Computer Store Ripoff?

[Mole]

Laptop chargers is something a normal computer store would not stock or sell.

Even in Pantip plaza you'll have to go to specialist shops which deals exclusively on laptop chargers and also maybe batteries.

Also, if you buy a complete computer but in separate parts, it is standard practise that they put together for you for free in any computer store and especially in all the 3 computer chains that we now have on Samui.

Looks like all the good and experienced staff got sent to the new branch in Tesco Lamai.

Hopefully they'll hire in more experienced staff.

Edited May 3, 2011 by Mole

[koheesti]

No mention of the "compatible" motherboard being more expensive so what exactly was the rip off ?

It was a little more expensive - nothing crazy though. But besides that, it is called "bait and switch". They get you to buy one thing, then give you something of lesser quality instead. It is pretty suspicious that they have it all written there on a little card and just as you are about to pay, they want to switch it out with something else - two days in a row with the same guy (the guy behind the counter, NOT a cute sales girl who can't tell you much about the product)

Edited May 3, 2011 by koheesti

[Mole]

This story sounds a bit strange to me.

First of all, do you remember exactly what kind of "compatibility" issue it was?

Was it an AMD motherboard and Intel CPU?

DDR2 instead of DDR3??

Socket 775 or 1155 or 1156??

(I can't think of any other compatibility issue at the moment)

Sounds very strange to me. First of all, you are right that they should not have advertised it in the set if the motherboard would not work together with the other components.

Especially if it was any issue which I mentioned above, can be considered a major blunder!

However, on second day you brought with you a friend who is supposedly to be knowledgable about these things and it puzzles me why he didn't notice this compatibility problem before agreeing with the components??

Edited May 3, 2011 by Mole

[koheesti]

This story sounds a bit strange to me.

First of all, do you remember exactly what kind of "compatibility" issue it was?

Was it an AMD motherboard and Intel CPU?

DDR2 instead of DDR3??

Socket 775 or 1155 or 1156??

(I can't think of any other compatibility issue at the moment)

Sounds very strange to me. First of all, you are right that they should not have advertised it in the set if the motherboard would not work together with the other components.

Especially if it was any issue which I mentioned above, can be considered a major blunder!

However, on second day you brought with you a friend who is supposedly to be knowledgable about these things and it puzzles me why he didn't notice this compatibility problem before agreeing with the components??

I have no idea the specifics of the compatibility issue. If you aren't satisfied with my recounting of what happened, I suggest you drop by the shop and see how they operate first hand.

[steelerian]

100 baht is an insult to both parties involved. either do it free and recover the time through good will and possible future sales

An insult is a strong word.

Cant see that working. You'll have everybody in there every time they get a virus or malware or things start running a little slow, you'll have a small team by the end of goodwill gestures doing shit like installing Skype, removing Porno.W32.Malware, fixing Windows XP SP5 Thai Edition WGA super crack etc... I mean even in US/UK you don't take your computer to PCWorld and BestBuy and get a free service (unless you purchased from there and this was part of the deal), Apple granted is a little difference as they know THEY have already sold you the system and they own the whole channel so goodwill gestures are easy and almost guaranteed to be recovered. To me it would be an insult to walk into my independent shop, take 10 minutes of my staff's time on non sales related issues and then expect it for free. If I decided to write it off then this would be solely at my discretion based on aspects such as if we've done business with the customer before etc..

Print up a sign that says you charge for these types of things

Implied? Or is it just me who expects to pay for service???

The OP hasnt clarified if it was just him that was fuming or was his girlfriend actually bothered.

As someone pointed out if she wanted free then she could of tried to turned to thai friends or any expat friends to try to fix the problem rather than a business where the bottom line is computers

Yes you are absolutely 100% totally correct, and I thank you for ensuring that the world is still spinning on its axis.

[Spoonman]

100 baht is an insult to both parties involved. either do it free and recover the time through good will and possible future sales or print up a sign that says you charge for these types of things, and in that case charge more than 100 baht <deleted>.

Come to me to instal such a menial program that is freely available with the most basic of google searches it will cost you more than Bt.100, I will charge extra for dumb.

[joe84330]

100 baht is an insult to both parties involved. either do it free and recover the time through good will and possible future sales or print up a sign that says you charge for these types of things, and in that case charge more than 100 baht <deleted>.

