Should have built my own, but...

  • Thread starter Thread starter straightnut
  • Start date Start date
S

straightnut

I went with a custom PC builder called PCUSA.com and I received my PC
today with something rattling around in it. I went to open the case
and there was a sticker sealing it saying that the warranty is void if
removed. Is this a common thing?
What about people who want to add a PCI card or a drive or something.
This seems ridiculous.

Also, even if they don't honor their warranty, will all of the parts
manufacturers at least honor theirs, even though I went through a
third party to build it?
If so, what would I need to have in order to return a part to a
manufacturer?

I appreciate any help you can give me.
Thanks,
Jeff
 
straightnut said:
I went with a custom PC builder called PCUSA.com and I received my PC
today with something rattling around in it. I went to open the case
and there was a sticker sealing it saying that the warranty is void if
removed. Is this a common thing?
Click to expand...

Nope. Never seen it.

What about people who want to add a PCI card or a drive or something.
This seems ridiculous.
Yep!


Also, even if they don't honor their warranty, will all of the parts
manufacturers at least honor theirs, even though I went through a
third party to build it?
If so, what would I need to have in order to return a part to a
manufacturer?
Click to expand...

Dunno. Might have to ask individual mfgrs as well as PCUSA...
 
Apparently, under the terms of their "warranty", PCUSA requires that for
each repair of the system you ship the unit back to them. Gets expensive
fast.
 
straightnut said:
I went with a custom PC builder called PCUSA.com and I received my PC
today with something rattling around in it. I went to open the case
and there was a sticker sealing it saying that the warranty is void if
removed. Is this a common thing?
What about people who want to add a PCI card or a drive or something.
This seems ridiculous.

Also, even if they don't honor their warranty, will all of the parts
manufacturers at least honor theirs, even though I went through a
third party to build it?
If so, what would I need to have in order to return a part to a
manufacturer?

I appreciate any help you can give me.
Thanks,
Jeff
Click to expand...

Based on a search of their website (i.e. entering pcusa.com as the
domain to be searched), and using "warranty" as the keyword,
there doesn't appear to be *any* detail on their warranty.

http://www.altavista.com/web/adv

I suggest you talk to them immediately, to determine just how
bad you've been stung.

If there is something rattling around inside, that could be
the heatsink on the CPU that has fallen off. Or something
worse...

(Oh dear, in another thread, you've already checked BBB and
learned something about them.)

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.audio.pro/msg/562bcacc7c25db31?dmode=source

"I should have done this before I ordered, but I just checked the
Better Business Bureau website and the company consists of one
employee. And the status is listed as unsatisfactory. It has been in
business for 10 years though."

Well, you can always file a complaint with the BBB. Or small
claims court.

Also, if you paid with a credit card, you could dispute the charge
and effectively make them take it back. Please don't tell us
you paid cash for it. If they don't take credit cards, that could
be for a reason (credit card company cut them off).

pcusa.com has been archived since the year 2000.

http://web.archive.org/*/http://www.pcusa.com

For example, this page shows their terms, back in 2002 and later. It
looks like this page has disappeared from their current site - at least
I cannot find it.

http://web.archive.org/web/20020202033444/pcusa.com/displayCustomPage.asp?id=5
http://web.archive.org/web/20030407174820/www.pcusa.com/displayCustomPage.asp?id=5
http://web.archive.org/web/20060210152501/http://www.pcusa.com/displayCustomPage.asp?id=5
http://web.archive.org/web/20060821015841/http://www.pcusa.com/displayCustomPage.asp?id=5

"However, PC Source, Inc ( dba PCUSA.COM ) will not warrant any product, which
have been subjected to improper freight handling/shipping, physical damage,
neglect, or unauthorized repair or installation. Some products have longer
warranties directly from the individual manufacturer. All warranty will be
voided if any Warranty Sticker or Seal is broken off on the purchased products.
Any tempering of the warranty condition of any purchased products voids the
warranty of such products"

I think the next newsgroup you'd want to visit, is one frequented by lawyers...

Paul
 
Based on a search of their website (i.e. entering pcusa.com as the
domain to be searched), and using "warranty" as the keyword,
there doesn't appear to be *any* detail on their warranty.

http://www.altavista.com/web/adv

I suggest you talk to them immediately, to determine just how
bad you've been stung.

If there is something rattling around inside, that could be
the heatsink on the CPU that has fallen off. Or something
worse...

(Oh dear, in another thread, you've already checked BBB and
learned something about them.)

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.audio.pro/msg/562bcacc7c25db31?dmod...

