PC Link. Yes, another one.

[Oxsaint]

So I have been looking for a new monitor and decided on the ASUS VP28UQGL. After researching the monitor I saw it comes in different versions(flavors). The VP28UQG being the fixed stand version and the VP28UQGL being the height adjustable version. The only websites I could find that actually got this information correctly was Amazon. Links below.

So after scouring through all the South African online stores to find the right model, I decided to purchase from PC Link. I have purchased from them previously in 2016 without any problems. So I decided to go with them as they had a special running and their price was beating everyone else(R+-7100/R6700 special), but prior to purchasing I asked a question regarding the monitor in order to make sure I get the correct model and version.

On 27/04/2020 at 13:42 on their product page(Link below) I used the "Ask a question" to ask the following:
Is this the model with the height adjustable stand?
Do you deliver during lockdown? My monitor died and I'm forced to use a 720P TV.

On 05/05/2020 at 09:34 I finally got a response from PC Link:
Good day
It has a height adjustable stand. << PLEASE NOTE THIS PART!!!!!
We are operating from the 4th of May as normal but due to the Nationwide Lockdown all processing of orders are delayed as well as deliveries
Kind Regards
PC Link Team

To me this clearly signifies that this is in fact the VP28UQGL version that I want, but suddenly the price is also up to
R 8,514.00/R 7,095.00 special. Now I already know this is a fucked up dick move that most online stores do. Adjusting old stocks prices with the current Rand/Dollar price so that they can pocket more, but I digress. I decided to check with my local IT store as their price was no longer appealing to me and was basically smack in the middle of the average price from all the online stores that had it listed, but PC Link seemed to be the only store that had stock, so I decided to place my order on 07/05/2020 at 13:49.

I received no emails or anything from them and from all the complaints I was seeing online I was slightly concerned, but thought I'd give it some time as I understand the skeleton staff/lockdown issue. On my PC Link profile under Orders I kept an eye on the Status section and once I saw that changing I wasn't concerned much about receiving emails or anything. I knew someone was working on it.

Jump forward to 15/05/2020. Courier from RTT phones me this morning. Asus monitor to deliver. I thought to myself that it was pretty darn swift for the lockdown period. I was expecting it to take about 2 weeks, but I was over the moon with joy.

Besides that the courier person's communication skills are by far the worst I have ever had to deal with, he sent me "please call me" and I had to phone him and then I had to drive 10km to meet him. At this stage I was still pretty excited and just decided to go get it from him so I can continue with my life.

Now when I got the box it just stated VP28U on the box and VP28UQG in tiny print on the info sticker on the side which I only noticed after I got home. Now I'm busy driving home getting pretty worked up about the information I am seeing on the box.

I'm at a loss for words. They sure as hell sold me a VP28UQG fixed stand version, listed and priced as a VP28UQGL adjustable stand version. I have emailed them and will continue to send the same email over and over more frequent for the next 72 hours. Plainly offering them the option to send me the correct version or refund me in full, and their courier will come to my house.

I will update with their response, but do not make the same mistake as me. Stop supporting these online stores that screw people over.

Link: Computing :: Montors | Large Display :: Monitors :: ASUS VP28UQGL; 28'' 4K (3840x2160) Gaming monitor; 1ms; DP;

Link1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-VP28UQGL-FreeSync-Ergonomic-Certified/dp/B075CQ5Z8R?th=1
Link2: https://www.amazon.com/Asus-VP28UQGL-Monitor-FreeSync-DisplayPort/dp/B074PK4R2H?th=1

 

[Oxsaint]

UPDATE!

So after sending PCLink multiple emails, with Delivery & Read Receipts on, for +-3 weeks and not getting a single reply although I can clearly see that they received and read them, I finally had enough and drove the 100km to them on 2020-06-11.

Upon arriving there the first person I spoke to clearly knew about the emails as he asked another employee if he remembers them and then proceeds to claim that they did reply to them. At that time I had to stay calm as I wanted to use that monitor on him.

So after having given a kindergarten lesson in why the VP28UQG and the VP28UQGL are not the same monitors they understood why I was there. And it's surprisingly funny how willing they are to assist when you show up there.

