ongoing problems with a computer purchased in July 2007

[mjd26]

To that end, most of the ones which are software related are the result of a PEBKAC. All too many people just don't understand that you can't blindly install dodgy applications from random websites left right and centre without compromising the machine.

Firewalls and AV are only as good as the user running them and in all too many cases I encounter people unable to access the internet completely because when the popup came up saying "do you want to allow svchost.exe to access internet resources" they clicked "no".

Or better yet, when they got the popup saying "do you want sasser.exe to access the internet?" they clicked YES!

The problem with firewalls is that they're often asking a computer user who doesn't have a clue what they should do. The result often ends badly.

[Dale61]

The problems that aren't software related are usually PEBKAC errors!

[designbox]

Centrecom is fine - they sell at cheap prices, and make little profit. If you don't know what you are buying, you shouldn't be buying it. The fact is most of the problems people have with their PC's are caused by software issues, spyware, viruses etc.

You can't get a refund on a car if you go out and hit some bugs in it, why should a computer be any different?

[Dale61]

So, are you saying that you had a pc custom built by a company that no longer exists (Minit Computers), and now that it is faulty, you want a different company (CentreCom) to give you a refund?

[black_queen 2007]

Well thank you for all your comments I am grateful for your input.
I am taking my complaint to consumer affairs because this company are just trying to put me off all the time and treating me like a mushroom.
On buying a custom built unit I would expect more than this. If I can just get my money back I will consider it closed.
If I ever buy a custom made system I will look to a company who has a recent good current track record. Now that Centre Com has taken over Minit computers in Bendigo I don't think anything to do with Minit computers applies to the new company.

[tdierikx]

I work for a company that sells refurbished PC's - and we have found that if we replace a system rather than repairing it, Fair Trading will always find for the customer if a warranty issue arises with the replaced item.

Our standard warranty is a 3 month "hardware warranty" - which covers all hardware issues (including courier damage during delivery... grrr!) We will get a courier to pick up the system and bring it to our repair centre and fix the problem, then courier it back to the customer - all at OUR expense. If it's a DOA monitor, we will send a replacement and ask the customer to put the dead one out in the next council cleanup. Keyboards and mice are treated similarly.

If our repair centre decides to be lazy and replaces the system unit rather than repairing it, we are bound to start the 3 month warranty on that unit again - according to our queries with NSW Fair Trading anyways...

This doesn't mean that if the customer damages the unit in order to get a replacement, that we will replace it and give them extended warranty time - it's pretty easy to tell when that's been done by the way... we will charge repair costs to you for that sort of behaviour!

You'd be amazed at what some people will do to try and get a replacement or a refund by the way... errr!

T.

[Jaime_]

I am not sure if all places are the same but I have had to get a replacement from Domayne before on a wireless router after having it for 8 months and they gave me a new receipt and specifically stated I had 12 months with the new one, so some places do it not sure about if everyone does.

[Ewen]

tdierikx... are you sure the warranty restarts from the replacement date? Effectively one could keep getting a new machine endlessly if it broke down before the "new" warranty period ended!

[tdierikx]

They are offering to replace the system though, aren't they?

Under Fair Trading laws, if they give you a replacement system, your warranty effectively starts again from the date of exchange - so if you find a fault with the new system in the first 7 days (as per their policy), you may be able to ask for a refund at that time.

Then again - you may get a unit that doesn't have the problems that the first one did... win-win methinks...

T.

[Jaime_]

I dont think it does have a short warranty period, they have a 7 day "return" or refund period. After that, like 90% of all electronics, it is only covered for repairs. After having it repaired twice already you would think to keep a customer happy they would help a bit more but you will be hard pressed to get a refund from electronics/computer stores without some kind of higher complaint.

[Ewen]

What make of computer is it and why does it have such a short warranty?

And by the way CPU refers to the Processor not the computer as a whole.

[black_queen 2007]

Purchased a CPU in July of this year and from the get go have had problems.
Returned it 2x for repairs which I was told were software related.
Now the cdrom not longer functions. I rang centrecom to report the problem and was told I could have a new system but a refund was out of the question as the computer was four months old and they only give refunds within 7 days of purchase! Just great I have paid out a fortune to get the computer to and from bendigo as I live more than 100kms away and now they won't give me a refund. Well looks like I will be in for a fight.