microland technology - rubbish

Good point Gabriella. I was thinking about the customer who is not quite as savy. They may not be able to get through on the phone and will be in the dark.

The problem should be very visible to the consumer. A search for "microland technology" on google comes up with their site. Some price comparison sites and a couple of web pages such as this one filled with bad things. I only hope they see how visible these complaints are and start to do all they can to correct their terrible business practices.

There were a couple of things I wanted to say to the guy who called me but I was caught unaware and forgot to ask. Such as would part shipping be possible. ie/send me my processor and heatsink and forget about the motherboard as I am not holding out to much hope of it arriving on Tuesday. It's just to convenient fo the part to arrive on the day they call...

Also I wanted to ask about the completely fictional stock levels! If they were honest about things and stated in print that some parts were not in stock and they would take an age to deliver I am sure some people would still buy because of the lower price.

I misunderstood Gabriella. Your predicament seems more complicated that I thought. Again my sympathies are with you.

If my stuff arrives I will not go on a personal vendetta against MT (not that I believe Gabriella or anyone else is as their situations differ greatly from mine) but I will NEVER buy their again and never let anyone I know buy there again. Doesn't sound like much but the internet is a powerful tool for the spread of information. Surely MT knows this??
 
ijk
if i was you i would get on to your credit comapny again, this is a post a saw in pc advisor:

You will find that some credit card companies and finance houses will try the "nothing to do with us" approach. It saves them the long term hassle,because some people except this as being true. Under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 they have Equal Liability unless you obtained your particular credit card before 1st July 1977.The credit card company may quote that their responsibility only kicks in, if the cash price of the item being supplied is over £100 but not more than £30.000 [including VAT].

'www.ixat.com is another good place to post about microland. also pc advisor
 
Dear ijk

I'm with Cazy, get back onto your c/c provider, I needed to be firm and assertive with mine. Initially, they were saying to me that they weren't going to help but when I faxed through all the evidence I had and I spoke to another rep they were quite different. My money was refunded via the bank on the grounds of breach of contract HOWEVER I am aware that MT can challenge this provided that they have specific grounds. I have heard nothing from the bank or MT for some time so I am (fingers crossed) hoping that my £800 is safely back with me and for good but u never know.

Kee us posted, good luck, take care and thinking about you and everyone else in the same/similar situation.

Gabriella x
 
I have an update. I got an email from Matthew at MT saying that I can't put his email on the forum. So I won't as I believe he is powerless to help most of you anyway.

He also said my order was to ship this evening for delivery tuesday.
 
Hi,

Thanks for all the support.

Yes I have got back to my c/c and now they sound postive. Have emailed them all my correspondence with MT.

And cazy you mention posting a review of MT on this site................where abouts do I post it. Yes have visited www.ixat.com and waiting for them to email me the password so that i can log in and post my review.

Also I discovered this http://www.courtservice.gov.uk/mcol/index.htm
Welcome to the Court Service’s Money Claim Online home-page .......................basically anybody who has a valid debit card can do all the small claims stuff online. And I was surprised at the speed with which it can be dealt with once the process is started.

But before I proceed along those lines I want to make sure I have got everything right. I have a few legal details which I would like to clarify having read the regulations for the distance selling act 2000, but donot want to put them on the forum as it might affect my case against MT. Would be grateful if you could give me your emails so I could mail the details and get your opinions.

Thank you
 
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IJK

If you can afford it go for it - you will get the costs back if you win.

The online service uses Northampton Court but MT may ask for it to be switched to Stockport

I have used the Small Claims Court a few times to recover debts in my work - It can a be a bit daunting to sit in front of a Judge the first time but they are no different to the rest of us. The last time I was so gobsmacked to win, I forgot to ask for costs but the Judge reminded me!

I too am considering the small claims track for my claim for damages. I have been lucky enough to get my refund but I now want costs for my time and trouble (including legal fees)
 
ijk

lol wich email adress do you want? i have 13 now since my dealings with MT to avoid there spam blocking, but since they dont reply it makes no difference. you can email me at: Edited by Mucks, Please use the PM system here, don't post personal information ... i will look at the above link you gave us because im also seriuosly thinking about court action, also i will be contacting bbc watchdog again just to make sure things are moving. the other forum i mentioned is :www.pcadvisor.co.uk you can post your story there but stick to the facts as the FE dosent like us to try and get people to boycott company's such as MT, so we must repect his wish's, but he will help you if you post there.


helmet i have everything crossed for your delivery tommorow, good luck
take care all
cazy
 
