I had to replace my 3-year old computer and found what I thought was a good deal in an eMachine ET1810-03 for $362 from NewEgg.com. After I bragged to my co-workers about the "great deal, " they all frowned and said that I would have problems. I dismissed them.
I got the desktop in October and it froze the first day. I searched for updated video drivers and installed the latest version. It froze again just starting up. I started with their chat technical support and got nowhere. I got their voice support (866 586-2237) and talked to several support personnel over the course of two months. One of them suggested to reset the system, which I did. I also installed Windows 7 (with their CDs) to see if it was due to a video driver. At all this, it smelled like hardware.
I was not happy with this product, nor I trusted it anymore. I tried to seek a partial refund, according to their "Gateway one-year limited warranty agreement" (Agreement) and a suppervisor "Harris, " badge number GWSI306 said that I had to return the computer, at my cost to them first, so they can troubleshoot it. This made-up order of operations was not listed in the aformentioned Agreement. What is listed in item #3 of the Agreement is that "If your problem recurs within the 90 service waranty period, Gateway will, at its option [...] (3) permit you to return the product and issue a refund pursuant to the terms of this Agreement."
I mentioned to him and to the previous technical support personnel that it was my desire to part ways in peace. This piece of equipment has never worked as desired, and I was looking to recover some of the money to purchase a system that worked.
"Harris" indicated that it was not an option. I asked him to escalate my request. He replied that I should then contact the corporate offices. I asked him for this contact information. He indicated that he didn't have any contact information for eMachines and to look it up on their web site. I told him that I didn't believe him.
At this point, my options are to file a report in this web site, so other consumers are not fooled by eMachines, file a complaint with the BBB in California and sue this company in small claims court for my money back.
EMachines ripped me off of $362 of my hard-earned money.
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