Got a 3438 from Dabs, but..

Hi guys,

been reading this forum for quite a while now, and it made me decide to buy a amilo M 3438 as well. I bought mine a week ago for 1017 pounds from online retailer Dabs and to my joy it arrived today. But bad news was looming. The laptop was supposed to be a 1.86Ghz version with 80Gb hdd. Instead the laptop came with a 1.73Ghz cpu and 60Gb hdd.

Considering the amount I've paid, I felt misinformed and cheated in a way. I could've gotten a amilo with this spec somewhere else for 50 quid less (that's almost 1Gb of DDR2 laptop memory) AND with a 80Gb hdd (which to me counts most).

Checking the manufacturer's code (LKNGBR177200001) and cross referencing that with the spec on www.shopfsc.co.uk for example, it appears that I should have gotten the spec that I bought.

So I've e-mailed dabs with my problem. BUT, the -es did not reply but they did alter their website now telling potential customers what the changes are, as a result of my e-mail. And they've got no telephone customer service either.

Even contacted F-S about it, but according to their system by checking the serial number, the machine's configuration (no 1.86 and 60gb) is correct. Thus they cannot help me and I have to sort it with Dabs. Although I'm happy that it arrived, I suppose you could also understand why I'm a bit disappointed as well.

Coming back to the laptop, very nice laptop indeed.
And regarding Dabs, DO NOT ORDER from them (if you happen to be in the UK), their customer service is next to NON-EXISTENT.

I was wondering if anybody else here on this forum has bought a amilo 3438 from Dabs in the UK. If yes, did yours come with the same spec as I have now?

Anybody else got some advice on what to do? Refund, discount ?.
I'll keep you guys updated if anything happens.

Greetings.

Hi guys,

thanks for your attention. Unfortunately I didn't notice the fact that the hardware was different until I began a re-installation of Windows. It was like : hmm, how did 80Gb turn into 60Gb. So yes, the box has been opened already. Although it has been opened, I was expecting the machine to be what I ordered, and upon switching it on, it was not. After doing some research on the web, dabs has been doing all sorts of foul stuff like selling items as if they were new in stock, charging people for certain services.

I also contacted F-S about the whole ordeal, and they checked the serial number. It is correct that the laptop comes with 1.73 and 60gb, so there was nothing they could do for me. It is simply down to the company that misinformed a consumer, and is not willing to do anything about it.

SJB, the big red letters on the website of dabs, reconfirming the configuration of the machine .. That was after they read my e-mail (F-S did not contact them) and they have got the nerve to not even replied back to me at all.

ShandyUK, i do have the online receipt as well as the shipping print out.
This may not be much as it only contains what was the description for the machine.
I've checked this on a couple of websites though.
Apparently the 3438G is supposed to be the 1.73 version (60Gb hdd) whereas the 1.86 (80Gb hdd) is known as the 3438-G, which is what I have on my receipt. Talk about how much a - can make a difference.

I've sent an e-mail to apparently, some high functioned personnel at dabs, since customer service is only online and when you get a reply you should be considered lucky that they are willing to communicate with you. I demand a laptop with proper configuration or a substantial financial compensation in terms of the different hardware. If they don't reply I will contact the trading standards of the city in which they operate. And yes, an e-mail to watchdog is what I've considered as well. Dabs is probably not that bad of a company, but only if something is going right and smooth. But if you consider how they deal with customer support, expect to be not so happy when you have a defect item under warranty.

Again guys, thanks for all your support. This is something which is definitely not over yet.

Cheers Kieran,

Small update : Managed to get the correct e-mail address of the customer services manager. Sent him and the others an e-mail. Given them till tomorrow 11:30am UK time to let something of them heard.

If not, calls are being made to the trading association that are operative in the same town as dabs and my credit card company.

To be continued ..

Good news guys,

apparently the looked into the matter, and have sent me the following e-mail just a couple of minutes ago :

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Sir

Thank you for your email.

Apologies for the error, Unfortunately we were provided with the wrong
specification for the laptop.
I have issued a returns number for this item. You will receive it in a separate
email


I apologise for any inconvenience caused

Regards

_____

Customer Services
dabs.com plc
www.dabs.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was nice of them to apologize. They've also arranged for an RMA number and the costs to have it returned are on them.

Now let's hope that refunding won't take months. If that is the case I will need to contact them again (or still, the trading association).

Will keep you posted on how things go.

- Jsy

The courier picked it up this morning. So dabs will have it tomorrow.
I'll be getting a refund as they do not sell any other 3438 machines, as far
as I know they only sell the 1.73/60 3438.

Been reading today about the new go 7800GTX..
Wouldn't it be nice if F-S would stick this in their Amilo series ?.
The Amilo's design and features are excellent, nice Instanton features and small cool remote included. But hopefully, they could also switch around the Fn and Ctrl key on they keyboard, perhaps build in some speakers that are a bit more powerful. Maybe I've become delerious and am hoping for too much

My plan is still to get another Amilo, despite there are faster laptops available.
It'll take a while before I get my money back, but I don't think F-S is announcing
an upgrade on their Amilo series soon ..

You're right Belch,
but since I'm waiting for my refund, there's not much else I can do at the moment.

Regarding upgrading, the 6800 (go and ultra) and 7800 are both based on MXM-III technology. So yes, upgrading should be possible. All we need is a bios update.
If you can replace a 6800go with a 6800ultra why not with a 7800gtx eh ?.

A review on trustedreviews of the evesham with 7800 pointed out that during games (3d apps) the fan would start to to make a lot of noise. So I don't know if they require a different cooling solution, although the Evesham did look very thin just like the Amilo.

MXM was a technology for notebook suppliers to upgrade their machines fast and cost reductive wise, as can be seen with the xps gen 2 from Dell. Not for normal consumers. Means that we probably can only send it back to and let them build it in.
Who knows, maybe F-S will come up with a scheme like this.

Also if F-S would upgrade their Amilo range, it might drop out the price range that they currently have. And they might not want to do that. Like Dell, only offering it with their xps gen 2 which is now called xps 170 (or summit). Otherwise Dell might have given the option on the Inspiron 9300 as well to upgrade to a 7800gtx. Then again, the evesham can be bought for 1349 pounds (inc vat, ex postal & packaging).
Now that's a steal ..

You guys have any thoughts about the possible upgrade ?.

Hey guys,
will be getting my refund within the next couple of days.

Also, Dabs have updated their price to 986.98 pounds.
If you happen to live in the Uk and are interested in buying a 3438, you'll be able to find cheaper versions (1.73ghz + 80Gb hdd) somewhere else.

Now let's see what laptop to buy ..