Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc:48399 misc.wanted:8870 misc.forsale:13878
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!psuvax1!psuvm!mhs108
From: MHS108@psuvm.psu.edu (Mark Solsman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,misc.wanted,misc.forsale
Subject: USA-Flex, and ordering from them.
Message-ID: <90102.002037MHS108@psuvm.psu.edu>
Date: 12 Apr 90 04:20:37 GMT
Organization: Penn State University
Lines: 66


  I Recently I bought a Epson EPL 6000 Laser Printer from USA FLEX. I
decided buy it there because they had the best price. ($899)

the story:

  I called March 24th and talked to Karen in sales. We talked about
compatability, warranty, durability, and upgrading a meg of ram. This wa
great! I could buy a H.P. series 2 compatable for $900 and upgrade it
for use with postscript for $220! When I was done I asked her for her
ext# for commission purposes.

  I called USA FLEX again on the 27th to order. Jeff answered the phone,
Karen was out sick. He asked if he could help me. I kindly said no that
already made a deal with Karen. He said that he could take care of it fo
her. He took my order and cringed at my quoted price, but then later sai
OK. He told me that THEY would call me back the next day with the
ETA and total amount. 3 days later I called back, and Karen answered.

  I explained to Karen what Jeff and I did. She looked it up, all she
could say was "unbelieveable!" Jeff had not given her the sale after all

  She apologized and asked "you havn't received the printer yet? Well,
you will get it tomorrow." (I did)

  The day after I received the printer I wanted to order the 1meg upgrad
being that a laser printer can't do a full page of postscript on 512.
I called Karen and talked with her for 30 minutes. (she had to keep chec
ing the stock and lookup numbers) The mem-board was on back order for an
indefinite amount of time, but I needed it, so I ordered it.

    To get to the point (finally, but you needed the background) :)

  When the numbers started to get entered for my order is when she
realized her mistake. She had been looking in a Panasonic book for my
Epson printer all along! They do not offer a 1meg expansion for $220. In
fact, they don't even offer a 1meg board! The minimum expansion is 2megs
And with a price of $500, I said forget it! ($500 is a "we made a mistak
price") I wanted to return my printer on the spot! After all, I bought i
under false pretenses(sp?). I could get a series 3 for a little more!

  I would have to wait until the next day to call a customer service #.
Then waste money talking to a voice mail system. After I explained what
happened to Desarae, a service rep, I would have to wait until she got
back to me. Two days later I CALLED HER BACK. -

 They were going to charge me a 10% restocking fee!

I asked, "What?"  She responded, "Yes, we are giving you a break because
it was out fault, we normally charge 20%"  Is this good service?

 I still have the printer - I will not pay for there mistake.

  I just wanted to warn fellow net-landers of this place!

 P.S.  I talked to the head of customer service. She was no better.
       She doesn't know what BitNet is - now she will!

 * If you have questions / doubts / info please email me.

 P.S.S  Isn't too bad when you have to do something this drastic to get
        service?
 -----
 Mark Solsman, Pennsylvania State University, Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA

MHS108 @ PSUVM.BITNET                                MHS108 @ PSUVM.PSU.EDU