Sonystyle.ca Bait And Switch Order Confirmation Page Revision And Laptop Changed To Lower Specs (GT540 To GT520)

Nutshell Version:

This thread is about Sonystyle.ca and my new VAIO F22 2D order. My order confirmation page specs were altered to lower specs and my laptop shipped to me with the graphics card downgraded without notification to a GT520 from a GT540.


Longer Detailed Version:

Deleted.

 

sorry to hear that, but since this is a sonystyle.ca thing you may wanna post this in redflagdeals and similar canadian forums as well

 

What has Sony said regarding your purchase?

Perhaps when the GT540 was the only option it was considered a "default" and when they added the GT520 as the default it somehow screwed up any pending orders? It's just a theory, of course; weird things have happened on the site before in regards to CTOs.

 

They actually haven't gotten back to me yet. I am still waiting. Originally I did think it was a case of sloppy incompetence with them changing the default GPU and just putting that in without realizing my order was made with a different GPU.

However, when I saw that my specs were changed in my order confirmation page under My Account Order Details, it seemed as if it was deliberate. That page was generated when I made my order and showed the correct specs. Sony decided to delete that one and replace it with a newly generated one but with the GPU changed. Without mentioning it to me. They then shipped out my order with a shipping email listing the correct specs. If they didn't revise my order retroactively I would be more inclined to think it was a mix up. But somebody had to have deliberately changed the order configuration specs and deliberately not notified me of it.

Their reason for it? I don't know. Perhaps they didn't want to have a bunch of customers cancelling their expensive CTOs after they were assembled so they decided to ship them anyways and hope most didn't realize something was amiss.

 

Deleted post

 

THANK YOU for posting this.... I ordered my F22 2D from sonystyle.ca and just realized it this morning. I went over my order and noticed that something was wrong with the GPU. I googled it and know that I didnt purchase my computer with the entry level G520. This is extremely upsetting. I'll be contacting them today. Ill post the results on here...

 

I have a similar case. My F22 is arriving tom. I ordered it last July 6th. I am also surprised to see that he graphics card was changed to GT520M based on the order details on MyAccount. However, on both ordering and shipping confirmation email I got from Sony.ca, it says there GT540M.

It's maybe an error on Sony.ca website showing that the VPCF2290S is configured to have the GT520M 1GB. I would like to know though if you really got the GT520M in your F22. Did you check in the Device Manager or in dxdiag?

 

BEWARE!!!!

Just realized I had the same problem. Phoned sonystyle.ca and they said that they didnt have the product, and that they can offer me $50 off to go with the GT520. I declined this and told them I dont want the laptop and cancelled my order.

With them saying they dont have the GT540 doesnt make sense either, because the Sony US site allows you to order either the 540 or 520. My laptop was shipped from China, Im sure they arent assembled at different locations and Im sure they have the 540 in stock.... Maybe just not for us ordering from Canada?

The thing that really makes me angry about this whole situation is that even the shipping confirmation that was emailed to me said that it shipped with the 540. THEY changed the specs on their website afterwards, and without this message board I may not have noticed at all. The shipment confirmation was sent roughly a week after I ordered the laptop.

So basically, if you dont log in to your account on sonystyle.ca and realize that the 540 was changed to the 520, you will receive the 520 without ANY NOTIFICATION. This shouldnt be legal.... they said that they were aware of the problem, yet I never received any notice that my order is different than the day I purchased it. I shouldnt have to phone to be offered $50 off. They should be calling EVERYONE who ordered the product and offering it to them!!!!!!!

SONY IS A JOKE!

 

Deleted post.

 

Deleted post.

 

Better Business Bureau

Canada: Home - Canadian BBB

US: United States and Canada BBB Consumer and Business Reviews, Reports, Ratings, Complaints and Accredited Business Listings

Use it... this isnt right.

 

Wow.. this is sad. Though honestly I am still excited for my F22 to arrive. I'm suspecting that Sony.ca has made some corrections about their website. It's possible that they wrongly put GT540M as the gpu for the VPCF2290S.