"I should have done this before I ordered, but I just checked the
Better Business Bureau website and the company consists of one
employee. And the status is listed as unsatisfactory. It has been in
business for 10 years though."

Well, you can always file a complaint with the BBB. Or small
claims court.

Also, if you paid with a credit card, you could dispute the charge
and effectively make them take it back. Please don't tell us
you paid cash for it. If they don't take credit cards, that could
be for a reason (credit card company cut them off).

pcusa.com has been archived since the year 2000.

http://web.archive.org/*/http://www.pcusa.com

For example, this page shows their terms, back in 2002 and later. It
looks like this page has disappeared from their current site - at least
I cannot find it.

http://web.archive.org/web/20020202...eb/20060821015841/http://www.pcusa.com/displa...

"However, PC Source, Inc ( dba PCUSA.COM ) will not warrant any product, which
have been subjected to improper freight handling/shipping, physical damage,
neglect, or unauthorized repair or installation. Some products have longer
warranties directly from the individual manufacturer. All warranty will be
voided if any Warranty Sticker or Seal is broken off on the purchased products.
Any tempering of the warranty condition of any purchased products voids the
warranty of such products"

I think the next newsgroup you'd want to visit, is one frequented by lawyers...

Paul- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Thank you all. And thanks so much Paul for being so thorough. I
suppose returning the PC is the
most ethically appropriate thing to do, but I'm wondering how sticky
this can get. I was actually considering
building a PC with practically all of the same parts that PCUSA put in
this one. And I priced it and they
did it cheaper than I could have. Plus they added a 3 year warranty
and lifetime tech support, so that
was my reasoning for going with them. Now that I realize the warranty
is crap, I have to consider
whether the computer itself is built well and whether or not the
warranty for the individual parts is under my name
and can therefore be used if something should fail within the warranty
period for that part.

No course of action will sit well, so I'm wondering which one to take
to save me the most stress. I haven't
touched the PC yet, and what seems the next thing to do, is to contact
each of the manufacturers of
the parts to see how they view the situation.

I did use a credit card for the purchase. The shipping was $55, and
shipping back I assume would be at least
$30. And who knows how ugly they'll be about it, so I'm at least
considering other options.
Thanks again.
I really appreciate your help.
Jeff
 
Based on a search of their website (i.e. entering pcusa.com as the
domain to be searched), and using "warranty" as the keyword,
there doesn't appear to be *any* detail on their warranty.

http://www.altavista.com/web/adv

I suggest you talk to them immediately, to determine just how
bad you've been stung.

If there is something rattling around inside, that could be
the heatsink on the CPU that has fallen off. Or something
worse...

(Oh dear, in another thread, you've already checked BBB and
learned something about them.)

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.audio.pro/msg/562bcacc7c25db31?dmod...

"I should have done this before I ordered, but I just checked the
Better Business Bureau website and the company consists of one
employee. And the status is listed as unsatisfactory. It has been in
business for 10 years though."

Well, you can always file a complaint with the BBB. Or small
claims court.

Also, if you paid with a credit card, you could dispute the charge
and effectively make them take it back. Please don't tell us
you paid cash for it. If they don't take credit cards, that could
be for a reason (credit card company cut them off).

pcusa.com has been archived since the year 2000.

http://web.archive.org/*/http://www.pcusa.com

For example, this page shows their terms, back in 2002 and later. It
looks like this page has disappeared from their current site - at least
I cannot find it.

http://web.archive.org/web/20020202...eb/20060821015841/http://www.pcusa.com/displa...

"However, PC Source, Inc ( dba PCUSA.COM ) will not warrant any product, which
have been subjected to improper freight handling/shipping, physical damage,
neglect, or unauthorized repair or installation. Some products have longer
warranties directly from the individual manufacturer. All warranty will be
voided if any Warranty Sticker or Seal is broken off on the purchased products.
Any tempering of the warranty condition of any purchased products voids the
warranty of such products"

I think the next newsgroup you'd want to visit, is one frequented by lawyers...

Paul- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention that I called them immediately upon noticing the
sticker, and they were not fun
to talk to. It's actually just one guy who runs the whole thing I
believe. He said something about if
I open the case and a part is broken, I have no way to prove that it
wasn't me who broke it. His english
was bad, so I'm not sure about everything he was saying. But I recall
him saying that I assume
full responsibilty for the parts if I open the case.
Jeff
 
straightnut said:
I went with a custom PC builder called PCUSA.com and I received my PC
today with something rattling around in it. I went to open the case
and there was a sticker sealing it saying that the warranty is void if
removed. Is this a common thing?
What about people who want to add a PCI card or a drive or something.
This seems ridiculous.

