Easy online ordering and fast shipping! So-so phone service.
Written: Apr 10 '05 (Updated Apr 11 '05)
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I was in the market for a HDD/DVD recorder and after some trial-and-error and additional research, finally decided on the Panasonic DMR-E95HS with a 160GB hard drive. (Read my review of this unit HERE.)
I had previously purchased the lower model, the DMR-E85HS with a 120GB HD, from a local retailer. While I did like it and wanted to keep it, the unit was much too buggy to be tolerable. I called Panasonic to find out if my lock-ups and crashes were unique to my unit, but they confirmed that the E85 had issues. Alas, I ended up returning it to the store where I purchased it from. (Read my review of the E85 HERE.)
I did some extra research found reviews stating that the E95 was free of the bugs that plagued the E85. So, off to Epinions I went to find a reliable online store since nobody carried it in town (Vancouver, Canada). I finally decided on Beach Camera. Even though they hadn't been reviewed recently and their last review in August 2004 wasn't exactly glowing, I decided to give them a try based on so many excellent ratings they had received in the past.
I ordered the DMR-E95HS recorder from them and since I was anxious to get the item quickly, I opted for the 3-5 day FedEx shipping instead of the 7-10 FREE FedEx Ground shipping. Their website says that all orders are shipped within 48-72 hours. My item was shipped the very next day and arrived in 2 days! Plus, it was packed extremely well! The guys at Beach Camera put the Panasonic box inside another cardboard box and padded it with "packing popcorn" for that extra protection. I was impressed. Of course, the unit was in perfect working order! I will definitely consider ordering from them in the future.
However, there were a couple of negatives that popped up during my buying experience, but not enough to cause me to look elsewhere.
1. The Return Policy on home theater products (i.e. DVD players) had me concerned.
Their website states that all home theater product are non-returnable for any reason once the box is opened. That includes defective items! The phone rep told me that if the item was defective, I would have to deal with Panasonic directly to get repairs done. Considering this store is an Authorized Panasonic Dealer you would think they would have a better DOA policy!
2. The guy that answers the phone needs better phone manners.
I called the order desk to ask them about their return policy on defective items (see #1) and the rep replied, "Nope, we don't take any returns even if its broken. Once you open it, it's yours." I can think of many ways to say that better. Also, when I asked him about why international credit card orders (like mine) would take an extra 3-4 days for processing (which in the end it really didn't), he replied, "I dunno. For checking fraud and stuff like that." Gee, that's an in-depth and well articulated explanation. It's like he was irritated that I asked him so many questions. Get this guy off the phone and put someone with some people relations skills there instead!
But, like I said, overall a good experience. For an online order, it went over extremely well.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Panasonic DMR-E95HS HDD/DVD Recorder
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Epinions.com ID:
antwbone
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Member: Anthony W.
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 1 member
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