In need of advice, re: T40/T41 PM Distrib. Inc

[lilserenity]

Hiya,

In another twist of events, (isn't there always) I have been checking PM Distributor Inc. out on eBay rather consistently monitoring their recent feedback etc., today I looked and eBay now flags them as "Not a Registered User".

This has made me very wary again of them. First of all, the T40 has apparently been shipped to my good friend Lorre in Chicago, which is due to be returned, however now I am reluctant for anyone to pick it up with this change of events re: PM no longer being an eBay user.

Obviously I cannot contact them as yet as it's just gone 8am here and 3am there (in NYC), as I need to try and establish what is going on. The T41 according to a call I received from them on Friday cannot be shipped until the T40 is back, due to 'inventory rules' or something like that.

However, I am unwilling at this stage for the T40 that has been sent (one presumes that box Lorre received is not some rocks...) to be returned with no sight of the T41; as yet the box has been left untouched and unopened by Lorre.

Now there are a couple of reasons for PM being a not registered with eBay anymore:

- No longer wishes to trade on eBay
- Has been suspended (maybe because of a bait and switch scheme....)
- Changed UserID with a new store name etc. (reason to be wary)

I shall phone them this evening (you know I don't need this ***t with my exams this week at University... Got one exam in 50 mins) and try and establish what is *really* going on.

My plan of action is:

- No return of the T40 box until I receive a tracking number from FedEx for the consignment (the T41)
- No return until the T41 box has been opened and it is verified as being all it should be.
- Then the T40 will be returned.

Reason? If I send the T40 back and there is something awry with PM for sure, then I may have nothing at all. I hope this doesn't sound unreasonable with others.

Of course the box the T40 is in has been untouched and unopened, and shall remain so until I speak with PM Distributors Inc. later today. However I'm most intrigued to know for sure there is at least a T40 in that box and I haven't been duped into buying a 560 which is what could be inside....

The way I see it is, I have to place my trust in them to send what we agreed on (2373-ALU with 512MB/40GB Disk, DVD Writer/CDRW/DVD and Port Replicator II), but you know - my trust is sceptical for all their pleasantness on the phone. So I think it's about time that I turned the tables and ask them to trust me that if I receive the T41 as per what it should be etc.; then I will allow Lorre for FedEx to pick the T40 in its box up for return to PM.

Maybe it was my contact with eBay that got them suspended Oh dear, wreaking havoc all the way...

How does this plan of action sound? Of course, it would be nice to know that for sure there is a 2373-XXG (T40) in the box that *has* been sent and *received*.

All advice dearly appreciated.

Vicky xx
(nervous aboiut exams, let alone this stuff.. *weeps a little*)

[csv96]

Ebay has been having problems with their billing system lately. Most likely pmnyc001 was suspended for not paying their bill. Usually the "good-seller-gone-bad" syndrome is associated with a lot of negative feedback at the end. They aren't using a new userid since a search of their unique phrase "You are Visiting an IBM Authorized Dealer & Service Center Page" reveals no new listings. It's also unlikely that they de-registered intentionally.

My best guess is that they'll be up and running again very soon. But I agree with your decision to hold on to the T40 until you know for sure.

[lilserenity]

Ebay has been having problems with their billing system lately. Most likely pmnyc001 was suspended for not paying their bill.

Oh, thats good info, I had no idea about that. Must be why my credit card balance looks healthy enough as eBay haven't subtracted what I owe them yet

However, I will still ask that they phone me (they have been good at that admittedly, even to my mobile phone from the US to me in the UK, and also phoning Lorre to let her know etc.

Usually the "good-seller-gone-bad" syndrome is associated with a lot of negative feedback at the end.

Indeed, thats what I thought, just this experience has been 'stressful' and testing at times and anything like this seems to upset the fragile nature of the deal.

They aren't using a new userid since a search of their unique phrase "You are Visiting an IBM Authorized Dealer & Service Center Page" reveals no new listings. It's also unlikely that they de-registered intentionally.

Indeed it would be most odd after the friendly call I got on Friday explaining the current state of play. But just call me cautious...

My best guess is that they'll be up and running again very soon.

Well speaking to them today will ratify whether that is indeed the case. I shall inform this forum of the outcome.

But I agree with your decision to hold on to the T40 until you know for sure.

Precisely, its become a bit of a bargaining chip and maybe this de-regged thing will work in my advantage and make them send the T41 before the T40 is returned, that way I can get Lorre to open up the box the T41 is meant to be in when it arrives and get her to make sure it's all it's meant to be (with my carefully guided guidance of course and then give her the OK to let the FedEx person to take it away. I have a lot of good arguments, like you shouldn;t have sold the T40 I bought, you shouldn't have shipped the 2374-XXG before properly consulting me, and the 2373-ALU with all the extras should be with Lorre by now. Blimey ask me to pay in 3 days and it takes this long to sort the hassle out, I dunno

Vicky the sly one

[sktn77a]

I've been burned a couple of times by "good-sellers-gone-bad" on e-bay. Don't trust anyone until they've earned that trust. In this case they will have earned the trust when you are the proud owner of a T41 and have only been billed for a single computer!

Oh. by the way, E-bay and Paypal were totally worthless when it came to getting my money back. Have you ever tried to contact them?

