Reviews Feed
Marcus Haerdin
Unfriendly and rushed, rudely telling subordinates off in front of many customers that were waiting. Not coming back, check out PLE Wangara instead, much better experience
John Smith
TL;DR: Sales staff are great but the management in charge of warranty and returns won't look after you. Never buying here again.
I've bought a few things from this store, laptop, office chairs, mice, cables etc. The laptop in question had a key cap come loose after a few months. The authorised repair service is in the eastern states so I called up Austin to claim warranty. Ming in the Returns department answered and told me to deal with the supplier directly. When I asked if I could drop it off he just repeated "deal with the supplier" leading me to believe that was the only option. He sounded very impatient and kept repeating that one line so I contacted the supplier.
The supplier said I could ship it over myself or I could drop it off at the store, said that the store is legally required to process warranty claims. Not a good start.
When I dropped it off, sales staff were lovely and understanding. The unit returned in two weeks however the issue wasn't fixed. I found the whole experience frustrating. I asked if I could exchange the laptop to avoid another two week delay. Sales said they will ask the supplier but they don't have any units in stock anyway so it wouldn't be quicker. They also said the supplier provided an extra 6 months warranty and Austin will express ship it there and back. I didn't know what a supplier has to do with an exchange decision that was up to Austin but I was grateful that they were at least doing something about it. The sales member was very polite throughout.
Two and a half weeks later and still no laptop. I tried calling Ming but every interaction with him was useless. His phone rang for 10 minutes before I hung up and called sales. When they transferred me he picked up immediately. He then said he couldn't find my laptop job in the system and transferred me to their own service centre before I had a chance to explain the situation to him. Service centre had no idea what was going on and eventually I got transferred back to sales who gave me an update. They told me express shipping was never used which is why it was taking longer than before.
Frustrated, I asked if I could return or exchange the unit for another brand that has a local authorised repair centre like ASUS. When the laptop returned it came with a replaced exterior so it looked brand new. Additionally I said I'd be happy to pay extra for an in stock model if it meant I wouldn't have to deal with this issue in the future. The manager, Phil, said the supplier provided an extra 6 months warranty and that's all they will do. Phil said the supplier won't credit them so Austin won't accept an exchange or a return. I mentioned that extra warranty doesn't help when the issue is with the warranty service. Phil then replied that if I don't like it I can contact the ACC (Australian Consumer Commission). It was clear to me then that they had no intention of doing anything to help me.
I had planned on building a high end desktop rig and buying my partner a gaming laptop but I will be taking my business elsewhere now.
Ki Vi
Been shopping here for years. Shop is fine, Staff are knowledgeable , prices aren't anything special.
Website design is good but is extremely slow.
Tried website on mobile devices, different browsers, different computers at different locations with different ISP's. Website home page looks good but is basically useless. Filters take forever to respond. Two star deduction for a crap site.
Their return procedure is downright illegal. Informing customers that the decision to refund is based on the manufacturers decision to credit them. A further two star deduction applies for lack of customer service..
Warren Black
Great experience buying my computer but I had a problem with my computer subsequently. It's like these guys have gone out of their way to make it as difficult as possible for me to fix it. First I got the run around calling them and finally after various calls we agreed I'd bring it in. Secondly I was leaving for usa so got my ex wife to go in with it with a clearly written letter plus a video showing exactly what the problem was. Thirdly my own IT guy verified the issue and said he was willing to talk to the shop. The computer repair person made it very difficult for her and outright refused to watch the video saying there was nothing wrong with it and a video was "no evidence". They also have refused to ring or speak to my IT guy and continue to insist there is nothing wrong with it. The problem is ... it is iintermittent and that is why they need to see the video and talk to my computer guy. But they refuse to talk to them and insist there is nothing wrong with it. Very poor effort and I have never written a review this negative before ... but I'm doing it to ensure others do not buy their computer through this company without at least knowing what they're up against.
Josh Doktor
Last Wednesday, called to ask if they had any M.2 SSD, and they had a "several" so I asked for them to hold aside.
Came in last Thursday, and immediately browsed for a radiator closed loop water cooling for Intel socket, and asked for their opinion only to be told to "look it up on their computer".
What?? Don't think I can look it up at HOME, on MY OWN computer, during MY TIME??
So I turn around and go to their computer, when I hear back talk, from your clerks, saying on how I could not install a radiator, and how I could not know the difference between LGA1151 socket and an AM2 Socket.
Do they do this to all customers who aren't Asian?? Racist much?
When I turn back, as ask about the M.2 SSD, the guy replies, saying he never got a call yesterday, and that they did not have the M.2 SSD. I gave him the details of it, but he didn't even bother to look it up on the computer, and non of the other staff helped me out, but stayed silent.
