ragz
Feb 25th, 2007, 03:34 AM
Mar 1 Update: After no response from seller for 8 days I can only assume I am being scammed.
Seller: Coastal Neophyte
RFD Profile: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/member.php?u=19535
Heatware username: coal_nete
Heatware email: coal_nete@hotmail.com (originally provided by seller)
Current Heatware email: fbo@myway.com (changed to this email AFTER the transaction occured)
Heatware Link: http://www.heatware.com/eval.php?id=37040
EMT Email: mcsyarkawi@msn.com
Videocard in question: BFG 6800oc AGP (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408703)
The short version
Bought video card from a fellow RFDer, card doesn't work, no contact from seller for 8 days since I notified him (as of today, Mar 1).
The disgustingly long version
I've been looking for a moderate AGP video card for a week or so and came across a post selling an AGP card I was interested in (he also listed a motherboard). I pm'd the seller, letting him know I was interested provided there were no issues with card and he could supply heatware. I offered to pay the asking price as it was a very reasonable (maybe too much so?) and I followed up within an hour or so offering to take both the AGP card AND the motherboard at his asking price. I needed to settle a deal for a card in a timely fashion and figured offering to take both items would help to ensure I'd get the card and would save the seller some hassle of trying to sell both items.
The seller accepted my offer and after requesting his Heatware for a second time I was provided with an email address for his Heatware and an email address for the EMT. I checked out the Heatware and with nearly 30 positive feedbacks over ~2yrs I was satisfied. I sent off the EMT, provided the security answer, and my shipping info.
As discussed, the items were shipped out on Monday with full tracking provided later in the day. I received everything Thursday, for the most part the items were reasonably packed (a little looser then I would have done but definitely acceptable) and an effort was made to include a variety of accessories with both items (some of the original discs with the card, some cables and the backplate for the mobo which we hadn't discussed as it wasn't an issue for me).
The video card was the important item for me as it was going into a sytem I was building for a a co-wroker of mine. The card was installed into the system but when I powered the system up, I had nothing but artifacting across the screen (right at the POST screen), everything was completely garbled (the system itself was completely stable and had no issues whatsoever). I quickly powered down, double checked to ensure everything was alright but the problem persisted. I tested the card out in two different mobos (including the one I purchased from the seller) with 3 different PSUs all rated higher than called for by the manufacturer... all results were the same, horrendous artifacting right from the POST screen to a full load of the OS (both Linux and XP).
I sent a PM to the seller after fully testing the card to let him know there was a problem and if he could please get a hold of me, it's now been two days and the PM is unread. I sent an email to both acounts provided to me (heatware and EMT) and have not received a reply, that was 24+ hours ago.
In short, I'm in limbo. I do realize that 2 days isn't that long and hence my reasoning as to not provide the sellers information in this thread. I'm concerned though because I went to double check his heatware and now I find that the email address provided to me no longer brings up his heatware account. Also his last activity on RFD corresponds to the same day that the tracking info showed that the items were out for delivery by CP.
My other concern is the nature of the problem with the card. Since I've kept track (only for the last two years), I've built over 50 systems, repaired dozens more and spent an enormous amount on computer equipment. I've only seen this kind of problem with graphics cards that have overheated to the point of permanently damaging the GPU (failed cooling fans or getting carried away with oc'ing). It is of course possible that some kind of damage was incurred during shipping but it would be a first for me. Anyone else have experience with this kind of artifacting?
I'm torn that I'm being concerned needlessly as everything about the deal with this individual was flawless up until I actually tested the video card. There was good communication, Heatware checked out, the items were shipped in a timely fashion and a tracking number was provided. I mean, if you're gonna scam somebody.... why send anything at all once you have the EMT??
Anyone have any advice at this time? I realize it has only been 48+ hours since I've notified the seller of the problem, so for certain a little more time is in order. What's an acceptable timeline for a response? The card has a lifetime warranty for the original owner with the original receipt so I can't go and claim that from the manufacturer (no receipt was provided and I have no clue on the history of the card).
