Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 23

Thread: PC World - what the hell?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Spreadie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    an island in the south
    Posts
    2,019
    Thanks
    329
    Thanked
    393 times in 282 posts
    • Spreadie's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ickle tiny fing
      • CPU:
      • eight corrs, sixteen freds
      • Memory:
      • sixteen gigglebytes
      • Storage:
      • many many terribads
      • Graphics card(s):
      • gurt big one
      • PSU:
      • big & smol
      • Case:
      • Ess Eff Eff Eye Tee Ex
      • Operating System:
      • DozeTen
      • Monitor(s):
      • 32 throbbing inches with a slight curve
      • Internet:
      • two tin cans and some wet string

    PC World - what the hell?

    My sister just rang me to say that she almost bought a laptop from PC World for £400 only to be told at the checkout that that price was laptop only and it wouldn't work unless she coughed up an extra £170 for an setup and recovery kit with Office and cloud storage! Obviously, she told them to stick it and walked out.

    I can't believe they tried to pull a stunt like that.

  2. #2
    unapologetic apologist
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,954
    Thanks
    363
    Thanked
    275 times in 146 posts

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    lol. Lemme guess, the store manager has no knowledge of these 'extras'

    One can never stop saying Thank You

  3. #3
    Admin (Ret'd)
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    18,481
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    3,208 times in 2,281 posts

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    Quote Originally Posted by Spreadie View Post
    My sister just rang me to say that she almost bought a laptop from PC World for £400 only to be told at the checkout that that price was laptop only and it wouldn't work unless she coughed up an extra £170 for an setup and recovery kit with Office and cloud storage! Obviously, she told them to stick it and walked out.

    I can't believe they tried to pull a stunt like that.
    I can't believe you can't believe it.

    It doesn't surprise me at all, given some of the utterly incredible bulls.... erm, rubbish, I've either overheard, or been told, by their staff over the years. I mean, they have some knowledgeable staff, but I've come across an uncomfortably high proportion of staff in whom I have utterly no faith at all. .... to put it mildly.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Spreadie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    an island in the south
    Posts
    2,019
    Thanks
    329
    Thanked
    393 times in 282 posts
    • Spreadie's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ickle tiny fing
      • CPU:
      • eight corrs, sixteen freds
      • Memory:
      • sixteen gigglebytes
      • Storage:
      • many many terribads
      • Graphics card(s):
      • gurt big one
      • PSU:
      • big & smol
      • Case:
      • Ess Eff Eff Eye Tee Ex
      • Operating System:
      • DozeTen
      • Monitor(s):
      • 32 throbbing inches with a slight curve
      • Internet:
      • two tin cans and some wet string

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    Yeah, it sounds like a staff member is trying to enhance his or her commission by scamming the punters.

    I told her to go back to the store and take it up with the manager, but she was halfway across town by then - I do hope she does go back though.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Spreadie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    an island in the south
    Posts
    2,019
    Thanks
    329
    Thanked
    393 times in 282 posts
    • Spreadie's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ickle tiny fing
      • CPU:
      • eight corrs, sixteen freds
      • Memory:
      • sixteen gigglebytes
      • Storage:
      • many many terribads
      • Graphics card(s):
      • gurt big one
      • PSU:
      • big & smol
      • Case:
      • Ess Eff Eff Eye Tee Ex
      • Operating System:
      • DozeTen
      • Monitor(s):
      • 32 throbbing inches with a slight curve
      • Internet:
      • two tin cans and some wet string

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    I can't believe you can't believe it.
    Yeah, good point...

    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    It doesn't surprise me at all, given some of the utterly incredible bulls.... erm, rubbish, I've either overheard, or been told, by their staff over the years. I mean, they have some knowledgeable staff, but I've come across an uncomfortably high proportion of staff in whom I have utterly no faith at all. .... to put it mildly.
    I've no doubt there are some decent people there, but they are clearly outnumbered by the thieves and A-holes.

