Dot Computers (wtf) - part 2

[JBFRobisher]

This chap is getting a little too uppity for my liking. Maybe a quiet stroll down to the nearby SARS office this week would be in order, carrying printouts of comments quoted such as this one:

Please find the attached Sales receipt. This one was under another name, so it did not show up on our Records. As for the VAT registration number, we do not detail it on our quotes and\or invoices as it allows our clients to purchase direct from our suppliers. Our Quotes are however still valid, as our Company name links directly with our VAT registration. This will not cause any inconvenience when trying to claim VAT back.

 

[NeXuS_Horizon]

Maybe Person can explain this http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=38758

 

[TheYak]

Read your E-mail... IF I DONT HAVE YOUR BANKING DETAILS HOW AM I MEANT TO PAY YOU ?



THIS BS STOPS NOW, any more persistent discussions; in discussing and discrediting my company openly on the forums will result in legal action against any and all parties involved. Be advised that all members are to cease all defamatory remarks on any forum anywhere.

No further Liaison in this matter will be entertained.

Brian,

I sent you the banking details on Friday evening, right after I got your email to ask for it! FFS! The email was sent on Friday the 09/06 at 23:20 - I have it right here in my outbox.

I was keeping our dealings private in emails, but seen as you are now openly posting emails that I sent to you, outside of that environment, I will now post every single email that I have sent you on this forum, so that everyone can see the amount of trouble that I've gone through to try and get this matter resolved.

No one is making any defamatory statements or remarks against your massive, global company. We're stating facts - and I will prove these facts by posting all correspondence between us here.

If you want to post my emails to you on MyADSL to try and make a fool out of me, then I'll return the favour and show everyone here just how many emails I've sent you to try and get you to just help me out to get this matter resolved.

Like I said in the email I just sent you a minute or two ago - you have until tomorrow afternoon to get a new, working card to me and to refund me or I am opening a case of fraud and theft against you...

You're right. the BS does stop here...

 

[pip]

THIS BS STOPS NOW, any more persistent discussions; in discussing and discrediting my company openly on the forums will result in legal action against any and all parties involved.

Would this be via your American lawyers? -

seeing as DOT is a US company and the Lawyers are US based

LOL!

 

[pupa]

Read your E-mail... IF I DONT HAVE YOUR BANKING DETAILS HOW AM I MEANT TO PAY YOU ?



THIS BS STOPS NOW, any more persistent discussions; in discussing and discrediting my company openly on the forums will result in legal action against any and all parties involved. Be advised that all members are to cease all defamatory remarks on any forum anywhere.

No further Liaison in this matter will be entertained.

What Arrogance and a blatant Joker scaring some spooks?

Give us the "BOSTON or NYC office" contacts and we can then ask them whats happening, like we asked Thermaltake and Alienware! We tried to reach one of your 3000 emloyees, but none were available! All were in hiding! Even the lady in the Cape as per the Thermaltake Address (your "mom"? and some kid) said they do not know You?

You Entertained us LOL so stop hiding and sort out your mess!. You started this mess, with your unhealthy bussiness principles and hollow promisses! Everything posted here is facts already in public domain. If you did not try to avoid your responsibilities it would not have happened. If you want to do public business with a public profile then You must check your dirty laundry yourself first. Stop BS'ting PPL and grow up! And yes you may also say what you want as its free speech like everything posted here! All facts, in the public domain, do some research yourself!

 

[TheYak]

Right, let's do this...

This is the full trace of correspondence between myself and Brian Gibello, after my 6600GT graphics card that I ordered and paid for the week before the 31st of March (The card eventually, as you all know, arrived almost two weeks late and I was promised a refund which has, to date, not been done yet)

The first email that I sent, after leaving a message on his cellphone on the 5th.

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 06 June 2006 02:09 PM
To: 'Brian @ DOT .IT'
Subject: Screen card has seized.

Brian,

I'm STILL waiting for you to phone me back with regards to my graphics card that has seen it's backside COMPLETELY now. I left a message for you yesterday afternoon and tried to leave one again now, but your voice mailbox is full, so I couldn't leave the message.

I need this card sorted out, please. I cannot use my desktop machine at all and that is unacceptable.

