Complain about a product or service

Systemax

Systemax is the company that bought the assets of the dread Proteva when it finally sank beneath the surface and it's starting to look like Systemax has picked up some of Proteva's worst habits. On the other hand, Adam of Laramie disagrees and says his Proteva by Systemax is just swell.

Lisa of Vestal NY (06/08/08)
In November of 2004, I purchased a Systemax Venture computer through Tiger Direct with a one year warranty. Three months after I purchased the computer, the DVD CD rewritable rom stopped functioning. Three months old and this drive is non-functional and I was being told to vacuum the dust out of it which I couldn't do since the door to the drive doesn't even open. Warranty was not honored, customer service was insufficient. Funny, they anaswer the phone really fast and courteously when you're calling to place an order.

In contrast, when I called for tech support to report non functioning CD/DVD ROM, I waited on hold for 3 entire hours listening to music before I spoke to a real person. When I did speak to a real person, I was asked for a credit card # upfront (which I declined to provide). All of the letters wore off the keyboard within 6 months of light use. This computer did not live up to my expectations whatsoever and I paid a lot of money for something that started malfunctioning only 3 months after my initial purchase. Extremely disastisfied and I will not ever purchase another Systemax!

A local repair person told me in May 2008 that it is cheaper for me to buy a whole new computer from an entirely different company than to keep trying to fix this Systemax piece by malfunctioning piece (as it breaks and keeps on breaking and as more problems with the tower continue). I now pay extra each month to have virus protection, pctune up, and firewall protection for an extra $8 per month when I could have virus protection, firewall protection, etc through software purchased at a big box store for around $40 that is good for an entire year (provided that the CD Rom was functional).

I am extremely disappointed that the DVD Rom CD Rewriter drive failed after only 3 months of light use by me. This is a home computer used only for email, doing online searches and internet shopping, and for digital photos that I like to email to far away relatives.

Mark of Stonewall LA (05/02/08)
I am writing for my mother she's 79 year's old. This is her son. She got this computer through AOL,for a good deal,at the time! AOL told her that if she bought this computer it would only cost $300 and something. And this is the keyboard, monitor,P.C. and speakers. I mean the whole complete set-up.(P.S.) The deal was if you got this computer you had to have AOL for a year..

Well after she had it for about three weeks, the hard drive went out, I called them and they told me how to take the hard drive out and ship it to them and they would send another one. Well I did, and it worked ok for about two months then she started having problems getting the power to come on. I called them again and they told me to unplug the computer from the back for awhile then plug it back in. I did and that worked for about another three months. It started the same thing but unpluging it was not helping.

So she is sitting there with a computer that AOL got her. She trusted AOL to come through but it looks like AOL did dealing with a company that makes computers that don't work. You would think that AOL would have been more careful with who they dealt with!

Samantha of Jacksonville FL (04/06/07)
I had recieved a Systemax laptop computer that my parents had bought from Tiger Direct around January 2006. Approximately six months later my computer had completely failed. I had thought something had gone wrong with my charger, causing the computer to stay uncharged. I had sent my computer to the Systemax office in Fletcher, Ohio and they said the warranty was up when it wasn't, so they tried to get us to pay for it, but it was proven that it wasn't, so it stayed in Ohio for three weeks.

When I had got it back, it was restored, but I wasn't able to install any sort of virtual memory, and it caused my iPod not to work. So about two weeks after I had my computer back, I had to send it back because I had mysteriously lost 16MB of RAM. Again, my computer went back to Fletcher, Ohio for about three to four weeks. After it came back, I was able to install my iPod and use my virtual memory, only they had forgotten the charger, and the right side of my computer was CRACKED!!

My mother had called the office back and they blamed the UPS people, and the UPS people blamed the technicians that restored my computer. And to top it off, on April 1st, 2007, my computer is refusing to stay charged, even when it's plugged up to the charger!

Marc of Col OH (03/06/07)
Computer crashed after just one day! Customer service was rude and apathetic. Initially declined to send out a repairman and continued to do so until it was pointed out their ad said one year of free support. They refuse to replace computer and wanted it sent it to be checked. I will NEVER buy from this company again.

