My bad experience with Rebeltech

[Vsdgkk]

Just another addtion here. Ive used Rebel Tech a few times, and i did one big order with them about 20k. Did lots of back and forth with the owner with him giving suggestions where i wasnt 100% about an item. The asrock boards i wanted were out of stock so i waited 2 weeks for those. Otherwise no issues.

I had a great experience with them.

 

[Drunkard #1]

Their model works basically like this:

They (Rebeltech) are a reseller, they buy from the major suppliers like Rectron. Rectron orders in bulk from the international supplier (like your name brands Samsung etc.).

When Rebeltech shows they are out of stock, that means there is no stock available at the local suppliers (Rectron). Rectron won't state a price for it, because they are out of stock. They'll only state their new pricing when they have received stock. This price is affected by the price the local suppliers (Rectron) has to pay on that moment of time. The price is influenced by the quantity bought, the Rand/$ price, import taxes and costs, and shipping costs (which is also affected by the Rand/$).

When Rectron is out of stock it could also mean that the international supplier are out of stock, which will also increase the price, since the demand is much higher then what they can supply.

If an online retailer (reseller) states they are out of stock, they usually show the last known price of an item (for reference purposes). This price of an item can even decrease if the Rand/$ is doing very well during the out of stock period, although highly unlikely in RSA.

Well then the reseller shouldn't be issuing quotes, order confirmations and sometimes even invoices based on that price, now should he? Especially since the CPA came into force. A consumer buying from a reseller has a lot more rights that business dealing with a wholesaler, generally. They're legally two different types of transaction, so the same rules definitely don't apply (generally).

 

[Hobbs zn]

Well My experience with Rebeltech has been one of good service.
I spend over R2500 with them. I placed my order, received and email stating they checking sock within a few hours they replied with stock available and asked to make payment.

Within 3 days i had my stuff and all they way i was kept in the loop with emails.

I know some people have different experiences with different online stores but if you just pick up a phone and call sometimes this resolves a lot of issues rather than waiting for emails to go back a forth.

juts my 2c

 

[weelzSA]

Takealot providing accurate delivery information? You jest, surely?

This was my last order with them:

Shipped on Friday - email says 'Delivered by 5 December' (Yes, that's almost 2 weeks)
Received an SMS on Sunday saying 'Your order is scheduled for delivery today' (I've actually never once received one of these SMS's that was correct, so I just ignore them)
Delivery arrived on Tuesday
On Wednesday I received an email saying 'Your order is waiting for you at your local Post Office'

The best part of this was that on receiving the order, the scheduled date of delivery was clearly marked on the waybill.

Maybe that was a once off error from TakeAlot. I have been ordering them for years and years and never once had a problem with delivery. Sometimes even get the order the same day I placed the order. Whenever they have sent me delivery info it has always been accurate. So maybe you were just un-lucky on that order?

 

[Veroland]

I deal with Rebeltech on a daily basis, I spend serious amounts of cash with them, even though I can buy directly from suppliers.
Their service is top notch and I'll gladly pay the extra just to not have to deal with the suppliers. Not sure of the exact amount but its well over R100 000 at this stage.

I don't normally do this but I want to throw in my 2 cents.

I've dealt with Rebeltech a number of times and their service is the best I've found. The one time they could not find stock on a item AFTER they had confirmed to me stock was available they upgraded the GPU at no extra cost to me.

 

[Rudimental]

Maybe that was a once off error from TakeAlot. I have been ordering them for years and years and never once had a problem with delivery. Sometimes even get the order the same day I placed the order. Whenever they have sent me delivery info it has always been accurate. So maybe you were just un-lucky on that order?

You live in the same city as their main warehouse, and so that is expected. Of course, this is not every order, but ever since they switched to using Mr Delivery, the delivery service has been terrible in terms of figuring out when an order is going to be delivered, and also a day slower in general, and I imagine that it is the same for other people who are not in major centers. Previously, it used to be great when they were using CourierIT, etc... Also, like I said, the SMS's they have started sending have always been incorrect. It is probably because the SMS seems to be linked to the 'en route for delivery' tracking status, rather than the actual scheduled date on the package that the courier sticks to. This is just the first time there have been so many annoying incorrect things.

Anyway, this is rather OT.

 

[Rickster]

If I place an order on a item that costs R1499.99 + delivery (~R60) and pay it that same day, they can't tell me to pay more if the price changes.

 

[Rickster]

I am in the same line of business

PM me your businesses website, thanks.

 

[Narkath]

Hi guys,

I hate to hijack another person's thread, but I was told over at mygaming.co.za that there was another post here on mybb about people having issues with Rebel Tech. I am currently having quite a few issues so I'll just go ahead and leave this here as a crosspost

I'm UnhappyCamper there...

