Should one buy an Averatec from Futureshop/BestBuy

I just bought my 6130 from Staples, I bought the lower version without the DVD burner and larger HD. Futureshop had the higher model as an open box special for the same price but the extended warranty is twice as much as Staples.

I also noticed the abismal reviews that both Futureshop and parent company Best Buy get for their warranty service on big ticket items. Staples gets better customer service reviews. It would have been nice to have the better machine but peace of mind is better.

What do you think of Futureshop/Best Buy? Staples any better?

In any case I'm glad to have my 6130! [ ]

 

Never really had any big issues with BestBuy or Futureshop, but I don't buy big-ticket items (notebooks) or extended warranties from them. Staples has probably caused a lot more customer service issues than FS or BB. The reason I love going to Staples is for their Price Match policy (150%). One thing I noticed about Staples is that they seem to be conveniently "out of stock" on items that are WAY more expensive then FS or BB. Other than that, I'd rather get it from FS/BB.

-Vb-

 

I heard it depends on the store. If this is the case it's too bad for the good ones.

I got some ratings at www.resellerratings.com.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1761.html - Futureshop only 31 ratings doesn't make it a scientific poll but it is interesting considering the average vendor rating on the site is a 7.47 while theirs is 2.9.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1823.html - Best Buy (shudder) rated at 2.14 with almost 400 ratings that's not a bad sampling.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1608.html - Staples did okay at around 6 with 162 ratings.

There are other sites like epinions and so on for vendor ratings. Buying a laptop is a big expenditure for a guy like me so I get paranoid when comes to service and warranty work. So this ones for all you service & warranty-phobes out there.

 

I had a very close friend who returned his notebook several times to the futureshop and had execellent service throughout. He started with a P1 133Mhz and bought a 3 year plan. When that notebook died, he was given a P2 333MHz with a CD-Rom and Network card, they also ghosted his drive for him so he didn't loose any data (BACK UP YOUR STUFF!) Then when that machine was running slow for no reason and the batteries stoped lasting, he took it in and they gave him a 'loaner' for 2 months, then a new laptop, this time a PIII 733MHz with a CD-Burner. I think his $300 plan was worth the money. And these were all big brand name machines.

 

Buy it from futureshop is probably the best choice. Their 3 warranty owns. I got mine from there, i have returned and exchanged at least 3 times and they didn't ask any question. I just had to say i'm having problem and if they could look at it, but then i guess they are too lazy so immediatly they just brought a new, factory sealed unit. Their service is really great.

Xin

 

Good to see there are good ones. Perhaps it is location specific