Alright so I finally decided to buy a computer from this company. I went through a configuration on the site and I managed to build a computer at around my price range. I ordered everything, the transaction went well and the computer was to arrive at my house in about 2 and half weeks.
I got the computer and I installed the Operating system (Windows 7). I installed all of the drivers and everything and once I was done I decided to reboot my computer (because all of the installations required me to) and see how everything is set up. When I rebooted my computer I received a total of 3 errors. One error was where my computer was scanning for drives. This took like 30 seconds with numbers being loaded left and right. Another error was where it was scanning for some component for 25 seconds and eventually said it wasn't found and finally some other error which was unlike the first 2 and I wasn't able to understand. After the errors finished "loading" my operating system booted up and everything was loaded fine and worked.
At the time I wasn't computer literate but I definitely knew it was a error. If all of this scanning takes place at boot up and then it actually said "error not loaded" and "error not found" its basically foolproof. It is an error.
I wrote down some of the data that the errors hard and I Googled it. After searching for hours for people who had similar problems, I had to edit something called the BIOS.
When I am writing this report I am now a lot more computer literate and things such as a BIOS aren't intimidating, but when you are a customer that pays a company to build you a computer I shouldn't feel the need to learn how to do this stuff.
So basically I changed some stuff in my BIOS.
So I fixed some of the problems but there was this 1 error that required like 20 seconds extra at computer boot up and that kind of ticked me off.
I tried to live with it and say its normal but its very hard not to notice it. I tried EVERYTHING, the error did not match any configuration in my BIOS. I updated my BIOS in hopes of fixing it. There is an old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". But it was broken. I updated my BIOS but sadly there was only 1 small update, the BIOS I had was already very up to date, if my BIOS was like 1 year old or something than maybe the error would have been due to simply the old BIOS but it just didn't fix and I couldn't live with the 20 seconds of 1 "error" it took up during bootup.
I called Tech Support and I had to give them my phone number so they can call me back later. They called me back the next day and luckily I was home. I explained the guy my error and he kept mumbling something. Now at first I was like wow this is great this guy seems to know what my problem is and most likely is going to be able to fix it. Well after he finished speaking I told him "I'm sorry but can you speak up louder, I don't have speakers on my telephone." So I waited 2 minutes (I was put on hold) and he resumed speaking to me but then I heard him slightly better and I finally was able to hear him and understand him a little bit better. He simply said things such as "that problem is normal, don't worry about it and it doesn't mean your computer will not work." I tried telling him I will do anything just to get rid of it but then after he kept saying not to worry about it, I just wanted to get the phone and not start screaming at him.
So I took the guys advice, I tried living with it, but you just can't. I decided to return the computer. The fact is I had more than just 1 problem when I received the computer. But I got so pissed off I just said "screw this." I decided to return the computer. Now you're probably thinking why would I return it just because it takes 20 seconds longer to load when you turn on the power button? Well if you pay for a really fast / expensive / high quality part gaming computer you would want to make your computer start up ready to go in 20 seconds NOT 40 seconds. I also paid a lot more for the newest parts just for the smallest increase in loading times and speed. I am not a patient person however I don't complain about life being to slow. If I just want a fast computer let me have it after all of the money I paid. The 20 extra seconds changes me from being at the computer chair cracking my fingers and being ready to from to turning on the power button walking away from the computer to do something and coming back when its ready.
So I called the company for a return. Sounds simple? Nope. I called the Sales Department and the person picked up very fast. The person said I need to contact the Customer and Technical Support number. I said okay. It was technically my fault but that phone call took less than 2 minutes and I have no reason to complain. I waited 9 minutes for somebody to pick up on the Customer and Technical support number and some guy picked up and told him to leave a number where they can call me back. I left my home phone number and then I tried to quickly reason with the guy that I don't need technical support as in a Technician to help me I just want to return. The guy said alright but just wait for us to call you back.
At that point I was getting a little aggravated. Last time I called Tech/customer support (Technical and customer support where on 1 phone number) I called 2 hours before the office closed and got a call back the next day in the morning, this is perfectly understandable. The problem with a call back this time was I left it in the morning. That meant I would have to be home all day waiting for my phone. I could of left my cellphone but I wouldn't have liked talking about returning my computer outside when I am around family/going shopping/helping out a neighbor / etc.