  6. #6
    OilSheikh
    Guest

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    They used top do this before with insurance. It was automatically added and unless you read the receipt and objected, you didn't get your money back.

  7. #7
    HEXUS.social member finlay666's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    8,546
    Thanks
    297
    Thanked
    894 times in 535 posts
    • finlay666's system
      • CPU:
      • 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 6950 2gb
      • Case:
      • Fractal R3
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8
      • Monitor(s):
      • U2713HM and V222H
      • Internet:
      • cable

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    Heh just saw this elsewhere first and got deja vu.

    It's pretty common now to show 'effective' prices, especially after rebates/cashback/bundle offer prices. It's a big nono though IIRC
    H3XU5 Social FAQ
    Quote Originally Posted by tiggerai View Post
    I do like a bit of hot crumpet

  8. #8
    Senior Member Kovoet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    London
    Posts
    823
    Thanks
    71
    Thanked
    43 times in 37 posts
    • Kovoet's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus ROG crosshair Hero VIII
      • CPU:
      • AMD 5900x
      • Memory:
      • 32GB Viper 3733mhz
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 850 512GB,Samsung 860 1TB SSD & 950 PRO NVMe M.2 SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Asus RTX3080Ti
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX1200i
      • Case:
      • Corsair Carbide 680x
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • samsung G7 27" Odyessy, Asus Tuf VG32VQ1B
      • Internet:
      • 1GB Virgin

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    Nothing surprises me about the Dixon's group. I reckon Currys and PC world have competitions to see who can be the worst retailer. Maybe why that's why CPW has gone downhill as well as they have hired loads of them as well.
    JABULANI NONKE

  9. #9
    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    /dev/urandom
    Posts
    17,074
    Thanks
    228
    Thanked
    1,027 times in 678 posts
    • directhex's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus ROG Strix B550-I Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 5900x
      • Memory:
      • 64GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB
      • Storage:
      • 2TB Seagate Firecuda 520
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Ultra
      • PSU:
      • EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G3
      • Case:
      • NZXT H210i
      • Operating System:
      • Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 34GN850
      • Internet:
      • FIOS

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    PC World staff aren't on commission. Technically.

    They're on several almost-commission schemes though:

    • Keeping their jobs requires meeting targets defined by the store managers to sell high-margin, low-cost things like extended warranties or own-brand cables.
    • They earn not-commission for selling particular items - when I worked there, it was between five and ten quid per printer for selling specific Epson printers.
    • The best salesman at the end of the day may receive a not-commission bonus.


    In addition, PC World does not hire technical people. It's a con, a confidence trickster business. They hire people who are adept at making things up on the spot but sound confident with it - because 95% of their customers don't know anything, they'll believe the nice man in a shirt who sounds like an expert.

    When I worked there I also had a formal reprimand on my file for correcting a confidence trickster who was selling an expensive top of the range PS/2-only keyboard & mouse set to a lady with a Mac - I broke the illusion of competence, which is a no-no.

  10. #10
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    Quote Originally Posted by directhex View Post
    In addition, PC World does not hire technical people. It's a con, a confidence trickster business. They hire people who are adept at making things up on the spot but sound confident with it - because 95% of their customers don't know anything, they'll believe the nice man in a shirt who sounds like an expert.

    When I worked there I also had a formal reprimand on my file for correcting a confidence trickster who was selling an expensive top of the range PS/2-only keyboard & mouse set to a lady with a Mac - I broke the illusion of competence, which is a no-no.
    Wow, that's a bit screwed up. Just flat out lying to people while maintaining a false image of credibility...
    Is there even a reason why they don't hire technical people? I mean there are a lot of PC hardware literate people out there and I doubt you'd have to pay them more than these confidence tricksters.