Please make sure that you contact me as soon as possible to sort this out and also, please send me the proof of payment for the re-imbursement that you made back into my account for the screencard. I haven't checked again whether it has been paid in, but I trust that you've done so.

I'd appreciate it if you could get this matter resolved for me as soon as possible.

Thank you,
Johann Marx

From: Brian @ DOT.IT [mailto:brian@dotcomputers.co.za]
Sent: 06 June 2006 18:29 PM
To: 'Johann Marx'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Johann,

I’m at the new offices in the USA. E-mail me with the problem and I’ll sort if out for you. I can’t use the SA number over here so I have not checked my voice msg’s.

Regards
Brian

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 08 June 2006 08:55 AM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Brian,

The card is dead. It worked for a while this morning and then the screen started cutting out periodically before it died permanently.

It's the second time that it's done this, but the previous time it came back, which is not the case now.

I also urgently need you to send the proof of that payment to me, please.

Thank you,
Johann.

No reply for two days (yes, I counted wrong in the email, I was peeved ). I send the following:

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 08 June 2006 08:55 AM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Brian,

I'm REALLY starting to get annoyed now.

I've been waiting for you to contact me for THREE days now and you haven't even bothered! I checked my account and that money was never paid back into my account. So now I'm sitting with a busted screencard and the refund you promised me is non-existant.

This is getting really serious now and I need this seen to.

Please make sure this matter is handed as soon as possible or I will be forced to take it further.

Thank you,
Johann.

From: Brian @ DOT.IT [mailto:brian@dotcomputers.co.za]
Sent: 08 June 2006 16:03 PM
To: 'Johann Marx'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Can you send me your address again plz.

Regards
Brian

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 08 June 2006 08:06 PM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Brian,

My address is

***Address removed for privacy***

May I ask what you need this for? Also, could you explain why the payment hasn't been reversed back into my account yet?

Please keep me up to date with this matter.

Thank you,
Johann.

From: Brian @ DOT.IT [mailto:brian@dotcomputers.co.za]
Sent: 09 June 2006 01:33 AM
To: 'Johann Marx'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

The payment I think accounts had a problem with, as that was something I arranged off the books – as no card was returned or credited. I’ll see to it that it gets done this week.

I need the address to send the courier with the replacement card.

Regards
Brian Gibello

Note here that I'm promised that a replacement card will be couriered to me.

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 09 June 2006 09:20 AM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Brian,

Why was I not notified of this problem then? If I didn't ask for this again, that payment would never have been made? It has been three months!

Please make sure that they deliver that card TODAY Brian, it's IMPERATIVE. I do not want to go through this entire weekend without my PC as well - it's a royal pain in the arse. It's been a week now and I have a TON of things that I had to do on my machine, including printing some photographs for my mom off that machine - she's leaving tomorrow and I haven't been able to do the prints for her!

See how the lack of service that I'm getting from you is affecting my life?

I am EXTREMELY dissapointed Brian. It really concerns me that you are now in the US and if this is the type of support that you are going to give, I can see a hard time laying ahead for your clients.

I expect this issue to be resolved today, please. If you cannot handle it properly, please give me a contact number for someone in CT, so I can resolve it with them.

Thank you,
Johann.

In the next email, I have to take the card to Legend to get it replaced. What happened to the courier?

From: Brian @ DOT.IT [mailto:brian@dotcomputers.co.za]
Sent: 09 June 2006 13:46 PM
To: 'Johann Marx'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

They can’t make delivery to you today, I’m making arrangements that you take it to legend direct and they will swap it out for you.

I’ll get back to you as soon as I have word from them.

Regards
Brian

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 09 June 2006 23:16 AM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Brian,

I don't have the time to take this card anywhere. I'm EXTREMELY busy at work and I just don't have the time. So another plan will have to be made.

I also get the following. Notice the time it was sent. Those of you that live in Jhb, will know that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get to Midrand in less than an hour that time of the afternoon. So I was stuck without a card for the weekend (longer, it turns out)

From: Brian @ DOT.IT [mailto:brian@dotcomputers.co.za]
Sent: 09 June 2006 15:05 PM
To: 'Johann Marx'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Hey Johann

Here is the address for

LEGEND South Africa
Unit 1, 68 Reedbuck Crescent
Corporate Park South
Midrand, South Africa
Ph :+27 11 314 0817
Fax :+27 11 314 0841

The contact person there would be Caryn.