If you compare:

F22 CTO Canada: $999.99 (core i7, GT520m 1GB, 4gb RAM, 500gb 5400rpm HDD, cd/dvd) (applied $200 discount)

F22 CTO US: $1099.99 (same specs, except that 500gb 7200 rpm HDD and GT520M 512mb)


Our version of the F22 is still cheaper if you compare. The US has a faster HDD, but our GT520M has a bigger gpu memory. So i guess it's still fair. Also don't forget that our version of the F22 can be configured with the i5 cpu (which i did), and brings the price down to just $799 ---a very good deal if you ask me. It's actually a steal since Sony North America chose to have the VAIO Display Premium of the F22. Sony Europe and some other parts of the globe are selling their F22 series with 3 types of display which is:

1) VAIO Display 1600x900 (same quality of panel you'll see in netbooks)
2) VAIO Display Plus 1920x1080 (good quality but is just average)
3) VAIO Display Premium 1920x1080 (best panel Sony has, matte display, Adobe RGB colours, better viewing angles)

Sony.ca might not have deliberately did this. If you are aware, Sony.ca has the "Display" information of the f22 cto model this time, unlike last week when "GT540M" is displayed on the configuration page. I guess Sony.ca has made some corrections on their website, reveleaing the true and actual GPU included for the F22 CTO model (VPCF2290S), which is GT520M 1gb.

 

They know... I called them and once I started to describe the problem he said multiple people have been phoning them about this. Thats where they offered me the $50 discount to accept the 520. I feel bad for the people that apparently dont even have the opportunity to save $50 for the crappier specs of their machine. Sony should really let EVERYONE know about this.

Shady shady stuff..... contact BBB. They cant do this to their customers.

 

IMHO $50 isn't enough to rectify this issue. $50 is the price difference between the 520 and 540, so you should be offered more compensation for the inconvenience and deception.

 

I fully agree. And like I said, everyone who has made this order should be notified.

 

Deleted post.

 

Calm down buddy. I have a friend there who works as a sales representative. He knows what really is going on what has happened.

What really happened was this:

Sony of Canada web admins have discovered that the GT540M is being displayed on the F22 configuration page. It was a typo error which Sony of Japan has committed. Sony of Canada gets their database from Sony of Japan.

The F22 CTO model really is SUPPOSED to have the GT520m, so when the web admins noticed it wasnt, they UPDATED their website. Sony of Canada apologizes about this and is currently offering $50 discounts to affected cutsomers.


What you just said is Sony deliberately fooling customers as what your thread title says "Bait and switch order..." What Im trying to say here is Sony DID NOT DO THIS ON PURPOSE, there was a typo error on the website.. that's it. However, you are correct that Sony should have notified us. You are absolutely correct about that

 

Deleted post.

 

Deleted post.

 

Hello all, I am new here.

I was doing some research on this as I had heard a rumour and ended up here. I actually got the call yesterday from a Sony rep advising me of the issue and he offered me a resolution that made sense for my particular issue. The agent seemed pleasant enough. Just wanted to let anyone who was curious know, that they offered me 3 options for the error. I did my research on the spec difference between the GT520 and GT540 and aside from the 540 having more cores and 128bit MIW the 520 actually has a better clock speed. Also the model Sony Canada is offering in Canada has more ram then the US.

I usually don't post to these types of threads as they are usually started by one or two people who have an issue with the company and are trying to convert others to their cause. However in this case there was a legitmate error on the site. The rep advised me that they piggy back off the global site so any product errors get picked up by the Canadian site...I guess I am willing to give them the benefit of doubt as this appears to be confirmed by an above poster who claims his friend works at Sony. I recommend you call Sony directly if you are concerned, they seem pretty earnest about the error and they gave me a few options. I took a $50 dollar credit because I already got $200 off for an additional promotion. Has anybody got their unit yet? I am still waiting for mine so I am more curious about your impressions of the overall unit...

 

The content of your post, your new account, and your lack of contact (private messaging) options makes me suspicious you are a Sony employee working with their PR department. Regardless if you are or not, could you please PM me the other two options you were offered if you feel you cannot post them in this thread? Thank you.

