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SimplyElectronics.net Euro Rip off

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  • Registered Users Posts: 21 bogmonster


    cancelled my order yesterday, in hindsight should have done it long ago. SE stated they would lodge money into paypal. Will see how long that takes.
    Still on the market for a motorola defy plus but after that experience nervous about other online stores.


  • Registered Users Posts: 257 ✭✭Edg3


    Yeah its pretty annoying waiting for it. You should try amazon.de :) I buy everything there these days!
    Pity you couldnt get it off simply!


  • Registered Users Posts: 7 SelMic


    I ordered my husbands Kindle in May 2011, it arrived in Aug 2011, after many confusing phone calls and emails. It broke 3 weeks later, was sent back and they were willing to repair it. They reposted it in Nov but with inadequate postal instructions so was held in a depot in Ireland until it was posted back to America. After several emails they finally informed me that they were replacing the Kindle and placing a new one on order in Feb 2012!!!!!! They have yet to post it!!!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 21 bogmonster


    bogmonster wrote: »
    cancelled my order yesterday, in hindsight should have done it long ago. SE stated they would lodge money into paypal. Will see how long that takes.
    Still on the market for a motorola defy plus but after that experience nervous about other online stores.


    Just received money back into my credit card from SE, think i was fortunate i used paypal...


  • Registered Users Posts: 42 grayman


    Wow a lot of comments on these guys ~I placed an order last week and payed through paypal. Needless to say i heard nothing from them but thought nothing of it till i searched SE and read the bad stuff about them.

    I got on to paypal straight away and within 1 hour i had the money back in my account.

    So i suppose if you want to buy from them use paypal so at least you have a come back.

    Personally I would never use again after reading all the bad stuff. I have since went on to ebay and bought the same item from the UK for 20 euro less so if you shop around you will find what you're looking for at the right price.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 257 ✭✭Edg3


    grayman wrote: »
    Wow a lot of comments on these guys ~I placed an order last week and payed through paypal. Needless to say i heard nothing from them but thought nothing of it till i searched SE and read the bad stuff about them.

    I got on to paypal straight away and within 1 hour i had the money back in my account.

    So i suppose if you want to buy from them use paypal so at least you have a come back.

    Personally I would never use again after reading all the bad stuff. I have since went on to ebay and bought the same item from the UK for 20 euro less so if you shop around you will find what you're looking for at the right price.

    Thing is of course your only gunna hear bad things here, bar mine i think. This was started to complain about them so everyone will jump in to have a go. Ive never had any issues with them, but i have had several with amazon, including accepting my order, taking money then later telling me the items cant be shipped outside the UK or Germany to me, even though they'd taken my money already and left me waiting 3 days before telling me.
    At the end of the day, buying online you do take a risk, and they only reason i started buying off simply electronics was because of the price. They've always been kind and friendly and helpful to me so some people have bad experiences and others dont. Im sure if you started a "Simply Electronics is a good website" topic you;d get people who'd a good time. Least you got to cancel you order and find it elsewhere :) shopping around is the best way to do it :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭colly3


    Some food for thought on this thread guys!!

    :confused:

    I've never used SE, was intending to earlier today so decided to do a quick search first and after trawling through 9 pages of misery here (bar the odd positive experience) I think I might just hang fire for now. As tempting as their prices are (a good two hundred quid cheaper than I can find locally) I don't think the anxiety and stress would be worth it.

    Just wondering if any of you have any feedback (negative or positive) on Pixmania (the next best competitor, price wise). I am not sure, so here's the question I am hoping to have answered... are Pixmania in some far flung corner of Hong Kong or China? There are 2 delivery methods - €10.99 for 4 to 5 day postal service or €21.99 for UPS 24 - 48 hour service. There is a line at the bottom of the item I'm looking for, it states an adaptor is needed for Ireland and that this is supplied.

    Thanks for any useful tips.


  • Registered Users Posts: 42 grayman


    I have used pixmania twice found them good the delivery was quick although I did pay extra for it. Not sure where they are based but I did hear it was somewhere in Europe but don't quote me on that.


  • Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭colly3


    Grayman, thanks for that, I'm still mulling over what to do - it seems like it's pot luck with SE, knowing my luck, I'll be one of those who has wall to wall issues! Thanks again




  • colly3 wrote: »
    Some food for thought on this thread guys!!