They asked me if they should get me the correct monitor or refund me, so I figured if they just get me the correct monitor i'd be happy and on my way. BOY WAS I WRONG!! Luckily I had it in writing that I had returned the incorrect monitor.

Once again, few weeks pass from 2020-06-11 to the 2020-06-29. No response from them regarding getting the correct monitor. So I contact them on the day of the 29th to tell them that if they have not acquired the correct monitor to please go ahead and refund me.

SO the next day I finally get a response asking whether I want store credit or a refund. So i spell it out for them. Refund!
The 30th was on a Tuesday and on Thursday I contact them again. Only then he informs me that refunds are done on Fridays, I was like ok, that's tomorrow. No refund. I contact them again several times over almost 3 weeks and every time I get a lame excuse as he'll inquire as to why it wasn't done or he has submitted his paperwork for it and then I never hear back from them again.

It's at this point were I lost my cool and went to see a lawyer. He advised I go see them in person one last time before we take it any further but I just decided I had enough so I emailed them informing them that I'll be heading to the police to open a case of theft against them, which I was fully intending on doing 24 hours after sending the email.

Well obviously they got some questionable practices going on there because this got their attention. They even tried to phone me which I refused to answer. Email and paper trail only from here on please. So same day I informed them of my intent, I got my refund.

So for anybody else struggling with them, their Friday refund nonsense in BS! And I can't make it more clear. I would rather was them go out of business before I ever support them again.

 

[SILTECH786]

Thanks for this

And how many messages a day I get "Pclink is cheaper and better blah blah " fuck that noise hope I never ever send any of my friends nor potential clients there in the long run !

 

[Enigma]

had a similiar experience with them..after weeks of no response about an international order i replaced..i finally get told they cant get supplier to confirm stock so they will refund

2 weeks and numerous emails later (they dont answer phones)...no refund

 

[thePridge]

Thanks for this

And how many messages a day I get "Pclink is cheaper and better blah blah " fuck that noise hope I never ever send any of my friends nor potential clients there in the long run !

Exact reason I bypassed them when I bought stuff recently... They don't even take calls at the moment... they literally have a recording going "We are only communicating via mail at this time" if you phone their number. If I can't phone and speak to someone and managers and find out where my stuff is I'm not easily going to spend money there... small order R500 or something MAYBE.

 

[SILTECH786]

Exact reason I bypassed them when I bought stuff recently... They don't even take calls at the moment... they literally have a recording going "We are only communicating via mail at this time" if you phone their number. If I can't phone and speak to someone and managers and find out where my stuff is I'm not easily going to spend money there... small order R500 or something MAYBE.

FUCK them a pal of mine wanted stuff urgently for 100k I told him patience pays off but nay he did not listen to me must pay school fees ROFL.

 

[Oxsaint]

@SILTECH786 - Funny enough. I am getting the monitor I wanted from a Carb reseller. From now on I will always try to support the carb guys first.

@Enigma - You ain't that far from them. I know it's a pain in the ass, but go see them in person. They jump faster that way. I had to drive from Roodeplaat.

 

[Off-The-Chart]

had a similiar experience with them..after weeks of no response about an international order i replaced..i finally get told they cant get supplier to confirm stock so they will refund

2 weeks and numerous emails later (they dont answer phones)...no refund

send 1 more email with title, "POLICE IS COMING" and you will get instant refund

 

[Enigma]

@Enigma - You ain't that far from them. I know it's a pain in the ass, but go see them in person. They jump faster that way. I had to drive from Roodeplaat.

definitely on my agenda

i have a massive anger problem so wanted to give them a fair chance first to respond before i go there and unleash. I have been sufficiently patient now though so was planning to either go through tommorow or early next week

 

[SILTECH786]

I emailed them 7 months ago for an item and no reply what does that tell you

 

[AinsleyHarriott]

i have a massive anger problem so wanted to give them a fair chance first to respond before i go there and unleash.

Please take a camera and record when you go there 🧐

 

[Shas'o Kais]

crap am starting to worry now after reading all these comments. I ordered a case from them 2 days ago. luckily am also not far from them.