Seller: Coastal Neophyte
RFD Profile: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/member.php?u=19535
Heatware username: coal_nete
Heatware email: coal_nete@hotmail.com (originally provided by seller)
Current Heatware email: fbo@myway.com (changed to this email AFTER the transaction occured)
Heatware Link: http://www.heatware.com/eval.php?id=37040
EMT Email: mcsyarkawi@msn.com
Videocard in question: BFG 6800oc AGP (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408703)
The short version
Bought video card from a fellow RFDer, card doesn't work, no contact from seller for 8 days since I notified him (as of today, Mar 1).
The disgustingly long version
I've been looking for a moderate AGP video card for a week or so and came across a post selling an AGP card I was interested in (he also listed a motherboard). I pm'd the seller, letting him know I was interested provided there were no issues with card and he could supply heatware. I offered to pay the asking price as it was a very reasonable (maybe too much so?) and I followed up within an hour or so offering to take both the AGP card AND the motherboard at his asking price. I needed to settle a deal for a card in a timely fashion and figured offering to take both items would help to ensure I'd get the card and would save the seller some hassle of trying to sell both items.
The seller accepted my offer and after requesting his Heatware for a second time I was provided with an email address for his Heatware and an email address for the EMT. I checked out the Heatware and with nearly 30 positive feedbacks over ~2yrs I was satisfied. I sent off the EMT, provided the security answer, and my shipping info.
As discussed, the items were shipped out on Monday with full tracking provided later in the day. I received everything Thursday, for the most part the items were reasonably packed (a little looser then I would have done but definitely acceptable) and an effort was made to include a variety of accessories with both items (some of the original discs with the card, some cables and the backplate for the mobo which we hadn't discussed as it wasn't an issue for me).
The video card was the important item for me as it was going into a sytem I was building for a a co-wroker of mine. The card was installed into the system but when I powered the system up, I had nothing but artifacting across the screen (right at the POST screen), everything was completely garbled (the system itself was completely stable and had no issues whatsoever). I quickly powered down, double checked to ensure everything was alright but the problem persisted. I tested the card out in two different mobos (including the one I purchased from the seller) with 3 different PSUs all rated higher than called for by the manufacturer... all results were the same, horrendous artifacting right from the POST screen to a full load of the OS (both Linux and XP).
I sent a PM to the seller after fully testing the card to let him know there was a problem and if he could please get a hold of me, it's now been two days and the PM is unread. I sent an email to both acounts provided to me (heatware and EMT) and have not received a reply, that was 24+ hours ago.
In short, I'm in limbo. I do realize that 2 days isn't that long and hence my reasoning as to not provide the sellers information in this thread. I'm concerned though because I went to double check his heatware and now I find that the email address provided to me no longer brings up his heatware account. Also his last activity on RFD corresponds to the same day that the tracking info showed that the items were out for delivery by CP.
My other concern is the nature of the problem with the card. Since I've kept track (only for the last two years), I've built over 50 systems, repaired dozens more and spent an enormous amount on computer equipment. I've only seen this kind of problem with graphics cards that have overheated to the point of permanently damaging the GPU (failed cooling fans or getting carried away with oc'ing). It is of course possible that some kind of damage was incurred during shipping but it would be a first for me. Anyone else have experience with this kind of artifacting?
I'm torn that I'm being concerned needlessly as everything about the deal with this individual was flawless up until I actually tested the video card. There was good communication, Heatware checked out, the items were shipped in a timely fashion and a tracking number was provided. I mean, if you're gonna scam somebody.... why send anything at all once you have the EMT??
Anyone have any advice at this time? I realize it has only been 48+ hours since I've notified the seller of the problem, so for certain a little more time is in order. What's an acceptable timeline for a response? The card has a lifetime warranty for the original owner with the original receipt so I can't go and claim that from the manufacturer (no receipt was provided and I have no clue on the history of the card).