    :confused:

    I've never used SE, was intending to earlier today so decided to do a quick search first and after trawling through 9 pages of misery here (bar the odd positive experience) I think I might just hang fire for now. As tempting as their prices are (a good two hundred quid cheaper than I can find locally) I don't think the anxiety and stress would be worth it.

    Just wondering if any of you have any feedback (negative or positive) on Pixmania (the next best competitor, price wise). I am not sure, so here's the question I am hoping to have answered... are Pixmania in some far flung corner of Hong Kong or China? There are 2 delivery methods - €10.99 for 4 to 5 day postal service or €21.99 for UPS 24 - 48 hour service. There is a line at the bottom of the item I'm looking for, it states an adaptor is needed for Ireland and that this is supplied.

    Thanks for any useful tips.

    Have used pixmania several times. Never had a problem with order, delivery or product. I would easily recommend them. last product i bought was a Samsung Galaxy S2 for €449. Delivered in a week and is a great phone!


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  • Registered Users Posts: 226 ✭✭cbyrne11


    colly3 wrote: »
    Some food for thought on this thread guys!!

    :confused:

    I've never used SE, was intending to earlier today so decided to do a quick search first and after trawling through 9 pages of misery here (bar the odd positive experience) I think I might just hang fire for now. As tempting as their prices are (a good two hundred quid cheaper than I can find locally) I don't think the anxiety and stress would be worth it.

    Just wondering if any of you have any feedback (negative or positive) on Pixmania (the next best competitor, price wise). I am not sure, so here's the question I am hoping to have answered... are Pixmania in some far flung corner of Hong Kong or China? There are 2 delivery methods - €10.99 for 4 to 5 day postal service or €21.99 for UPS 24 - 48 hour service. There is a line at the bottom of the item I'm looking for, it states an adaptor is needed for Ireland and that this is supplied.

    Thanks for any useful tips.

    Have you tried Amazon.de? If you use google chrome or have the google toolbar on your browser it will translate it for you, was buying a phone recently and it worked out similar prices to simply electronics worth a look anyway. Although you might only get the manuals in German but then the internet can fill in the blanks for anything you don't know how to do.

    I have used pixmania before as well and don't have a bad word to say about them.


  • Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭colly3


    cbyrne11 wrote: »
    Have you tried Amazon.de? If you use google chrome or have the google toolbar on your browser it will translate it for you, was buying a phone recently and it worked out similar prices to simply electronics worth a look anyway. Although you might only get the manuals in German but then the internet can fill in the blanks for anything you don't know how to do.

    I have used pixmania before as well and don't have a bad word to say about them.

    Hi guys

    Billy Important Oats, thanks for the thumbs up on pixmania, they're now firmly out of the race due to price.

    Cybyrne - amazone.de has some great bargains for accessories, I didn't bother with the translater / chrome, it's pretty easy to work out from the titles, what's included (and apart from that, I don't really like chrome - I'm far too old fashioned to join the 21st century!!)

    I'm still gathering the last few bob together to buy and now have my heart and soul set on a dearer package than I initially wanted. Prices are fluctuating daily from site to site but I've more or less narrowed the search down to two - digitalrev & onestop digital. Pretty good reviews (please god don't let me the first negative!!) Anyway, I just need to pinch a few more pennies before taking the plunge but thanks a million for your tips.


  • Registered Users Posts: 550 ✭✭✭zinzan


    Wish I'd seen this thread last week - camera I bought off pixmania is 30 euro cheaper on amazon.de!! Aaaarrgghh! Have never thought of checking .de before, always have a look at amazon.com and .co.uk prior to purchase though.

    Having said that, I've never had issues with pixmania - have bought tvs and camera off them without issue, though with one tv I had to remind them to send on uk/irl adaptor.

    I have previously contacted simply electronics as I had concerns about import duty etc., esp. As they claim to organise such things from their end. I got a prompt response explaining that they 'don't charge VAT' allowing them to have low prices, so IMHO, basically there is a high chance of getting stung for duty/VAT on anything bought from them and so I went elsewhere.


  • Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭colly3


    zinzan wrote: »
    Wish I'd seen this thread last week - camera I bought off pixmania is 30 euro cheaper on amazon.de!! Aaaarrgghh! Have never thought of checking .de before, always have a look at amazon.com and .co.uk prior to purchase though.

    Having said that, I've never had issues with pixmania - have bought tvs and camera off them without issue, though with one tv I had to remind them to send on uk/irl adaptor.