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I wish I'd done a bit of research into Microland before orderign from them...
I placed an order just over a month ago. The item was showing as in stock but then i got an email the next day saying it wasn't in stock. I cancelled my order but I still haven't got a refund and its now been 30 days. I've written to them telling them to refund me or I'll take legal action, they got the letter today but it looks like I might have to take the legal action, judging by the amount of people having trouble with them. I paid by Debit Card as well so I can't get a chargeback done either
I phoned up stockport trading standards but they told me that I have to contact my local trading standards. What did they say to you guys when you phond up?
If anyone wants to send me the directors addresses or any other helpful information, feel free to email me at marshy122 @ hotmail.com (without the spaces) and put microland technology in the subject bar please
How the hell can such a crappy company be allowed to conduct business?
 
Hi ,
stockport trading standards just advised me to call up my credit card company. Looks like they are getting feed up with the number of calls about MT.
if you do decide to go to court make sure you have exhausted every avenue than your case will be stronger.
Also spread the message ............i have found another nice forum = www.pcanswers.co.uk. PCADVISOR seem to have close ties with companies like MT thus you cannot really tell them how MT is like.
Any other forums to warn people of MT that anybody knows of let me know.
thanks


information copied and pasted from another forum

1.] The contract between you and Microland is governed by the terms of the Consumer Protection (Distance selling) regulations 2000


2.] The regulations state that a supplier must either a) specify a date for 'performance' of the contract (which in this case means delivery of the graphics card) or b) accept that the contract will be subject to the delivery being made within thirty days of the day following the date the order was placed.

3.] If Microland found it was unable to meet either deadline if should by law inform you before the deadline and repay your money in full within a further thirty days.

4.] In that situation there is an option for the supplier to propose a different delivery date to you, or to offer you an alternative item or items - but you don't have to agree to this, and if you don't the contract is automatically terminated, and you must receive a full refund within thirty days.

5.] The law clearly states that there must be no 'contracting out' on the part of the supplier. This means that it is illegal for a supplier to insert any clause into a contract which would have the effect of removing any of your legal rights. For instance - "You must return goods within five days of delivery if you want a refund" is an illegal term under the law, and would be void in any dispute.


By law the supplier must provide you with what's called "prior information" to enable you to decide whether or not to make a purchase.
This information may be by means of what's called a 'durable medium' and in this context a durable medium includes an e-commerce web site. If you saw information which told you that despatch of the goods would be within 1-3 days that was 'prior information' on which you based (in part at least) your decision to buy.

By law they have the right to offer you this option, and by law you have the right to refuse to accept the revision. If you do refuse then the contract is cancelled, and your money must be refunded in full within thirty days.

IF you did refuse to accept a revised delivery forecast, and your money must be refunded - within thirty days of the date on which you made the refusal.

In normal circumstances you have the right to cancel a contract under the distance selling regulations within 7 days. You don't have to give a reason - you have an automatic right. If you are outside that period when you cancelled - the 7 day period begins as soon as the order is placed. the regulations state that cancellation must be made in writing - either by post, by fax, or by email - a telephone call is not enough.

You didn't use the 7 day rule, but you told Microland their revised delivery forecast wasn't acceptable by phone - as far as I can make out you didn't confirm it in writing. The regulations aren't clear about whether the written cancellation rule applies in the case of an unacceptable revised delivery forecast, but I would imagine it does. Did you send an email confirming your cancellation?

In any event - any distance selling contract must be performed within thirty days of the date of the order unless you agree otherwise. You didn't agree, you haven't received the goods and the orginal order was placed more than thirty days ago, so the contract is automatically cancelled anyway. That means that whatever happens you must receive a full refund within thirty days of the cancellation. In the worst case scenario this would mean 60 days after the order was placed. I hope all that makes some sense - I have deliberately delved into it in some detail so you have the information you need to contact Microland. I suggest that you write to them immediately ( by special delivery, not recorded post) and tell them that as they have failed to deliver the goods to you within thirty days of the order, and as you didn't agree to an extended delivery date they must fulfil their promise of a full refund immediately. Tell them that unless they do this within 7 days of the date of your letter you will report the circumstances to the Trading standards office, and may proceed against them using the small claims procedure. Write the words 'Without prejudice' at the top of the letter, under their address.
 
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Dear ijk

There are quite a few sites that I have found with very concerning MT information/unhappy customers and there may be more: PC Review, PC Advisor, Dealtime, Ixat, DVD Reviewer, Romulus 2, Dooyoo.

Have a look and see the comments.

