Googlegear.com...prices worth it?

[Bires]

Anyone used this site? They have some decent prices, but their score on resellerratings is about par. Thoughts?

[adehart]

Sorry for the late reply on this. I've usually not had anything to add to the excellent information here but I refer people to this site often and rely on the comments posted here for many purchases. Therefore, I could not help but mention these two things since I've seen GOOGLEGEAR.COM and Amex Blue mentioned here before.

First, good luck if you need to return something to GoogleGear.com if they screw up your order. I ordered an Abit KT7-RAID motherboard. They shipped the standard KT7 board by mistake. I spent $28.00 on 2nd-Day shipping (outrageous to begin with but they had the item "in-stock.") When I received the incorrect item, I called and asked to have it returned for credit so I could order the proper item.

Just returning the item for credit was a hassle because they weren't convinced I had the wrong board. After talking to them on the phone (this is the short version), they refuse to pay for shipping the WRONG item back, they refuse to ship the CORRECT item without charging me for shipping and handling. Worse yet, just in trying to convince them to ship me the CORRECT board (since they kept thinking I wanted a cross-ship but I was willing to pay for the correct item without s/h) the guy in returns said that policy is policy and he wouldn't discuss it anymore and hung up on me. BUYER BEWARE!

Second, I know Amex Blue (and other cards) will help negotiate disputes for you over problems with merchants. HOWEVER, I was naive enough to think I could get ALL MY MONEY BACK on this order. The absolute best I could do (after talking to Amex Customer Service) on the above order was get the cost of the item refunded to me on my statement. American Express (and I assume others) WILL NOT REFUND SHIPPING. Guess how GoogleGear makes their money? SHIPPING AND HANDLING.

I've since resigned to keeping the items and disputing the price I was charged and just purchasing a Promise RAID Controller. I'm afraid to send this order back into GoogleGear's "friendly neighborhood" black hole. At least Amex Blue is willing to help dispute this charge and perhaps work out a credit for the difference.

Tony

P.S. It is worth mentioning to others who may be new to the on-line ordering experience that this is honestly my very first bad ordering experience after years of ordering on-line and mail order. If there is a lesson to learn, it is go with your gut feeling. I really felt nervous ordering from this place (they had a 1-star rating on Gomez.Com and I try to stick to 3-stars) especially after seeing the high s/h costs. I should have listened to the old gut.

[Bandito]

I have ordered 6 times from them and never had a problem. Very fast and efficient. Great prices.

[adehart]

I'll agree that they are efficient. I placed the order, it shipped the same day, and arrived promptly as requested. Just wasn't the right item. I'd probably feel the same way as you had the motherboard been correct since I wouldn't have needed to contact them again.

In fact, I'm quite dissappointed. They do have great prices and a nice selection. I would have liked to do business with them again.

[Bandito]

Sorry to hear about your troubles adehart. Next time tell them they can pick up their merchandise on your front porch. Call your credit card and tell them you didn't receive the goods you purchased. They should have paid for the shipping. Now if it was defective you can ask for a cross shipment, then ship UPS ground and your cost is less than $5. I don't know why you over nighted a motherboard. That is nearly 1/5 the cost of the motherboard.

[adehart]

Thanks for the idea on requesting they send a call tag. I hadn't thought of that approach. I'll run it by Amex to make sure I can get the full amount back and perhaps run with it.

If I recall (it was around 2AM when I ordered this thing) they had asked for $23 or $22 for Ground and @ $28 for 2nd day so $5 bucks extra didn't seem like much. Plus, from CA to NY, it was the only way I could guarantee I'd get it before Christmas. To googlegear's credit (if they deserve it) their price was significantly less than the few others I found that had the board AND a Pioneer Slot load DVD drive I ordered at the same time (which may complicate things since that was OK.) So even with S/H, it was roughly the same as other potential sources if I recall.

Anyway, thanks for the idea on the call tag. I'll have to explore that option ASAP.

Tony

UPDATE: I just spoke with Amex Blue regarding your idea and was told it was up to the discretion of the vendor whether to refund the shipping and handling. I'd bet strongly GoogleGear would not agree to that so I guess I'll keep the board and deal with it. Thanks for the idea though.

[Edited by adehart on 12-19-2000 at 12:49 PM]