Gateway computer screwed me too *UPDATES
Complaint I bought a new Gateway PC in October. It Arrived with the printer box open and software missing. Gateway said it wasn't their problem, gave me Canon's (toll) #.
It cost me $40 to get the printer set up. Right off, the PC started freezing up. I spent 150 hours following e mail troublshooters - they kept telling me this fix would work. None did. I finallyreformatted (erased)the hard drive, and then the PC made noises and expired. It took 3 weeks of hollering to get any response from Gateway.
They finally sent me another (used, as per service contract..) hard drive. It arrived with something large rattling inside. Took it to the Country Store, where they palmed the loose part and showed me that nothing was loose. I got home and it rattled again! Brought it back, and they accused ME of breaking it. I lost my temper; they threatened to have me arrested. (I'm a middle aged woman..) Finally got customer service -told me to throw the unimportant, loose part away. And I could have my money back if I wanted. But I was working 2 full time jobs to
pay for it, and no energy, so I gave them another chance. (FOOL!) I just wanted a working PC. Well, the new PC froze up, too. They said I needed more RAM, so I spent another $184. (BIGGER FOOL!) Still froze. Found out the loose part was
the heat sink,(very important) and I had been operating it for a month without it.
They sent another motherboard. Still froze. Another 50 hours of troubleshooters. No luck. Now they want me to reformat the hard drive. AGAIN. I said, no more con games or stalling tactics. I want my money back. They said, "Sorry! Your 30 day warranty period is up!"
Turns out the rep who promised me a refund had no authority to do so. I admit to classic battered woman syndrome. I was sucked into their self-adulating and prepubescent preppy prattle - in love with Gateway and my PC. Now I'm a woman scorned. 4/5/01 Update! - Power supply just went - they're sending another. Isn't life strange?
Thanks very much for your support.
Linda Hutchins
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Nothing but problems from day 1.
#40
Mon, December 31, 2001
They filed the following to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: jlleras@home.net
Their name: Julie Lleras
Their relationship to the company: Owner
Rebuttal:
Bought Gateway computer in July 2001. Nothing but problems from day 1. New Video card in November 2001, new motherboard in November 2001 Spent approxiamately 20 hrs from November to December with Tech support and Case management personnel. Finally sent computer back to South Dakota because the Gateway Store here in NJ had no clue as to what they were doing. My
son had to install both the Video card and mothetboard. No compensation for that. Is that fair for someone who spent $1300 on a "brand new Gateway Computer"? I still have problems, so my next step is the BBB. Lay off Gateway!!!
within 36 hours, I had been promised a whole brand new computer
#40
Sat, June 23, 2001
I finally got in touch with the Sioux City BBB, and within 36 hours, I had been promised a whole brand new computer, with a huge upgrade, which they are sending to me Next Day Air.
It appears now that they are making serious efforts to fix their problems with the PC's and the people. A million
thanks to this site for all its help!!
The techs says that this is a sign that something is wrong.
#40
Wed, June 13, 2001
Hi. I'm not sure if this counts, but there have been further
developements on the Gateway thing. My hard drive started to make strange ratchet noises, so a tech told me to insert my Restoration kit disk #1, which I foolishly hadn't opened yet, and when I did, it was cracked.
I tried to get a replacement, but it's considered "Software", and the software warranty is up. So it will cost me $25 for a new one. I screamed and hollered, but they said, nope: 25. ...except for the catch: they don't have any - and
have stopped making them! And lately the PC has been booting up in the F8 screen - the one leading into safe mode. The techs says that this is a sign that something is wrong.
Something wrong with a Gateway computer? I don't believe it!
Good luck to you all.
Linda H - Bluefinch3@aol.com