[lilserenity]

I completely agree and hence my reluctance to return the wrong item that they shipped without my consent and full understanding UNTIL I get the T41 and have my friend Lorre check it out that all is as it should be.

I did contact eBay about this seller, as according to their extensive feedback (pmnyc001) of 1000, there are a couple of cases where the unit was not as it should be, or as advertised. So maybe my extensive complaint to eBay has lead to suspension? I rather doubt it.

Also I paid with a wire transfer to PM Distributors Inc. so they have no credit card details or paypal details to charge me extra, I think I stand a very good chance of getting the T41 shipped and checked out before the T40 is returned, got lots to back me up.

The premise of to trust you - you need to trust me rings true here I feel.

I look forward to this phone call to say the least!

Vicky

[lilserenity]

Hiya,

This is the email I have just sent them:

Hiya,

Thankyou for phoning me on Friday, I appreciate the call and Lorre has indeed got the T40 in her place, however she has not opened it or touched it, not even to check it out.

However I now notice that eBay flags you as "Not a registered User" which has made me very wary again.

As such I am feeling very uneasy returning the T40 unopened by Lorre, ie: as it was shipped and no recourse through eBay.

I really need to trust you on this, however with your business no longer being an eBay user - that doesn't inspire confidence, especially with all these mess ups including selling the machine that should be mine, other feedback similar to my issue in your profile, shipping a machine to me without a proper explanation of what it was.

I really need to trust you on this, and until Lorre can check the right consignment, i.e.: the T41 (specfication: 1.4Ghz Pentium-m, 512MB, 5400rpm 40gb HD, CDRW/DVD, 1gb ethernet, 14.1" XGA, power supply, windows XP Pro, 6 cell battery) I feel reluctant to have the t40 that I presume is in the box (2374-XXG) shipped back with no guarantee the T41 has been sent, received and is as it should be. All these mess ups have left me disillusioned, I need to trust you 100% and I am failing to be able to do just that, I need to know the T41 has been shipped, because with the T40 sent back and no idea when the T41 will be shipped, I have nothing for the $1585 I paid you and that is a lot of money for a student.

I would appreciate a phone call on this, as I am really stressing over it and getting upset, and I don't need this when my University exam period is now on, I need concentrate on exams, not whether I will actually get something that resembles what I wanted. This isn't some sob sorry, it's true.

Please phone me as soon as you can today, I am rather hoping I will not have to pay out for another costly phone call. I am at work from 10am your time onwards again, so please phone me on:

+44-<SNIP>

(Home number is +44-<SNIP> - but I am not in and don't wish to wait until the end of work to find out just what really is going on, failing that, please email me a very accurate description of what is really going on)

Lorre has also agreed with me, knowing how much this is upsetting me and stressing me out that she really needs to see the T41 in the flesh before letting the FedEx guy return the T40, which as I say is in its box unopened, just as it was sent. We can't open it as that would mess things up more.

I hope you understand my considerable unease and upset over this whole matter and I will be glad when it is over.

Yours Faithfully,
Miss Victoria Lamburn

[lilserenity]

Just received a phone call from PM, before they even open, which was nice.

First they are suspended from eBay due to advertising a Pioneer TV of some kind when they didn't have the permission to use certain trademarks, even though they apparently had permission according to their eBay representative. They are hoping to be reinstated today or tomorrow, minus the Pioneer TVs (big plasma ones I presume).

As for the T41, fedex apparently are collecting the T40 today, he said he'd phone my friend Lorre today to explain our phone convo with her and to let her know I am now OK about the T40 being returned.

He evidently had it by his side as I now also have the serial number which checks out on IBM.com - correct model (2373ALU) and also the warranty shows as 2nd June 2007 as expiry, that can only mean one thing - it is brand new. (Unless somebody ditched it after 12 days of having it, PM got their hands on it and offered it to me on Tuesday last week, unlikely it has to be said.)

Thankfully that was enough to put my mind at ease, had all sorts of worries why they had been 'suspended'.

Vicky

[cynic]

New IBM laptop boxes have the serial number of the included laptop written on the outside printed white labels. Have your friend confirm the serial numbers match before opening the box. Once you've broken the seal (the IBM tamper proof tape that all new laptops are sealed by) on the box, it usually means you've accepted it.

Just an extra bit of added security...

[lilserenity]

Indeed it does.

However I am at the end of my tether with all this business, FedEx did not turn up at Lorre's last night as was supposedly booked, she was in 4-8pm last night which is when PM apparently booked FedEx to collect the time.

Right now - I just want my ****in money back.

I have seen some nice T23s with SXGA, 48/60GB disks and the PIII 1.2GHz and for me that will do nice enough.

I am fedup being given the run around and Lorre is too.

I'm just not very happy at all

Vicky

[csv96]

Most carriers (UPS, Airborne, FedEx) don't do pickups or deliveries after 5pm. Not sure why they told you 4-8pm.

[lilserenity]

Well that is just what I thought; however it seems not to be the case, it was indeed booked for 4-8pm. They say they are coming tomorrow now at 7pm.

(tries not to split sides laughing)

There's more chance of the pope turning up on my doorstep tomorrow morning than there is of that T40 being collected it seems at times

I am getting a refund now. Spend a little on my T23 and enjoy some financial bouyancy.

Vicky

[BillMorrow]

i am holding my breath..

for the next chapter in the ongoing saga ofSlapTops and her beau T4x..