    I have previously contacted simply electronics as I had concerns about import duty etc., esp. As they claim to organise such things from their end. I got a prompt response explaining that they 'don't charge VAT' allowing them to have low prices, so IMHO, basically there is a high chance of getting stung for duty/VAT on anything bought from them and so I went elsewhere.

    Zinzan, I mailed SE too, the greeeeeedy streak in me wanted to test the waters, I too got a prompt reply but it was one of those generic, one size fits all mails that really didn't float my boat... they don't charge VAT etc, etc, etc. The old adage sprang to mind, if it looks too good to be true..

    Pixmania seem to be fairly reliable but in my case, the camera and lens is €186 dearer than the next best price. The two online suppliers I've contacted replied to my mails with full detailed answers and I'm happy enough to go with either. Also checked them out on shopzilla, trust pilot & ekomi and the ratings are pretty high. Must admit though, I'll be looking at amazon.de next time I'm buying anything, I was very impressed.


  • Registered Users Posts: 125 ✭✭RogerWilco1982


    Last week I ordered a camera for a friend on this website, not a cheap one, €850, but their price was still lower than everyone else, so I ordered.

    Bigger fool me.

    Having entered all relevant card details, including the extra pin code thing, my order was confirmed and I assumed all was well.

    I then checked my e-mail for the confirmation, and there was indeed an e-mail from Simply Electronics, but it wasn't a confirmation.

    They wanted me, as an "anti-fraud measure", to attach to the reply a scan of a utility bill, and, optionally, a scan of my passport or driving licence.

    This is when alarm bells starting going off for me. I assumed I had happened upon a scam website and immediately contacted the stolen card section of my bank, A.I.B., to block any outgoing payment.

    The chap I was speaking to told me it was not strange for companies to request this information, especially america airlines, but advised me not to send any such information to them. He told me as I had confirmed authorisation of payment he could not block any payment.

    I checked my internet banking to discover that the money had been already taken from my card. This all happened at about ten at night.

    I had no intention of attaching the requested information to an e-mail.

    I replied to the Simply Electronics e-mail by stating that I had never been asked to provide this information before to any other e-tailer, that I would not be providing it and to cancel and refund my order please.

    I recieved a reply tha next day stating that my order had been cancelled and that a refund would take "some time".

    I replied that I was not happy to wait any length of time and that I wanted my refund within a week or I would initiate charge back action through my bank.
    I used a polite, firm tone in all e-mails.

    To this I recieved a generic response, thank you for your enquirey etc etc etc, which gave the impression of disinterest on behalf of Simply Electronics.

    I contacted my bank again who advised me to keep all e-mails and allow fifteen working days for a refund, at which point the bank would do battle on my behalf.

    Long story short I am now anxious as to when I will get my refund. I just want my camera from a reputable site. If I had have done research on Simply Electronics I would have found a wealth of examples of bad experiences people have had with them.
    I know every company will have unhappy customers, and it doesn't feel good to say bad things about a business, but I really feel this crowd are best avoided. I've been buying stuff on-line for many years and this is the only time I haven't had peace of mind doing so.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,778 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zascar


    I have bought from them before ad got grat service and excellent value.

    I'd recommend contacting them and telling them if they made more of an effort to match the UK and Euro prices, you, and many others, might order more from them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,594 ✭✭✭sandin


    I then checked my e-mail for the confirmation, and there was indeed an e-mail from Simply Electronics, but it wasn't a confirmation.

    They wanted me, as an "anti-fraud measure", to attach to the reply a scan of a utility bill, and, optionally, a scan of my passport or driving licence.

    So they have an extra layer of security to protect YOU and you say don't buy from them?

    This is a normal security procedure for large purchases and is advised by card processors including AIB merchant services whenever there is a slightes hint of a discrepancy in the delivery address.

    Refunds CAN take up to a couple of weeks but in reality it will take only 4/5 days.

    If you did research you will see plenty about the company - its a huge company. Yes they don't have a 100% customer satisfaction but no-where anywhere will you see anyone accusing them of fraud.


    Anyway, try Conns Camera in Dublin for similar price and superb service from camera specialists.


  • Registered Users Posts: 125 ✭✭RogerWilco1982


    sandin wrote: »
    So they have an extra layer of security to protect YOU and you say don't buy from them?

