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  • Author Author: colporteur
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 1075 views
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  • Comments 4 comments
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The Road to Raspberry Pi4B/ PoE Hat RoadTest Review (status:light at the end of the tunnel)

colporteur

Frustration, doesn't begin to describe the emotions I'm experiencing. I just received confirmation from Newark Canada that an in stock item that was ordered on the 3 April, has been shipped. I have been waiting for a PoE power supply required to further the The Road to Raspberry Pi4B/ PoE Hat RoadTest Review Raspberry Pi4B (4GB) plus POE Hat .

 

Let's list the anomalies that may have contributed to my frustration:

  • COVID-19 pandemic social distancing protocol implemented in my country
  • April 3, order item in-stock, online order page indicates item "In Processing"
  • Subsequent in stock order placed on April 15, arrives in one week.
  • Dumped twice from on-line Chat to resolve issue after waiting in queue for 60 minutes.
  • Completed two poor service rating surveys
  • No response from email to order desk
  • No response from email to accounts receivable.
  • No response after attempted to intervene.
  • The online invoice indicates I will be over charged (you do the math).

image

I'm waiting for my credit card statement to arrive, before attempting to resolve the suggested billing error math. I have a real fear that if I poke the bear holding my order, the bear may just throw the order in the buckwheat with the other crap.

 

I have some understanding that during this pandemic crisis businesses will be impacted. Newark is not responsible for the pandemic. I have a certain tolerance level for mistakes, omissions and errors. Unfortunately, I'm done tapped out dealing with the anomalies that have delayed this order. Especially with a total lack of communication from the company. When they want payment they surely respond!

 

I was hoping to get this review completed before a vaccine for the COVID-19 made it to phase 3 trials. Frustration be damned, if the shipping services plays well, maybe I will have what I need to start further testing in another week. I did locate a box of CAT6 cable of sufficient length for a load test.

  • in reply to Andrew J

    G'Day,

    I got contactless receiving of the package on May 6. No knock or door bell ring. I found the item outside the door of my home when I went out for a walk.  This is my first poor experience with Newark. I have had poor customer service experience with other suppliers. This one motivated me enough to do something about it.

     

    My careers were mostly in support roles. I rarely worked on the money making side. Support was considered a expense and the money to provide the service seemed to be constantly under pressure to be reduced. I hear companies talk about customer service all the time but don't see the money to deliver it.

     

    The online chat experience with Newark is an example. They suggest a number of methods to contact them, one of them being online chat. I spent 75 minutes in the wait queue twice, before being dumped to a customer service survey. To add insult to injury, on the first chat experience my position in the queue was decreasing. I went from number two to number one in 70 minutes. Four minutes later I was dumped to a survey. I suspect 75 minutes is the maximum wait time in the queue. This suggests to me that online chat is a token service and not really being supported

     

    I went old school on Newark and wrote a a business style complaint letter detailing my experience and suggesting compensation. The letter went in the mail a few days ago. My intent in writing this blog was never to bad mouth Newark. I like their product selection and their investment in this web community. I was frustrated and feeling guilty about dragging my heels on the RoadTest Review. I figured a blog post on the status would give me a fresh start.

     

    With the power supply in hand, I'm ready to continue the testing for the PoE Hat for this review.

  • Nightmare.  Have a similar issue with Logitech trying to return something for a refund.  Opened the case on 14th April, had a brief flurry of activity a week later, then nothing.  Handed it over to Amex to sort out now who have refunded me the money and will take it up with Logitech.  So now I have my money back and the item.  In my last unanswered message to them I said I can tolerate delay because of the circumstances and likely reduced staffing but there come a point where it all just becomes ridiculous.

  • in reply to robogary

    I received a shipping notice with a tracking number this afternoon. Yoohoo, that means it is on its way. I think?

  • Hang in there.

    Could be toilet paper on order, then things really would get crappy   :-)