  11. #11
    Senior Member Spreadie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    an island in the south
    Posts
    2,019
    Thanks
    329
    Thanked
    393 times in 282 posts
    • Spreadie's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ickle tiny fing
      • CPU:
      • eight corrs, sixteen freds
      • Memory:
      • sixteen gigglebytes
      • Storage:
      • many many terribads
      • Graphics card(s):
      • gurt big one
      • PSU:
      • big & smol
      • Case:
      • Ess Eff Eff Eye Tee Ex
      • Operating System:
      • DozeTen
      • Monitor(s):
      • 32 throbbing inches with a slight curve
      • Internet:
      • two tin cans and some wet string

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    Quote Originally Posted by directhex View Post
    In addition, PC World does not hire technical people. It's a con, a confidence trickster business. They hire people who are adept at making things up on the spot but sound confident with it - because 95% of their customers don't know anything, they'll believe the nice man in a shirt who sounds like an expert.
    I know they used to do that crap because, when I was younger, I liked wander round the store at cut them off at the knees when I heard them feeding a line of BS to a punter.

    I honestly thought they'd cleaned up their act - clearly not.

  12. #12
    Supermarket Generic Brand AETAaAS's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Merseyside
    Posts
    654
    Thanks
    79
    Thanked
    147 times in 129 posts
    • AETAaAS's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI B450M Gaming Plus
      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 2600
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Vengeance 3000
      • Storage:
      • Intel 660p 1TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA 1080TI SC2
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic Focus 850W
      • Case:
      • Fractal Design Focus G
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • HP Envy 32
      • Internet:
      • 17mbps

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    I was recently at a Staples, since my car was getting done nearby and I had time to kill after filling up at the nearby Ikea with meatballs and softdrink (good day out ).

    Had a quick gander around the stationary and picked up a couple bits and bobs, then gravitated towards the tech area like a fly to a light where a tidy little Acer caught my eye. I was thinking of replacing my old 1825PTZ which is my current 'work' laptop which I take to do presentations and meetings but is getting on a bit. Asked about accessories since the laptop didn't have a VGA out (needed for the projectors here). Then looked at a sheet she put down.

    It was a Windows 8 checklist and it looked like they were meant to mark themselves on things like explaining charms, showing Office off, explaining the tile interface, switching apps, opening/closing apps, showing the split screen and etc. Don't know if there is performance related pay for this but it seems they are watching some metrics.

  13. #13
    Anthropomorphic Personification shaithis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    The Last Aerie
    Posts
    10,857
    Thanks
    645
    Thanked
    872 times in 736 posts
    • shaithis's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P8Z77 WS
      • CPU:
      • i7 3770k @ 4.5GHz
      • Memory:
      • 32GB HyperX 1866
      • Storage:
      • Lots!
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire Fury X
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX850
      • Case:
      • Corsair 600T (White)
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2 x Dell 3007
      • Internet:
      • Zen 80Mb Fibre

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    TBH, it might not be as bad as it first sounds. People whined years ago that you had to pay for a MS license whenever you bought a laptop and some manufacturers now do give the option..... so guessing it was either an OS-less machine or a refurb (which PCW seem to sell now).....and if that's the case, the fact they mentioned it before purchase was diligent.
    Main PC: Asus Rampage IV Extreme / 3960X@4.5GHz / Antec H1200 Pro / 32GB DDR3-1866 Quad Channel / Sapphire Fury X / Areca 1680 / 850W EVGA SuperNOVA Gold 2 / Corsair 600T / 2x Dell 3007 / 4 x 250GB SSD + 2 x 80GB SSD / 4 x 1TB HDD (RAID 10) / Windows 10 Pro, Yosemite & Ubuntu
    HTPC: AsRock Z77 Pro 4 / 3770K@4.2GHz / 24GB / GTX 1080 / SST-LC20 / Antec TP-550 / Hisense 65k5510 4K TV / HTC Vive / 2 x 240GB SSD + 12TB HDD Space / Race Seat / Logitech G29 / Win 10 Pro
    HTPC2: Asus AM1I-A / 5150 / 4GB / Corsair Force 3 240GB / Silverstone SST-ML05B + ST30SF / Samsung UE60H6200 TV / Windows 10 Pro
    Spare/Loaner: Gigabyte EX58-UD5 / i950 / 12GB / HD7870 / Corsair 300R / Silverpower 700W modular
    NAS 1: HP N40L / 12GB ECC RAM / 2 x 3TB Arrays || NAS 2: Dell PowerEdge T110 II / 24GB ECC RAM / 2 x 3TB Hybrid arrays || Network:Buffalo WZR-1166DHP w/DD-WRT + HP ProCurve 1800-24G
    Laptop: Dell Precision 5510 Printer: HP CP1515n || Phone: Huawei P30 || Other: Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Pro 10.1 CM14 / Playstation 4 + G29 + 2TB Hybrid drive

