Anyone reccommend a PC supplier?

BillScarab

"They still regularly win recommended awards in various mags including PC Pro, Shopper etc. So as long as you can cope with switching out a faulty component occasionally (if it fails), I guess they are fine."

That's the problem with all of the reviews reviews though, they get a machine test it for a few days and say how great it is but don't test long term reliability or customer support.

bnorth

yes I did hear that Mesh computers can be good but its if there is a problem you are in trouble due to customer service hence Watchdog

sure Mesh and Eclipse win PC mag awards but remember these reviews turn a blind eye to bad (or good) customer service.
The Forum Editor for PC Advisor confirmed this saying this practice was inevitable and widespread,
And I guess the PC maker will make sure the model sent to the mag works properly - Jo Public may not be so lucky and are in double trouble if the PC maker plays hardball re fixing any problems

yes unhappy customers post more as you say but I think Eclipse is worse than most other PC makers based on feedback
I google Eclipse Computers and find dozens of complaints on consumer and PC boards eg hexus, ciao, pc advisor itself.
But I google Dell, Chillblast, etc and I may find one or two.
Why the difference ?
Eclipse aren't even a big company

isofa

BillScarab wrote: »

"They still regularly win recommended awards in various mags including PC Pro, Shopper etc. So as long as you can cope with switching out a faulty component occasionally (if it fails), I guess they are fine."

That's the problem with all of the reviews reviews though, they get a machine test it for a few days and say how great it is but don't test long term reliability or customer support.

It's a fair point, but just because 100 people here complain about a company, doesn't mean it's a bad company, there could be 100,000 happy customers too. Equally it could be the opposite too! You have to read around a subject, and using MSE forums is just one part of the research.

PC Pro in particular are good, they run test machines for longer and also monitor support and customer responses regularly, via surveys and via a watchdog system for any complaints - which is why I mention them often in my postings.

They also have a very lively forum (www.pcpro.co.uk), where these issues are often discussed, and the editors and testers all contribute too. So you can actually get responses often from the key people directly.

bnorth

yes isofa, we all have to make our own judgements of what feedback on PC makers mean.

PC Pro do conduct an annual PC Pro awards poll of customers. I think, at least online, you can only get results for the top PC makers, ie the winners.
Maybe the magazine has a fuller list.
I'd like to know the owner satisfaction ratings for all PC makers including bad ratings, particularly the ones they review (maybe the rating included in the review !)

yes I've been to the pcpro (and pcadvisor) forum and eclipse reviews often get raised eyebrows there. Its not just me that has reached a decision on them.

isofa

bnorth wrote: »

yes isofa, we all have to make our own judgements of what feedback on PC makers mean.
PC Pro do conduct an annual PC Pro awards poll of customers. I think, at least online, you can only get results for the top PC makers, ie the winners.
Maybe the magazine has a fuller list.
I'd like to know the owner satisfaction ratings for all PC makers including bad ratings, particularly the ones they review (maybe the rating included in the review !)
yes I've been to the pcpro (and pcadvisor) forum and eclipse reviews often get raised eyebrows there. Its not just me that has reached a decision on them.

PC Pro publish a detailed survey for subscribers and I assume for news-stand purchases. It is well discussed on the forums at the time.

The problem is, unless a massive amount of people respond to any survey (or all owners) you'll never get a true picture. People who've had problems, voice them more strongly than people who are happy.

I wasn't talking of Eclipse, I've not once mentioned them. I agree - I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole either.

bnorth

I must get the PC Pro issue that has those owner satisfaction poll results, I think I missed it this year (Feb ?) .. hmm maybe a library ?
thanks for your views, isofa.

womble12345

Thanks for all the tips, I will check out all the sites mentioned and see
what they have.

I live in Bromley, South East London if that makes a difference.

Thanks

digimortal_2

www.scan.co.uk/ have always been good for me.. worth looking at when compairing.. also www.overclockers.co.uk a few friends have used these..

Marty999

I bought my PC from Dell Outlet. A little bit cheaper than the regular Dell site and just as easy.

letsbehonest

hi womble.
Medway computer components in Strood not a million miles from were you live. will build you a PC from their stock units to your spec I have used them for the past 3 years or so and found them to be genuine and honest with their customers.