Bought a Macbook from Gainsaver and it worked for 3 hours. Want my $$ back.

[MichaeLens]

I'm new to this forum, I found you because I typed in Gainsaver and found out they didn't have the best reviews from you guys. I noticed that most of the posts about them have been over a year. Is there anyone on here with recent experience? My boyfriend bought a Macbook for me from Christmas. He doesn't know much about them but he found Gainsaver and thought it was a great deal. Which of course it would seem. Once I received it, it worked for only 3 days, and only a couple hours Christmas day. I started to research and found you guys among SEVERAL other threads and webpages with a GREAT DISLIKE of Gainsaver. We sent the computer back, I called them said they hadn't received it, even though I had a signature request in my hand, and USPS confirmation on line. They finally "credited" our account, but that is it. Haven't been able to get a hold of them since. Yesterday we filed a claim with our bank and they are crediting our account until 90 days. Then if Gainsaver doesn't fight it, the claim will be closed. I'm just worried he will fight it. Just curious as if anyone has had problems with them recently and if so what did you do?

by the way, I have read their whole website, I know that they only give back store credit (unless your a customer that has fought back) and I was going to just ship it back and wait until I got another one from them. I wasn't too happy about paying $50. for shipping to return an item that wasn't working well already. I was also worried that if I sent it back, it would be another 2 weeks before I got a "new" one, and then the same problems all over. He bought this for my business and I really needed it yesterday. Do I have any rights here?

We are going to go ahead and buy from Apple direct, which I know we should have done in the beginning. Hind sight is always 20/20.

No good "deal" goes unpunished...


thanks for your help! look forward to getting past this, and reading up more on the other topics! Seems like there is alot of stuff to help a newbie like me!!

Thanks!

 

[MacDawg]

Sorry about your troubles, but I hope it doesn't sour you on the whole Mac experience

Welcome to the Forum

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[MichaeLens]

Sorry about your troubles, but I hope it doesn't sour you on the whole Mac experience

Welcome to the Forum

Woof, Woof - Dawg

Thanks MacDawg!! (Goooo Dawgs Sic'em!!) my boyfriend went to UGA...

I'm definetly not turned off by Mac. I never have had one until now, but the few hours that it worked, I WAS HOOKED! Its like crack.. hahaha.. ok.. never tried it.. just being silly! But seriously I'm just ready to get my photography business going, and I need this computer. My PC crashed, as they do, and it was right before Christmas. So when my Awesome Georgia Boyfriend bought me a Mac for Christmas I was SUPER SURPRISED and EXCITED! Unfortunately it didn't last long. I even transferred most of my work on there.. and I couldn't get it off before I sent it back. Hopefully the whole thing is just fried. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt until I read all of the troubles everyone has had. I seriously need this computer as of yesterday. I also just shot a wedding this past Saturday, and I have nothing to edit on yet.

Anyway, no, I LOVE Mac.. and what little experience I had, I'm hooked. So I look forward to spending more time on here, more threads, more posts, and learning all I can about my Macbook (should get the knew one from Apple by next week.)


Thanks!!! See ya around!!

 

[iSee]

It sounds like you were able to sort out your problems, so good for you.

If you are looking for deals direct from Apple (sorry in advance if this is old news to you and your boyfriend), there are discounts for students -- not sure if that applies to you -- and refurbs you can buy directly from the Apple online store.

For the reburbs look for the "Special Deals" section on the store page and then click on the Refurbished Mac link -- which computers are available change daily. The refurbs come with the same 1 year warranty as new products and it's generally agreed that they look and act like new. That's my personal experience, anyway.

 

[DesignerOnMac]

I'm new to this forum, I found you because I typed in Gainsaver and found out they didn't have the best reviews from you guys. I noticed that most of the posts about them have been over a year. Is there anyone on here with recent experience? My boyfriend bought a Macbook for me from Christmas. He doesn't know much about them but he found Gainsaver and thought it was a great deal. Which of course it would seem. Once I received it, it worked for only 3 days, and only a couple hours Christmas day. I started to research and found you guys among SEVERAL other threads and webpages with a GREAT DISLIKE of Gainsaver. We sent the computer back, I called them said they hadn't received it, even though I had a signature request in my hand, and USPS confirmation on line. They finally "credited" our account, but that is it. Haven't been able to get a hold of them since. Yesterday we filed a claim with our bank and they are crediting our account until 90 days. Then if Gainsaver doesn't fight it, the claim will be closed. I'm just worried he will fight it. Just curious as if anyone has had problems with them recently and if so what did you do?

by the way, I have read their whole website, I know that they only give back store credit (unless your a customer that has fought back) and I was going to just ship it back and wait until I got another one from them. I wasn't too happy about paying $50. for shipping to return an item that wasn't working well already. I was also worried that if I sent it back, it would be another 2 weeks before I got a "new" one, and then the same problems all over. He bought this for my business and I really needed it yesterday. Do I have any rights here?

We are going to go ahead and buy from Apple direct, which I know we should have done in the beginning. Hind sight is always 20/20.

No good "deal" goes unpunished...


thanks for your help! look forward to getting past this, and reading up more on the other topics! Seems like there is alot of stuff to help a newbie like me!!

Thanks!

Firstly, every company or mortar & brick store has their own return policy. Secondly, I believe you said they do a 'store credit'. I do not know what state you live in, but your state may have its own laws for consumer protection. You could check that out @ your AD's office at your state capital.

