Laptops at Powerbuy! Check first!

[roly]

If anyone is considering a new laptop be careful shopping at power buy. Recently I had to go to Japan on very short (12 hour) notice and needed a new laptop ASAP. With bit much time, I ended up at power buy. So here's a few points to note:

1. They stock only what is on display and don't have models in the back hence everything you buy is display model and technically second hand.

2. Many models were mis labelled. For example I wanted the acer model xyz with a core i5 and windows for 16,900 baht. The display card said that but the laptop sticker said core i3. They then admitted the card was wrong

3. Check the OS. Again, they said it had windows on but when I got home it was Ubuntu.

Basically, they haven't got a clue and just want to get your cash.

In my case, when I got home and realised it was Ubuntu not windows I had about an hour before my taxi arrived to take me to the airport. Since I have an MSDN subscription I have all the Microsoft licenses for every OS so got put my windows 8 disk to install. By this time the taxi was close. After windows 8 installed I had no drivers as you don't get an installation cd in the box either, so I had to use my other PC to get all the windows drivers on a USB stick so I could actually use it properly. Once windows finished, bad luck the display drivers didn't work and it was like looking at bad stereo. I then tried windows 7. Display ok. But the acer drivers were win 8 only. Anyway so I was then on the way to the airport messing with installation disks. What a nightmare.

When I got to the office in Japan I decided to retry windows 8. I couldn't use the USB driver stick as the USB drivers weren't installed. I bought a cd and burnt the acer drivers, then installed them one by one whilst not really being able to see what I was looking at. Eventually by the end of my first working day the laptop was all sorted and fixed.

What a palava!!!!!!

It could have all been avoided if

A: I wasn't in such a rush

B: power but hadn't mis labeled and mis sold a product

Anyway the whole point of this post was to say that it's probably best checking very thoroughly what you are buying from power buy as there's a strong chance that what the display card says isn't what you are buying and you need to check before leaving the shop! :-)

Personally, I tend to use invadeIT whenever possible, as the chap there (Thomas) runs a great service.

[UKJASE]

the wife bought a laptop from tesco lotus in pranburi, and it had a 7 day, no questions asked returns policy.

it had windows 8 on it, but neither of us liked it, so we took it back after a few days and they refunded all the cash no problem

[firefox999uk]

the wife bought a laptop from tesco lotus in pranburi, and it had a 7 day, no questions asked returns policy.

it had windows 8 on it, but neither of us liked it, so we took it back after a few days and they refunded all the cash no problem

and try doing that in the Boro

[jacko45k]

No big issue with my purchase from Numchai.

Don't buy big ticket or critical tools when your back is up against the wall and you are short of time.

Is Ubuntu so similar to Windows 8????

[UKJASE]

 

the wife bought a laptop from tesco lotus in pranburi, and it had a 7 day, no questions asked returns policy.

it had windows 8 on it, but neither of us liked it, so we took it back after a few days and they refunded all the cash no problem

and try doing that in the Boro

 

You would of course have to provide proof of purchase first, if you were to try this in the boro

[Oreganobag]

You can check the bottom of notebooks to see if they have a Windows factory installed code sticker on them. This will list the windows product key if you ever need to reinstall Windows. No sticker, no Windows.

[risky11]

I built my current PC from components. Always order from http://www.newegg.com/

[SWW]

I built my current PC from components. Always order from http://www.newegg.com/

How do you build a laptop?

Also, do Newegg deliver to Thailand?

(Answers: "you can't", and "no")

[Caroline Page]

Agree totally with the OP. I recently bought a laptop from PB in Hua Hin. I found it confusing working out what each laptop was offering as many of the sale/pricing cards were incorrect. I just googled on my ipad what I thought were the models I was interested in and checked the specs that way and there were very signficant variances between what the store was saying was being bought and what the online specs were stating. What really upset me in the store though was that there was a dutch lady trying to buy a laptop with her only requirement for it to use it as a client to watch internet tv on. The staff were trying to sell her Linux, Ubantu and even laptops without any OS on them. There is no way this lady would have been able to cope with this. In the end, I helped her out, found her a basic model with windows 7 on it (which she is used to) which will more than adequately do the job at half the price the store were trying to flog her one on. Am surprised OP didn't mention how long it takes to buy a laptop in PB when one has chosen - from selecting the model to paying the bill, it took one hour and 10 minutes whilst they did the paperwork etc etc. I was willing to walk out at that point ...