 

Sure, like I said I said I came accross this after I got the call cause I was curious if anyone else got the call. I spoke to a lady whose name I will refrain form posting as I am sure there's some sort of legal issue there...but she offered me the option of a $50 credit which she claimed was the difference in retail between the two cards. I was online when she called so I googled it and confirmed this. The other options was for a full refund and they would cover the shipping fees back...I was kinda hoping they could upgrade the unit and I asked for that option but apparently they don't have the cards there and she said their support team can't do the upgrade. I had a third option to select another CTO model with discount but I am not interested in any of their other lines. Like I said I am bit angry about the issue but a quick review of the specs calmed me down some.

 

Thank you for your (quick) reply.

I am curious if you and awesomegeek care to theorize why Sony is saying they don't have the cards when they are made in the same place the US configs are made (China) and in fact pass through the US to get to Canada when FEDEX'ed to us in Canada. They don't seem to have a shortage or lack of stock equipping the US models with the GT540.

 

Sorry I didn't respond to your other comments because I never leave that stuff...I like my inbox clean. I LMFAO regarding your above comment after you posted, I looked at it and your right it kinda looks like I am reppin for Sony. Like I said I was upset initially but I generally don't get my BP up over this stuff and the lady was pleasant enough. Maybe your experience with them was different? I just want my computer at this point.

 

I asked this when I requested the upgrade to the 540. Rep told me because they are built outside of Canada (China as you pointed out). I work for a service depot here in Toronto that services three of the major retailers and if they weren't anticipating support on a particular model they just don't stock the parts...I am guessing thats the real issue. I get heck from customers all the time because BB will import a model from the US to Canada but not stock the corresponding parts at their Canadian service depots. Other then that not sure...also swapping out graphic cards on laptops just isn't all that easy. I've built custom comps so I have some experience there.

 

I think the point he is trying to get across is that the parts are available on customized versions in the US, so they have the parts available in China where they are building these orders. Whether it goes to Canada or US, the laptop comes, and is built, from the same place. I think it is just an easy excuse to say that they dont have the part. Thats just my opinion.

 

You could be right and it makes sense, but I hung up my tin foil hat long ago cause I am too old and my BP is way to high. But laptops are like Frankenstein's monster, you start pulling parts and they fall apart.

This actually is for my daughter, she starts at Waterloo this year in Environmental Studies, she left me in charge of getting her a laptop so she won't even be bothered.

 

I wish I had your "ignorance is bliss" attitude towards stuff like this (I mean this seriously, not being smart). I was very angry when I saw that they changed my order information after the computer was shipped.

The thing that bugs me is that I really need the laptop for work as well, and now I have to look elsewhere. I refuse to let a company do this to me, even if it was a mistake. If they had contacted me and let me know I would have been a lot happier with the situation.

And I dont know if you were referring to me in one of your ealier posts (I think it was you), Im not trying to get people on my side with this thing. I posted the link to BBB so that people who feel similar to how I feel can complain. Like I said, I wish I could let this roll of my back without worrying.

 

You start getting into conspircay theories and you'll shave a good 10 years off your already short existence. The Girl I spoke to was very apologetic and did her best to answer all my concerns. I could tell she was a little green on certain things but I don't expect much from a call centre.

Our front receptionist here has a script she reads off whenever she has to deal with a service recall so I can tell when a response is scripted. The agent I spoke to seemed pretty open and apologetic. Thats just my take, but hey everyone is different right.

P.S I had to get my short fuse under control, I went to the doctor three years ago with headaches and he took one look at me and said you've got Hyper Tension. I won't even tell you what my BP reading was but I had one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel!

 

Update, just noticed Sony had left a message on my cell phone as well. Anybody else get a call yet? Was a different person on the message... sounded French.

 

I am still very happy overall. I'm getting the best laptop out there relative to its price range (just $799). Plus the $50 discount, it actually feels like a STEAL for me now.

 

Hello everyone! I have been on this website reading reviews for quite some time now and I have just decided to sign up today.

My brother has placed an order for the said Sony laptop with the graphics card issue and quite frankly, the company did make a mistake but from how they have responded to correct their mistake, I believe that they are taking the proper steps.

