From: fitzpatm@synthes.com
To: CyberPagan@OutoftheDark.com
Subject: 
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 20:26:45 -0500 

Unfortunately, I purchased an $1,800.00 Compaq laptop from CompUSA in March of 2000.  I also purchased a 2 year service plan through their Technology Assurance Program (TAP.)  The unit had software problems from the beginning.  Being new to the world of PC's, I assumed incorrectly that the incessant freezing, slow booting, and general poor performance, were my fault.  I called the TAP program on a regular basis.  We would spend hours working, until I grew tired and frustrated, things never got better.   I could never restore the hard drive, because it doesn't come with the computer, and they make you purchase it through their service.  

September 20, 2001; things get so bad; I can't use the machine any longer.  So they tell me they will send me a box so I can ship it to them.  The box comes 4 days later, 12 days after that it comes back to me with a new modem.  

January 2, 2002; mother board fails.  I take it to the local CompUSA and get it back 10 days later with a new motherboard.
January 26, 2002; I experience gradual hard drive failure over the course of the day accompanied by screen distortion.  I take it in that day and discuss things with the store manager.  I tell him that this is 4 major components that have failed in the past 4 months, I use my computer for work, I have been without it for almost 1 of those 4 months already and I CAN NOT be without it any longer.  I would like a replacement laptop.  I get the run around for days and finally get a call.... The TAP people have opted to fix your laptop, there's nothing we can do.  I'm writing letters, spending hours on the phone, and NO ONE will help me.  I get the laptop back February 6, 2002.  Right now, I'm going through the same hell I had in the beginning, freezing, frequent error messages, and slow unreliable performance.  

I went out and bought a new unit from a competitor.  Comp USA will never have my business again.  Compaq will never have my business again.  I strongly urge anyone who is in the market for ANY computer related product to stay away from CompUSA.  The bottom line is that they do not care, they have slow service, and you will be miserable if something goes wrong.  Pay more somewhere else if you have too, I just did and I know it was worth the extra dollar.

Michael Fitzpatrick