Horrible service!!!
Location: Austin Computer - Osborne Park
Michael Sebastian
Worst service!!!! If I good give a negative Star I would. Was told the product I was after would be held aside and it is a brand new comouter. Got to the store and the gentleman behind the desk was extremely rude and said "well it probably sold so there is the only the display model.." good job Austin computers you've lost my business! Was only going to spend $4500 I'm going to PLE.
Michael Buchan
Friendly sales staff and well laid out showroom, however appalling staff attitude with warranty service. Staff member in charge of service attempted to intimidate me and accused me of refund fraud when I attended the store with a faulty keyboard within warranty period. When I corrected them and they realised that they had obviously got me confused for someone else, the staff member did not say another word to me and refused to offer an apology but nonetheless took in the keyboard to be RMAed with the vendor. It then took 6 weeks to replace the keyboard and they refused to communicate with me at all during this time frame.
Avoid at all costs.
Telekq3
Rude staff. Alan doesn't know what he's doing.
Regularly delete negative comments off facebook, to hide their reputation.
They have little product knowledge, they don't supply on time, and they don't give refunds despite the product being faulty. I stopped coming back after my third issue with them.
I haven't been back in 4 years, and have warned multiple friends and family off them.
PLE computers and Netplus Micro are in the vicinity and both are far superior.
RDM Project
TOTAL RIP OFF... try to build a new pc with them.. They kept sending invoices with the wrong price and parts.. they also try to charge me tax twice on all invoices.. very unpleasant experience...
Ri_Moa Tan
Bad customer service, never recommend that place. If you bought something from there and broken, they won't care even it's under warranty. That shop wasted my time! I WILL NEVER COME BACK!
Jon M
I used to go mostly to the Cannington shop (across the street from the big JB HIFI) . I bought a lot of computer components from the Cannington shop (over 5,000$ over the last two years and another $4000 from the Osborne Park shop, both for home and for work - computers are my hobby). Unfortunately, at the Cannington shop most times I dealt with the middle aged Asian looking guy, who at all times treated me (and I am sure not just me) with total contempt. He seems to know nothing about what he sells and he blatantly exhibits a total despise for anybody walking in his shop. Normally I do my home work before going to shop, but the few instances where I asked technical questions he opened the Austin website and started to read the product description in my face, not even miming that he knows a thing!!! Every time without exception the Austin shopping experience was unpleasant, and the only reason I kept going there is that there are not many computer shops in Perth, and the few other computer components shops keep even less stock than Austin Computers. I just need the stuff quickly at times, otherwise I would order on line from any Sydney or even HK shop, therefore no need for these Austin shops where customers are treated like rubbish as a matter of fact! What really totally rot the Cannington shop for me (as well as Austin Computers in general) was a recent episode: I went to buy an UPS , started the transaction, the box was on the bench in front of me and I was paying already and suddenly the other seller announced that he is selling the same product to another customer, they only have one and therefore I cannot have that UPS! My (Asian looking) seller very naturally and without a blink said OK, so that was it , they just took the stuff from my hands, to my complete astonishment! There was no regret or apologies despite the fact that I was a regular customer, no offer to bring it from the main shop - it was their way of doing business! I would never go again into that shop and I suggest that unless somebody wants to be humiliated for no reason, better order on line from other businesses (certainly not from Austin Online - they use the same people and this is part of the problem, they see any customer as an interruption). I am sure there are better shops with care for their customers and with much more stock in hand. The Osborne Park shop has normally more stock than their other Perth shops but they are absolutely not different in attitude - they just do not give a darn about customers. You pay at the front desk, than they send you outside at the side warehouse where some really bored Asian dudes with minimal English come out from time to time to pick up your invoice, slam the high gate shut in your face and leave you wondering if he is ever coming back (it takes quite a while every time). Buyer be warned - buy from Austin Computers at your own peril!
Jason Ogden
Poor customer service and staff are hard to understand and you don't get the answer if you ask a question
Not Recommended
Cam W
The worst customer service ever at the Cannington Store wouldn't go back All their staff needs to be pulled into line
Ben T
bad customer service and arrogant staff.alan tan is ignorant.
Ritchie Wilton
Spent a bucket of cash. No receipt sent to mail address. No communication. Bullet speed message left on my answering machine after ringing yet again. Part missing no ringing to see if i would like a swap, just waited till it turned up or i rang saying WTF.
No not happy not at all. Price good. Reliablity is crap. Having a Happy Christmas
Should have remembered, same as last time i delt with them
Jerome Aliaga
Yep probably one of the worst places for buying computer equipment from in Perth. I bought an Antec p180 case that had already been worked on, damaged and obviously returned to the store and then been repackaged for the next poor fool.
Mark Wooldridge (Other Account)
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