overclockers.co.uk and the amazing exploding graphics card...or just my bad luck

I couldn't decide where this needed to be! becuase its kind of asking for advice and moaning about my PC being set on fire by a apparently un tested 6800GT that overclockers.co.uk sent me.

So i purchased a 6800GT from the B grade stock, i expected it was tested and was just a return for some reason or another. The website didn't say anything about what was wrong with it, or why it had been returned. I expected a decent level of proffesionalism from them, in that they would test the card and then put it back out for sale.

i feel like such an idiot now.

So excited i get my card...a day late now that i think of it....and bung it into my nice shiney system. Turn the PC on.....oh cool its got LED's on it, thats cool (bright white light eminating from the PC)....then the burning started, then a massive POP and my case is ever so slightly on fire. So i dive for the power cable and rip it out.

The smell was, horrible, i've only smelled this before and that was from when i burned a rubber band in the toaster.....

So i pull the card out and the little mosfet heatsink on the back is black.

So annoyed at the potential damage to my system, i get my receipt and phone overclockers.........for 2 hours....not one pickup......I emailed them yesterday afternoon becuase i had to go out to post some things to fellow bit tech peoples (everyones stuff is posted yay)....no reply, not even confirmation of my whinge to them.

I'm getting really worried as they aren't picking thier phones up today either, another half hour of my time wasted.

IF they don't get back to me, does anyone have advice on what i should do next? i mean this card could have hurt someone, its potentially destroyed my computer.

This is almost as bad as my TDX being nicked in the post, or the fact my uni work was on that computer and it has to be in on monday

*update* There rather crappy email system finally sent me a confirmation of delivery. Don't i feel special.

 

Ring, email, send letters, keep on at them - eventually you'll get through.

 

They are notoriously bad at after-sales service.

You won't get anywhere posting on their forums. Keep calling them, at least you aren't getting a constant engaged tone.

Good luck bro. If it was me I would be seeking full compensation. Check the website for any details of where you stand on B grade stock. You could always ring the Citizens Advice Bureau for help, although you might discover that they find it just as hard to answer a phone.

 

no its just bloody ringing out on both numbers all the time...i had the engaged tone twice then it was ringing. its so fookin retarded.....we've just upgraded our call center my arse.

 

Good luck getting through to them. I recently had a horrible RMA experince with overclockers. I would just constantly e-mail them until they get back to with a response, as their automated replies don't mean anything.

 

i know but at least the automated reply means there is something there!!

i really don't need anymore bad luck!!!! i just want something to go right fora change!!!

 

Small claims court will get them moving.
It's very cheap, and you can sue upto £5000 (last I checked).

 

*hugs henchman* BUT i need a leg to stand on, they caved last time i said i was gonna go to trading standards. BUT i don't know what will happen this time becuase of B grade. But they should have tested it before it even left the shop floor. That was irresposinble and dangerous

 

Do they have any guidelines on the web site about buying B grade items, check the conditions.

EDIT: You probably are okay anyway, as I am sure it's not legal selling products that blow up (with the exception of fireworks )

 

Yeah i read the site before i boughtit, i wasn't getting caught out, they have a 14 day return policy. otherwise they say nothing else as far as i can see.

Yup i was disgusted that they sold it too me, probably knowing fine well what it would do. They could have caused a larger accident, which concerns me more than the rest of the stuff.

Considering it was where the electricty is flowing rather alot i could have been hurt or something. Lame ass overcockers.

 

if you can't get through ring ur local trading standards office, they'll be able to advise you how they've broken the law, then just send them a letter via recorded delivery.

 

yeah they've got til tomorrow to say something to me. if i hear nothing then they are getting a nice letter from trading standards. Shame i can't get my uni work back in time now though.

 

My motherboard just gave up the ghost and i've been trying to get through all day. They just don't answer their phones.

 

same here, once i got a bookies, the second time i got a travel agents.

 

I don't know why they won't answer. I just tried it and it's really easy. Just have to wrap a couple of fingers round the handset, and lift. Most anyone could do it. Maybe they're just too busy counting their money and showing off with their Ferraris.

 

They don't read their E-mails anyway, and now even state on the website that they will only take after-sale support requests via their online form. They hardly EVER answer the phone and when they do, they are the most arrogant argumentative morons I have ever had the misfortune to communicate with. And THAT is the reason I have not purchased anything from them in two years... and I never will again.

 

hmm wish i knew that before hand. I used the online request form, but its just stupid how its taking so long. Idiots.

I'll give them til tomorrow. Its just stupid how they don't answer the phones. Trading standards are so getting a call, in all honesty they endangered me and my house.....maybe my family by selling such a dud card without testing.

 

I had a problem with them once where the mobo they sent me was from a bad batch, and they answered the phone pretty much instantly, and sent out a replacement the same day. I suppose it depends on who's in the office or something.

 

lucky you.

 

Chances are you will never get through!! Useless place!

Only the owner had a ferrari and he doesn't exactly hang around doing much work anymore... the rest are just underpaid morons.