Registered: Mar 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 71

PalmGear mail-order service history

I ordered the FlashPlus from PalmGear only because they are the ordering partner of Handsprings for odd stuff. I recieved a e-mail saying it would be in stock Aug 30...I called to check on my order on Sept. 4 & they had lost all of my order information! Still waiting for a "your item has been shipped" e-mail...

What's the mail-order history from PalmGear with VisorCentral members? Anyone care to comment?

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 22

I originally was going to order FlashPlus from Inno Pocket web site on Sept 30th but their site said it was out of stock. I then went over to the HS site to see who else might carry it, so it took me to PalmGear.
I placed the order the same night, Sept 31 I received confirmation that it was being shipped Priority Mail, received FlashPlus on Tuesday.
Now that I have it, its great! I already own CF cards for my camera now Im just trying to figure out how to run apps off the card.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 415

i said 'just okay', cause its expensive and slow to ship to canada. but ive recieved everything i ordered within the expected two weeks or so that you get when using the mail.

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-thorin

I have a webcomic. You should read it, or I may do something rash. <b><a href=http://driveby.keenspace.com/>Drive-by Loitering</a></b> is updated every monday, wednesday and friday.

<!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks."><img src=http://www.frontfly.com/vcsig.gif ><!img src=http://www.frontfly.com/myrouter/vcsig2.gif alt="Soundsgood is too elite for the punks.">

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 71

quote:

---

Originally posted by macster
I originally was going to order FlashPlus from Inno Pocket web site on Sept 30th but their site said it was out of stock. I then went over to the HS site to see who else might carry it, so it took me to PalmGear.
I placed the order the same night, Sept 31 I received confirmation that it was being shipped Priority Mail, received FlashPlus on Tuesday.
Now that I have it, its great! I already own CF cards for my camera now Im just trying to figure out how to run apps off the card.

---

__________________
"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: TX
Posts: 80

My husband had ordered the Hagiwara Backup and 8mb combo module for me in mid August. They told him it would be on back order until the end of August. He called them on Sept 5 to find out the status of the order. They told him they didn't know when his order would be filled, there was a "mix-up" in the order. He asked if the items were in stock and when they told him yes he asked what the problem was with shipping it. They then, suddenly, found his order. The rep apologized and my husband asked when we could expect the item and they told him we would have it the next day, no extra charge. Now that was nice but it would have been nicer if they had just shipped it when it was in stock. No telling how long it would have been if he had not called. (When the item arrived it was addressed to a Mr. Dartmouth, faarrrrr from my last name. <g> )

But I must say that when I order software that doesn't need to be shipped, I usually have the registered version within 24 hours.

Teri

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

Well, back when the first Memplugs went on sale at PalmGear, I jumped on it and ordered one. It arrived just a couple of days later (I remember being surprised at how quickly it came). That experience was great.

Now, I just ordered the BeatPlus module two days ago (the night of the 5th). I got one email same night confirming my order, and I got a second email the next day (on the 6th) telling me that my order had already been shipped on the 7th. Yes, the email (which I received the night of the 6th) said my order had ALREADY been shipped on the 7th, which hadn't even happened yet. It seems like a promising thing, I think. It either means that the item WILL ship the 7th (today) or that it actually shipped the 6th and the date in the email just got mixed up. Anyway, I'm hoping for it to arrive either tomorrow or Monday (hopefully tomorrow).

So far, my PalmGear experiences have been quite positive *knocks on a butt-load of the nearest wood*. But I've heard some pretty bad horrow stories when it comes to items that are "backordered".

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-Richard Powell

"Nice guys may finish last, but you know, the company's much better back here."

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 443

worst company i've ordered from on the net and i refuse to buy from them anymore as a result.

i ordered a soundsgood. among the probs i encountered were these:

1. item didn't ship when they said it would.
2. when i called (several times) to inquire, i received an answering machine telling me what their hours of operation were and that i should call back then or leave a message. i was calling during biz hours.
3. every message i left was unreturned.
4. when i finally got a rep on the phone she said she would get to the bottom of my order and call me back in 10 minutes.
5. never called back.
6. future emails were never returned.
7. unit finally arrived about 3 weeks later.

mc

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 71

Aak! I guess it's just hit or miss with PalmGear hardware orders then...When I sent an e-mail to their mail-order department it was returned "unknown." (Sigh)

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

I've never received any hardware from them. Evry time I've ordered a springboard, they say it's in stock at time of ordering and I don't see anything for weeks. Try to contact.. no reply to emails... call them on the phone, cancel order. This is the same scenario that's happenned 4 times in the past for me (or my wife tryin to get me a present for birthday or christmas).

Althought the software I've purchased through them has been without any incident.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 71

Well, maybe the responses to this topic will help me get the point across to PalmGear when I call again on Monday. When I order Visor-related items from Amazon I have no problem...but Amazon isn't carrying the FlashPlus...yet.