    This is a normal security procedure for large purchases and is advised by card processors including AIB merchant services whenever there is a slightes hint of a discrepancy in the delivery address.

    A fair shout, but let me put it to you like this; I’ve given over my name, address, contact details and all my credit card information. If I also gave a scan of my bill and passport, I’d have given the receiver everything they need to use my identity if they wanted. Now I’m sure that’s not what Simply Electronics are up to, but I’m also sure you’d agree it wouldn’t be wise to share such information if in any doubt. The chap in A.I.B. informed me that this practice was becoming more and more common but advised me not to supply the information.

    I hold my hand up and admit this is the largest purchase I’ve ever made with my credit card and the procedure could well be the norm, but it did make me uncomfortable.
    sandin wrote: »
    Refunds CAN take up to a couple of weeks but in reality it will take only 4/5 days.

    The chap in A.I.B. advised me to contact him again if the refund took more than fifteen working days. As you’ve said it should take 4/5 days and to be honest I think that’s reasonable.
    sandin wrote: »
    If you did research you will see plenty about the company - its a huge company. Yes they don't have a 100% customer satisfaction but no-where anywhere will you see anyone accusing them of fraud.

    My research led me to this; http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.simplyelectronics.net (after I received the request for bill/passport etc). I became very concerned about doing business with them after reading some of the reviews there. Of course it’s only one review site written by a minority of customers but still, it made me worried. :(

    I think I should edit my original post; it wasn’t my intention to accuse or imply a case of fraud, but to say that there request for additional information, no matter how well intended, made me nervous.

    It is very possible that I am behind the curve on buying from the internet and I must hold my hand up and say I’m in the wrong if this is the norm.

    sandin wrote: »
    Anyway, try Conns Camera in Dublin for similar price and superb service from camera specialists.

    I know them well, I bought a camera from a chap I know who works there a few years ago. :) I agree; excellent service and very knowledgeable.


  • Registered Users Posts: 125 ✭✭RogerWilco1982


    It seems asking for scans of I.D. with this kind of order is par for the course;

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=75023579

    :(


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,078 ✭✭✭pcardin


    colly3 wrote: »

    Just wondering if any of you have any feedback (negative or positive) on Pixmania (the next best competitor, price wise).

    Used Pixmania quite often. Never any problems. All the times items were shipped from France so I guess that's where they are based.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1 ekim49


    Jamsam wrote: »
    DO NOT BUY FROM Simplyelectronic.net!!!! Fraudulent Company!! This company (so called company) is based in HK. They operate internationally, take peoples money, do not send products, and make profits by earning money on interest payments while they keep your money in their accounts. They will make multiple excuses for not dispatching your order and make more excuses for not expediting your refund.

    Be very careful!! Don't believe the positive reviews on this site.

    I don't believe any of the positive reviews:

    I bought a camera from simply electronics (for 1000 Euro plus) paid with paypal (I have a verified account with them) Simply electronics wanted a utility bill from me which I sent them only to receive a message from them that they can't verify my identity. I opened a paypal case against them to retrieve my payment. I am waiting now!!!
    I recommend not to buy from them. They are simply messy.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6 Stonybroke23


    Hi i bought a nikon d7000 dec 2010 from simply electronics using paypal as it was 400 cheaper than Irish shops. Then I read all the reviews and panicked.I tried to cancel the order which they said would take a month. So I decided to just go ahead with the purchase and they delivered it within the specified timeframe (and this was around Xmas) and it was in perfect condition. I knew they operated in hong kong -they are cheaper because they are considered grey goods. So it all ended well for me! I'm happily snapping away with my nikon :))

    They asked me for a utility bill etc also to verify me (which I thought was dodgy but I contacted my credit card fraud unit -) and they said that some companies do ask for info like that .even with paypal details!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭dillo2k10


    ekim49 wrote: »
    I don't believe any of the positive reviews:

    I bought a camera from simply electronics (for 1000 Euro plus) paid with paypal (I have a verified account with them) Simply electronics wanted a utility bill from me which I sent them only to receive a message from them that they can't verify my identity. I opened a paypal case against them to retrieve my payment. I am waiting now!!!
    I recommend not to buy from them. They are simply messy.

