HRS USA /GATEWAY takes advantage of consumers with scheming sales people and out rageous financing rates fairfax Internet
I purchased a computer from gateway almost two years ago after seeing one of those "for a couple of dollars a month you can own one of these great computers comercial".After talking to a very conning sales person I ended up with a seven hundred dollar computer and a three hundred dollar printer and a thousand dollars worth of uneccessary software.I would have felt less cheated if I was sold a faster computer with a lot of memory and a larger monitor,But instead I got a great printer and a lot of software that I dont use.
Even though I admit that I was foolish in trying to purchase a computer without knowing much about computers or the company I was dealing with, I still feel very much tooken advantage of by this company,the additional soft ware that was sold to me pretty much came free with the computer in there microsoft package,For example I was sold the music match software package for $100 and something dollars but discovered there was a better music management package that came free with the computer.I purchased word perfect office package for over a hundred dollars and most of what it offers came free already with the computer but of course the sells person did not advice me of this as a matter of fact none of this software was my idea he told me of a wonderful package that included all of this stuff including the printer wich was an incredible low price of about 2000 dollars,And I like the unknowing Idiot said I'd take it for 67.00 per month not knowing that Id be paying 67.00 per month for roughly the next four years,And if your late tack on another 30.00 for late fee the apr is around 24% wich for me means that out of the seventy dollars that I send to them every month only 35.00 goes towards what I owe the finance charge keeps the rest and Ive been paying for almost two yearsso you can imagine how much money I'm being ripped off for, so I will tell all of you like I tell my friends and family dont buy from these people you will get more for your money going somewhere else and if you do decide to buy please do your homework before calling,there sales people are as ruthless as car salesmen on a lemon lot and I would advice anyone needing to finance to either look around for a store that has really good sales on electronics and if you still cant afford to buy it put one on layaway thats what I should have done I would have saved myself alot of money and alot of stress and worry!
Earline Brown
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Larry
Phoenix,Arizona,
Avoiding the problem
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, March 28, 2002
There are three problems identified here: 1) the computer itself, 2) the software bundle, and 3) the financing.
I have been involved with computers since 1971. Personal computers are one of the most complicated devices on the market. I strongly advise novice users to get help from a more experienced person before buying any computer from anyone. I also advise novice users to avoid buying from any dealer who cannot provide face-to-face assistance.
I bought a Gateway computer myself in early 1999. I thought it was a good deal and the hardware has worked flawlessly. I did have one problem with the software, however, that was ultimately resolved by erasing the hard drive and reinstalling the operating system and all other software. While this may not be typical, it does illustrate what you may have to do with a mail-order computer. If you are not prepared to do your own software installations you probably should stay away from Gateway, Dell, and other mail-order outlets.
Most computer problems are caused by software, not hardware. Hardware is covered by the warranty, software is not. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference without seeing the problem first-hand. A novice user, such as this one, is not going to have much luck with over-the-phone technical support. She needs to take this machine to someone qualified to fix it. The bad news is that no matter where she bought it she will likely have to pay to resolve any software issues.
Buying software is also tricky. This is once again where the novice buyer needs help from an experienced person. As this buyer learned, bundles of software often duplicate software provided with the operating system or include programs that the user has no need for.
Always beware when someone selling something offers to finance it. Whether it is a computer, a car, a big-screen TV, the seller is going to get a cut of the financing costs and that will come from your pocket. If your credit is good, shop around because you can probably get better financing on your own. If your credit is not so good, then maybe you should ask if this is really a good deal because it probably is not. Either way, you need to understand what you will pay and for how long. It's your job to find that out.