drinkypoo's Journal: Acer doesn't want to sell you a computer

Here are my notes from the experience of trying to find information on a Quad-core laptop on Acer's website. While they have announced a product (albeit a gigantic one) I couldn't actually find any detailed information on their site. The site also not only does not function correctly without javascript, but the "site chooser" (which directs you to a local Acer web presence) actually appears to work, but then always sends you to the "Acer Group" website. This is in spite of the fact that the page looks like a bog-standard HTML form; it isn't, it's javascript-based for no good reason whatsoever. Numerous Acer websites are broken (the sales link on acerpanam, the current Acer site, goes to a directory listing denied site!) and they don't even offer any way to search products by capabilities.

Try to find a laptop on acer's website, no search by CPU option
look for info, the number for new product technical specs is listed as 800-571-2237
This turns out to be a direct line to technical support (no phone menus) who cannot even transfer me to sales. they can give me the # for acer sales 800-999-4409 (2 minute call)
Actually parts & service... "capitol data" laptop repair parts & service, acer authorized, part search referral. (7 minute call)
advanteconline.com is acer reseller... 877-696-4848
Their website requires an account to even look at product info. Massive FAIL
Acer has a 408 number, perhaps a switchboard? [phone]
No product info or sales option in the menu. menu says you can get an operator by waiting, but if you wait the message repeats. Let's see if it repeats again... nope.
Operator transfers me... someplace ...back to support!
Ask for manager three times, on hold with tinny piano music cutting out
Fifteen minute call leads to the revelation that acer has no sales team. none.

In summary, Acer not only cannot provide you with product information, but cannot even direct you to a reseller who can provide product information.

In case anyone is wondering, Dell has announced a quad-core laptop which is not yet out. Lenovo has announced one which I can't find on their site. Gateway has one which I was able to find immediately, with maybe three clicks. I'm currently considering buying a quad-core laptop, and after this experience I'm only considering getting it from Gateway. How odd!

Anybody else out there know of anyone selling quad-core laptops? I'm kind of working on a more in-depth article on this subject.

The Business of doing Business

[unlametheweak]

Yeah, I've had experiences with other computer companies like this. They all strive for the lowest common denominator customer service in favour of cash flow quotas on their spread sheets. I vaguely remember from a "business" course I took, that companies like this are in their final stages of growth and are now in a Cash Cow phase (IIRC) where they start cutting expenses to things like customer service (because they view it more as an expense rather than something that can build their business).

If I starte

Related

[Captain Splendid]

Not to hijack your rant or anything, but it's always annoyed me that most companies don't bother listing old products up front with whatever they've got on the market right now. 9 times out of 10, you'll jump through whatever hoops they have in place only to realize you have to go digging in some archived pages to the info/drivers you're looking for just because your hardware's a few years old.

Re:

[drinkypoo]

I'm pretty sure there's more than enough room in this rant for the both of us.

Rant all you want, I'll rant more!

Re:

[jonnycando]

I'm pretty sure there's more than enough room in this rant for the both of us.

Rant all you want, I'll rant more!

I have you bookmarked so I can read interesting things like this. Good luck with your Gateway but do let me suggest if you are willing Tiger Direct can sell you all the pieces you need for whatever you want, and their service is terrific. I am not bird dogging for them, but I do like to build my own box once in a while. At least then I don't have to pay the M$ tax! Oh had a Gateway laptop for years and gave it away still running. If you choose to go that way you should come out OK.