do not buy DVD recorders from target.com !!!

[lordsmurf]

I have never to date dealt with idiots that can compete with the level or poor service as I experienced with Target.com trying to buy a DVD recorder.

I was interested in getting the Kreisen 530C, an LSI chip DVD recorder that was supposed to be very similiar in performance to an LG, but at just over $100 after rebates and target.com coupons were applied. It is a USA clone of the UK Ellion 530C machine.

It took them two weeks to ship it.

When it came, the shipping box was in perfect condition. When I opened the shipping box, and removed the packing peanuts, I found a box that look as if it had been in a tornado. Either that or a boxing match. The box was all beat to hell, it was dirty and ripped. The unit inside was obviously used and had parts that rattled inside. I opened it up to see what was rattling, and found that the motherboard was shattered into several pieces.

Whoever sent this unit to a customer was a flaming retard.

When I went to return the unit, it gave me the option to get a replacement or refund. I selected replacement, and was pretty pissed. It gave me a USPS coupon to print out and affix to the box. Because it did not specify the return method, I went ahead and chose overnight service (yeah, screw you Target, eat that one). I was given a refund.

I had to re-order it now, and it said it would ship in 2-3 days. That was about a week ago. Today I logged in for my tracking number and it said it would be mailed to me in October. ******* OCTOBER!

Everything about that store is a rigamarole. Wasted nearly a month on that mess. Luckily I found other options locally. Although I still miss the opportunity to test this supposed "great machine". Sigh.

Lesson for the day: BUY DVD RECORDERS LOCALLY IN STORES. Or at least from a store that has a good reputation on DVD recorders by mail (crutchfield.com, for example).

[nelson133]

Not that this is really on the topic, but I quit buying anything there when they decided to ban the Salvation Army bell ringers at Christmas time. Nyah Levi

[laspis59]

Sounds like retarded pot heads run target.com We have plenty of companies like what you have described,here in Britain.
They are total,layabout losers and should be shutdown,end of story.

[trhouse]

If you still want one try here,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=987112&Sku=...MP=OTC-INKTOMI

at least they say they are in stock for $99.99 with $50 rebate.

[broadway]

You'll be posting a review, I hope.

Could always use another recorder especially one under $100.

[pinetop]

I have purchased from tigerdirect.com. They're a local company for me. I can just have things will called. Easy. I don't know about their return policy.

They have both the Kreisen 530C & 530S for $99 bucks.

Whats the difference ?

[MJA]

tigerdirect.com and their crappy mail in rebate sux more than target

[BJ_M]

ive bought a lot of stuff from tigerdirect and had perfect service ...

rebates do blow chunks though -- but that is an industry thing , not just TG

[lordsmurf]

I don't know that I can trust tigerdirect.com any more than I could Target. They have an issue with safe shipping as well. I still another week to think about it.

Although I've honestly got enough equipment for now. The LiteOn 5104 does all I want for S-VHS and VHS tape work. And then the Centrios 8020 does plenty for off-air tv recording. Think I'm settled for another while.

[Laddydaddy]

lordsmurf wrote;

I don't know that I can trust tigerdirect.com any more than I could Target. They have an issue with safe shipping as well.

Remember THIS post?

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=246387&highlight=tigerdirect

[laspis59]

TigerDirect looks dodgy as well,after reading that thread.I wouldn't risk it!

The site I order from in Britain is http://www.cd-rmedia.co.uk/ and they've been very reliable so far.

[BJ_M]

they are not good for media - that is for sure .. but we were not talking about media either ..

[slacker]

I wouldn't blame Target any more than the manufacturer or shipper. Target treats all inventory pretty much the same, i.e. soap bars, dvds, and TVs all get the same treatment. They don't employ "smart" people to look over "delicate" products, never have, never will. They pump commodity-type inventory, just like Wal-Mart, another cheap, low rent, thin-margined outfit. I've only been in a Wal-Mart once in my life, 5 years ago, never went back. Target I MAY hit once a year for cheap ass "Made in India" shoes for $4 bucks. That's about all I would ever trust them for. I learned those lessons years ago. Bottom line, you get what you pay for, both in product and in service.

Greatest lesson ever learned! I ONLY shop in stores where the guy behind the counter knows more than I do about the product I'm looking at (which is rare by the way) or allows me the courtesy of "being right" when something goes "wrong".

Sorry you had such a bad experience! I can definitely empathize.

[gadgetguy]

I said it in that other thread and I'll say it again here, I have never had a problem with anything I've ever ordered from TigerDirect. That includes media. They have also responded to customer complaints about manufacter rebate issues by issuing a guarantee. If I remember correctly, if you don't get your rebate from the manufacturer, they will intervene and if necessary they'll issue you the rebate themselves. They have an excellent return policy and customer satisfaction is a top priority.

[bgclarke]

I don't know that I can trust tigerdirect.com any more than I could Target. They have an issue with safe shipping as well. I still another week to think about it.

I recently received my first order from TigerDirect.ca (Pinnacle MovieBox USB) even though I called and cancelled the order 2 days before they shipped it

It arrived in great condition, but it's going back tomorrow, as I'm going to buy a dedicated DVD Recorder instead.

[handyguy]

$79 for a Centrios @ circuit city dot com.....cheapest yet.

TD has some pretty high shipping costs sometimes & their rebates suck but they were on the news saying they would handle them.

[lordsmurf]

"Cheapest" wasn't the reason for the recorder. I was after a quality unit. The Centrios is no good for VHS work, but has adequate abilities on off-air recording in 3-hour mode.

[carnivore99]

TigerDirect rebates are a scam. Just look at any hot-deal discussion forum and you'll see everyone gets the runaround from them.

[BJ_M]

well i always get them .. sometimes it takes a while ..

dont know how they would be a scam .. unless no one ever got them

[Bridge]

I got a hard drive last year from Tigerdirect and it came and worked o.k. I didn't use any rebates so I don't know about that. Only problem was that I used it as a spare drive and didn't put it in the machine. I kept it out and plugged in to the computer via USB port. The drive died this year. I don't know if it was a bad hard drive from them (they bought bad drives), the manufacturer, or me by not putting it in the machine.

[JohnnyBates]

IAlthough I've honestly got enough equipment for now. The LiteOn 5104 does all I want for S-VHS and VHS tape work. And then the Centrios 8020 does plenty for off-air tv recording. Think I'm settled for another while.

Lord - Would you reccomend the 5104 over a JVC DVD Recorder if the VHS source is not played back on a regular consumer VCR (ie..not a JVC SVHS deck w/ TBC and Digipure)?

J

[lordsmurf]

I would never suggest a LITEON over a JVC for any other reason than the hit to the checkbook. The LITEON is clearly inferior to the JVC, but it still does almost as good a job.

Specifically, the tuner on the LiteOn sucks, and there is no FR mode available.

[Nelson37]

Many rebates are offered by the manufacturer or other third party, while many people have delay issues with these it usually has nothing to do with the actual store.

Have had several experiences with TigerDirect, they seem to specialize in cheap merchandise, and I mean cheap as opposed to inexpensive. I would not spend over a hundred dollars with them, and that is IF I got to hold it in my hands before buying.

Funny thing on Target, we always say it with the french pronunciation, Tar-zhay, for laughs. Did some work for a retired board member and found out that was an inside company joke.

I find Target and Wal-mart similar, some decent buys on inexpensive stuff. On hi-dollar items, they are rarely much better than Circuit City or Best Buy, and often have slightly older models missing a key feature or two.