Conference 7.286::digital

3932.0. "Problem with buying thru EPP." by PCBUOA::ANGELONE (Failure: line of least persistence.) Tue Jun 13 1995 08:52

    
    I want to start out by saying that this is NOT a complaint
    but merely a statement of fact. I am not pointing any fingers
    nor am I placing any blame.
    
    I had recently purchased a Starion 600i at SAM'S Club in Westboro.
    Within 5 days the price dropped $200 and a extra CD packages was
    announced. I went back to SAM'S CLub and got $200 back and a slip
    to fill out and send into Digital for the extra CDs. 
    
    I have to say I was very pleased with SAM'S Club and with the
    system itself. What a step up from a 486SX25 and no CDROM.
    
    Well. I decided to add a FULLMotion Video card and I friend at
    work pointed out that Digital offered one thru EPP for about $144
    (retail around $240). So, I called EPP at 1-800-722-9332 and ordered
    it well charging it to my MasterCard. I was told only that it would
    arrive UPS Ground in about 5 working days. So I waited the 5 working
    days and nothing. 10 working days and nothing. I got concerned so I
    called them to check. There was no trace of my order. I was asked for a
    "DEC number" but had none, for who I talked to but I did not get the
    persons name. I now have about four people trying their best to track
    it done but bottom line is I will have to re-order and at a higher
    price of $192. At a $100 savings this was a deal, at $50 saving it is
    questionable but I will probably have to bit the bullet and re-order.
    
    Anybody else run into this sort of problem and what did you do ?
    
    Rick A

        This is closing the door after the house has left the barn, but I
    would advise any ordering through EPP not to hang up the order call
    until you have  a DEC number for the order.  Then you can check its
    status periodically through VTX EPP.  
    
    PJ

    Did you check with Mastercard, to see if your account has been charged
    for the Video card? If so, then I would think they owe you one, or they
    should take the charge off your account.

    
    -1 I'm pretty sure that will happen only after shipment, if it ships, 
       if it is on order.
    
    

Correct - the charge is done on shipment.

There's a VTX service (whose keyword I have now forgotten) that allows you
to look up information on orders either by DEC # or by other fields. For
EPP orders, the "PO number" is the employee badge number (6 digits, leading
zeroes).

My own experiences with EPP and the Desktop Direct people have been
quite negative.  I can only hope that their move to PC's Compleat will
improve the quality of service.

					Steve

    Keyword is ORDER_STATUS.  
    
    BTW, thanks for the tip on the P.O. number.  I had a wrong DEC number
    written down and was just able to find my order.
    
    Irene