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

Just an update:

I received my BeatPlus without incident today. So they're currently 2 for 2 in my book (again knocking on wood).

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-Richard Powell

"Nice guys may finish last, but you know, the company's much better back here."

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 53

Sucks! tried to order the Memplug ....

when it first came out. I had my CC out and ready to order two - their server crashed (some stupid Microsoft IIS error) - every time I tried to order. I sent the Memplug manufacturer and Palmgear the crash info - heard back from memplug and never heard back from Palmgear.

Moral: If you want to sell your stuff reliably - dont hawk it on PalmGear - just sell it yourself or use Kagi/Paypal etc - you will just loose sales and you will never hear about the ones you lost!
If you want to buy Palm Stuff, buy direct fromt eh manufacturer/developer if you can - cut the middleman!

bye
AM

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

I have never had a problem with them. The main reason is I live in the
same town. When I need something, I go pick it up. No problem. I have
also returned things w/o a problem. I have had them look up past orders
and they were quick to respond and send the link for downloading a
registered copy again. Guess I'm just lucky to live in same town.
I much prefer them to Handango who is not prepared to have orders
picked up at their office.

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Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 71

quote:

---

Originally posted by gadgetguru
I have never had a problem with them. The main reason is I live in the
same town. When I need something, I go pick it up. No problem. I have
also returned things w/o a problem. I have had them look up past orders
and they were quick to respond and send the link for downloading a
registered copy again. Guess I'm just lucky to live in same town.
I much prefer them to Handango who is not prepared to have orders
picked up at their office.

---

__________________
"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

I tried to order the Beat Plus module from PalmGear around August 24th -- I got an immediate confirmation, but nothing after that. I finally called them up on the 8th and they had no record of the order. They said that their order system lost a bunch of orders. I reordered over the phone, and the module showed up the next week.

I think they do OK, but if you're ordering something other than electronically distributed software, do yourself a favor and call them to place the order.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 71

Still no word from them this week, but I'm not suprised all things considered...But as of yesterday the US Mail & other carriers were back in the air.

__________________
"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 65

I've ordered from them in the past and returned items without any trouble. I'm currently having the same trouble you are though:-(
I ordered my FlashPlus on 23Aug2001. On they 24th, they sent me email telling me it was backordered but didn't say until when. When I asked them about it 05Sep01, they had lost my order due to some system crash. They re-entered my order. I also emailed innopocket and since they are waiting for product too, I wouldn't get it any faster to order directly through them.
They current estimate I have is stock arrives Palmgear on 20Sep.
FWIW, innopocket told me the same thing, 20Sep was when they'd get more.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 71

As much as I don't want to complain about minor sh!t in my life: I hate to say it but I'm really dissapointed in PalmGear.com's ordering & shipping departments.

I called today for the 2nd time about my order & learned that even though they lost the initial order info, which I resubmitted a couple weeks later, now I'm told that the account shows that the FlashPlus was shipped (as far as PalmGear is concerned) the day after my initial order almost a month ago...I now wonder how is this possible since all my info was lost the first time? I know it wasn't shipped as they claim since I had it sent via USPS Prioriry Mail. In the five years I owned my business before selling it I sent at least 2000+ packages with the USPS AND NEVER HAD ONE SINGLE PACKAGE LOST or even damaged during shipping!

The kicker to my call today was that the rep wanted me to send an e-mail to their shipping dept. Well, I had already done so before my first call, only to have the e-mail bounce back "Returned Unknown." So the shipping dept. e-mail is no good, the phone support is un-supportive & now I have nothing to show for my credit card bill (and I may yet be double billed since I had my info & order re-entered a second time.)

It really sucks that I even have to complain during this dark & tragic time & I feel like a jackass even spending this much time posting about it, but I want to support US companies, I really do...In fact I have a buy option in for Handspring & other US stocks to show my support for the DOW & NASDAQ. But PalmGear really needs to upgrade their service & support if they ever want to see my business again.

__________________
"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 71

quote:

---

Originally posted by OrangeDeluxe
The kicker to my call today was that the rep wanted me to send an e-mail to their shipping dept. Well, I had already done so before my first call, only to have the e-mail bounce back "Returned Unknown." So the shipping dept. e-mail is no good, the phone support is un-supportive & now I have nothing to show for my credit card bill (and I may yet be double billed since I had my info & order re-entered a second time.)

---

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

I ordered mine directly from the manufacturer back in April or May and got it literally days later.

I vastly prefer the FlashPlus to the MemPlug based on a head to head trial I did wherein I could not even get the MemPlug to run! Right now, I am having problems with VFS Helper, but I still prefer the FlashPlus- not only is it easy to use, it is also perfectly flush on the top and back!

For cheap CF and SM cards, try the Mr. Flash brand at www.newegg.com. No problems ordering from them, and the cards seem to work fine. I believe a 64 Mb SM was $28.

I also got their card reader- I STRONGLY suggest a card reader for all card users! So much faster and more convenient!