They will be able to swap-out the card today if you take it to them. That’s the only way I can think of getting the card changed before the weekend.

Regards
Brian Gibello

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 09 June 2006 23:19 AM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Brian,

Sending me this email at 15:07 on a Friday afternoon doesn't really help me much...

As I mentioned, I don't have the time to take the card in - I'm way too busy at work at the moment.

I just know that this is what I'm going to have to do to get this sorted out, so I don't even know why I'm putting up a fuss.

This is ridiculous...

To email sent 08 June 2006 08:55 AM I get the following reply:

From: Brian @ DOT.IT [mailto:brian@dotcomputers.co.za]
Sent: 09 June 2006 20:05 PM
To: 'Johann Marx'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Johann,

I don’t have your banking details with me… can you mail them though again.

Regards
Brian

To which I reply

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 09 June 2006 23:20 AM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

ABSA Bank
Account number *removed*
Branch code: *removed*
Account type: *removed*

PLEASE forward the proof of payment to me as soon as you've made the payment.

Thank you,
Johann.

Again, two days without any answer.

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 11 June 2006 09:33 AM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

So?

Now what? No card... no proof of payment...

Brian, I'm really starting to get to the end of my line here.

Get your arse in gear and get this sorted out, please.

It's not amusing anymore.

"Message below" refers to the email asking for my banking details.

From: Brian @ DOT.IT [mailto:brian@dotcomputers.co.za]
Sent: 11 June 2006 17:51 PM
To: 'Johann Marx'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.


Read msg below…

From: Johann Marx
Sent: 11 June 2006 19:10 AM
To: 'Brian @ DOT.IT'
Subject: RE: Screen card has seized.

Brian,

I sent you my banking details on FRIDAY already!!! (The message is attached)

Dude, you have GOT to get your act together. You're MESSING me around here and I do NOT appreciate it!

I've had ENOUGH of being buggered around and treated like a moron!

Stop screwing around and sort this out... NOW! Or give me someone else to talk to in your apparent 3000 employee, massive Internatioal company!!!

You have until tomorrow afternoon, 16:00 (South African time, for you Bostonites) to sort this out or I'm going to the police and opening a case of fraud and theft against you.

I've had enough.

So... now... tell me that I didn't do my very best to make sure that this is handled in an amicable way? Granted, I lost my temper with the last email, but I have just had enough now...

This debacle has not only ruined my entire day, it's ruined my entire week! DAMMIT! All I'm asking for is to get what I was promised... is that so much to ask for?!

 

[TheYak]

Right... now that that's done, I'm off to go and watch TV or something, 'cos I CAN'T AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PLAY WORLD OF WARCRAFT THIS WHOLE WEEK!

 

[MrE]

Person, based on all these recent threads I feel quite confident in nominating you for the "Most Idiotic Fool on MyADSL forums" award.

If you have any issue with this, please take it up with the MyADSL Insititution of User Awards(tm). Employees: 350. International offices in London, New York and Hong Kong.

What!? just on the MyADSL forums!?!?!

I feel your pain Yak! You have my condolences..

 

[TheYak]

MrE, I appreciate the condolences, can I have your screencard as well? I need my WoW fix

 

[kongwane]

This is by far the most interesting and most drammatic thread i have ever read, (My condolences 2 da YAK) ...........................I Also almost bought a motherboard from this dude a while back. thank god i didnt!!!

 

[TheYak]

if only I knew back then what i was getting myself into, I would have paid a few extra hundred bucks and gotten the card from someone reputable...

*shrug* 20/20 hindsight, eh?

 

[jjtoymachine]

At least he was being a little more 'pro-active' with the graphics card, I can understand about not being able to swap a card over the weekend...

The case is still a bit of a bummer though.

Hope everyone comes right here

 

[Highflyer_GP]

Person: if a company the size of Telkom (with it's infinite legal resources) could fail in it's case against Hellkom, I really don't see the point of your legal threats. In fact that does more harm than good to your business, you come across as a tyrant wannabe. Who in their right mind would want to do business with you after witnessing your response to customers?