In search for a similar experience to mine on google I found this thread and scanned some of the comments. Please do forgive me for resurrecting it.

My horrible experience with Rebel Tech is ongoing. This is the email I sent to Rune today, explaining some of the things I have experienced so far. Note that while it says 11 days, I had deposited the money the prior week. It was only 11 days since I asked for the refund. The refund is for part of an order, 3 graphics cards totaling R11,659, that was cancelled due to the supplier having no stock. I received an email apology following the posting on their facebook page saying "Our accountant loaded the payment but forgot to release it. It will be released shortly." That was on Friday morning. My response today:

While I appreciate the apology, I'd much rather have my money back, which, at this point, I will have been waiting 11 DAYS for as of tomorrow. I cannot believe that your accountant has once again forgotten to release it after having been explicitly told to do so. I think I have been unnecessarily patient up until this point, despite the numerous failings by Rebel Tech which have been as follows:

- It took 6 (4th - 10th) days for Rebel Tech to inform me that were unable to get stock for an item, by which point I had already received goods from another ecommerce company that were ordered on the same day.
- I asked Alex for a different, out of stock card that I was told the suppliers also did not have but Rebel Tech may be getting by the end of the week. On Thursday (12th), I said if you guys didn't get stock by the end of the day, to please ship all of the products and refund the rest.
- On Friday (13th) I sent en email asking what was happening with the refund. This email was IGNORED.
- On the Tuesday (17th) I received a call from Alex and he said that you guys had received those cards and WOULD I STILL LIKE A REFUND?!
- On Wednesday (18th) IGNORED EMAIL.
- On Wednesday (18th) I called Alex and told him it's been six days since he asked me for my banking details and we agreed to do the refund. I asked him what was going on and he told me, very disinterestedly, that it would be done BY THE END OF THE WEEK?!
- On Thurday (19th) I posted the facebook message to which you responded.
- On Friday (20th) I got the email from you saying it would be done SHORTLY?

In these emails I have alluded to the fact that this purchase of mine was a time sensitive matter. These delays have cost me not only potential revenue but cold hard cash as I have a partial PC sitting in boxes that I have absolutely no idea what to do with, since the customer of mine who ordered it has CANCELLED "because of the delays." R8k down the drain. This was a gamble on my part for promising to deliver on time but could have been avoided if the funds had been returned that Thursday/Friday when I asked for it.

I honestly don't know how any company can provide service like this and expect to retain customers. I am usually loyal to online stores--I order from many online computer retailers--that provide even adequate service. I hardly ever complain about things and let a lot go. But my biggest gripe, ignoring all of the other issues listed above here is that the these funds do not belong to Rebel Tech and are being held without reason.

I strongly urge Rebel Tech to provide me, at the very least, with a proof of payment of the outstanding funds by noon tomorrow.

What irritates me more is that an EFT is a 5 minute affair and this could have been sorted out ages ago. Now I receive an auto responder saying that the he is on leave and that he will only be back on the 6th of [edit] Jan! None of the money was earmarked for Christmas gifts but I nonetheless become a little more frugal with my spending as a result of this whole debacle.

I have never in my life had such poor service. If someone had had the decency to email me and apologies for momentary delays, I would have been less livid but at this point all I want is my money back. I am sitting here wondering at what point does nonpayment become theft? By the end of the month?

Post link: http://mygaming.co.za/forum/showthr...-at-Rebel-Tech?p=864290&viewfull=1#post864290

 

[Space_Chief]

I too have spent well over R 100 000 with Rebeltech, but that was a long time ago. Now they're on my "only if there is no other choice" list because of their piss poor service and unacceptable delays. Also on that list is Digital Planet. It's one step above my "Never, ever, ever again" list that includes Sybaritic and Chaos.

My latest order was with Prophecy, who gave excellent service, and a few companies I've never heard of, but who took credit cards. Well over R 20 000, and most of that would have gone Rebeltech's way, previously.

Edit: and mike6870, learn how to a ****ing apostrophe.

Yoda would say to you, "Big spender you are. But learn to not swallow verbs you must".

 

[Space_Chief]

Well then the reseller shouldn't be issuing quotes, order confirmations and sometimes even invoices based on that price, now should he? Especially since the CPA came into force. A consumer buying from a reseller has a lot more rights that business dealing with a wholesaler, generally. They're legally two different types of transaction, so the same rules definitely don't apply (generally).

One can quote and then one can change one's mind. As long as you don't take someone's money and not deliver, it's OK. No-one is forcing the buyer to deal with RebelTech. The sense of entitlement here is really high.

 

[Drunkard #1]

Yoda would say to you, "Big spender you are. But learn to not swallow verbs you must".

Oops. I'm a grammar nazi. When I see errors like that, I see red and can't think straight. Business expenses, not personal, so not a big spender.

