Can I ask a question about a particular dealer? Ethics?

[Carbonfish]

I've never heard anything specifically bad about them.

Thanks for that James. Optimism is a powerful thing. If this turns out to be a fiasco though, it won't be the end of the world I guess. I am normally a Mac person (iBook G4 1.2 GHz, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 30 GB HD, DVD-RW, LaCie 250 GB externla firewire HD, OS X 10.4.7).

The reason that I'm buying the ThinkPad is that I want to try to wean myself off of proprietary software and the DRM based business model. So I thought that I get up to speed on one of the Linux distros and I wanted bullet-proof hardware to run it on. There are still too many hardware compatibility issues with Linux and the PPC architecture for me to dual-boot the Mac while I'm climbing up the learning curve.

So it's not like I'm going without machine while I wait for the ThinkPad. But I'd still like to get what I pay for.

KC

[JHEM]

Seriously, I *do* remember hearing some things about them here some time back.

Only thing I found was a post about pressure spots on a T series machine purchased from them. Not very [censored].

Regards,

James

[bigtiger]

Good luck, KC.

Well, one comment though. The way that they keep changing name makes me nervous. It takes quite a lot of effort to build up a corporate identity. Why would they change it? Is it a one-man operation?

[Carbonfish]

Why would they change it? Is it a one-man operation?

I was kind of wondering that myself until this morning when someone other than the person I have spoken to all along ("Adam") answered the phone. So I know that there are at least two people there. But neither of them seemed very "best-foot-forward" as far as their phone etiquette was concerned. This morning, the fellow who answered the phone just answered it, "hello?". Another not-so-good sign. *shrugs, sighs again*

Oh well, I'll call in the morning (early for me as they are on the East side of the big muddy, and I'm over here as far as you can get to the left) and see what "Adam" has to say about my tracking number.

KC

[GomJabbar]

I agree, when shopping for big-ticket items, you should do your research first. You mentioned the BBB, and that is a good start. A couple of other sites I use are http://www.resellerratings.com/ and http://www.epinions.com/ . I used these sites before buying my desktop PC and my ThinkPad from online stores I personally hadn't heard of before. Also as mentioned, Pricegrabber.com often has reviews.

I just checked on resellerratings.com, and I did not see any reviews for ThinkPadDepot.com. Epinions.com pulled up one review which happens to be favorable: http://www1.epinions.com/Thinkpaddepot_ ... s_Services . It is also worth considering how many reviews are posted, and how recent these reviews are. Sometimes a store will start off well, only to run into problems later.

[dsvochak]

According to the webiste (About Us, Contact Us) ThinkPadDepot.com is located in Sterling, VA and is a subsidiary of Irazim.

Like most states, Virginia has enacted consumer protection legislation. A lot of the information regarding consumer complaints is available on line, in this case at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/consumers/index.html

Searches of the complaint database using "Irazim" and variations on "thinkpad" result in no record of a complaint being filed.

While the information on the web may be incomplete or out of date, if there's a question it's always worth checking the state government where the business is located. If there is a real concern for more current information, one could contact the state agency charged with investigating consumer complaints.

[Carbonfish]

Thank you all for your info. and suggestions. In my own defense, I did not just click on the first vendor listed in Google, but admittedly, I should have done more research before clicking the "buy now" button.

That said, I called this morning at 6:00 PDT and got no answer. I called back at 8:00, and the phone was answered with a simple "hello" by a man who identified himself as "Abe". When I explained who I was and why I was calling, he told me that the shipping dept. did not open until 2:00 pm (their time), and that since he didn't work in shipping, he did not have my tracking info. He told me that he would have someone in shipping call me later today with the tracking number. I said that I would be in and out, and would call them back at 2:00 just to be sure that I wouldn't miss the call. I did specifically ask which shipper my item had shipped with and he told me UPS. It struck me as a bit unlikely that he would have access to that information, but not have access to the tracking number.

Well, I guess that I can't do much but wait until 11:00 (my time) and call them back, and see if anybody answers the phone.

I called UPS to see if they could give me any information about whether or not ThinkPad Depot had shipped anything at all from VA day befroe yesterday, but they said without a tracking number, they couldn't tell me anything.

I'll update after the call so that you all know what's happening.

KC

[JHEM]

I did specifically ask which shipper my item had shipped with and he told me UPS. It struck me as a bit unlikely that he would have access to that information, but not have access to the tracking number.

Not if that's their default shipper.

Regards,

James

[Carbonfish]

Not if that's their default shipper.
Regards,
James

Their web site seem to indicate that Fedex is their default shipper. But I understand that as needs change, so can suppliers, including who you ship with.

You make a valid point.

KC

[Carbonfish]

Well, I'd like to be able to say that I'm out of the woods and that everything's gonna be peachy, but if it's not one worry it's another.

