The cost of fast-track service

[Cybernatorforza]

Received my laptop after 27 days/19 working days. The estimate at the time of purchase was 14 days/7-9
working days(noticed many say 7-9 days). I knew it was unlikely I would get it in 2 weeks, more like 3 weeks.
Anyway, I received it after 4 weeks- the school/uni rush that he said didn't happen last year, was pushing
lead-times by 3-5 days.

I had a quick look on these forums and found my wait wasn't that bad after all compared to others. A few
forum members were suggesting pay for fast-track(one member had 4,500 posts since joining- 3 posts per day!).

Unfortunately when someone pays for fast-track, the person who thought an estimate of 7-9 days was acceptable
gets pushed back, another pays for fast-track, pushed back again...until pcs deem it close to 30 days and
can't push it back no more.

I think their prices are as good as anyone's. But what worries me and it would seem others- a problem and it
had to be returned. If they make you wait 1 month when you purchase, how long will they make you wait if you
have to return it for repair? Unless it's an expensive fault to the cpu/gpu/ram I'll be taking this to my
trusted PC specialist/engineer shop in my local town.

 

[keynes]

one member had 4,500 posts since joining- 3 posts per day!

I know we need to get a life
I once saw that an administrator indicated that there were different departments for fast track and non-fast track orders, it was probably 2 years ago so not sure if that is still the norm. I agree that estimates should be a bit more realistic or calculated in a different way, if a warning during busy periods is provided then it can allow those that need the system quickly to pay for fast track if required. Regarding RMA and returns from my experience it took around 1 week for dispatch to receiving it back but if you got silver warranty or higher I would not go to a repair shop, even if you do not wish to wait for it to come back you could get advice on the phone on how to solve the problem if you feel confident about it. My first order took around 21 working days and that was around February in 2012. I hope you are happy with your laptop, what did you get?

 

[Cybernatorforza]

I know we need to get a life
I once saw that an administrator indicated that there were different departments for fast track and non-fast track orders, it was probably 2 years ago so not sure if that is still the norm. I agree that estimates should be a bit more realistic or calculated in a different way, if a warning during busy periods is provided then it can allow those that need the system quickly to pay for fast track if required. My first order took around 21 working days and that was around February in 2012. I hope you are happy with your laptop, what did you get?

Your number of posts is astonishing- there are other forums/activities out there!

Firstly I'm happy with my purchase, just a bit miffed with the lack of transparency with the lead-times after the purchase.

It would be reassuring to think there is a separate department for fast-track, but I'm afraid I'll stay in the cynical camp. What if there's no fast-track orders? Do the staff go home unpaid; are they on 0 hr contracts and are called in when needed; do either department help out with builds when there is a school/uni/Xmas rush?

They use an elaborate flowchart to prolong the perceived wait time. They continued to 'advertise' 7-9 days for a custom laptop during my 19 working day wait!

Is it more likely that there isn't a separate fast-track department: why pay for/have excess staff and contracts during quite periods? As a business you don't, because they are doing exactly the same job, you use your existing workforce (which agree to be flexible at seasonal periods).

I bought a Vortex laptop for my nagging special needs brother with an i7 CPU, 860m, 8gb ram and a few tweaks all so I can keep him happy, and busy.

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Why the odd bashing of post numbers? I think 16001 of Keynes' post are to help people either with purchases of tech support. Why would anyone need to visit other forums? (maybe they do anyway) Are you suggesting anyone that has a few thousand posts here doesn't do anything else?

The thing with fast track is we really don't know, and I doubt PCS would ever tell us, because people could either get annoyed, or use it needlessly. End of the day, its a service you can pay for, and therefore have to get something out of it. You lead time is definitely at the long end. Us no lifers with all these posts (2 of mine were helpful) have been here long enough to know what amounts to the "average time" and for the most part it hovers around the PCS estimate. Some are a lot quicker, and some are a lot slower, for various reasons.

If you have to RMA your rig, it can turn around as quickly as the same week, but it all depends on parts and the problem at hand. All I can suggest it not to dwell on such thing until they happen, and just enjoy what will no doubt be a fantastic PC for many years to come

 

[Wozza63]

I'm just gonna put this out there, no I don't have a life. This forum is my life..

 

[keynes]

I think 16001 of Keynes' post are to help people either with purchases of tech support.

I wonder what you reckon the rest of post are for

Are you suggesting anyone that has a few thousand posts here doesn't do anything else?

While I would like to just be at home chilling, I work Monday to Sunday and I try to post between breaks. My aim is to find out what's after "godlike"

 

[Androcles]

Unfortunately when someone pays for fast-track, the person who thought an estimate of 7-9 days was acceptable
gets pushed back, another pays for fast-track, pushed back again...until pcs deem it close to 30 days and
can't push it back no more.

No they don't, there's a separate process for fast track.

As to your question about RMA's, all RMA's are again dealt with separately and have their own timings, they get done a lot quicker than new builds, they're usually back to you within a week.

 

[ariadne2]

My order was also 19 working days/28 calendar days. I had to RMA my system after 2 days as the motherboard failed and it was back with me after 2 weeks.

 

[PokerFace]

one member had 4,500 posts since joining- 3 posts per day!.

Well you posted 3 times yesterday, so you're on track for 4,500 posts too. I look forward to your contributions

Us no lifers with all these posts (2 of mine were helpful).....

Make that 3 DED. I thought it was helpful to know that 2 of your posts were helpful. But, please re-post the 2 helpful posts (or they never happened!) and that would increase your helpful posts to 4...... Where will your helpfulness end?!

I'm just gonna put this out there, no I don't have a life. This forum is my life..

That has long been the consensus around here Wozza :yes:

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Such a noob Poker...only 1557 posts in 4 years? Pffft (was this helpful?)

 

[tom_gr7]

Whatever you do, do not take your super awesome Custom PCS lappy to a local PC shop. Most of them have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, will not know your laptop is a custom build and has "better than average parts", will probably have zero knowledge and no experience with that particular model and brand of laptop. Plus they would probably take you for a ride and charge you for something that PCS could do under warranty.

I popped into a local "PC Repair" shop up the road a few years ago. i only popped in to ask about mechanical gaming keyboards. I was amazed to find that he didn't even know what one was, but claimed he was a gamer and a "PC technician". No surprise the shop closed down within half year. My brother took his cheapy pc world laptop to a pc repair shop because he had a virus, his wallet was lightened by 50 quid. I'd certainly avoid pc repair shops at all cost.

Enjoy your PCS Laptop btw

 

[steaky360]

Whatever you do, do not take your super awesome Custom PCS lappy to a local PC shop. Most of them have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, will not know your laptop is a custom build and has "better than average parts", will probably have zero knowledge and no experience with that particular model and brand of laptop. Plus they would probably take you for a ride and charge you for something that PCS could do under warranty.

On top of what tom has said, it would also most certainly void any warranty remaining with PCS.

To be honest, even once out of warranty I'd still consider sending back to PCS in the first instance. They'll likely be able to figure out the issue and recommend a fix quicker than a local store with less experience with clevo's.

 

[PokerFace]

Such a noob Poker...only 1557 posts in 4 years? Pffft (was this helpful?)

That's 4 and counting.....