You said your bank gave you credit for 90 days. I assume you mean your CC? If its your CC, I'd also read what their policy is on returned items, and what the conditions are for a full refund. Since you did a confirmation delivery with the USPS and a signature required, signed and in hand you have legs to fight this.

Sorry for your bad experience, and welcome to Mac and the forum.

 

[old-wiz]

I never understood how scam operations like Gainsaver stay in business. Your friend should have researched the purchase before buying from a scammer.

welcome to the forums.

 

[cia33]

MacBook Purchase

Personally, I almost always buy from MacMall.com. I find they have best prices, with promotional offers and free shipping if you qualify. Also, depending on where you live. No sales tax.

 

[chrono1081]

Sorry about your troubles OP. Next time be sure to check resellerrattings.com and you can see reviews from many online retailers.

 

[ski2moro]

I know that some people have had problems with their Macs and Apple usually fixes them without hassles. And I know that Macs are usually problem free, but s**t happens. I also know that companies get bad reputations when they provide bad or no service for problems units.

Where does Gainsaver get so many defective units?

 

[techound1]

Where does Gainsaver get so many defective units?

They farm out to Monkeys with Screwdrivers, Inc. for all of their tech support.

OP - sorry you had such a bad start, but we're glad to have you with us!

I would agree with a previous poster that the refurb store is a super buy - do a forum search on refurbs from the apple store and you'll find a ton of fans here.

 

[Kwill]

Firstly, any time you purchase a refurb or used computer it is subject to fail. It even happens to new computers. That's why we have refurbs. The key is not to panic.

I bought a new PB from a retail Apple Store. The display was DOA. It was exchanged; a few months later, the optical drive required warranty replacement. I purchased a Cinema Display from MacMall with dozens of dead pixels; Apple replaced the internals under warranty. A friend, on my advice, bought a refurb iMac from Apple; after discovering display anomalies, she returned it for a new iMac. I have had three computers from GainSaver. As long as it is under warranty, they will credit the purchase price. I returned a PB with a failed optical drive for credit towards a G5 tower.

I think it's clear hardware can fail no matter where you purchase it. People who panic, want their money back, and do not give the reseller opportunity to make it right generally wind up being disgruntled customers.

 

[Kwill]

Where does Gainsaver get so many defective units?

They purchase equipment in bulk (5 or more) from corporations. If you have a sales force or art department full of old computers ready for upgrade, you can sell them to GainSaver to pick up a little change before buying your new stuff.

The the units are opened up to mix and match specs. In the process, you may receive a component that has reached the end of its days. Occasionally, components are new. Since you don't know, don't buy without a warranty and assume you will need it.

 

[MichaeLens]

Thanks everyone for your help! I actually already went ahead, with my student discount and bought a brand new Macbook via applestore directly, 4gb mem, and 320gb harddrive(i think im wording this correctly) and iworks installed for cheaper than buying it directly. Spent $250.00 more than he did at Gainsaver, and I have more memory. I'm super excited I just can't wait! It shipped today, so it should be here by the 20th, but I hope before then! I'm sure I will have loads of more questions to post on this forum since Im a very new newbie to Mac.

On my boyfriends behalf, he did a super sweet thing by buying me a Mac in the first place. He has no idea about all of this stuff, and he wanted to kick himself after for not doing more research. He did a great thing, and I was super surprised that he did it for me. Of course, I'm a girl, and I cried a little.. hahaha cuz really it was very cool of him and I had no idea.

Anyway... hopefully it will all work out and Gainsaver won't give us a hard time. I have still tried to get them to call me back with no such luck.

Ok... my next thread will be... "I got my new Macbook & what do I do now?" hahahaha


Thanks again everyone!! see ya around!

 

[MichaeLens]

Firstly, any time you purchase a refurb or used computer it is subject to fail. It even happens to new computers. That's why we have refurbs. The key is not to panic.

I bought a new PB from a retail Apple Store. The display was DOA. It was exchanged; a few months later, the optical drive required warranty replacement. I purchased a Cinema Display from MacMall with dozens of dead pixels; Apple replaced the internals under warranty. A friend, on my advice, bought a refurb iMac from Apple; after discovering display anomalies, she returned it for a new iMac. I have had three computers from GainSaver. As long as it is under warranty, they will credit the purchase price. I returned a PB with a failed optical drive for credit towards a G5 tower.

I think it's clear hardware can fail no matter where you purchase it. People who panic, want their money back, and do not give the reseller opportunity to make it right generally wind up being disgruntled customers.

Kwill, I'm really glad that you had a good experience with Gainsaver.We did have a 30 day warranty and he also bought a year warranty. My problem was I couldn't get a hold of them except one time, and that I had to pay for my own shipping for a computer we just bought that didn't work. It just really pissed me off.. and especially since he said he would call back, and I that I could never get a hold of them again. I needed the computer yesterday, and so I had to go elsewhere.

anyway.. thanks for your help, and the information. I appreciate your time.

 

[Habitus]

Sorry about your troubles, but I hope it doesn't sour you on the whole Mac experience

Welcome to the Forum

Woof, Woof - Dawg

Agreed. I agonized over paying so much for my first Mac (2007 black MacBook). However, I rain into no problems and fell in love with every aspect of Apple. If you can, buy directly from Apple. That way, you know Apple will have your back in the event of a similar situation.

Habitus