Rajiah of Waco TX (02/09/06)
The hinges on my laptop broke I sent it to the company and they are trying to make me pay for it. The problem is that the laptop was defective when I got it. The hinges broke after me having it for three months but it is under a 3-year warrenty. The company also has a disclamer on it saying that if it breaks once It is in my care they don't have to do anything to repair it. They are trying to charge me $529 to repaire the hinges and the screen which was damged because of the hinges breaking.

Jason of Harahan LA (12/15/05)
Hello, I also purchased a Systemax computer from HSN around 1999. It worked for a few months and the began constantly giving me problems. I am assuming that I had the same problem with the motherboard that everyone else had. Anyway, I went through a lot of headaches dealing with tech support and the problems just continued. I also spent over $1,500 for my system. I feel that someone should be responsible for the trash that they call a computer.

Either Systemax should offer a replacement computer or the Home Shopping Network for providing a distribution channel conecting consumers to companies that sell low quality products like Systemax. I have not made a purchase from HSN since then and do not plan to until they can offer either reliable products or a real warranty.

Jennifer of Bowling Green OH (10/24/05)
My father bought me a systemax laptop as a college gift, it came with the automatic one year warranty. During that year it worked great, I couldn't have asked for a faster, better equiped computer. One week after the warranty expired though...that's when I start to encounter major problems. It never slowed down, but at very random times it would just crash, then fail to reboot (it didn't recognize the primary master driver), trying to boot it from the disk didn't work either.

After it would fail to reboot, I would turn it off and then attempt to restart, but the power button wouldn't work. After waiting (but doing nothing) for several minutes the power button did work. I took it in to the on-campus tech support center (it's cheaper to do it that way) and they ran a full scan of my system, including the hard drive and corrected a few errors that might have caused my problems.

For the first three days of having it back things went fine, but then it crashed again and did the same things as before. The tech support guy on-campus asked me to use it without the battery for a week and to keep a log of what happens (thinking the problem might be power related). It's been five days and the computer has crashed twice, both when I've had it on and in use for more than two hours, but not every time I've had it on that long. I haven't made it to the battery testing part, but I'm pretty sure that it's not the power supply. What upsets me even more is that my boyfriend has a compac prrsario, it's 6 years old and works perfectly! Despite the 2 Gb of space he has to work with. It's outragious that my computer is so much younger and has more problems!

Benny  of Alexander AR (09/28/05)
I have read complaint letters about this company and have had all the problems that they have had, no need to repeat. My cd rom just went out also.

bSteven of Sarepta LA (09/21/05)
Bought a $2200 comp. from Tiger Direct with a 1yr on site repair warranty. Cannot get it fixed. It will be 6 months old on Sept. 30.Systemax supervisor said it would cost money to send someone out.Will ship me a video card to fix it, if I give a credit card. Say they'll ship it free to a repair man.Will a repair person ever arrive? If so, which year? 

Debra of Florence KY (03/11/05)
I bought a Systemax computer in 2001 and have been having trouble with it ever since, i just read alot about others who have had the same trouble i am having. The motherboard is defective and is causieng my computer to freeze and lock up or run so slow that it isn't worth turning  it on.

Su of Monessen PA (11/12/04)
Bought 64-bit Systemax computer from Tiger Direct. Motherboard is Gigabyte GA-K8VT800M. Motherboard went bad within 10 months of purchase, causing me to be unable to even turn on the computer, and requiring me to bring my computer to the shop. Systemax did send me a new motherboard which was installed locally. This new motherboard did allow me to work my computer, but now I have no sound. The problem is that this motherboard has onboard sound, which sometimes cuts off after a few minutes, and sometimes just does not work.

Ed of East Berne NY (10/03/04)
Received a "broken" Systemax computer. I called tech support 3 times. I was advised to reformat (it didn't work), take the machine apart and tighten things (it didn't work), then to send it back. HOWEVER they wanted my credit card number prior to doing any work on a one day old machine. When I wouldn't give my credit card number I was called "uncooperative". I called Tiger Direct and they issued a RGA and are sending UPS to my door to get the machine. TigerDirect was willing to help but only after I advised them that I had cancelled payment through my credit card company. Systemax/Tiger would not honor the in home service package I purchased at additional cost because "the problem couldn't be determined over the phone".

R.  of Matteson IL (05/16/04)
I am a seasoned adult who was planning on going back to school, I decided to purchase the Systemax computer off of Tiger Direct because it was considered loaded with everything that I would need. So I purchased it and had it for several months before I used it. So after getting everything all set-up that included buying a desk, re-arranging the furniture in the room etc.etc. setting up the computer. I was really excited. Then the problems started. I could not get the printer to work , missing programs, the mother board is defective. Sent it to them for repairs and when it was returned it was worst. When I called to tell them about it I was told that my warranty had expired. I would have to pay for shipping etc. I was never able to get my computer repaired by Systemax.

Carol of Sherman TX (10/24/03)
I purchased a Systemax AMD XP2600/512/120/DVDRW package from Tiger TV on May 30th, and received the CPU on July 8, I am VERY DISSATISFIED with this system and extremely angry with the level of Customer service, not only from Systemax but from Tiger TV as well, this system has never worked properly from day one. I have talked to Systemax supervisors and Tiger Direct supervisors and still to this day, over 3 months later, I DO NOT have a working system. I requested my money back before my 30 days were up and I was refused an RMA# to return it, I was told I had to work with tech support to resolve the issues. That didn’t accomplish anything. I was then told I had send it for repair, I again asked for a refund and I was refused, by the time all this was done my 30 days were up and I was still refused the guarantee, the repairs were in vain, they did no more to it than I had already done to it 10 times before (reformat hard drive and restore factory settings)

I told them this in a note that went with the computer to repair, I also told them in the note what the computer was doing when you tried to load any programs that came with the system, and that the programs on the desk top didn’t work either, I called repair to check on the status of the system and I was told the hard drive was corrupt and they formatted the hard drive and restored it to factory settings, I then asked if it had been checked out per my note, and I was told they wouldn’t go farther than a restore. When it arrived back (2 weeks later) it had been damaged by UPS, the box was dented and had a hole in the side, the case was severely broken, the front was hanging, both drives were shoved all the way back into the case, the light was broke, the heat sink fan was loose in the case and banging around on all the boards, when I called repair after 2 weeks for status of UPS picking it back up, I was told the system had just arrived and the damage wasn't that bad.

It had taken 3 weeks before I received another computer back from Systemax. (SO NOT ONLY DID THE SYSTEM NOT WORK FROM THE START I WENT 5 WEEKS WITHOUT IT). The one I got back was a different system, (didn't have the same preinstalled software, and am not sure it isn't another used system) than the one I returned, the case on other system had a switch affixed on the back to turn the light on and off, in this case, the switch is LOOSE inside (just flopping around) and you have to open the case up anytime you want to turn the light on or off. So I am not sure what boards or drives were switched to this case from the other system because this system doesn’t work any better than the last one.

Melissa of Austin, TX writes (5/17/01):
I ordered the Systemax computer off of the Home Shopping network. We have had nothing but problems with it. The cursor started locking up and then eventually stopped working all together along with the keyboard. We eventaully came to the conclusion on our own (after not much help from Systemax tech support) that it was the mother board. They sent us one and we replaced. Now it is super slow and CONSTANTLY locks up. I think the errors I am getting are consistent with the memory card being defective (it has always had these issues, just recently got worse). We have been extremely disappointed with the computer.

We paid about $1,800 for the computer and it has given us nothing but grief. We have had to pay on our own to have someone come look at it while it was under warranty. I really get the impression that once you buy a computer from them you are on your own.

Mary of Laurens, IA, writes (5/5/01):
We purchased a Systemax computer from HSN in Dec. of 1999 for $1500. Fifteen months later it quits working and we are told the motherboard is defective. I contacted HSN because they said we would have lifetime technical support. I received a e-mail back stating they do not offer technical support for their electronic items. I have on tape the airing of the computer I bought with her stating lifetime tech support. I also told them for $1500 a computer should last longer then what it did. When we purchased this there were missing manuals for the instant internet keyboard, I e-mailed them at that time and never received any help just was told to read the manual which I didn't have! What is really interesting is that my sister has the exact same computer which she purchased shortly after I purchased mine, she also bought at HSN and she just called me and said hers quit also and the motherboard is defective on hers also. Is is nearly impossible to reach anyone to talk to at HSN and I can't find a way to contact Systemax either.

This was a major purchase for us and we feel that for that kind of money a item should last for several years and the the companies should stand behind their products.

Elizabeth of Portland OR (4/22/01):
I bought a computer from Tiger Direct an as seen on tv in December 2000. The computer would not function at all froze immeadiately. I spent weeks and many hours on hold up to an hour and a half before I would get someone, they could not ever get my computer to work. They said the hard drive had to be replaced they sent a technician out took about 5 days and my computer still would not work. So I called back for the 20th time and they told me to send it in. I did and 16 days later I got my tower back they replaced the cpu chip. My programs were was gone due to the fact that they had me erase it. So now I've noticed that they did not redownload everything. My scanner is not downloaded.

This computer cost me and my husband a little over $2200. I told them I wanted to return the computer and they said it was past 60 days.

Diane of DuBois, PA (4/20/01):
I purchased a Systemax computer from HSN in May of 2000. The computer didn't operate right from the beginning. None of the drivers were installed, it took days with technical assistance to get this computer to operate. It was discovered that the hard drive was not installed. A computer representative came and repaired the computer which operated for a couple of weeks. I have numerous phone calls with technical assistance which at times required a hold time of over four hours, on hold. It was discovered that the motherboard was bad and I was asked to return the computer and Systemax would send the mailing label. It never arrived. Late fall of 2000 I received a new tower or so I thought. It turns out the tower belonged to someone else. Systemax sent me two labels to return this tower and my tower. I have not had the tower returned as of yet. In the meantime, Systemax has called me looking for someone else's tower that supposedly was shipped to me though never received, meanwhile, they are looking to try to find my tower.

I am a low-income single parent and had to struggle to try to buy this computer, I needed it to do resumes in job search and therefore it dramatically had an effect on my ability to secure a job. I couldn't do the job search via internet which also affected my job search abilities. I was emotionally harmed when I realized that neither HSN or Systemax would protect my rights as a consumer and that they take advantage of the general public. They misrepresent their warranty and their willingness to stand behind their product, these businesses claimed this was a state of the art product, it required no set up or installation, just received it, and it was ready to go. I lost hours and nights of sleep trying to get this computer operating, since then I had to purchase another computer. I wish someone would start a class action suit against both of these companies because many people have been affected by the faulty products sold to them AND the consumers were taken advantage of with no legal protection.

David of Worcester, MA (3/31/01):
Bought a Systemax Proteva computer over Home Shopping Network. Computer was all configured wrong, usb ports weren't enabled. DVD still doesn't work. No books were sent with computer, could not reach tech support, was a hassle.

Matthew of Dickinson, ND (3/14/01):
I purchased a computer through Value America from Systemax or Proteva (has both names on it). It looked like it was going to be a good computer; however, I have had problems with it from day one. I sent it in about a month and half ago to get fixed because it would not play any 3D games. It came back about two days ago and it now plays games, but now the CD-RW doesn't work. It is a different CD-RW than the one we sent to them. My old one was a Samsung and this one is Creative Labs. I tried calling the toll free number to see if I could get a new CD-RW and mail the bad one back; however, the phone number is always busy. What should I do?

Craig of Lisle, IL (2/7/01):
Purchased Systemax computer 12/12/00 through online service/TigerDirect. As of 2/7/01 have not received printer and computer not working properly. Have made several calls to correct problems and receive printer. With each service call placed I have spoken to a different technician, who would either tell me they will resolve the problem or dismiss the problems as not their responsibility.

Examples: (1) Keyboard would not print certain keys - replacement needed. (2) System locks up when running pre-installed programs. (3) Hard drive is imaged on an assembly line, however my hard drive was s/u improperly and showed multi-devices causing system to fail. Was instructed to run restore on hard drive. (3) System was sold with audio and video capabilities that do not work. THe last conversation was with Brian a Sr Tech person who told me that he would fax me an RO (return order) number and have UPS p/u unit for replacement or repair and that he would have printer sent out immediately. THe fax was to be sent out on the evening of 2/6 to my place of business. As of 2/7 the fax was not received. The computer is still not working

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