Bad experience with OxfordTec...

I don't intend this to be a 'sour grapes' post. I truly do not. I just wanted to put something out there in an attempt to help others or to maybe find out if anyone else has been through this.

About 4 weeks ago I ordered a Gigabyte N300 ABGN PCI-Express card and an extra internal antenna directly from OxfordTec.com. They seeemed to be about the only place that had these in stock and their feedback over on eBay looked pretty good. They promptly shipped the parts, and I received them in about 4 business days. Pretty good for cheap USPS priority mailing from California to the Midwest where I live. However, they sent the wrong card. The card I received was a $20 cheaper ABG card. Not a big deal, mistakes happen. It's all about how the problem gets resolved.

So I emailed their customer support and they acknowledged that mistakes can occasionally happen and that they would issue a 'trouble ticket' to the warehouse to correct the problem and that I should hear from them 'soon'. They even refunded the shipping ($4.95) to make up for the trouble, so I was pretty happy at that point.

Well, that was three weeks ago. Every few days, I've emailed or called them to get an update on the situation. They're unable to give me an answer. My emails are either ignored or I'm told that the replacement is 'with the shipper', but they can't provide a tracking number. Somewhat suspicious. Six days ago I was promised that 'someone' would call me within 24 hours with an update to the situation, and from that point on my emails have seemingly been ignored and the customer support reps at the toll-free number continue to be helpless.

I'm just about to the point of contacting my credit card company and reporting this as a fraudulent transaction.

So I'm curious, has anyone else ever dealt with them? Good or bad stories?

 

I'd say that next time you call, tell them you are going to report to your credit card company unless they get it resolved immediately. If that doesn't get you someone who can do something, then report them.

 

Wanted to offer a followup on this....

I had just about worked up to the point of reporting them when I had posted this before. Sent them another email saying that they had 48 hours to respond or I'd start the process of reporting the transaction. This time got a response a few hours later. Finally...

Apparently there was some sort of mix-up/problem with a party 'outside of OxfordTec's control' that was causing the delay. Like I said in the first post, there's a bit of a strange relationship going on with them. Seems like Oxfordtec is just a front that contracts out to a generic warehouse, and it was the folks at the warehouse that were causing the problem but not wanting to resolve it. Which of course would leave OxfordTec somewhat stuck in the middle. Not that any of that is my problem as the customer.

Anyway, the email from OxfordTec was very appologetic. All of their communications have been very apologetic, just with no actions. But they finally issued the RMA. And they finally have sent me a new card and provided a tracking #. It should arrive in a few days and have pledged that this won't happen again.

While the card isn't here yet, it seems that the ball is finally rolling.

I'll keep this thread up-to-date for future reference.

 

Updating my thread...

I have finally received the correct card. Finally. It only took 5 phone calls, 20+ emails, threats of mail & credit fraud, and a month to get the situation corrected.

I can say that at least the 'front' of OxfordTec cares about the situation. Their email and phone support has been fine. But they have some problems on the 'back' side of their business, with the warehousing and shipping dept. Good communications throughout the problem, just took forever to actually get someone to do something to fix it.

So my verdict would be that they're ok to work with, just hope that you get the correct part(s) the first time around.

 

Judging from their website, it appears that they may have gone bust...

www.oxfordtec.co.uk or www.oxfordtec.com/uk

 

Nice so looks like they did not pay their hosting bill? Not something that builds confidence. I am glad OP finally received the correct part I hope he does not ever need warranty repair or replacement. Sometimes worth a few dollars more to go with more established company.

 

I do have a very bad experience with OxfordTec UK.
I placed an order through their UK website using my CC on 29th August 2008.Till this time i didn't receive it .
I've sent numerous mails and got few replays as well...but there is no success in getting the Wireless Adapter i ordered.
They seem to be frauds...or may be they are a lot of least efficient people.

Beware guys when dealing with them....

 

I known this thread is rather old but I want to share my bad experience with oxfordtec. It was about 6months ago.
I bought a gigabyte card, after some days they tell me that they have short supply of the item and suggest me the sparklan. well, they should state that in the website but anyway.
I wanted the gigabyte one, so I decided to wait. I told them that several times. I clearly stated that I didn't want any other card then the gigabyte. they told me about 5weeks for it. less time for the sparklan.

I waited 6 weeks and received the package. it was a sparklan. "#$%&@£§