Desktop under £500?

Merlin_Magii

General_query wrote: »

What did you go for Merlin_Magii ?

please see above,

NiftyDigits

missymouse wrote: »

I had a look at the argos one. Our pc has died. Will this have packages on?

already have keyboard and screen. Not keen on laptops

all I want is one to do Microsoft word
card slot for sd? Card off camera

Had already gone before you posted.

Merlin_Magii

Merlin_Magii wrote: »

Thank you all for your very helpful pointers. I have been rather busy this week with work and personal problems, so have been slow in responding.

Based on some of your comments I reviewed the target spec and rather than muck about - decided to order from Dino PC (London) who I had spoken to once before on the phone. I needed to check a couple of specs so rather than do it blind online, opted to phone them. I started phoning Wednesday late morning (before Bank Holiday). The call was at premium number rates. All I got was a recorded message asking me to hang on. On one occasion a recorded message said there was a fault and to try again. I emailed their sales office with my tel number and asked that a rep call me to get my order. By Friday late afternoon I was steaming mad and fired off a very sharp critical email to them. The following Tuesday afternoon I got a phone call from someone saying they were the owner of Dino rather casually telling me that holidays had reduced his staff numbers. To say he sounded less than concerned by my experience would be putting it mildly. I was charitable enough to guide him on sound marketing practice and wished him luck.

It being late by then (approx 4-45 pm - Friday) I phoned CCL Computers, discussed my requirement with a very helpful English rep and placed my order for a desktop sans monitor. I was advised that the machine would be made to order and take a maximum of 7 to 9 days to be dispatched. I took a deep breath and gave my card details. At 5-30 pm I received both an email AND a text message advising me my order had been processed, packed and despatched!!!!!!! Early Tuesday morning it arrived !!!!!!!

As a further point of interest - After CCL (Late Friday) I placed an order online with Amazon for a ViewSonic VP2772 IPS Monitor (different project!) - and paid for it. Imagine my utter amazement when It was delivered to me that (Bank Holiday) SUNDAY morning!!!!!!!!!!! YES !! SUNDAY !!

Who says the Brits have no concept of the meaning of customer service ????

Thank you all again for your help.

---

With regard to my experience with Dino PC. I just got my telephone bill.

* I called them THIRTEEN (13) times over THREE (3) days.
* A prospective customer has to use an 08449 Premium Business number to reach them by phone.
* 08449 numbers vary in cost but on this occasion seem to be charged at 10p to 11p per minute with a 15p set up charge per call.
* The length of time I sat on the phone waiting for an answer and/or leaving a message to call me back was; 1 / 26 / 20 / 16 / 4 / 2 / 5 / 11 / 17 / 1 / 1 / 15 and 4 minutes respectfully.
* Total cost to me in trying to favour them with a portion of my hard-earned incom was £16-39 PLUS VAT (£19.67 inc VAT).

Isn't this just a cynical ploy by businesses to improve their income at no cost to themselves? SOME might be forgiven for believing that dangling a product online without putting the resources in place to service enquiries, verged on simple fraud. It might be different if the company showed some genuine regret for such behaviour. Maybe this practice could be investigated by this site and a name and shame report produced?