Thumbs down Don't buy from Kobalt Computers No communications, no contact, plenty excuses, but no laptop and after 10 weeks time has run out. I cannot stress enough how disappointed I am with the level of customer service and disregard shown. After paying a large sum for a premium product and to receive nothing but excuses and empty promises this is totally unacceptable. And it's not like I can review the product as I cot nowhere near one, the review and pictures look good, but what's the use of that when you're 3K out of pocket... Keep well clear of these cowboys... An Alienware would have been better than this...
I can understand people's anger at stuff like this. I can't understand why the threads always end up in magazine discussion...
The same thing is happening to me right now, although I have only been waiting 5 weeks. Have you managed to get your refund yet? I am desperate for a pc as Im doing a computer science course at uni and thought if the computer was going to be a quality product I could wait. I cannot wait for 10 weeks, So I was going to get a refund and buy from PC Specialist instead.
http://www.kobaltcomputers.co.uk/ The company's gone bust. I dont have expertise in how to get your money back when a company fails like this. I anticipate that it will be an uphill struggle, though....but absolutely try your best sir! See here though for a starting point http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/wirral/con1item.cgi?file=*ADV0005-1011.txt
You would have to go exclusively through your bank for a full refund be it Chargeback on a VISA/Debit card or ideally Section 75 if you used a credit card. With the latter the credit card company is equally liable with the retailer that failed to deliver the goods. Since we are talking about an amount in excess of £100 then under Section 75 even though Kobalt Computers have gone bust you will get your money back! Using Chargeback is not a sure thing but your bank can communicate with the recipients bank and attempt to recoup the money you spent. Read all about your rights here including some template letters... http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=217849 This is the exact reason it's an excellent idea to use a credit card for expenditures of £100 or over!
It's something that Trading Standards will want to know about, but not something they will take any action over. Essentially if they haven't delivered it when they said they would your looking at a breach of contract, which isn't as serious as say a trader leaving you with a house you can't live in.
In practical terms this is more like a trader not leaving you a house at all when you've paid for one This credit card/section 75 thing is very interesting. I don't think I dare get one just for that benefit, though, they unlock too many temptations.
If you paid via credit card then great your cc company will refund the amount and it's their responsibility to chase the companies laywers/auditors etc. If not, you options are limited and your not guaranteed to see that money again.
Never use it to spend beyond your means is the key to using a credit card. As long as you clear your spend on a credit card at the end of the month then that is the responsible way to use one. This way you never pay additional interest and crucially the money you do spend is protected under law. Basically the only weakness owning a credit card is you if it's used to overspend!