[techboy]

Not laughing at the dilemma that you found yourself in but I did enjoy reading about your little tech-dance. I did not purchase a notebook from Powerbuy because the sales staff was lazy and unknowledgeable. I know my limitations with Thai language and my questions were understandable to other vendors- but the crew at Powerbuy did not want to be bothered with any sort of language barrier challenge. They repeatedly passed me off to other employees who did a bow out as quickly as they could. I made several visits and when the staff saw me coming they took a hike. Over time I have found that this slovenly ethic is a common denominator at Powerbuy stores.

Now walk into a Lenovo shop and they make it a point to understand exactly what your needs are, offer suggestions and alternatives. Granted they are dealing with a more focused selection of electronics but good ethics and commitment are just that.

[HooHaa]

oh, and what button was that?

[USNret]

just curious, since you were leaving for Japan on such short notice, why didn't you simply plan on buying a computer when you reached Japan. It would definitely have been a more satisfying experience, with this unique quality known as "customer service." Akihabara is da bomb!

[oztaurus]

I built my current PC from components. Always order from http://www.newegg.com/

How do you build a laptop?

Also, do Newegg deliver to Thailand?

(Answers: "you can't", and "no")

well, actually - you can

http://www.computershopper.com/feature/build-your-own-laptop

http://lifehacker.com/can-you-build-your-own-laptop-computer-1459100436

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-your-own-laptop/

but you probably wouldn't

[SWW]

I built my current PC from components. Always order from http://www.newegg.com/

How do you build a laptop?

Also, do Newegg deliver to Thailand?

(Answers: "you can't", and "no")

well, actually - you can

http://www.computershopper.com/feature/build-your-own-laptop

http://lifehacker.com/can-you-build-your-own-laptop-computer-1459100436

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-your-own-laptop/

but you probably wouldn't

It's like a nuclear reactor - you *can* build one yourself, but you probably shouldn't.

Someone who "can" build their own notebook would probably agree with my flat-out "you can't" statement, on the grounds that if you know how to do it, you would not be asking the question.

[PaddyDaddy]

the wife bought a laptop from tesco lotus in pranburi, and it had a 7 day, no questions asked returns policy.

it had windows 8 on it, but neither of us liked it, so we took it back after a few days and they refunded all the cash no problem

At the touch of a button you could have converted to Windows 7.

I would kiss & caress that "magic" button if I could find it.......I hate Windows 8

[maswov]

I bought a laptop from powerbuy with no issues, well only one but that was just me not paying attention. I wanted to buy an Asus and as I was reading the spec cards I found one that was acceptable for the price. The problem was that I was now looking at Acer computers. The one they sold me was new in the box, not the display model, maybe the OP got the last one they had. As with most computer shops, they asked me if I wanted them to install windows.

[hhfarang]

I would kiss & caress that "magic" button if I could find it.......I hate Windows 8

I don't know about the "magic" button, but friends have told me (while I was defending XP or Windows 7) that you could make Windows 8 look exactly like Windows 7 as an option. The 8 interface is for touchpad devices so they incorporated a way to make the interface just like W7 for people with normal laptops or desktops. Instructions should be easy to find via a google search.

[AVOMan]

Try this.

http://blog.laptopmag.com/make-windows-8-like-windows-7

[blazes]

Surely, the easiest thing to do is just buy a Mac. Then you won't have to bother with all the sh*t that people refer to in the replies here.

Ironically, one guy here mentions looking "specs" up on his iPad!!!!!!!

Oh, but I forgot....Apple costs a little bit more.

[chingching]

the wife bought a laptop from tesco lotus in pranburi, and it had a 7 day, no questions asked returns policy.

it had windows 8 on it, but neither of us liked it, so we took it back after a few days and they refunded all the cash no problem

Nice to know about Tesco, but unless they sent it back to the manufacturer to be refurbished, it probably wound up right back on the shelf. Meaning anyone can buy one, load a keylogger with email notification on it, return it, and wait for the passwords to come rolling in.

[dawsonuk]

I think the problems are PowerBuy related, not just laptops.I purchased an Air Conditioning unit from PB based on the fact that their customer service was the best. I bought and paid in full by Debit Card two weeks prior to agreed installation date. We agreed an installation date of the 4th Feb. On the 3rd they called and said that they could not install untill the 6th or 7th. This delayed the opening of our shop but with short notice it was unlikely we could arrange anywhere else sooner. On the 5th PB called saying the install could not be until the 13th, for me this was the final straw and I asked for a refund, they agreed.Back off to PB only to be told that refunds to Debit Cards take 2 weeks, this means they will have had my 20,000 Baht for 5 weeks in total.

After 2 weeks no sign of the money, again back to the shop, only to be told to go see the Bank. After 3 weeks and a visit to the bank, it was back to PB, where a helpful member of staff contacted accounts and I was paid back the next day.

