a local call to ATI for me. They charge some insane amount per minute tho, on top of long distance. I think it's rediculous. I've been getting all of my tech support on the forums here and rage3d.com.
 
So you won't buy another ATI product because you didn't bother to read the part that says:
"Telephone:
Complimentary Access: 905-882-2626 (International and or Local Toll Charges May Apply)
After 30 days of purchase: 900-733-2841 ($1.25 USD per minute)

WARNING: Callers MUST be 18 years of age or older. ATI is NOT responsible for any charges incurred when contacting CustomerCare; this is the responsibility of the caller."
on their
CustomerCare USA Page (and, coincidentally, all of the paper info that comes with the retail cards)? Or after reading such disclaimer, that you didn't bother to look up the 905 area code to see where it is geographically?

Ouch at the charge, but still, if you can't bother to inform yourself of where you're calling before you call, then I don't see why you're complaining.
 
Also, why wouldn't you go to somewhere like www.rage3d.com and check out the forums there? Calling tech support is always my last option.

Another question as you were a long time Nvidia user, did you properly remove all traces of your Nvidia drivers? Most people who have problems will just use the Add/Remove control panel and then install the ATI card. There are still files left over this way and that can severely screw up the functionality of an ATI card. Not that it matters now as you returned the card and have professed to never buy another ATI card basically because you didn't read the fine print...
 
I think it's also, for him, that the call costs so much, when really, in the beginning, it is the fault of the manufacturer for the faulty product. This DOES happen, don't get me wrong, but to charge that much extra for their mistake is annoying.
 
I'd also like to point out that it's not ATI's fault your phone company charges so much. A 12 minute call from Markham (directly east of Richmond Hill, where ATI's world headquarters are) where I live to Sarasota, FL would only cost me $1.80CDN ($0.15CDN/min). You were getting billed over $1.50/min for that call, which sounds more like long distance + a per minute charge of some sort, not just long distance. Then again, I know nothing of how much long distance calling in the US costs...
 
I just wanted to give a heads up to others so they would not get an expensive lesson in reading the fine print. The quality of the expensive tech support was also a factor in my post. If ATI chooses to have no toll free or inexpensive tech support for citizens of the USA, I can certainly choose not to purchase their products in the future. To you perfect folks who always read the fine print, you have my undying admiration!!
 
sorry to hear that you wased $18 when you try calling their techical support. But you should really look twice next time on what number you're dialing. When the word "fine print" is use it seem like some very small fonts that you don't normally see,, But come on, when you DIAL the support number you must have clearly saw that number was not your area code so it must be long distance. You made the mistake of not checking how much you'll pay for that area code number. You could of also contact them on Email for free. Also Rage3d and Driverheaven are great places for updates and tech support, there's even REAL ATI people there.
 
Originally posted by: NYHoustonman
I think it's also, for him, that the call costs so much, when really, in the beginning, it is the fault of the manufacturer for the faulty product. This DOES happen, don't get me wrong, but to charge that much extra for their mistake is annoying.
Click to expand...
Never call tech support that isn't free! If you can't find the resolution to the issue by asking in some forums and a goolge search or 10 then request an RMA from the place you got it and move on 😉 Ignorance can be expensive and this is an object and abject lesson for him.
 
Send ATI a letter requesting the amount of the phone call, they couldn't help you and it's not your fault their technical support is useless.

BTW:Make sure you put "have a nice day" at the end of the letter, Canadians really hate that. 😉
 
Originally posted by: nemesismk2
BTW:Make sure you put "have a nice day" at the end of the letter, Canadians really hate that. 😉
Click to expand...
No we don't. Unless you talk to transplanted americans, THEY hate that... 😀

 
Originally posted by: rickon66
After using Nvidia products for the last few years, I recently bought a Radeon 9500PRO. I could not get the DVI to work, so I called ATI tech support and they were clueless as to what the problem might be. I never did get the DVI to work, so the card went back to Circuit City. Yesterday, I got my phone bill and was shocked to see a $18.65 CHARGE FOR A 12 MINUTE CALL TO CANADA. I knew the call was not toll free, but I had no idea it was to CANADA!!!. I will never buy another ATI product. Rant over.
Click to expand...

Yeah?? Well I bought my nVidia card from compusa and when I tried to call I accidentally hit some pr0n number and the rude chic wouldn't let me off the phone!! Next thing I know I get a phone bill for $325!! Can you believe it? nVidia sucks! I'm never buying from them again! I'm even out of kleenex now!!
 
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