I hope you don't want support
Written: Dec 12 '99
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Pros: inexpensive system
Cons: poor customer service
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| ltowell's Full Review: ABS Supreme DVD System 1 |
I am rating the Supreme DVD System 1 and the ABS customer service. The Supreme DVD System 1 (like most of the ABS computer lines) is a quality piece of equipment with name-brand components and one of the lowest prices around.
To qualify my future statements let me tell you that I am the CIS department head at a university and purchase about 100 systems each year for my labs. In addition, I recommend/assist 20-30 student purchases each semester and help various friends and relatives with their personal computer system purchases. I am routinely involved in mail-order purchases, department store purchases, web-based purchases, and catalog purchases. Given the number of companies and the number of different configurations I deal with, certain tendency tend to stick out.
I have owned two ABS computers. I am happy with the physical equipment and very unhappy with customer service. Now I know that any piece of sensitive equipment that is boxed up and shipped has the potential to arrive in less than optimal condition (that is part of the risk inherent in online purchases). I do expect however that any problem appearing in the first week or so be remedied as quickly and as painlessly as possible by ABS. Roughly 50% of the ABS purchases I have been involved in result in two or more calls to customer service.
Here is a sampling of customer service problems I have had:
- waiting on hold (more than 20 minutes at a time on several occasions)
- getting a customer service rep that does not speak English
- being told "I'll call you back" and not calling back
- being hung up on
- charging my credit card for cross shipping when they said they would not
- being forced to call them to remove an unauthorized credit card charge
At least 50% of the ABS computers I have dealt with need one or more components replaced. I have always been able to get them to replace problems, but it may take you several hours on the phone. I shipped one defective mouse back 3 times only to receive the same (defective) mouse back twice time.
Bottom line: These are great systems if you ever get them to work (or if you are one of the lucky ones whose system shows up working). Personally, I have decided not to buy from ABS again -- I would rather pay Dell $200 more for their customer service. I rate the system itself 4 stars but customer service get only 1.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 2400
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: 501-600
RAM: More than 128
Internal Storage: DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 9-12
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Epinions.com ID:
ltowell
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Member: Lester Towell
Location: Brownwood, TX
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 31 members
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