DSA suppliers - anyone had problems?

Indie_Kid

I have had nothing but problems with Microlink, who supply disabled students with equipment and I've had enough:

They told me at the last minute (ie, 2 days before) that the delivery date needs to be changed, to which I told them "sorry; no can do as I have uni that day"

They did deliver on the day I asked; but hadn't sorted out an engineer to come and set up everything up - I had to do that myself and missed uni as a result.

They also didn't deliver 2 items, which I informed them of. They said "it'll be here on the 18th" (today) They still haven't turned up. Because I needed one urgently (ie, now) I had to go and buy my own, which I'm not happy about. (ok, it was only £10; but that's not the point) And I'm now going to have to spend more money on buying this other item; which I know isn't cheap.

Who do I complain to about this? I've just sent them a !!!!!! email asking them what's going on.

I really do give up with them. If I had it my way, I would've just got my parents to take me to PC World and buy the stuff myself.

Taiko

Which branch of Microlink? I know they have a few offices, and I'm in daily contact with one of them.

Might be able to put you in contact with someone.

MrsManda

I've never had any problems with them but they do have their complaints procedure and contact details on their website: www.microlinkpc.co.uk

Taiko

Can't really comment too much on my views on Microlink with the whole DSA-QAG thing, unfortunately. We do use them a fair amount though.

mummytofour

To be honest I have found them pretty good, espically with tech issues.

rich86

As a student I've had experience with Microlink from 2004 to 2007, since my study needs assessment recommended that a laptop and associated equipment be provided by them. I was very disappointed with their poor levels of service and support;

They provide the cheapest laptops possible then apply a huge profit margin for themselves. This doesn't sound too bad until your cheap laptop breaks down several times a year and you have to send it back to them multiple times and are therefore without a laptop for a week or so at a time.

Its not really advertised - and I'm not sure if its a right or at your LEA's discretion - but you can take the study needs assessment recommendations and shop elsewhere for equipment (which falls within the price limit):

A friend of mine was assessed for DSA last year and recommended similar equipment from Microlink. They recommended a Laptop, a laptop stand an external keyboard and mouse along with specialist software and accessories. This came to around £1500 (or more) from Microlink. With this quote we were able to go directly to Apple and purchase a top-of-the-range MacBook, a 24" Apple display, a wireless keyboard and mouse and accessories as above along with AppleCare. I actually made a miscalculation when pricing this up and managed to include a duplicate monitor in the quote and yet still fell well within the limits of the Microlink quote!

In addition to this, the service and support that you'll receive from Apple should you have any difficulties are way beyond that of Microlink.

I'm not actually an Apple employee (but love their products) and just wanted to point out how its much easier and cheaper to get a quality product elsewhere rather than putting up with the muppets from Microlink. I'm sure you could also easily get a similar product and better support from Dell, Sony, etc..

ariarnia

Trouble is when the lea has a contract with a supplier and you can't buy them from other places.

On my assessment there were three quotes for systems; the lea picked the one from Carmarthen computers as it was the mid price quote (£1500 for a desktop, £600 lowest, £2000 highest) but the worst spec system and they have the contract for all the requirements in ceredigion.

When the computer arrived (I asked for a desktop as with my eyes I need to be able to control the distance between the screen and keyboard) it had so many problems it was unbelievable.

They delivered it without constructing it and checking it was working, the software for the monitor wasn't installed correctly so it just didn't detect it. :rolleyes:

It had belkin wireless installed from in their computer suite that kept coming up with errors as I didn't have wireless access and it wasn't uninstalled (I turned it off as it wouldn't let me uninstall it, so every time it was sent back to them it had it reinstalled so when I graduated there were six copies of it lurking about) :rolleyes:

Half the usb ports just don't work as there's a loose connection (heat and movement mean they sometimes work sometimes don't) so I have 2 usb ports when I have peripherals that require min 4. Peripherals I was supplied as I was documented as needing them. They denied there was a problem (took the computer away for 2 months, then brought it back not having done anything and again refused to test it when they returned it in front of me) :rolleyes:

Keyboard didn't work from start and they gave me a black keyboard with silver text when my statement says I have issues with black on white and should have a tinted keyboard (I actually use a cheap one from a charity shop that's an old a-frame keyboard in ivory as I don't have the same problem with cream or off white.) so they took it away then didn't give me a new one. After a couple of weeks I picked up this one for myself (I didn't tell them I'd got my own, but they still never sent one despite being reminded by SS repeatedly that I didn't have one) :rolleyes:

It came with a software conflict that meant I had to (eventually) replace my own graphics card as they refused to acknowledge (again) that there was a problem. :rolleyes:

and so on.

I ended up giving up and paying a bloke locally to fix the system for me...:mad:

all in all, with the delays in actually getting it to near the end of my first year, I didn't have a computer for about 18 months during my 3 yr course because it was either broke, in their lab, or being fixed elsewhere at the end...

MrsManda

rich86 wrote: »

They provide the cheapest laptops possible then apply a huge profit margin for themselves. This doesn't sound too bad until your cheap laptop breaks down several times a year and you have to send it back to them multiple times and are therefore without a laptop for a week or so at a time.
Its not really advertised - and I'm not sure if its a right or at your LEA's discretion - but you can take the study needs assessment recommendations and shop elsewhere for equipment (which falls within the price limit):

This surprises me as it isn't Microlink (or whatever other supplier used) who makes the decision on what you receive. In the two DSA assessments I have had (one in 2003 and one in 2008 with different companies), specific equipment (name, model, spec) was recommended along with a number of companies which may supply the equipment and support. The LEA then either confirms that they're willing to pay for the specified items or make alterations, and either order it direct or gives you the go ahead to order it. The idea that Microlink gives you the cheapest laptop available and charges the LEA for a much higher sum seems laughable as they provide precisely what is recommended in your assesment and the LEA has confirmed.
If you object to what is recommended you can discuss this in your assessment. At the end of the two assessments I have had we have gone through the equipment the assessor was going to recommend to confirm I agreed/make alterations.

ariarnia

I don't know about anyone else, but my assessment (from the Bridgend assessment centre) just said that I needed a computer, desktop preferable because of vision problems, screen filter, dictation software, etc. It didn't provide brand reconsiderations of anything.

elfen

I've just had my funding through from DSA_QAG, mine was done through Iansyst, but also had a quote from Microlink (a higher quote) and I have nothing but praise for Iansyst (phoned when they said they would, kit delivered promptly even when the road was covered with snow, all software installed and equipment set up) So glad I didn't have Microlink!

Taiko

You can't get DSA dealt with by anyone else without the say-so of the awards body. If you purchase your own equipment, the awards agency can turn around and decline to reimburse you.

Interested to know about this alledged court case too, especially as I'm involved in a lot of DSA things.