One can quote and then one can change one's mind. As long as you don't take someone's money and not deliver, it's OK. No-one is forcing the buyer to deal with RebelTech. The sense of entitlement here is really high.

Whether you're legally allowed to change your mind after issuing a quote is debatable. I think there's probably a provision putting a stop to this, but I'm to lazy to look it up. Either way, you're going to piss off your customers by doing it, so at the very least, you deserve a ranting thread like this one.

And I don't see any undue sense of entitlement. Nobody forced Rebel Tech to quote - if they didn't want the sale, and the legal obligations that come with initiating it, then they should have just cancelled the order as soon as they received it. I don't want my time wasted by incompetent "retailers" who take two weeks to say "no stock" or "wrong price, **** you", and if it happens, I will rant about it.

 

[ProfA]

Have to agree with Drunkard.

 

[AfricanTech]

I don't normally do this but I want to throw in my 2 cents.

I've dealt with Rebeltech a number of times and their service is the best I've found. The one time they could not find stock on a item AFTER they had confirmed to me stock was available they upgraded the GPU at no extra cost to me.

Had the same experience with a PSU - upgraded at no charge

Well My experience with Rebeltech has been one of good service.
I spend over R2500 with them. I placed my order, received and email stating they checking sock within a few hours they replied with stock available and asked to make payment.

Within 3 days i had my stuff and all they way i was kept in the loop with emails.

I know some people have different experiences with different online stores but if you just pick up a phone and call sometimes this resolves a lot of issues rather than waiting for emails to go back a forth.

juts my 2c

This, so much this - when I didn't receive immediate confirmation that all stock was available, I called them - they had me sorted out within 2 -3 days.

I will buy from them again - their prices are excellent.

 

[Space_Chief]

Oops. I'm a grammar nazi. When I see errors like that, I see red and can't think straight. Business expenses, not personal, so not a big spender.

No worries.

Whether you're legally allowed to change your mind after issuing a quote is debatable. I think there's probably a provision putting a stop to this, but I'm to lazy to look it up. Either way, you're going to piss off your customers by doing it, so at the very least, you deserve a ranting thread like this one.

I would hope you can. Why is offering a quote suddenly an obligation one has to follow through with it?

And I don't see any undue sense of entitlement. Nobody forced Rebel Tech to quote - if they didn't want the sale, and the legal obligations that come with initiating it, then they should have just cancelled the order as soon as they received it. I don't want my time wasted by incompetent "retailers" who take two weeks to say "no stock" or "wrong price, **** you", and if it happens, I will rant about it.

Well the customer requested a quote. And they said, "don't pay yet, until we confirm stock". But customer paid. Their system is a bit screwed up I agree. Maybe it will generate customer anger and cause bad vibes which will lead to loss of sales.... but that's a price they have to pay.

I'm against this type of socialism. Government says: if a business quotes, business must sell at that price and cannot cancel quote or update it prior to payment. It's nice that the same government can't maintain its obligation to maintain a stable R/$ currency exchange. It seems they want First World consumer protection laws, while delivering a 3rd World financial environment. Businesses won't succeed. And what are businesses, just people trying to feed their families who also pay tax. For all the talk of job creation....

On the other hand if this costs RT business, and people go to a more streamlined experience like Takealot, so be it. That's a free market.

 

[Vincent_Thorn]

I agree that sudden price increase upsets. But remember that you play on a CHEAPEST market ever - Internet! Why it's so cheap? Quite simple - nobody has stock! Nobody pays rent for offices, stock, sellers, cashier... And since all items delivered from america/china, it CAN be that price fluctuates a bit (remember, crisis is not gone!).
Wanna be sure in prices? Welcome Incrapable connection! These guys multiply price by 10 and viola - item is immediately available from the shelf.
I dealt with RebelTech 3 times and always being satisfied.
If you wanna be sure in delivery, call seller and double check they have stock and you can be serviced in time.

 

[Narkath]

Update to my post on mygaming.co.za, to those interested:

Sorry, guys. Was busy this morning. I did indeed receive an email this morning from Rebel Tech saying the money has been released. I am just waiting for it to clear now, I believe. It's from standard to fnb so I am hoping for tonight some time. Fingers crossed.

Rune also gave me a call this early today and was extremely apologetic and concerned. He seems like a really nice guy overall in that he is even willing to collect and refund me for the other parts I received from Rebel Tech (R1000+) when he returns Jan 6. Awesome stuff. He was also completely unaware that the refund was delayed as long as had been until I posted on facebook on the Thursday. He said he would have a talk with his staff and see what was going on there as soon as he gets back and find out who is responsible.

What seems to be going on there is problems with the staff and not the owner. As a customer, this is not my concern, but it is nice to know that people are being held accountable and that as a result we may be getting some better service.