My suggestion is that no matter how much you hate your customers, their needs come first. You need their business more than they need your service. So catch a wake up bru, try and please your customers first and foremost, no matter how much you may dread doing so. Otherwise pack up and close your business down. If the telecoms providers in this country had your attitude, MyADSL would be sued every week. Instead they appointed reps on this forum to address customer issues, maybe you can learn a thing or two from the real big boys.

 

[RSx]

if only I knew back then what i was getting myself into, I would have paid a few extra hundred bucks and gotten the card from someone reputable...

*shrug* 20/20 hindsight, eh?

I know it doesnt really help you but atleast now a lot of people can learn from your experience.

Well good luck and I hope you come right soon.

 

[TheYak]

That's true RSx, hopefully this will make people think twice before they swindle their clients...

 

[Debbie]

Brian, the reason why this thread has been so entertaining is because of you. It's been like watching a dude who is bleeding to death slowly saw off his own body parts cos he's convinced this is the cure. Every time you have posted, I guarentee you 99% of the people reading these threads have slapped their foreheads, shaked their heads, and thought, "No, NO! What is this dude doing!".

You have been given countless 'outs'. And every time this forum has given you an opening, we expected you to come back to your customers with an apology, a smile and a refund, but you have instead thrown mud in their faces. You have insulted not only your customers, but this forum too.

You made a mistake, but instead of rectifying this you seem intent on destroying your business single-handedly. Don't come here now and start threatening everybody for destroying your reputation and your business. You did that yourself. If you are honest with yourself you will know I'm speaking the truth.

It is very clear that you have bitten off more than you can chew. That's fine, it's not the end of the world. We all make mistakes, and we have all handled our own mistakes very badly before. Try to see that the people here are condemning your actions, not you as a person, uh, person.

Just don't lose the lesson you're being taught here. I've never seen an oke get served his own @ss in the manner in which you have been served yours. If you learn nothing from this experience after this, well then, I'm sorry to say that you must expect similar experiences in the future. But I think you have learned.

 

[TheYak]

Very well said Debbie...

 

[mooK]

Debbie, what makes you think he's learned anything?

Surely the sign of this would be when he actually responds appropriately?

 

[AntiThesis]

You're so eloquent Debbie I love it.

Man oh man person I really hope you threaten me with legal action as that would give me at least a week's worth of entertainment. As has been stated numerous times, what we've said has been truthful, not slanderous.

I think it's time for you to face the idea that this business venture has tanked due most likely to your youth and apparent lack of maturity. One day you will understand and may well become a better businessman for it.

You need to accept that while you remain childish, people on this forum will do anything in their power to prevent you from defrauding others. Alienware has been informed, OCz has been informed and I've personally informed some folks in Boston and other parts of the US of the proceedings here. Don't worry, I didn't say anything specifically bad about you, just let them make up their own minds.

Meanwhile, I truly suggest you refund all the people who have a claim (or if you can't afford it while paying 3000 salaries, make alternate arrangements) and restart in a couple of years. You won't go down smelling like roses but you'll smell a lot better than you do now.

I'm sure you're an OK bloke and your responses have been largely due to stress but perhaps it's time to make your peace before someone opens up a case with the police or SARS? Just a thought.

 

[Debbie]

Debbie, what makes you think he's learned anything?
Surely the sign of this would be when he actually responds appropriately?

I say I think he has learned because I kinda feel sorry for the guy and I think he deserves yet another chance to say sorry and to maybe be forgiven. I mean, come on, who hasn't had an experience like this, where you are the one who messes up, and then you compound your own mess by defiance and by insisting you've done nothing wrong?

He's young and trying to make his own way in the world, which is a lot more than I can say for many people his age. It's not like the guy deliberately set out to screw people. He had a solid reputation, and we've heard nothing but positive reviews until now. I think he just bit off a little too much at one time, and when it all came down on him he panicked and didn't know how to handle the situation, so unfortunately he handled it very badly. It can happen to anyone.

There is no need to crucify him, not like he murdered someone. It's not even like he pulled a slimothy (aka Warren Holbrow Smith). person has said he will refund the guys. Lets wait and see if he does come through with those refunds and maybe a sincere apology, cos he'd have to be a total idiot not to. I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt, and I hope one day when I am in such a situation someone gives me the benefit.