So in agreement with other posters, PB only want your money, what you actually get they really dont care about. Don't bother contacting their head office via the website, as they don't reply.

I ended up at Homepro, bought the same unit for 1,000 Baht less and it was delivered and installed within 2 days. The fitter (self employed) said that PB were stingy, paid only 1,000 for each installation, whereby Homepro were over 2,000. All included in the sales price.

[oztaurus]

I built my current PC from components. Always order from http://www.newegg.com/

How do you build a laptop?

Also, do Newegg deliver to Thailand?

(Answers: "you can't", and "no")

well, actually - you can

http://www.computershopper.com/feature/build-your-own-laptop

http://lifehacker.com/can-you-build-your-own-laptop-computer-1459100436

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-your-own-laptop/

but you probably wouldn't

It's like a nuclear reactor - you *can* build one yourself, but you probably shouldn't.

Someone who "can" build their own notebook would probably agree with my flat-out "you can't" statement, on the grounds that if you know how to do it, you would not be asking the question.

Ahhh - I see your point, I was saying "Well, yes - you CAN" based on the fact that it is possible, whereas you were saying "YOU can't" based on their perceived lack of expertise.

So we both win a point and restart the game.

[UKJASE]

was there not a similar thread to this a few weeks ago in this forum discussing poor service from a hua hin based furniture seller, and the OP had been warned not to name the company as it is against forum rules

yet this thread is allowed to stand, and people are allowed to discuss negative experiences they have had with this particular retailer

why is this thread allowed, whereas the furniture one was only allowed to stand as long as he did not name the retailer?

[Skuttlefish]

Don't get me started on Power Buy, I was in Pattaya PB looking for a washing machine when I saw a coffee machine on special. I bought it and took it home and it didn't work, dead. Took it back the next day- the staff saw me, new what was going on and vanished. Eventually I spoke with a manager who explained 'On special means no warrenty' They sold me a dud and they knew it. After a long chat and being shifted around between different people the original manager, who was by then, very angry, agreed to give me a refund as long as I never came back.

[lucifer666]

I have bought 3 computers ( 2 laptops and a desktop) from Powerbuy in the last 4 years, all work perfect. One did come with UBUNTU, because i asked for it. If you didn't get what you asked for, simply take it back.

[thailandbeachisland]

So you buy a laptop and dont spend 10 mns checking it at the shop ? Yes, PB are monkeys !

[BenCrew]

I would kiss & caress that "magic" button if I could find it.......I hate Windows 8

I don't know about the "magic" button, but friends have told me (while I was defending XP or Windows 7) that you could make Windows 8 look exactly like Windows 7 as an option. The 8 interface is for touchpad devices so they incorporated a way to make the interface just like W7 for people with normal laptops or desktops. Instructions should be easy to find via a google search.

Just download 'Classic Shell' and you'll never know it's Windows 8.

[Jonmarleesco]

You don't seriously expect them to know what they are talking about, do you? These shops rarely employ people with any realistic knowledge of what they are selling. For that matter, they rarely employ sales people; they are shop assistants.

Like any product where a specialist knowledge helps, it pays to go to a specialist shop. Ideally not at the last minute.

[attrayant]

I'm a bit surprised to hear that Ubuntu is being sold on retail hardware. Isn't Ubuntu supposed to be freeware?

I've also read in these forums that hardware here doesn't come with pre-installed operating systems. Is that true or not (or depends)? PB had a top-of-the-line Sony VAIO for a reasonable price (which is my laptop brand of choice), and I figured the reason why it was so affordable was that it had no O/S or software.

[thelongshoot]

I had dramas with PB also. Brought an HP laptop for 22K. It only powered up when the charged was plugged in. In short, take the charger out and the laptop died. It could have been something as simple as a bad battery or maybe at worst the power unit. I walked into PB and stood at the counter for a good 20 mins while everyone ignored me. Eventualy I caught some kids attention and she said "sorry, have big delivery come can you come back in one hour". I said, sarcasticly, "Ill just wait in the corner with my penis out for one hour shall I?" and she said "yes".

Cut a long story short, I remained patient and civil for an hour. Just sat there playing with my phone (I could have been playing with dick, and they would not have noticed). Eventualy they said "sorry MR. Ploblem with HP. We send back to them, take 2 months". No offer of refund, exchange. I remained civil and polite until eventualy going totaly off my <deleted> nut and exploding at them all, almost making one them cry. I ended up giving the laptop to a mate of mine for free and buying a new one from Banana IT who are, im afraid, equaly as <deleted> <deleted> as PB with customer service.

Not proud of gooing nuts by the way. Thats just how it rolled on that day. On another day, I might have been a bit brighter and asked to see the manager.