Complaint Review: ARCHOS - ARCHOS USA

I purchased an Archos 704 wifi mobile digital video recorder in May 2007, through Amazon.com. It appeared to be a premium quality product from a European company that was favorably reviewed by the trade journals, comparing well with Apple Ipod products and Creative. It was relatively expensive but with a wide screen compared to other products.

However, since the purchase, I have had multiple problems with the screen whiting out after relatively short usage, with guidance from technical support simply advising me to upgrade the firmware (that had been done) and pressing an internal reset button (also done multiple times). The battery began to fail, which I replaced. Then I had almost immediately after it passed the one year mark a catastrophic failure of the hard drive mechanism, which even reformatting failed to resolve.

I requested in June an RMA number and sent the unit in for assessment. Archos after two weeks claimed there was a hard drive damage problem and as it was out of warranty I would have to pay $150+ for repair, or leave it with them to get a 15% discount on other new or refurbished product. Reluctantly I paid the $150. The unit was eventually returned by August ( I am overseas and it comes through the diplomatic pouch) but it arrived completely non functional. Subsequent efforts to contact technical assistance or support have been inconclusive and very frustrating. They basically are ignoring my emails.

BEWARE OF ARCHOS PRODUCTS AND ARCHOS TECHNICAL SUPPORT. THEY AND IT ARE BAD MEDICINE - a ripoff in grandscale.

Alonzo
Dulles, Virginia
U.S.A.