Better than average supplier
Written: Aug 28 '02 (Updated Dec 28 '03)
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| Full Review |
SmartHome are one of a very few companies providing products into the home automation sector. These products are aimed at professional and DIY (Do It Yourself) installers of home gadgets. These gadgets range from garage door openers that are triggered by you driving up to the house to a mechanism whereby you can turn on your hot tub from across country by phone. Why would you want to do it? You may have a holiday home and need to turn the hot water and hot tub on 24 hours before you arrive.
Catalogues.
The company has a well designed web site with good advanced features and easy navigation. It also publishes a paper catalogue that is useful to a lesser degree but it is clear to see where most of the effort has been expended.
Ordering
Placing an order, on-line was simple, secure (or secure feeling) and reliable. None of this going backwards and forwards for corrections all the time. I used a credit card for the purchase and the correct amount was deducted.
Response
I paid extra to have my goods sent by a ֬ day’ carrier and placed the order well before a guaranteed picking time. Regardless the order wasn’t despatched that day as promised. A subsequent phone call however tracked down the shipment and I got it in 3 days which was just about OK for my deadline.
All customer support responses were efficient and courteous.
When the heart of my home automation system burned out on me three weeks later, I called SmartHome for assistance and they were quick to give me a RMA number and their new address for its return. The new address confirms they have just moved which may explain the delay in shipping in the first place. They also intimated that the move had cost them some delay in returning RMAs (fixing broken goods, under warranty) so they forecast a fortnight (two week) delay in returning my system.
Conclusion
Overall I am satisfied with the service SmartHome have provided. I don’t yet have a reliable home automation system, but I cannot lay that at SmartHome’s door. Under the circumstances they have done most of what they promise and done it well enough.
Note:- New Address
Smarthome, Inc.,
16542 Millikan Avenue,
Irvine, CA. 92606
December 2003 Update.
I have since added extra items to my home automation system, all with great service and great delivery. They seem to have got over their move well. The system I now own is reliable since it was 'taken out' by a near direct hit by lightning!
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Home automation system
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About the Author
Location: Raleigh NC USA
Reviews written: 44
Trusted by: 5 members
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