Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
Finally, after a long wait, my laptop arrived. What a PITA to get it...
So Feb 23rd, the last day of the BBY $1199.99 sale on this beast, I stop in to the Canton Best Buy on a whim to see if it is in stock. Of course it isn't, I knew it wouldn't be after hearing the story of DOA's escapades. In any case, I ask the sales person if I could order one anyway as the Sunday ad did not say anything about limited quantities. I spent the next hour going through the Best Buy Customer Service desk to get financing (18 months, 0% down, 0% interest). My credit is fine and dandy thanks to the house I purchased last year. First, they entered my information, then I was approved. Next, they completed the sale and handed me the reciept. I then asked about the free game (as the ad had stated $49.99 value) to which the sales rep replied "Ooooopppss" and "Yea, go pick that out...I have to void the sale, do a return, and redo the sale". Off I went to make myself legal with my CoD4 antics (I've had an ISO of it for a few months, after playing for some time now I feel it is well worth the price of $40, but even better when $0). I returned to the service counter, game in hand. The service rep had a problem, the sale was being rejected because the limit on my new BBY credit card was maxed out. So 15 minutes later, with a series of managers coming and going and entering codes and keys into the register, the money was reimbursed and recharged, now with a free game added to the mix.
I left the store with my free game, a shiney receipt, and a order pickup printout (required on pickup). I quickly glanced over the order sheet and read march and 1, so I though in one week I get my new rig. I stored these documents for later.
On Saturday, Mar 1, my day off, I started to get ready to make the 30mile drive to the Canton BBY from my house. I opened up the file folder I started for this item and began to look over the sales slips. Then it caught my eye, the pickup date was not MAR 01, 2008 but instead read as MAR 10, 2008. "Well shoot," I thought, "I guess one more week of waiting won't hurt me and this laptop is not easy to get, as I had read on the notebookreview forums."
On Sunday, Mar 9, I decided to try and call BBY to see if maybe the computer had arrived early and I could pick it up before going back to work on the 10th (it is more difficult to make random trips after working all day when compared to a day off). I got ahold of a sales rep, rattled off my order number, and was met with the following responses: "Hmmmm, let's see, nope it is not in stock" and "That is odd, 2 weeks is a very long time for the common in store order". I said "No worries, I'll try again tomarrow" and ended the call.
Monday, the 10th, around 10AM I called again and got the exact same sales rep. She stated that the Laptop did not arrive and that it was on back order, in fact, the pickup date on my receipt was more of an estemate. She did point out that the laptop was available online and that I could get a refund on my card and then buy it there. I said "well I have waited this long, I mise well wait a little longer". She said she would ask the "computer person" named Jeff when he came in for work the next day.
Tuesday, Mar 11th, I called around noon, and again got the same sale rep. She stated that she had talked to Jeff and that the computer was in fact being Discontinued. Again she suggested the Online store route and I again declined. She said "well we have a truck tomarrow, so maybe the factory will ship one, Jeff will be around the next day and might be better able to handle the situation". At this point, I was thanked for my patience, and the comment was made that I was the most easy going buyer that she had delt with (she expected me to be yelling and screaming and cursing by this point). I honestly have alot of patience, especially if the result is worth it (in this case, I felt the laptop most definately was). Again the call was ended and I was forced to wait another day.
Wednesday. Again I called, got the same girl sales rep, who told me that the laptop had not arrived, but Jeff was there and wanted to discuss it with me. "Uhh ohh" I thought. Jeff turned out to be someone who could make things happen (not just talk) and asked me if I would mind waiting another week. I asked what was going on. He stated that he had found a machine in PA and could have it by tuesday the 18th or thursday the 20th. I said, go ahead and do it, and if I didn't hear anything by friday, I would call again. I was once again thanked for my patience and ended the call.
Tuesday, Mar 18th, I received the call about 10 AM from Jeff that my laptop had arrived. I stated that I would either be in that evening or the next depending on how late I had to work. I knew that I had an important business phone call at 7PM this particular night so if I didn't leave the plant by 5PM I would not make Canton in time and be home to do my call. At exctly 5:09PM I walked out the doors at work, and decided while I was 9mins past, I could pull it off. It would take about 30-40mins to get to Canton, be in the store for 10-20mins, and then return home. I remembered that I needed the magical "order sheet and reciept" to receive my merchandise but my house was along the way so that would cost me about 10 mins extra. I got home at 5:22 and was back out the door by 5:28. I made it to the Canton BBY store by 6:07PM. At 6:12 a "warehouse person" carried my box up to the service counter, I had a big grin. The story should end here...
but wait...there is more...
6:14 they stamp my order sheet and have me sign it, then a manage is called over to complete the order. Bad news, the order was marked as picked up on the 10th of March. "What?" I asked, in a stern voice, my smlie now gone. "Were you here on the 10th?" the manager named Jen asked me. "No" I replied "I called and your service rep stated that it was not in". This was then followed by a recount of the above paragraphs.
6:17 Jen goes rushing off leaving the 17 year old "ginger (see southpark)" sale rep at the counter to smile at me. I watched her movement, trying to maintain my calm. My mind was active with all kinds of ideas....could someone have stolen my identity and thus my computer...no no...that's stupid, i'm worth more than just a laptop....did some idiot sales person sell my special order laptop to the first person that happened to be in the store asking while it was in...
6:19 Jen finishes talking to the store manager hidden behind a 2way mirror near the checkout. She rushes off towards the computer section of the store. The "ginger" is still smiling at me.
6:21 I glance at my watch, getting close...Jen returns to the register, hits some buttons, then runs off towards the "warehouse"..."ginger kid" thanks me for my patience and apologizes for the wait. This is the point where my patience (which earned me praise) is starting to end...and my temper is beginning to flare. I think to myself, "if she comes back here telling me that I can not take this computer home" then I am going to stir up a hornet's nest and start calling those workers who are off the clock. (You mean "jeff" is not here right now...fine, call him at home, wake him up).
6:26 The "ginger" smiles, says "ok" into the mic on his earpiece radio. "You can go ahead and take the PC, they said it was taken care of, be sure to show the signed ordersheet to security at the door". I want to grab the box and run, but instead I force myself to calmly walk away with my treasure. I stop for the chit-chat with security then leave.
6:55 I make it home and make my important call. I receive a compliment on my punctuality (if only the other party knew). While I am talking I am admiring the shiney box...I'll open it later...
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Good story, sorry you had to wait so later, but good read
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Wow that was a interesting experience I am glad it worked out for you and you got your laptop.I actually found the P-6831FX in Best Buy just by chance.I was on my way actually to Circuit City to look for a new gaming laptop and since Best Buy is right across the street in my local city in Florida I said what the heck and stopped there first. I went to the computer section and saw this laptop and the price after playing around with it a few minutes I managed to snag the last one at the time. I purchased my computer back in January and I am very happy with it thus far.
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see thread below
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=224473
Finally received my 6831FX (long read)
Discussion in 'Gateway and eMachines' started by cytog64, Mar 19, 2008.