 

[Off-The-Chart]

and it's sad, because if you look at the items they "claim" to have in stock

 

[Manny]

We need Devi Sankaree Govender on this forum 😂

 

[solz]

Darn ordered some items from them begining of the week seeing I couldn't get it anywhere...aish then all this... Well atleast not too far away (60km) guess maybe visiting them tomorrow or monday

 

[AinsleyHarriott]

When the service is so bad you have to show up physically and threaten prosecution.

 

[Enigma]

thankfully i got an email from payfast confirming the refund payment

but again, 5 emails and no human can be bothered to respond to update me or apologise etc.

Beware their 'in stock' items, either they dont update their website to reflect stock levels or it is an elaborate bait and switch scheme

or.. they making revenue off all the interest accruing while they hold everyone's refunds for a month or more

Either way, better service to be had elsewhere..even if you have to pay a little more

 

[SILTECH786]

thankfully i got an email from payfast confirming the refund payment

but again, 5 emails and no human can be bothered to respond to update me or apologise etc.

Beware their 'in stock' items, either they dont update their website to reflect stock levels or it is an elaborate bait and switch scheme

90% of their "in stock" is still at distros which should be stipulated as per any norm buss practice 1 would think

 

[Enigma]

90% of their "in stock" is still at distros which should be stipulated as per any norm buss practice 1 would think

100%..thats what i meant by not mentioning that they dont carry stock onsite and also not accurately reflecting their distro stock status

but i guess thats what gets people to buy there...they are 'in stock' where everyone else isnt

 

[rinners]

Seems like a good way to earn a bit of interest. Trick people into paying, put the money in an account somewhere it can earn for a bit then pay it back when things get hairy with the customer.

Sounds like the same MO as Evetech, Raru and these guys

 

[Enigma]

im sure that is almost exclusively what their international import business is

They can 'justify' the huge lead times and really stretch the time between taking your money and finally being pressured into refunding when the item is never actually in stock.

Their poor comms and no phone lines only helps them stretch the process even longer.

Some of their import pricing is crazy too...1TB nvme for R750 and in stock...too good to be true

 

[RumMum]

I got lucky i think. Ordered in excess of R18000 of kit from them over a month period, in around 7 different orders from as little as 800, AND received my items within a 3 day period. Fastway couriers was a problem with two deliveries. Stock with them, but they took 3 days to actually deliver.

I agree about the communication though, non existing.
I ordered, paid, emailed support@pclink to confirm, got it. Easy as that.

 

[M@tree2]

Interesting, bought from them on multiple occasions and varying things, yes they are a little on the slow side, but I have always had communication and orders are always delivered within 5 days of being ordered.

 

[Off-The-Chart]

im sure that is almost exclusively what their international import business is

They can 'justify' the huge lead times and really stretch the time between taking your money and finally being pressured into refunding when the item is never actually in stock.

Their poor comms and no phone lines only helps them stretch the process even longer.

Some of their import pricing is crazy too...1TB nvme for R750 and in stock...too good to be true

where is their import option?

1TB nvme for that price? LINK LINK

 

[Enigma]

Pclinkshop.com is their import site.

The .co.za site is their usual local supplier site.

Will upload a screenshot of my order tomorrow. 4x 1TB ssd's for +-R3k. It isn't the lack of stock or the potential pricing mistake that bothers me.. the lack of communication and how long it took to get a refund that bothered me

 

[cowboy619]

Ordered from them on Tuesday and my order shipped today. Was only an enclosure

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6000 using Tapatalk

 

[JeffTheApricot]

i bought a MB500 tuff edition and got it delivered within 4 days. ordered friday got it on tuesday at 7 pm

 

[M@tree2]

Ordered stuff on Sunday was delivered by Wednesday 10am.
3 days, no issues whatsoever!

 

[r0ckf1re]

Ordered two Action Cameras on 8 July, my order was suddenly cancelled when I tracked it.

No email to me, no phone call,
Nothing!

Now I’m struggling to get my refund, the sales person Jaco Venter apparently doesn’t have the phone number for the accounts department.

I will have to go their store and get my money or my moneys worth back.

Stay away from their .com site. It’s cheap and appealing but just a front for a scam imo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Colonel Sanders]

mark@pclinkshop.co.za can not seem to understand after 6 of the same message that I sent him that the one item was missing from the order