After four-count 'em-four increasingly agitated phone calls this morning, I was finally able to get them to give me a tracking number. That's the good news. The bad news is apparently they were lying to me about shipping the item on Tuesday, as I told them that I would check on the status of my order with UPS right away, and "Adam" admitted that "there had been a problem at the warehouse" and that the item hadn't shipped yet, and would go out that afternoon (before 6:00 pm EDT).

OOOOooookay, So when I got home from work this afternoon at about 3:30 PM PDT I gave UPS a call. Their automated tracking system informed me that while UPS had been contacted by the shipper and an item had been billed and a tracking number issued, that the item had not been shipped and a shipping date was pending, and that if I had any questions I would need to contact the shipper.

So if my panties weren't in a bunch this morning, they certainly are now! Anyway, I called UPS back to talk to a carbon unit and was somewhat mollified when she said that it is probable that the package just has not entered the system yet and to check back in a couple of hours.

This nightmare might actually have an end... That is until the box arrives!!

ThinkPad Depot's corporate motto should read: "And for my next trick...!"

[Carbonfish]

UPS tracking says that the package has been received and is in transit. One scary thing though, the tracking number that they gave me over the phone tracks a package that only weighs 3 lbs.

On the order tracking page at ThinkPad Depot, it shows two tracking numbers, so I tracked the other one (which weighs 8 lbs.) and it is in Brooklyn NY, but doesn't have a destination listed. The 3 pounder shows a destination to my hometown.

What does a T23, wireless card, and a power adapter weigh?

KC

[JaneL]

You know, if I read your original message correctly, you just ordered this thing 2 days ago. Aren't you over-reacting just a tad?

[Carbonfish]

You know, if I read your original message correctly, you just ordered this thing 2 days ago. Aren't you over-reacting just a tad?

Well, it's possible that I'm over-reacting. But I think that my concern is justified. I didn't order the thing two days ago, I ordered it Sunday. So I expected it to ship the next business day as was indicated on their web site. Then there was the mysterious "billing" problem, and things snow-balled from there.

If you feel that you have heard enough about my problems with this vendor, let me know, and I will try to be a bit more stoic and keep my troubles to myself.

My motivation for starting this thread was not to bore you with my problems, or to come across as an alarmist. I just wondered if anyone here had dealt with this vendor, or knew someone who had, and could give me some feedback.

I have appreciated all of the advice I have gotten, and if you like I will leave it at that.

Kent Cline

[JaneL]

I didn't order the thing two days ago, I ordered it Sunday.

Well, originally, I was just trying to soothe you (no, really!), but with this statement, you have piqued my curiosity. On Wednesday, 7/26, you wrote "The reason that I ask is that yesterday I ordered a used ThinkPad T23".

There are certainly times to be alarmed when an order goes haywire and gets delayed (cue the shipping thread), and there are definitely some oddities about the communications you received from the seller. But a 2 day holdup isn't anything to get all up in arms about unless you're paying for it to be drop-shipped overnight.

[kam_]

As far as i'm aware 'fraud protection' only applies when someone stole your details or card and used them without your knowledge AND you could have sone something to reasonably limit the loss, like report your card stolen, but didn't.

If you did nothing wrong and were duped out of a sale (valid for 6 months), or your credit card details were stolen and you never knew, and reported it as soon as you did know, then you have unlimited protection. This is why you pay credit card companies for a service. It is part of their service to protect purchases that are fraudulent and not at your fault.

From what my friends say, US credit card companies are one of the easiest to get to do a chargeback. Worry not, if you really need it at this price etc from these guys, wait a bit longer, otherwise call the credit card company now and tell them whats transpired and to issue a chargeback immedietly.

The card company don't really care, because these companies need merchant accounts to transact credit card orders. Those accounts hold deposits or pay them at the end of the month so there's always money there that the credit card company can withhold from these guys, thus forcing them to chase the credit card comany rather than the other way round. This happens alot with paypal, and sometimes honest sellers are left out of pocket because chasing the credit card company may not be worth the hassle for the money in dispute.

Oh and ALWAYS buy using a credit card, from a nice big bank if possible, if you're ever unsure about a company your buying from. You can always pay if off with cash, or from another card before the end of the month if your interest on that card happens to be rubish. I have a morgan stanly card for this very purpose - rubish interest rate, great protection and service

Do let us know your experience when you got the laptop. I am curious about this company.

Can you cancel your order? If you paid with Credit, you can also refuse to pay, I guess.

I don't know what the bank would do about cancelling the order, or how long I would have to allow the company to make me whole. Because the card is issued by a big bank (US Bank) I have fraud protection. So supposedly the most I can lose is $50.00. But that's not really the issue. As we all are aware, time is money, stress is money, and every minute I spend trying to find out my order status, and worrying about whether or not I'm going to get this thing at all, is a minute of my life that I'll never have back.

To be realistic though, This process only started this past Sunday, so in all fairness, even though this company has done everything wrong as far as making the customer comfortable after the sale, they actually haven't ripped me off yet. I'll call tomorrow morning and ask them for my tracking number, and if I gett a song and dance, then I'll really start to worry and make some phone calls to the bank, etc.

