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floppybootstomp

floppybootstomp

sugar 'n spikes
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I'm running out of options here, I need your help.

Right, these computer parts suppliers are off my list:

Scan - arrogant SOB's who make you pay the postage on your rma's.
OCUK - poor service, poor communication, a 'couldn't care less' attitude.
DABS - Haven't bought anything from them for at least five years, I've never had a prob myself but I do read a ton of horror stories about them.
E-Buyer - they've been great for the last 3 or 4 years, but their attitude has now changed, they bad (see related thread, my AMD build).

So, can anybody here recommend somebody who is:

1) Quick and helpful with rma's and pays all or at least part of any rma postage
2) Can be contacted easily and can supply a real human being to speak to on the phone.
3) Supplies a good delivery service at a reasonable price.
4) Supplies a good stock of parts that are reasonably priced.

Amazon are good but they're not really a computer parts specialist.

Other contenders may be:

a) Aria
b) CCL
c) Novatech (though not much of a range there)

My favourite ever supplier, btw, is Kustom PC's but they're costlier than most and they don't actually stock much of their advertised range, there is often a wait involved for the component you're after. However, their customer service has to be the best ever.

Recommendations with reasons and tales of close encounters of the supplier kind welcome here :)
 
Hey, you may be joking Mr Mucks but if PC World stock a part I want then I will get on a bus or my Bicycle and buy it from them. Always.

Their prices are pretty much on a par with online suppliers and they don't mess about if you need to return something. Much more comforting than having to deal with these arrogant self-righteous online suppliers, that's for sure.

And my local PC World at Charlton is right next door to a large branch of Currys which increases the chances of an item being in stock.

But.... an online supplier? I do remember from the long and distant past you used CCL - do you still use them?
 
No, I lost touch with CCL not long after I "retired" from building PCs.

They didn't have the best of alternatives, but always had, or could get, what I needed even tho' some of the time I was only ordering one or two components. RMA was never a problem, but then I was a business, next day replacement was a norm.

As for 'Joe Blogs' in the street, I'll use Novatech. As my name won't fit on their computer system, I phone them. Never had to replace anything so no idea what returns are like, but they answer the phone. :D


I wasn't really kidding about PCWorld either, you can order online ... I only have a Curry's near me though. :)
 
Hi Flops for what it is worth I have used Aria for most of the parts I use, I have have never had to return anything back to Aria so am not able to comment on their RMA, I have spent several thousand pounds on equipment over the last few years and never had a problem. I have also used Novatech they have a very good interface with customers and have a very good help desk ether phone or email again never had to return anything to them so cannot comment on their RMA policy. Hope this helps
 
Thanks for the replies folks. It's the rma experience I'm really interested in, that's when a supplier shows it's true mettle.

The sales service from E-Buyer, have to say, is very good indeed, they take orders for next day deliveries up to around 10pm, may even be 11pm, and their orders have always shown up. Or if you don't mind waiting a few days most items can be delivered for fre..

Nope, Ebuyers good for buying, as are most online suppliers, but Ebuyer have fallen down on rma's now, (as pointed out in my AMD build thread) I had to take photos of my faulty motherboard to send them and also have to stay at home for a day for rma collection.

I don't see why they needed pix especially as it's an AMD board (no socket pins to bend) and they could have arranged that I leave the parcel at a collection point locally, that's common practice now. So farewell Ebuyer.

Thanks again for your replies.
 
I've found Amazon can be good for PC stuff.

Still never had any issues with Ebuyer or OcUK myself thought. :)
 
Had no problems with
PCBuyIt
Aria
E-buyer
Amazon
Dabs
Currys
Saverstore
QuietPC Great service and support.

Only RMA'd to Aria and E-buyer and PCBuyIt all were very good but that was a year or so ago.PCBuyIt were outstanding, I RMA'd me Dell monitor to them when it was three years into the five year cover, service and replacement were fast and professional. Monitor was the cheapest price on the net aswell. :cool:
 
We've used Aria a few times in the past and it has always been great, but as it's not far away we've always driven there rather than get items delivered so I don't have any experience of that.

You could give it a try, and if they mess you about I'll send the boys round ;) :D
 
Kustom PC gets my vote. Amazon second. I had to return memory to Amazon before though and I remember it was a freepost address to return ... well I believe so from what I can remember. Graeme at Kustom is good because he's not one of these huge companies that can afford to lose quite a few buyers.

With that said, I believe Graeme is generally a nice guy anyway, so the size of his business wouldn't really make much difference as long as he was in charge. OCUK can suck a rotten egg for all I care, because they stink!. Just saying.

Havn't bought from many others tbh. I know Tekheads and Overclock.co.uk are the same company and they tried returning the same damaged HDD. I think I shocked them when they realised I had copied down the serial number before sending it back to them. They just replaced the plastic case thinking I wouldn't be any the wiser.

Anyone else who can help Flops out?
 
Well, I've just ordered a video card from Novatech, their price was amongst the best but the turning point was they were supplying a free game (Metro Last Light) where nobody else was.

Been thinking about getting a Saitek cordless RAT Mouse (Universally good reviews) and it turned out Amazon offered best price and free postage. Can't actually afford it atm though, lol

Thanks for feedback folks :)
 
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