Just to set the record clear - TigerDirect isn't a 'Grey market
components retailer."
I said Tigerdirect was "nothing more." In other words, your company is, in my
opinion, shoddy. "No better" than grey market, not *actually* grey market.
I'd say far from it. While Tiger did in fact sell their own
'TigerSystems' many moons ago, we worked with third company parties to
provide the services and support and learned our lesson.
The lesson learned: Get out of the OEM business, FAST!
Your company thankfully hasn't returned to the OEM business, but even now you
blame "third company parties" instead of your own company. Why?
Sorry, those machines were all tagged "Tiger." It doesn't wash.
I hope that you'll do a little more research before you just say
things. It's hurtful.
Lonny Paul
TigerDirect Director of Interactive Media
Fine, you ask for research, here's the result of some small amount of research:
From the "Better Business Bureau":
http://www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org/nis/newsearch2.asp?ID=1&strBCode=06330000&ComID=0633000027000500
|**Customer Experience**
|
|Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau
|due to a pattern of routinely responding slowly to complaints. Although the
|company resolved the complaints, it was not within the Bureau's time frame.
Slow, apathetic customer service. Check. I've had that experience myself.
|Complaints allege customers are led to believe they are buying new, Brand Name
|computer systems, parts and other products with either a 90-day, or 1 year
|warranty. Complainants allege they are receiving generic, defective and refurbished
|items and only a 30-day warranty with the option to purchase the 1-year warranty.
|Customers who purchase the warranty also experience difficulty in getting return
|phone calls to get the problems fixed or replaced. Customer are told they may
|return the items for replacement, but they will need to pay again for the
|replacement and will credited back when the item is returned and received by the
|company.
Allegedly selling pulls and refurbs as "new," and off-brands as premium brands.
Check.
|Some of the complaints have issues with the advertised rebate, both the catalog
|and web site have numerous offers for items with a mail-in rebate. Upon
|receiving the products the rebate application is not included in the package.
|Customers are told the rebate application is on the website and customers are
|required to comply with the program and submit paperwork that they never received.
|Many are denied because the product they have purchased does not have the advertised
|rebate, the rebate has expired, and some rebates are only good if the item is
|purchased with a computer. Many customers feel they have been victims of bait
|and switch, and are unable to return the products because the package has been open.
|Customers who have contacted customer service with concerns have problem with getting
|return calls, emails, and experience unresponsiveness and unconcerned customer
|service staff.
Alledged rebate malfeasance, including selling product as "on rebate" that is
past the rebate period and hiding it in web forms. Check.
|**Government Actions**
|
|On November 4, 1999, case C3903, the Federal Trade Commission issued a Decision
| & Order against Tiger Direct for violations of the Pre-sale Availability Rule,
|the Disclosure Rule and the Warranty Act. Without admitting any wrongdoing, Tiger
|Direct agrees to
|1) Not represent that it provides On-Site Service
|unless all limitations and conditions that apply are disclosed;
|2) fulfill obligations under the warranty within a reasonable period of time after
|receiving notice from the consumer; and
|3) shall cease and desist from failing to make warranty text available for
|examination prior to sale, failing to disclose what is not covered under any given
|warranty or the procedures needed to have warranty work accomplished and failing to
|disclose that certain states may give the consumer legal rights in addition to those
|provided by the warranty. For further
|information regarding this order, you may contact the FTC at
|877-382-4357. This order expires year 2019.
Could you explain to the good people why your company is *still* under court
order regarding its business practices, post-Systemax buyout?
I think that's a terrible track record. If you're trying to say that your
company is now "above-board," the burden of proof is yours.
I haven't given your website a second look since 2001.
--
Zag
He that would make his own liberty secure
must guard even his enemy from oppression;
for if he violates this duty he establishes
a precedent that will reach to himself. ...Thomas Paine