Come to me to instal such a menial program that is freely available with the most basic of google searches it will cost you more than Bt.100, I will charge extra for dumb.

since english isn't your first language, please offer me a hint so that i might use google language tools to better understand your lack of comprehension.

[Spoonman]

100 baht is an insult to both parties involved. either do it free and recover the time through good will and possible future sales or print up a sign that says you charge for these types of things, and in that case charge more than 100 baht <deleted>.

Come to me to instal such a menial program that is freely available with the most basic of google searches it will cost you more than Bt.100, I will charge extra for dumb.

since english isn't your first language, please offer me a hint so that i might use google language tools to better understand your lack of comprehension.

Are you serious, I speak english as my "first" language, My thai missus who speaks broken english was able to install Skpye via fumbling through google (thai google)....................

[steelerian]

100 baht is an insult to both parties involved. either do it free and recover the time through good will and possible future sales or print up a sign that says you charge for these types of things, and in that case charge more than 100 baht <deleted>.

Come to me to instal such a menial program that is freely available with the most basic of google searches it will cost you more than Bt.100, I will charge extra for dumb.

since english isn't your first language, please offer me a hint so that i might use google language tools to better understand your lack of comprehension.

Are you serious, I speak english as my "first" language, My thai missus who speaks broken english was able to install Skpye via fumbling through google (thai google)....................

Wow your Thai wife must be really special. Can I have her phone number please? Then maybe my thai girlfiend can call her when she nees some IT help, and I can call here when I just get bored.

[Spoonman]

Are you serious, I speak english as my "first" language, My thai missus who speaks broken english was able to install Skpye via fumbling through google (thai google)....................

Wow your Thai wife must be really special. Can I have her phone number please? Then maybe my thai girlfiend can call her when she nees some IT help, and I can call here when I just get bored.

Waste of time, Iam not convinced either you or your girlfriend are capable of using a telephone.

[samuijimmy]

I can't comment on the Chawang shop but their shop in Lamai Tesco mall has been fine with everything I have got from there.The manager speaks good English and the one problem / niggle I had was sorted without any fuss. I think the trouble they have is getting sales staff that actually know what they are talking about where computer and components are concerned.

Not to necesarily just to quote this... but there is a problem at the store....(again,!) it has been pretty good since the manager took over after the first one was canned} .....

A week or so ago I went in with a friend to get a 1tb harddive, and we expected to pay the price on the ticket.... but as it was being pulled from the counter and rang in nearly 400 baht was added....... we walked out... and went to the other shop... and got a 1.5 tb for about same price.... The manager was not there.... at the first place....

I was in Phantip Plaza, poking around, this morning and just happened to check the price of the store we all know which one and their price is what was marked on Samui... so certainly a problem.... that is just too much to add on.... the price at Phantip is what was on the sticker, in Samui....

The first store in question, lost an 80,000.00 baht sale on a new Imac my friend was going to purchase.... .rather silly as we had been in a day or two before to price out the Mac....and it was the same staff member....

The manager there is aware of when negitive posts are made here, about the store.... so we'll see what happens... perhaps prices as marked!???

[robsamui]

I can't comment on the Chawang shop but their shop in Lamai Tesco mall has been fine with everything I have got from there.The manager speaks good English and the one problem / niggle I had was sorted without any fuss. I think the trouble they have is getting sales staff that actually know what they are talking about where computer and components are concerned.

Not to necesarily just to quote this... but there is a problem at the store....(again,!) it has been pretty good since the manager took over after the first one was canned} .....

A week or so ago I went in with a friend to get a 1tb harddive, and we expected to pay the price on the ticket.... but as it was being pulled from the counter and rang in nearly 400 baht was added....... we walked out... and went to the other shop... and got a 1.5 tb for about same price.... The manager was not there.... at the first place....

I was in Phantip Plaza, poking around, this morning and just happened to check the price of the store we all know which one and their price is what was marked on Samui... so certainly a problem.... that is just too much to add on.... the price at Phantip is what was on the sticker, in Samui....

The first store in question, lost an 80,000.00 baht sale on a new Imac my friend was going to purchase.... .rather silly as we had been in a day or two before to price out the Mac....and it was the same staff member....

The manager there is aware of when negitive posts are made here, about the store.... so we'll see what happens... perhaps prices as marked!???

I hugely doubt it. Standard Thai attitude = shrug . . . what do I care.

R