My brother received a call yesterday afternoon and have received the same offer that you guys have. My brother was very delighted that he received a call to notify him of the mistake that he was unaware of. Not many companies would do that. I think an accusation of "bait and switch" tactic (without investigating first, at least) to a company like Sony is fueled by disappointment of an angry customer. It happens, we all go through that as consumers.

A company that size and with skilled employees would pull a much bigger move than just "baiting and switching" one laptop model if they really intend to cheat the consumers. Just my theory.

Note : I love my Z series by the way. Where's the shades smiley?

 

Easy answer. As a former marketing manager (I currently am an economics professor at a university), a marketing decision is made for "each" country.

Forecasting - Profitability, demand, demographics, market size, etc.

It is like asking "Why are prices in Canada higher than the United States?"

Why is underwear sold in Canada from ABC brand is 40% more expensive than underwear sold in the U.S.A. from ABC brand?

Yes, they are the exact same model from the exact same company, and obviously come from the exact same factory as well.

Again, marketing decisions based on the market "within" the country. And this is not my theory or opinion.. this is a fact.

 

That is so true

 

Thank you for your professional `fact`, or what most people might call common knowledge. Your `answer` has absolutely nothing to do with my statement, and an answer usually requires a question being asked. I was stating my opinion, not asking why prices are differ between the US and Canada.

That said, I understand why we don`t have the options that the US residents have on their website. I also understand that they made a mistake. But, if he tells me they are out of the product, it is a lie. If they change the information without my knowledge, it is poor practice. That is a fact.

I am happy to hear that they are finally calling some of you, supposedly. They should have done that in the first place. If they had, I may not have cancelled my order.

 

Well... human beings manage the website and people make mistakes, don't we all? Kind sir?

Have a good day!

 

@danman99 I'm sorry to hear that you cancelled your order out of frustration and dissapponitment. People make mistakes. The sales rep who told you that Sony Canada is out of the GT540m commited a mistake. Yes it'a lie but that person probably can't think of any other way to explain why Sony of Canada chose not to include the said gpu on the F22.

Think about it, a brand new Sony VAIO laptop, with a wonderful hardware for just $749 ($999 -$200SUMMER -$50 Discount). that'a a very sweet deal.

 

He's entitled to cancel, I would nver try to sway anyones decision and I understand Danmann's frustration...also I suspect Sony knew some people would be angry. For me the price outways the disadvantages and my daughter won't give a damn about 540 vs 520 but in Danmann's case I would say he was justified in the return as he needs specific specs. Sony made a mistake and they paid for it by losing his order. The only thing I didn't agree with was the heading of this thread...I think these forums throw some pretty harsh terms around without actually confirming the details. One person's assesment of the situation is not a reflection of everyones opinion.

I only got my panties in a bit of bunch because I buy from Sony Style regularly and the rep I deal with is pretty good. The service has been good and they always give me a bit of a disco as a regular. Having said that I got a faulty camera a few years back from them which ended up getting lost in the service phase and I blew a gasket so I empathise with Danmann...but they replaced the whole thing with a newer more current model so in retrospect they handled it okay.

Point is, it's most likely a mistake not a conspiracy. You definitely get more leverage with a company by being level headed and to the point in your requests then trying to organise an angry mob. I owned my own business for a few years on Old Kingston Rd back before the re-vitalization. People who came at me with a beef but a level head always walked away with a better resolution then they guy who came in pointing fingers and screaming in my face.

 

P.S Wonder what Happened to T416? He's gone through and deleted most of his own thread...wonder if he got the call as well? I still haven't gotten my order yet. They have posted the Z series up but the promo is now off, I kinda want this unit for myself but I just bought an Ipad 2 for my wife for her birthday and a laptop for my daughter so my spending days are done for now.

 

lol! spending days. anyways.. yeah me too. I don't really care that my F22 has the GT520m instead of the GT540m. The price, its premium 1080p display (not all 1080p laptop screens are equal), the beloved vaio-keyboard, the style and the quality make this desktop-replacement laptop the best one at the moment.