We used to think we should purchase items from outlets that offers the best bargains.
After our shopping experience with Hachi Tech, we've learnt the importance of factoring in the time value, as well as the stress involved, into the shopping equation.
One really cannot simply buy on price alone.
Now, even if we find an extraordinary cheap deal at Hachi.Tech (that hasn't been the case so far due to competition from many other vendors), we will avoid Hachi.Tech online website like a plague.
First, they expect members to pay for membership.
That's still ok because for $8 membership, they give $10 back - but that is provided you remember to key in the new member code. But why charge in the first place? Hassle, hassle.
Second, the period to redeem the rebates is a very short 1 month.
They may extend another month, but overall, again, that's a hassle.
The aim is to leave customers no choice but to keep going back to them.
That's almost harrassment.
The rewards are not attractive enough to keep one tethered to them.
We hate organisations which holds one to ransom in this way.
Third, to redeem your rightful rebates, you need to spend a minimum purchase of $5!
This wasn't informed in advance.
We got an unpleasant shock after checking out the redemption cart. Only then did the information that the $5 requirement pop out. We wasted good time selecting the wrong price range as a result, and have to repeat all over again to incorporate their greedy requirement.
Forth, for purchase below $80, you'd likely want to pick it up at designated stores to avoid delivery fees. So to redeem, you have to factor this in as well. Hassle, hassle.
Fifth, the FAQ doesn't get to the above points. We went round and round and still the terms and conditions that might make the customers NOT want to have anything to do with Hachi Tech, are not found (at least at time of writing).
We only knew of the restrictions AFTER we made a purchase.
Especially since Hachi Tech has no telephone number to contact, unlike all other online vendors, they should have made it easier for customers to make informed decisions.
Hopefully, after feedback, they have revise their FAQs.
Any restrictions should be prominent enough, otherwise, until one is about to redeem.
Sixth, there is no hotline to call. You can only chat or email.
Seventh, the customer service is worst of the worst.
When we email, we get an automated response to say a support staff will get back to us soon, followed by a next reply of "Case closed!" from the support staff. No explanation, no apologies, nothing. Just a "Case closed!" Life is so easy for the support staff!
Eighth, items that are popular are always out of stock.
Nineth, the only time we got a response to pre-sales enquiries was when we wrote to Fujisu sales rep. Only then did we receive a response from Hachi.Tech sales rep.
Tenth, their credit card payment system is routed via the eNets system. It cause quite a bit of confusion (which means more time has to be expended towards double-checking). It confused the credit card company so much, it required half an hour before they confirm the credit card transaction was valid.
We want to make it a rounded 10-fingers count, but apparently, still haven't reach the end..
So on to the big toe for the next reason we are moving away from Hachi Tech....
Eleventh point: we simply hate the name Hachi.tech with the full-stop and all.
It is a non-Japanese entity, but the name sounds desperately that of a Japanese wanna-be. It was Challenger Online previously, with better service and product range. They say when it is not broken, don't fix it.
By providing an unpleasant online experience, it seems to us that Challenger fixed themselves even without the help of their competitors.
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