Also, even if they don't honor their warranty, will all of the parts
manufacturers at least honor theirs, even though I went through a
third party to build it?
If so, what would I need to have in order to return a part to a
manufacturer?
Click to expand...

There are free diagnostics that can read hard drive serial numbers so
you can verify the warranty with the drive maker, and one such
diagnostic is Hitachi's (www.hgst.com) Drive Fitness Test, which will
do this for any brand of HD. If the drive has a retail warranty, you
can usually get it replaced under warranty without a receipt.

What do the directions say about installing cards or HDs? Because if
they show you how to do it but don't warn against voiding the warranty
by opening the computer case, then the sticker seal may be
meaningless, although I'm no lawyer. I've never heard of a computer
warranty being voided for opening the machine because it's normal to
open it, and every major manufacturer allows it.
 
straightnut said:
Thank you all. And thanks so much Paul for being so thorough. I suppose
returning the PC is the most ethically appropriate thing to do, but I'm
wondering how sticky this can get. I was actually considering building a PC
with practically all of the same parts that PCUSA put in this one. And I
priced it and they did it cheaper than I could have. Plus they added a 3 year
warranty and lifetime tech support, so that was my reasoning for going with
them. Now that I realize the warranty is crap, I have to consider whether the
computer itself is built well and whether or not the warranty for the
individual parts is under my name and can therefore be used if something
should fail within the warranty period for that part.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, you cannot determine how the computer is built unless you open it
up...

Have you tried using the "lifetime tech support" to ask them what they want you
to do? If they merely say "send it back," that will be an indication that you
MUST send it back -- permanently! OTOH, will they give you your $$ back if you
do?

The other option is to open it anyhow, and commit yourself to doing your own
repairs if necessary. You save the $30+ shipping, and you may be able to fix it
in a couple minutes.

You would likely prevail in a small-claims court suit for "warranty of
merchantability" or similar, but again, would it be worth it?

No course of action will sit well, so I'm wondering which one to take to save
me the most stress. I haven't
touched the PC yet, and what seems the next thing to do, is to contact each of
the manufacturers of the parts to see how they view the situation.
Click to expand...

What is their return policy? If they say they will NOT take it back, the court
solution may be the only feasible one. If they agree to refund your $$, take it
and build your own.

I did use a credit card for the purchase. The shipping was $55, and shipping
back I assume would be at least $30. And who knows how ugly they'll be about
it, so I'm at least considering other options.
Click to expand...

You can try to dispute the charge if PCUSA doesn't respond well. However, that
may only delay the inevitable if the card company eventually sez, "You got the
box; you gotta pay."
 
straightnut said:
I forgot to mention that I called them immediately upon noticing the sticker,
and they were not fun to talk to. It's actually just one guy who runs the
whole thing I believe. He said something about if I open the case and a part
is broken, I have no way to prove that it wasn't me who broke it. His english
was bad, so I'm not sure about everything he was saying. But I recall him
saying that I assume full responsibilty for the parts if I open the case.
Click to expand...

So, you're now down to asking for a full refund, or assuming the risk
yourself...
 
straightnut said:
I have to consider whether the computer itself is built well
Click to expand...

You said there is something rattling around inside of the case.
It's not built well.
 
larry said:
There are free diagnostics that can read hard drive serial numbers so
you can verify the warranty with the drive maker, and one such
diagnostic is Hitachi's (www.hgst.com) Drive Fitness Test, which will
do this for any brand of HD. If the drive has a retail warranty, you
can usually get it replaced under warranty without a receipt.

What do the directions say about installing cards or HDs? Because if
they show you how to do it but don't warn against voiding the warranty
by opening the computer case, then the sticker seal may be
meaningless, although I'm no lawyer. I've never heard of a computer
warranty being voided for opening the machine because it's normal to
open it, and every major manufacturer allows it.
Click to expand...

If there are parts rattling around inside, I would not power it up :-)
A loose screw could go just about anywhere.

Paul
 
Paul said:
If there are parts rattling around inside, I would not power it up :-)
A loose screw could go just about anywhere.

Paul
Click to expand...

Also, in his battle with the vendor, I would not tamper with the
warranty sticker, if a return + paying a restocking fee is
contemplated.

The warranty reads that they are not responsible for shipping
damage. I guess you're supposed to take that up with the
shipper. But, of course, you can't open the thing up, for
fear of tainting the rest of the business arrangement.

Truly a finely constructed trap. The dude at pcusa should be proud of
himself.

