Anyone ever ordered from Eclipse Computers

[jeffel]

I made an order with them about 3 times in a period of 2 months.But the next day they take the payment and email you saying they are not in stock and might take a few weeks to get hold of them.And this was last year this time.
I dont expect them to have changed.They dont have a proper stock control system.On all items it says "Normally in stock".
Stay away mate.

[BlackAle]

I've heard bad things about Eclipse from several different sources. I'm sure they have some happy customers, though probably alot more unhappy ones.

[ps3ud0]

Ended up getting an email confirming they werent in stock so Ive asked for a refund - might have rescued the mistake - is a shame as I really wanted a Corsair Voyager GT...

Ill gfive them a few days though no doubt Ill have to chase...

I mainly purchase from only a few decent retailers and this wont ever be one

ps3ud0

[stoppinga]

***** DO NOT BUY THIS COMPANY'S PC'S *****

I used to live in Cov & I know all about this lot. If you're buying simple components they're fine (as long as the component works) because their prices are competitive, but expect a minimum of 30 minutes standing in line to buy the item.

But do not buy a PC from them! There's a good reason why there are so many people on various forums complaining about this lot. Their machines are badly-made and it is very difficult to get them fixed. They are notorious in Cov as a bunch of cowboys and rip-off merchants. Put it this way, the local Trading Standards office in Birmingham probably has their number on speed-dial.

And ignore posters like the one above who say that the complaints are from a while ago. Eclipse have been around for about 10 years and have always been this bad, and probably always will be. (I've been told that it's because they make their money from corporate contracts so that's where their focus lies, but that's no excuse for treating consumer customers like dirt).

[mb2]

i'd just like to add to the complaints about eclipse. i submitted my email address to check out shipping charges, (they were one of a couple of random companies still carrying the mobo i had after one broke). i have never been able to stop them sending me their crap since (which i never gave permission for in the firt place). So, steer well clear whenever you can.

[Blastuk]

bought from them twice before with no problems, got my ati 3850 there as it was cheapest at the time.

[btrevis]

I Hope I can help

I have been buying from Eclipse Computers for almost ten years, both personally, professionally as I own my own business and when I was a manager in somebody else's company.

Eclipse have always been incredibly cheap. Before the massive expansion of online buying, they were about the cheapest in the country. I still find them comparible with online stores, sometimes a lot cheaper. I believe:

Eclipse use a lot of Grey Channel suppliers, hence why they are cheap, but also partly explains why they are so bad at returns - because they often buy from non-channel suppliers, they also have trouble returning goods to their suppliers. This means, if you return a faulty item, they may get hit in the pocket.

Eclipse were a 2-man-band, oriented at low margin sales (box pushing), aftercare always seemed less important than pushing boxes out of the door. They now sell from a small warehouse in Coventry, with the most inefficient counters sales that you ever saw. You get your goods out of the door about as quick as at Argos, mainly because they use the same techniques almost. I don't know if this is reflected in their internet/FAX/mailorder departments - but you gotta guess it's similar.

I always left the "warehouse" chuckling because I had made such a cheap buy, but made sure I walked out the door with my fingers crossed and kept my eye out for ladders and black cats - because I would rather chew my own arm off than go to returns.

I had my share of later deliveries, a 3 day lead-time lead to 6 irate phone calls and then the manager dropped the kit off on his way home 2 weeks later.

Why did I put myself through this you ask?
1) They were massively cheaper than anyone - 5 years ago.
2) They were 1 mile from my house. The manager used to live 3 doors down from me before (reputedly) his next door neighbour torched his Porche.
3) They have been in trouble with trading standards several times for things like "fit for purpose" and returns. At best they want to give you a credit note.
3) Eclipse are getting better at after sales, last few times I had to make returns, I only gently gnawed a few fingers rather then the whole arm.

To summarise,
Use them for price comparison, sometimes they are way cheaper than anyone else. But I've told you what after sales support to expect, if anything is not right.
If they are similar price, get someone better at after sales to price match them.

[Visibleman]

I've ordered from them in the past and never had any problems, although i've heard a few horror stories (RMA issues, delayed postage) recently - just my pennies worth

[jbro75]

Used them years ago. Probably wont go back after reading this thread.

[4444405]

I used eclipse last week to order a few copies of Kaspersky anti virus...cheapest i can find anywhere for a 3 licence version...fast delivery and i will use again