I have to say thanks to you all for your support and concern though. I find typing about it cathartic.

KC

[Carbonfish]

I didn't order the thing two days ago, I ordered it Sunday.

Well, originally, I was just trying to soothe you (no, really!), but with this statement, you have piqued my curiosity. On Wednesday, 7/26, you wrote "The reason that I ask is that yesterday I ordered a used ThinkPad T23".

Nonny, you appear to be correct, I did type "yesterday" rather that Sunday, and do not know why except that perhaps I was distracted. I can assure you that I did order the laptop Sunday and have attempted to relate the circumstances of this situation as accurately as possible. After having been made aware of that typo, I can understand your skepticism, and although I don't feel the need to defend my position, your observation raises a valid reason to question the justification of my complaint. I suppose that I will just say that had this only been going on for one day instead of four, I indeed would be a paranoid alarmist, or worse, someone who just bashes poor defenseless E-vendors on forums for the fun of it.

Neither of those things is the case here.

Also, TWIMC, I found one other post on this forum regarding thinkpaddepot, and it was here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... nkpaddepot

KC

[JaneL]

I suppose that I will just say that had this only been going on for one day instead of four, I indeed would be a paranoid alarmist, or worse, someone who just bashes poor defenseless E-vendors on forums for the fun of it.

LOL Well, that can be fun at times, and I'm not sure they're always so defenseless! Carry on, then!

It doesn't appear from what others have turned up that they're out and out crooks - just disorganized and not very communicative. I hope things turn out for the best for you.

(And, to the rest of you, yes, I'm feeling just fine, thankyouverymuch!)

[Carbonfish]

I hope things turn out for the best for you.

Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.

Just a quick, brief update. Both packages are addressed to my home and both are in transit and on time according to UPS (expected arrival date 08/03/2006 since they were sent by ground).

Kent Cline

[dsigma6]

you being paranoid was much better compared to getting ripped off.

[Carbonfish]

you being paranoid was much better compared to getting ripped off.

[Carbonfish]

Hi Everybody!

Well, All my fears and frustrations have been put to rest (for the moment at least) as the T23 that I bought from ThinkPadDepot.com arrived by UPS this morning, and it works!!

The track-button (sorry if I'm mis-naming the thing. This is my first ThinkPad ) has some sort of rough gluey stuff on it, which I don't really like. But otherwise the machine is clean, has no artifacts on the LCD and no dead pixels that I could see. The battery holds a charge (although I have no idea for how long). The DVD-ROM drive works, at least it plays a CD and reads a data disk. It won't play a DVD as it says that there is no decoding software on the machine (DVD player?)

Hey, stupid question, but what does the button with the blue stripe right below the left-click, right-click buttons do? C'mon, don't laugh, like I said, this is my first ThinkPad and don't forget that up until about an hour ago, I was strictly a Mac guy.

I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to hold my hand while I'm getting this project started, and I'm sure that I 'll have more "newbie" questions. But I'll try to make sure to get them in the proper forum.

Thanks again,

Kent

[JHEM]

Links to almost everything you could ever want to know about your new T23.

Enjoy.

James

[techguruhere]

I was doing a web search to see who else had difficulties with thinkpaddepot.com and came across this forum and read Carbonfish's frustration throughout the order cycle. Thought it'll be unfair if I did not contribute to the community.

I came across these fellows while searching for a Refurbished thinkpad, as that is pretty much the only item they've abundant of the new ones are mostly "out of stock". So a bit hesitant and as a habit when purchasing from a new merchant I like to call and talk to the sales rep, keeping my ears open to background noise to make sure they're not operating out of their basement. I know the impulse of buying something right away is inevitable but I would usually hold off and call multiple times atleast couple of hours apart.

Hence I called and got the Abe fellow spoke to him asking questions about the machine, it's condition, some spec question (even though I already knew the answer to them) just to get a feel of the companys knowledge on the product they're selling. And finally the big question is the item "IN STOCK" and can it ship today? I was assured that the item was instock and that he'd personally make sure that it was sent out the same day and I will have the tracking number by the end of the day in my email. I must say he was very anxious to get my details over the phone, but I told him I would rather do it online so that I have a print out of order confirmation.

I never received any email that day, called next morning during business hours and nobody answered the phone, left a few voice-mails. Received a call back saying that the laptop was out of stock until next week and will be shipped overnight at no cost. I was in no rush so agreed. Finally, the laptop shipped after a few calls to them, not next day as promised and to a wrong address. Called them back asking what happened, and was told it is too expensive to ship overnight. WHAT? Asked to speak to customer service and was switched to the other guy who at times answered the phone.

So, did what they deserve and gave them a review they deserved and got a call from Abe again asking to modify the review and in return he'll send me a DVD/CDRom drive or half off on the memory. Refused as I wanted to warn future shoppers. Went down to read the very few reviews they had and most of them were edited but with few stars so am thinking this is a habit for them. Screw up on the order, and when the disgruntled customer goes out to review you bad, Bribe them.

I would never go back to shop from this company again.