@Fival To the credibility of my claim: I'm not sure of the legal implications of me pastebining the history of my correspondence them, not to mention that I would have to redact some personal stuff, possibly. In any case, since the whole situation is most likely resolved, there is no need to do that.

The crosspost link is in the original post on mine.

As for making a new thread, I should have done that... maybe, but if this gets sorted out there is no need for me to go on more of a rampage than i have already done.

Thanks, all.

 

[Drunkard #1]

No worries.




I would hope you can. Why is offering a quote suddenly an obligation one has to follow through with it?



Well the customer requested a quote. And they said, "don't pay yet, until we confirm stock". But customer paid. Their system is a bit screwed up I agree. Maybe it will generate customer anger and cause bad vibes which will lead to loss of sales.... but that's a price they have to pay.

I'm against this type of socialism. Government says: if a business quotes, business must sell at that price and cannot cancel quote or update it prior to payment. It's nice that the same government can't maintain its obligation to maintain a stable R/$ currency exchange. It seems they want First World consumer protection laws, while delivering a 3rd World financial environment. Businesses won't succeed. And what are businesses, just people trying to feed their families who also pay tax. For all the talk of job creation....

On the other hand if this costs RT business, and people go to a more streamlined experience like Takealot, so be it. That's a free market.

Socialism? Seriously? Do you even know what the word means? And no, it's not unfair at all. A quote should create obligations. The buyer is making decisions based on the seller's quote. Why bother to quote at all, if you don't intend to respect the document. Besides, we're not just talking about rescinding quotes. Dodgy sellers (guess who) regularly renege on orders they've invoiced, and sometimes even requested (and received) payment for.

I once placed an order, received confirmation and an invoice, paid for and was told to expect delivery on an item, only to be told (after two weeks of harassing the ****s) that the price was wrong and that they weren't honouring the sale. Took the threat of a criminal case for fraud before they refunded me. Chaos computers - worse than Rebel Tech.

 

[Space_Chief]

Socialism? Seriously? Do you even know what the word means? And no, it's not unfair at all. A quote should create obligations. The buyer is making decisions based on the seller's quote. Why bother to quote at all, if you don't intend to respect the document. Besides, we're not just talking about rescinding quotes. Dodgy sellers (guess who) regularly renege on orders they've invoiced, and sometimes even requested (and received) payment for.

Yes the use of socialism is a little hyperbolic, although the regulation of economic dealings between individuals and non state enterprises in the broader framework of control of the economy is something which occurs in socialist economic systems to a varying degree.

The buyer and seller are both adults and both should make FREE decisions. And if they decide to back out, so be it, there is an initial obligation but how binding it is not itself fixed. I guess when it comes to larger contracts terms and guarantees could be agreed upon first. Now, the nature of this business is such that stock is not on hand and that they are dependent on some 1930s type inventory taking technology - a guy with a telephone who then calls another guy on a remote computer (inventory book) and checks if they have stock and at what price and maybe this inventory level is not updated very well.

Here, the seller did request that payment not be made before stock price could be confirmed. I agree that the RT system sucks and is buyer unfriendly, but then the buyer can just post his complaint here and never go back to RT again. I further stated that there are more streamlined systems - but even shops like B&H in NY and Amazon offer broad "available in 2-4 weeks" or more vague (on order from manufacturer) ETAs. I've had an order with B&H once where they took my money and then took 3-4 months to tell me Sony would no longer be delivering the product and I can have my money back. B&H is one of the most respected pro photo/video websites in the Western world.

I once placed an order, received confirmation and an invoice, paid for and was told to expect delivery on an item, only to be told (after two weeks of harassing the ****s) that the price was wrong and that they weren't honouring the sale. Took the threat of a criminal case for fraud before they refunded me. Chaos computers - worse than Rebel Tech.

Sure but that's a different story. You're now providing me with a different sob story with different circumstances. In Story 1 the shop asked the buyer to defer payment till they could confirm stock and price. In your story the shop confirmed stock and price and requested payment of which they took receipt and later then broke their promise. But mistakes can happen. Chaos should refund you quickly and compensate you - to keep you as a customer. They didn't - well now they get negative mentions on Mybroadband. And I've already heard some negative things about them before on this forum, so now I guess they have two black marks next to their name - buyer beware.

 

[ProfA]

And we wonder why service is generally so crap in this country. People think that a quote is no longer binding, and that we as customers should just be happy to accept re-sellers going back on their advertised prices. That is a crock of crap in my opinion. ESPECIALLY, with the amount of competition there is. I would think that re-sellers would be of the thinking that the customer is doing them a favour and not the other way around and that a re-seller needs the customer a hell of a lot more than the customer needs the re-seller.