PC World Warning

Tippytoes

After a lot of research, I decided which laptop I wanted to buy. I checked out PC World on the internet to see if the one I wanted was in stock at my local store. It was, so I decided to go direct to the shop rather than mess around "reserving online".

When I got to the store, the laptop was £100 more expensive than on the internet. When I eventually found an assistant who was interested in serving me, I asked if PC World price matches their own internet prices. I was told "no". If I wasn't prepared to pay the £100 extra there and then, it was suggested that I go back home, reserve it online, then go back to the store to collect it. What I actually did was stand at the customer service desk and make a call to my son who then reserved it online on my behalf, thus enabling me to collect it whilst I still in their store.

PC World's website does state that online prices may differ from instore prices - but by 33%????!!!!It makes me wonder how many customers paid £100 more for the same thing by daring to buy in the store.

Their folly. I'd just like to make others aware.............

LemonGrove

When I saw the title of your thread I thought it would be a worse experience than this as in my opinion PC World is a diabolical company I'll never use again. I know it's an annoying policy but that's their policy, and you mention yourself that they say the prices will differ, so why get annoyed when they do differ?

Seriously, with PC World you can go much more wrong, try and avoid them in the future.

Tippytoes

33% is taking the rip, don't you think?

A quick telephone call solved the problem, but how pathetic to have to do that. Worth it to save £100, though. (and it peed them off in the store).:rotfl:

hoyles10

I'm going to start looking for a new laptop tomorrow and was going to pay PC World a visit. Think i'll steer clear unless they have an unbeatable offer online which i'll reserve before I go down.

Esqui

I was under the impression we do match our web prices. At least, that's what I've been told (unless it says "Web exclusive offer")

LemonGrove

hoyles10 wrote: »

I'm going to start looking for a new laptop tomorrow and was going to pay PC World a visit. Think i'll steer clear unless they have an unbeatable offer online which i'll reserve before I go down.

Good choice, if you don't have a problem with buying it (like I did), you'll incur a problem when the laptop needs fixing (like I did). I knew I shouldn't have bought it but the price blinded me. :mad:

RobertoMoir

I'm inclined to say you get what you deserve for buying a computer from PC World, but in their defence whenever I've looked at their website, the "online" price being cheaper than the store price and only available in stores via collect and reserve is made perfectly clear.

The only way they could make it clearer, in fact, is to come round with a big knife and carve it into your forehead in mirror writing, which seems a little excessive and stalker-ish to me. Possibly a bit painful and rather more deserving of a complaint, too.

I do try and have sympathy for posts here even if I disagree with them, but I think this is a bit much, sorry.

Tippytoes

The PC World website I looked at clearly said price "MAYBE different". Either way, the point I am trying to get across is the sheer futility of having to stand at customer services, make a call, give the reference number and then it's business as normal. Their policy, but rather "jobsworth" wouldn't you say?

I think PC World will soon be reviewing their policies - Best Buys is coming......

At the end of the day, I don't really care. I got the laptop at the internet price. All I've attempted to do is help other people - which I thought was part purpose of these boards. Seems I got that wrong as well. Oh, and there is also a world of difference between being blunt and being unnecessarily rude.

Mcfi5dhc

Tippytoes wrote: »

All I've attempted to do is help other people - which I thought was part purpose of these boards. Seems I got that wrong as well. Oh, and there is also a world of difference between being blunt and being unnecessarily rude.

You have helped people - don't worry about the rude posters

To add my bit as well, I too recently bought a laptop at PC World. The worst part about it was the constant overselling (insurance, warranties, MS Office, Virus Checkers etc). In the end, after repeatedly saying no, I stood up and said "Do you want the sale or not? I'm walking if you don't shut up right now". The store manager was right by me, and didn't bat an eyelid - I'm guessing they are used to winding people up.

Thanks Tippytoes for a useful post

RobertoMoir

Mcfi5dhc wrote: »

To add my bit as well, I too recently bought a laptop at PC World. The worst part about it was the constant overselling (insurance, warranties, MS Office, Virus Checkers etc). In the end, after repeatedly saying no, I stood up and said "Do you want the sale or not? I'm walking if you don't shut up right now". The store manager was right by me, and didn't bat an eyelid - I'm guessing they are used to winding people up.

I suspect they make very little profit on hardware and a considerable amount on these extras. This is one reason why I'd be very wary indeed of buying a computer from PC World unless they had a very special offer indeed (Around last Christmas they were selling the Dell Studio for about £120 less than Dell themselves sold it, which was nice, helped my aunt and uncle to buy that without accepting any of their extras that you mention here)

gilligansyle

PCworld make it clear on their website that some prices are web exclusive and yes there may be a difference. Although that is quite a big difference.
Web exclusives are often very good deals, why would you want to go into the store and listen to a sales pitch for every add on they can think of, when most people have already done their research. I find it hard enough to get someone to serve me anyway in there when I do want advice, it is far easier to reserve and collect.