Computer Alliance

I bought a LaCie Rugged 5TB HDD for AU$219 on 3rd December 2021 from Computer Alliance through amazon.com.au. At the time of purchase, I didn’t realise I was buying from a third party seller.

Upon connecting the HDD to my MacBook Pro 2020, I started backing up data. It started clicking hard (what's known as the Click of Death in the industry) when it started copying a file between 1 & 3GB. I unplugged it to avoid any further damage, reconnected it and the file was no longer being recognised on the Mac. I tried a couple of times but had no luck. Fortunately, my son has a Windows Laptop and I plugged it into that, the system immediately recognised it as a corrupted volume and suggested formatting it. I clicked on Format and it showed another error while trying to format it in NTFS (I have Paragon NTFS on my Mac so running it wouldn't be a problem).

I then tried formatting it as exFAT and it worked. I then connected it to my Mac and it started working again, as soon as it started copying larger files, same problem. I didn't have time to run extensive tests on it so I went back to Amazon and requested a refund, this is when I realised I had bought it from a third party seller "Computer Alliance", my confidence level just dropped, however as I needed a backup ASAP, so I bought another HDD.

Despite detailing the issue, that the problem only occurred on my MacBook Pro 2020, the seller didn't refund my money in full, deducting over 10% for no reason from an AU$219 product, $22.00.

1. The product did not operate as advertised.
2. I was neither consulted, nor advised prior to the partial refund being processed.

The seller is hiding behind BS 'fine-print'. I half-expected this to happen when I realised I had bought something from a 3rd Party instead of Amazon directly.

Bottom line is, the product didn't work as advertised, was returned in original packaging to the seller who could (and most definitely would) get credit from their supplier in full and pocket the balance of my money.

Pathetic!

Good computer store, good service - can take a while to get returns back.

Never had a problem until something went wrong. I work in IT support and have done for the last 10 years. I ran all checks and provided the store with the links where AMD admitted to the issue with no resolution as of yet for the 5700 GPU and advised the store that the card would show no faults this is a software/driver issue on AMDs side.
I wanted to check the process as I handed the card in to be tested even though as I had told them the card was functioning and would show no fault if tested, so I called up to be spoken to in an abrupt and very rude manner on the phone, so then went back in as didnt appreciate the way I had been spoken to, the same person came out to talk and yelled at me! Then told us that he doesn't care what the ACCC says as their rules superceded this and if they can't find a fault we'd be charged $50 and couldn't give a refund as what are they going to do with a faulty card!
Only by sending a ACCC complaint letter did I get action and a full refund. If this had gone differently I would of spent the extra money in store to exchange for a 2070 super, instead now I am going elsewhere to buy and advising all my IT contacts not to shop here.

Approximate cost: $759

I recently spent $1200 on new computer hardware and their staff didn't think it was important to tell me that there was a store sale the next day. I hadn't even installed any of the components yet and they refused to let me return it just so I could get the sale benefits. Funnily enough I was going to spend the money I saved on other parts too but oh well they lost a life long customer.

Approximate cost: $1200

Computer Alliance has highly competent staff who've been providing me with excellent sales and service help and support (in store and via phone) since at least 2008.

Most recently, in Dec 2014, I was highly impressed by CA staff technical knowledge and willingness to help/advise me, in a very friendly manner, to customize components of an Alliance Desktop PC to suit my needs (via phone and email). Also delighted that the PC was ready for pick up only 24 hours after ordering.

There was no delay/wait queue on pick-up from their Mt Gravatt store - other than a few minutes wait while a tech staff person started up my PC in a back room in order to demonstrate that it was running fine and that all components I'd ordered were installed. Imo, remarkable sales service.

A few days after pick-up I had a question about their installation of Win8.1, so rang their service department. No delay in getting to speak to real person about that, and he quickly and happily answered what I wanted to know.

My recent experience is same as when I bought a Desktop PC from Computer Alliance in about 2008. After 6+ years, that PC's still operating fine. However, I'd decided it was time to buy new PC with more memory, newer operating system, etc, etc.

Some prices may be slightly more than Umart, but still extremely good prices. If you're looking to get your computer repaired their labour charge is a lot less than others (including Umart)

I witnessed another customer get her computer back and wasn't even charged for clearing a virus! Just good ol' fashion customer service.

Best Computer Store in Brisbane- Supplied Quality computer components from a comprehensive range, at very competitive prices

Very good place to buy from excellent service and very good range of products, just a little more overpriced compared to umart but there specials are good and what they lack in price they make up for in service especially if you dont know what your after

Approximate cost: $600

Very good business, i like their service, and they know what they are doing

very, very cheap things there
but i dislike how they collect your contact info at the checkout

Approximate cost: $89

I've shopped here since 2004. They have grown substantially. They sell great products are competitive prices, but their service has always been slow.