Reviews by michaelbgood

This review is for Cnet Technologies, Bundoora VIC

verified email - 06 Jul 2010

I purchased a new desktop system from CNET Bundoora in May 2010. The price seemed reasonable for a well spec'd system, and delivery was promised within the week. I paid for an extra upgrade for a dual DVI card to be supplied in addition to the standard build, so I could use my old screen and new together.
A week later as agreed I got the call that the system was ready. However when I picked it up, I queried the requested dual DVI card, as it appeared only the standard has been supplied. I was told that the dual DVI card was out of stock, and that I could use the standard and they would contact me when the dual DVI card was in stock.
Got the system home and it all seemed ok. Beautiful BENQ monitor, Windows 7 Home Premium terrific, and performance was good. The system was light years ahead of my old PC.
On closer inspection I found some issues with the USB ports on the front being installed upside-down, and one being non-functional. It also seemed strange to me that there was no disk light on the system, just a blue light on the front that stayed on all the time, but I decided to leave it until the new dual DVI card was ready and have them take a look at it.
I then went to swap in a Firewire card from my old system to the new, but noticed fairly prominent stickers across the case screws stating that "removal of this sticker will void any warranty". Hmmm. Again I decided to leave it until the DVI card was installed and ask them nicely to also install the Firewire card, or even wait until I had a fully functioning system and then install the card myself (i.e. ignoring the stickers).
Two months later I am still waiting for the mythical dual DVI card.
Numerous emails and phone calls and escalations have apparently gone ignored. When I email them they either don't respond, or they call me and say they will call back with the status, and then they never call back. On a few occasions that they have made a commitment to contact me with a delivery date, they have always failed to call, every time. I then have to start again chasing them. I even sat in the store one afternoon waiting on them to call the warehouse manager to get a commitment on delivery, only to be told the person was in a meeting. They committed to call me back later in the afternoon with a delivery date, but guess what, they didn't call back and I had to start the chase again.
I have seen these same dual DVI cards in many retailers and available online, so I am unsure as to the reason CNET cannot get their hands on one, or why they can't pick up the phone and call me. I think I am fast approaching the point of asking for the extra money I paid to be refunded, buying the card myself, and taking the system to a more reliable shop to get it fixed up.
My advice to anyone looking for a new system is to avoid this retailer. They're not worth the hassle.

Approximate cost: $2200