| Product: |
Time Computers |
| Date: |
07/05/01 (8 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: none
Disadvantages: shoody goods annd service, guarenteed rip off, never ending trouble
"time" rhymes with "crime" and how very apt that is. For "Time Computers" must surely be the most dishonest trader there is in existance and having read opinions and seeing the low rating given, how can I think otherwise?
As you may well have guessed, I am another disgruntled customer who purchased an extremely unreliable computer which was different to that I ordered, the componments used were poor quality ones and nothing like the catalogue pictures. Faulty parts were also sent and exactly one day after the warrenty ran out, one of their sales people finally contacted me, following twelve months of letters, faxes and telephone calls. I was appalled.
Time, like other disreputable computer traders (Dixons, Curry's et al) employ the scam of bundling software that is "worth thousands of pounds" as a selling point. Time offer in their software bundles "Lotus Smart Suite Millennium" as a core product, valued (according to Time) at several hundred pounds. Bulls**t. I can get it for £15 + vat and obviously that trader is making a profit or they would not be selling it. Of course, the computer price is inflated and they won't sell the computers without the software bundles.
Onto the computers themselves. Time use some of the cheapest and nastiest componments on the market, mainly the lowest end of the Samsung range. I recently upgraded a Time computer for a disgruntled Time customer (and provided a report for the customers' court case with them) and as soon as the case was removed, it was the biggest collection of "fresh air" there was. All shared componments so that if, say, the graphics "card" went, you could not just replace that like you would with a "proper" computer.
Another rip off is the delivery "service" Time use. They charge a 400% mark up on what the delivery firm (ANC) charges and, of course, a customer would not
be allowed to pick a computer up "ex works". All round cheating.
I would be able to provide a computer to anyone that would be built of top quality parts, delivered and installed for less than what Time charge - and I do not have the buing power they would have.
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- 10/05/01 I bought my first computer from Time in early 1996. It was a sale offer that included a Pentium 100, 14in monitor that used part of the 16Mb of RAM for graphics and still cost more than £1,300.
There were no extras such as scanners, cameras etc then, but £1,000 has always been the key price point over the past 10 years or so for a new computer. My son twice paid more than £1,000 for 386 and 486-equipped systems when they were first launched!
Thankf ully I never had any problems with the Time model (perhaps because the odd one was cured by my son, an IT support specialist) so did not use the support services.
Since that time I have rebuilt my system three or four times and it is nothing like my original purchase.
As a result I've learned that buying components to upgrade what you have is a far more efficient, and much cheaper method of keeping up to date with technology if you feel confident of being able to undertake it.
For those who might be somewhat unsure then may I suggest that they look up the Scan of Bolton website, particularly the Today Only offers page, where they will discover some remarkable bargains.
You can buy the basis of a really fast computer system with top quality components for about half the price of a retail one, keeping such items as your monitor and scanner from the old system to complete the new one. Visiting computer fairs is another cost-effective source of components and parts.
Most people, if they have no knowledge of upgrading computer systems, will know someone who would be happy to undertake the work for them for a reasonable fee.
The amount you save on upgrading a current system will pay for such work several times over - and you will have a computer that will serve your needs for quite a while to come if you pick upgrade components with care.
Biggest problem with computers is that specifications get better and better at an astonishing rate whilst, at the same time, prices fall for individual components.
For instance I purchased a 17in iiyama monitor 18 months ago for £215 plus VAT. Today I can acquire a 19in iiyama for as little as £177 plus VAT! |
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- 08/05/01 Yes... software that WAS worth thousands of pounds - about six years ago! :-)
I wouldn't buy a machine off any of those so-called "specialists". The only way to ensure you get a decent set-up is to build your own - or failing that get a reputable local company to build the machine to order for you. More expensive but worth paying for.
Good op. |
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- 07/05/01 Thanks for the advice, I was thinking of buying a Time Computer in the next few weeks... I'll definetely think twice now.
Cheers. |
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