Paul
 
Also, in his battle with the vendor, I would not tamper with the
warranty sticker, if a return + paying a restocking fee is
contemplated.

The warranty reads that they are not responsible for shipping
damage. I guess you're supposed to take that up with the
shipper. But, of course, you can't open the thing up, for
fear of tainting the rest of the business arrangement.

Truly a finely constructed trap. The dude at pcusa should be proud of
himself.

Paul- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

And I believe it is just a dude. One guy who likely picks a name out
of a hat to
call himself that day. I didn't power up. I didn't do anything except
to take it out of the box.
Once I saw the sticker, I called the company and haven't touched the
thing since.
I'm calling the credit card company tomorrow to complain.
Thanks
Jeff
 
Paul said:
If there are parts rattling around inside, I would not power it up
:-)
Click to expand...

He could attach it to a paint shaker
:D

I would dispute the charges for defective merchandise. Credit card
companies are very very good about reversing charges for defective
products purchased on the Internet. The insistent threat of
disputing the charges might even be enough. I haven't heard of or
experienced any unsuccessful attempt to reverse charges.
 
There are free diagnostics that can read hard drive serial numbers so
you can verify the warranty with the drive maker, and one such
diagnostic is Hitachi's (www.hgst.com) Drive Fitness Test, which will
do this for any brand of HD. If the drive has a retail warranty, you
can usually get it replaced under warranty without a receipt.

What do the directions say about installing cards or HDs? Because if
they show you how to do it but don't warn against voiding the warranty
by opening the computer case, then the sticker seal may be
meaningless, although I'm no lawyer. I've never heard of a computer
warranty being voided for opening the machine because it's normal to
open it, and every major manufacturer allows it.
Click to expand...

They give no instructions whatsoever. It ain't Dell. I wonder if they
even use new parts.
Maybe they doesn't want you looking, so they put that sticker on.
Jeff
 
Unfortunately, you cannot determine how the computer is built unless you open it
up...

Have you tried using the "lifetime tech support" to ask them what they want you
to do? If they merely say "send it back," that will be an indication that you
MUST send it back -- permanently! OTOH, will they give you your $$ back if you
do?

The other option is to open it anyhow, and commit yourself to doing your own
repairs if necessary. You save the $30+ shipping, and you may be able to fix it
in a couple minutes.

You would likely prevail in a small-claims court suit for "warranty of
merchantability" or similar, but again, would it be worth it?


What is their return policy? If they say they will NOT take it back, the court
solution may be the only feasible one. If they agree to refund your $$, take it
and build your own.


You can try to dispute the charge if PCUSA doesn't respond well. However, that
may only delay the inevitable if the card company eventually sez, "You got the
box; you gotta pay."
Click to expand...

They don't have a return policy that I can find. At the end of our
conversation I was perturbed and
asked, so how do I go about a refund. As he was hanging up on me he
said to get an RMA through
pcusa.com. Can't find any link for returns or warranties. I even
looked using the site search option on google for "return" "refund"
"rma" and "warranty" each coming up with nothing.
Jeff
 
John Doe said:
You said there is something rattling around inside of the case.
It's not built well.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily true...

Shipping may loosen stuff that would otherwise be reasonably secure in a
computer case. The "rattling" could be as simple as a PSU or IDE cable
terminal, or as bad as a CPU or heat sink. We don't know which, yet...
 
straightnut said:
They don't have a return policy that I can find. At the end of our
conversation I was perturbed and asked, so how do I go about a refund. As he
was hanging up on me he said to get an RMA through pcusa.com. Can't find any
link for returns or warranties. I even looked using the site search option on
google for "return" "refund" "rma" and "warranty" each coming up with nothing.
Click to expand...

OK. You now know you're stuck with it. The only decision is to use it or not,
and if you do use it, how much $$ you're going to try to get back from him:

If you decide to NOT use it (i.e., you can forego the cost of the box for
the foreseeable future), you can start with the credit card and BBB complaints,
and look into a small claims court action. Put it back in the box and leave it
there until you get a result.

If you decide to use it, open it up and see what's wrong. If it's a simple
and/or cheap fix, and the machine then works, consider it an inexpensive lesson.
If you "lose," and the fix is more than you would have liked, then continue with
the actions as above.


You already know the guy's a dirtbag. If you send it back, you risk losing your
$$ AND the machine. If you keep it, you stand a good chance of getting use out
of it.

If it were mine, I'd crack the case and fix what's broke. Send a claim to the
guy for what it cost to fix (if anything), and report it to the credit card
company and BBB. Dispute the cost to fix with the credit card company.
 
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