    I don't believe anything from anyone who's a newbie on boards who is posting about a business. They could easily be from the company or one of their competitors.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6 Stonybroke23


    I'm not a Newbie -I posted here in 2010 about simply electronics and got an email today that someone replied to my post.I'm genuine.just told the story how it really happened. You could easily be a competitor or work in a camera shop in Ireland and not want anyone getting a discount online! Who knows who people are that post here. I wanted feedback about simply electronics in 2010 as they sounded dodgy.I got the nikon camera as ordered -end of story. My experience with them was good.should this board not be about positive and negative stories to get a balance???? It's a bit ridiculous if you just believe all the negative stories .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭ Felipe Shapely Gel


    Ive bought stuff off them in the past.

    I got a camera without issue.

    I also ordered a zoom lense and then decided I didnt need it and cancelled before it got shipped and got a refund without issue.


    ..and Im not a newbie on boards:D


  • Registered Users Posts: 249 ✭✭imtdub


    I've been following the website for a while now and the prices are probably one of the cheapest you'll find on the internet. They are cheaper than apple for Ipad's, since then I thought some thing is dodgy about them... and then I stumbled up on this thread and after going through the post's it seems it's 50:50 so far, so instead of accusing them of scam or fraudster I would avoid buying any large value purchases irrespective of how cheap they sound.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,276 ✭✭✭kenmc


    Worst online shopping experience EVER.

    Ordered 2 HTC One Xs on 25th May. "In Stock, usually ships 2-4 days". Grand. Monday 28th I get an email looking for confirmation of billing address, provided that @ 11am, they finally respond on Wednesday 30th that they have confirmed the billing address. Grand so, methinks, CC has been deducted the relevant amount so it must be coming soon.

    Nothing progressing on the website in terms of the order, still "New", so emailed on Tuesday 5th June after the bank holiday, told I was experiencing delays, it should be shipped soon, and that my order would be "upgraded to expediated delivery" at no cost to me, as a gesture of goodwill.

    Nothing happening still on the website with the order, so rang them yesterday, was told it should be shipped that afternoon. Email came last evening saying that it wasn't possible to ship yesterday, and that it would be shipped soon. Rang again and talking to another useless agent, dispatch would "probably be sometime next week". "Yes it's in stock, it is reserved when the order is placed" "It's in the processing queue, but they're very busy" "My manager has just stepped out". All manner of excuses and standard scripted answers, wouldn't transfer me to the UK office.

    I finally just hung up and rang back to cancel the order, and was told to "send an email via the website" which i did, so monitoring the cc very carefully now for the refund which is due in "3-5 working days". We'll see, I'll be onto Visa very quickly.

    Complete shower of imbeciles. Only reason I ordered with them was that a lad in work had got something a few weeks prior and all was fine. It appears there's a Jeckyl and Hyde sort of thing going on here.

    Would second all the calls to avoid like the plague, there are plenty of more reputable sites which don't have such a negative side-effect.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,276 ✭✭✭kenmc


    Update to the above. I cancelled 3 times on friday. Once on the phone, and was told to send an email via the website, which I did. At approx 11pm on friday evening I got an email saying they were sorry I had decided to cancel, they'd send me a free gift if I kept the order, what was my decision. I confirmed the cancellation 5 mins later.

    This morning, I get an email saying the order was going to be dispatched on tuesday, wednesday at the latest. So I rang to confirm the cancellation, and apparently it has "been dispatched", and that they will try to get DHL to return it to them but that they cannot refund me until it has been received back to their warehouse. If they don't manage to stop DHL (which I can almost guarantee they won't) then I can either refuse to sign for it (assuming no-one else in the office signs for it in my abscence) or they will arrange for a courier pickup (yeah right!). And even if i *do* manage to reject it at delivery or get it picked up by courier, what's the betting that they never receive it back at their warehouse?

    So now I've to write to BofI Card services to get this resolved....

    (Oh, and on Friday I reordered the same thing from Handtec.co.uk, and it was shipped this morning)

    Edit.... 12/6. and we've shipped..... :rolleyes:
    Absolute shower of muppets. Imbeciles. Cretins.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,276 ✭✭✭kenmc


    Delivery attempted yesterday, rejected. Wonder how long it'll take till I get my refund so..


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  • Registered Users Posts: 8,842 ✭✭✭Soarer


    So you got a delivery confirmation on the 12th, and it arrived to you on the 13th?

    That doesn't seem too bad. Granted it's about 3 weeks after the order date, but if it's coming from Hong Kong it's not bad.
    The spanner in the works is you ordering a second time from the other website. If you'd have held your nerve a bit, there'd be no problem.


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