  14. #14
    Account closed at user request
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Elephant watch camp
    Posts
    2,150
    Thanks
    56
    Thanked
    115 times in 103 posts
    • wasabi's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI B85M-G43
      • CPU:
      • i3-4130
      • Memory:
      • 8 gig DDR3 Crucial Rendition 1333 - cheap!
      • Storage:
      • 128 gig Agility 3, 240GB Corsair Force 3
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac GTX 750Ti
      • PSU:
      • Silver Power SP-S460FL
      • Case:
      • Lian Li T60 testbanch
      • Operating System:
      • Win7 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • First F301GD Live
      • Internet:
      • Virgin cable 100 meg

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    The whole thing could be a Chinese whispers story. Most punters assume all PCs come with Office (given the number who come into work and ask us outright for a copy of the the work version once they've bought new laptop and realised too late). OP's sister might have made a comment about Word or something and staff member set her straight. Or they might have tried to sell unnecessary guff - I'm just wary of 2nd hand stories.

  15. #15
    Admin (Ret'd)
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    18,481
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    3,208 times in 2,281 posts

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    Quote Originally Posted by shaithis View Post
    TBH, it might not be as bad as it first sounds. People whined years ago that you had to pay for a MS license whenever you bought a laptop and some manufacturers now do give the option..... so guessing it was either an OS-less machine or a refurb (which PCW seem to sell now).....and if that's the case, the fact they mentioned it before purchase was diligent.
    I hear you, but since when has a laptop required either Office, or recovery kit, or cloud storage, to "work"?

    And as for laying out £170 for it, there always Linux, Libre Office, etc.

    So it really deoends on exactly what Spreadie's sister was told, and how the product was described in any labels.

  16. #16
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    207
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked
    16 times in 13 posts
    • cheesyboy's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabye 970a-UD3P
      • CPU:
      • Athlon X2 270 Cooled by fanless Xigmatek Thor's Hammer
      • Memory:
      • 1x4GB Ballistix Tactical 1600
      • Storage:
      • 1TB WD Blue
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ASUS GTX560Ti
      • PSU:
      • 400w Be Quiet Pure Power L8
      • Case:
      • Bitfenix Shinobi Mid-Tower Black/Green
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1

    Re: PC World - what the hell?

    There's almost nothing I like more than hearing anecdotes of how crap Currys etc are. Keep 'em coming chaps.

    For my contribution;
    Shopping for a nice Rangemaster cooker - just visited a local independent (quite a large business - proper near-currys-sized showroom) and eyed up prices, popped in to Currys (or Comet - what's the difference eh?) for general browsing and spot they too sell Rangemaster cookers. Ask how much - a lot - ask about their price match promise and matching the local retailer who were only about 500 yards away.
    "We won't match them" says the goon
    "Why?" says I
    Goon: "because they're independent"

    Ah, of course - how silly of me.

    Presumably, they only match comet (or currys, whichever)

    I also had a chap try to tell me that the built in freeview on the budget TV I was returning was supposed to be a bit weak (it wouldn't get a signal through the same aerial connection as a freeview box I tested, which got 100% signal) - "they don't receive as well because the power is shared between the TV and the freeview". Muppet.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •