MacMall

Full review
Summary: The worst buying experience of my life.

Here is what happened: I was in the market for a new computer. MacMall had the latest Mac Mini on sell for $494 with a 10% rebate, although it did have the lower end hard drive (40 GB instead of 80 GB). At $445, a reasonable deal, but not one that I could not have gotten at other outlets. However, they listed a 19" Dell LCD monitor for $137. The only problem with this deal was that it would take 3 weeks before they could deliver them. Okay, not a problem, I can make do for 3 weeks. The Mac Mini arrives, I jury rig an old CRT to work with it, and wait, having sent in my $50 rebate for the Mac Mini.

After 3 weeks, there is no change in my order. I decide to call and find out what happened. I get told that the monitors for Dell never came, and that the remainder of the order had been cancelled. What, I say? You listed a monitor at $137, I bought it, and now you say that I will not get it. Being from a time when companies were expected to honor such a commitment, I tell the representative that I expect some comparable monitor to be put in its place. No, I get told, that is not possible, as there are no comparable monitors at that price. Yes, I understand that, I say. But you sold me a monitor at that price. It was the reason why I went with your company. I do not care that you do not have one that cheap on the premises, you need to give me one at that price.

After 3 hours on the phone (a lot on wait), I finally get to the person who supposedly can give me that deal. His name is Shawn Goldenberg (although this could be an alias). He comes on to tell me that I should not have expected to ever get this monitor for $137, as it is an unbelievable deal. Since this monitor was on Back Order, they are not obligated to actually sell it to me (what???). I should just go back and try to find another monitor to buy, is his advice. The eeriest part is that Mr. Goldenberg is talking in the exact same measured tones that Christopher Guest used in "The Princess Bride". His is the voice of ultimate evil.

Needless to say, I will never have any more dealings with MacMall or any of their other nefarious names. After this experience, I have checked the Internet and found that this is a common experience for MacMall. I also found that they rarely come through on their rebates, which I guess means that there is another $50 down the drain.