So after 5 hours, I got angry and decided to call back. I called and waited 20 minutes on hold. When the guy picked up I told him I was waiting 5 hours for the company to call me back and I just want to return my computer and get a refund number or RMA and that I don't need help with the computer. The guy explained to me that Shipping and Handling ($65) will not get refunded and I have to pay to return the computer.
I tried to explain to him that I called technical support to help me resolve issues and they didn't help me out and I said I should get a full refund for poor quality product/service. The guy said I won't get back money for shipping and that I need to pay money to ship it back. As of now I am going to return the computer pretty soon since I got my RMA after waiting a day for it and I am going to see how it goes.
The bottom line is: These custom built computer websites are very unreliable. They may make a computer at an awesome price but its a very risky move. The secret to their profit making is that they use refurbished parts and technically they are guaranteed to work. Refurbished parts costs a lot less than brand new out of box parts. This company saves money by buying in bulk and getting their hands on refurbished parts. The company uses very generic parts unless you want to upgrade to a more reliable brand name part. The price they offer the computer isn't to good to be true because one you make things like the Power Supply Unit a brand name instead of Generic, that can costs you at least 50 dollars extra. The PSU is important because if the PSU fails, everything in your system can get damaged and not work. There are also other "generic parts" that need upgrading. You don't have to but its recommended that you should. (not on the site but just in general) The company also is not responsible for shipping charges and doesn't give you a return label and the company also doesn't give a refund for shipping.
When you buy a system from a major brand name manufacturer like Dell, Gateway, etc. You are paying a lot extra since these companies need to keep things such as shipping in mind and of course its a major corporation that may have a deal with the shipping provider unlike your small warehouse manufacturer Cyberpower.
If shipping back costs about the same as shipping to my house I am going to lose about $130 dollars just because I decided to return it. My feeling is that if Cyberpower PC is going to ship out a PC, they might as well MAKE SURE there are no errors that may make a customer go as far as to return the computer.
Another bad marketing ploy is that Cyberpower PC always has these discounts that last all year long with just a different name. Such as a rebate for netbook bundle / MS office and things like free game. The biggest scam is the free shipping on certain computer one.in order for them to make up for the free shipping $65 (you have to pay the extra for extra shipping. For example if you want the 100 dollar shipping u would pay $35 instead of the full $100.) Well the point is that they don't add the operating system (at least around 80 dollar value) and make the components look as though they are worth a little more to fulfill the $65 you're supposed to get for free. The reason the sales are "rippoffs" is because they add a countdown so it makes you feel rushed to buy it and once another sale comes the same exact things are being offered in the sale. They take stuff which come standard and make it seem it's on sale even though the discounted price is just average not better.
So as for losing $130 just to return my PC after waiting a long time to get and now I am going to wait even longer to return it and get my money back fully processed on my credit card this company IS A RIPOFF. I paid $130 for nothing. Sure you may argue that the company is not to blame for losing the $130 but just the shipping company which did nothing wrong except for doing their job... The experience is just not worth it.
Is it worth the risk from buying from the company... It is not worth the risk. If your happy, then fine, whatever... If you are NOT happy then that is another story.
I am going to build my own computer. Luckily I know people who build their own computers and their willing to help me pick out the parts and they will build it for me for a small price of course. The computer will cost EVEN less to make then to buy pre-built from this company. I will have the box/warranty of each component I buy and be guaranteed it will be brand new and working. I am not going to build the PC untill I get my full refund for the previous computer. (that will take a while) and by them in about a month I will buy the parts from newegg.com
So you may agree with my complaining or disagree but I just hate this company and I would urge you to build your own computer. I'm lucky I know people that can help me but if you don't know people go to a local computer shop and ask questions if you can. Buying a custom built computer at a local computer repair shop may not be the best but you can at least ask for assistance for buying the parts and telling the repair shop guy that you will pay them for building the computer and a little extra for helping you, then I guess a deal may be made for a reasonable price. You can always do it yourself I guess. If you don't even need a gaming machine, then just get the computer at a major brand manufacturer. I guess I'm lucky I am going to have people help me build my new computer and show me how to do it so I can do it myself in the future.
You pay for other people's knowledge. Knowledge is power. Knowledge can save money. I wish I thought of this before losing around $130 dollars.
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