Kind regards

Gabriella x
 
Lucky me - I got my refund today - in full and from MT! It is 80 days since the pc was returned and 51 days since the IT Support department checked the pc and passed the details to the Sales Department to process the refund.

I wish the rest of you the best of luck.

Steve.

pc999 said:
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]Here's my story so far...

Original unit delivered badly dented 28 days after order.

ML agreed to replace with completely new unit.

Original parts came back in new case (I had made a note of the serial numbers). This was also damaged.

ML again agreed to replace with completely new unit.

Original parts again delivered in another case. This was also damaged.

Returned unit and asked for full refund.

IT support took 29 days to check returned item and pass to sales department (7 day promise on web site.)

That was 43 days ago, still nothing despite numerous promises to process refund asap.

Steve.
[/font]
Click to expand...
 
i to got a full refund by MT on friday, i recieved a letter of apollogy wednesday and a email thursday to say my card had been refunded and should show on my account in 2-3 days, wich it did, but getting this refund was really hard work, it took the help of trading standars, my credit company and the forum editor of PCADVISOR to get microland to refund me. customers should not have to do this to get there own money back. even though i am over the moon to have my money back now ,i would certainly not recommend them. they are hard work if you want a problem resolving. i will continue to read these forums and try to help others who have had or have the same problems as we all have.

take care
cazy
 
Dear Cazy

Great stuff girl!! Well done!! Agree with your sentiments.

Have beer/wine/whatever you fancy and chill.......

Gabriella xx
 
HI,

Thanks for all the help and support. Got a full refund. My credit card company Barclay card sorted it out. Totally bypassed MT.
As regard legal action I donot think there is much to be gained now. But my negative feedback about them should definately cost them for the trouble they have caused me. Good to hear cazy and pc999 that you got your refunds.
 
Dear ijk

Fantastic news, well done!! I know what a worry this must have been for you - as they say, been there and worn a few T shirts along the way!!!!

Let's hope anyone else out their waiting for money will get theirs back very soon.

Kind regards

Gabriella x
 
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest ....It may be time for me to give an update on my own, rather different, battle with MT. Not for money but to get maintenance support for my 6-month old PC which has been sickly since delivery.

Communication has been terrible, advice and back-to-base repairs ineffectual and the on-site service not forthcoming. I wrote to the three directors, had no reply yet but have noticed a change in the response of IT Support who now propose to swap out my PC for a new one, now being built, they imply. This will entail a lot of work for me to restore my files, data and settings for the second time: I would have hoped that an on-site engineer would have avoided this but I am coming to suspect that they have never yet delivered this service to anybody and do not intend to.

Gateway (remember them?) made much of on-site support at first, then cut it back to almost zero and after that dropped out of the marketplace.

Peter
 
Dear Peter

I and I am sure others are very sorry to hear of your difficulties. Please check out some useful information on this site in relation to consumer rights. Within 12 months you have certain rights which MT should observe. Have you considered contacting Stockport Trading Standards and BBC Watchdog? It is important that this company observes what they are supposed to do post sale.

From the experience of many people involved in issues with this company it is very important to make sure that you keep very careful records in relation to every contact that you make/response from them.

Please keep us posted.

Kind regards

Gabriella x
 
Dear Peter


You may want to check out PC Advisor site - MT have appeared and have answered a couple of questions from customers. Is it worth emailing them through PC Advisor site/posting your queries there?

Kind regards

Gabriella x
 
as always

i agree with gabriella, plz contact tradinging standards and bbc watchdog. i think the time has come to expose these people. IJK great news. next time we can all be at little wiser and check a company out before buying, it may take a day or 2 more but its alot better than a month or 2 more.

take care
 
Oh my god!

I can't believe there is a forum devoted to this crass company.

I intended to order one graphics card from them but having left my browser idle for some time came back and stupidly ordered 5. (Their online order system is pretty poor in that once you get past the first page it doesn't show what you've spent until you hit send- which I did without looking)

Anyway as soon as I realized what I had done I quickly emailed them and explained what had happened and somebody eventually got back to me saying that I would get an amended order for the one card together with a refund of some £365.

That was ONE month ago and even though I've done the whole threatening letter thing (since I am a law student) they appear to be doing nothing- I get the same reply each time.

I am however from my studies painfully aware that recovering small amounts of money is very tough and getting a magistrate to listen isn't always easy. If any of you out there are still trying to recover money from this company let me know and perhaps we can work on it together.

I am now planning to speak to Trading Standards and then if I can recover my money get this lot flagged up over the internet with bad publicity. I am also going to send a letter recorded delivery to their main offices.

Thanks,

Marcus
 
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