We are an authorised supplier of computer equipment for a number of LEAs
across the north of England.
Nine times out of ten the LEA asks us to supply the equipment and we invoice
them. On the odd occasion the student is given the money but this isn't
always the best option.
They can come to us, but the likelyhood is they will take our quote to a big
store who will obviously undercut us. While this doesn't bother us (is is
business after all), it is always the student who suffers at the end because
of the poor after sales care and support by the big companies. I used to
work for one of them, and the service was terrible.
Any problems and the customer is advised to ring the premium rate number and
kept on for as long as possible. They are then told to ring the warranty
support line - which is constantly busy or has a queue of 20-30 people.
When (if) they finally get through, they are without a machine as it is
usually sent off for repair.
Big companies also have no idea about the specialist software that is
usually recommended in the assessment.
We also had one case where the student used the money to pay bills and
overdrafts instead of the computer!
Andy Davis, ICT Manager
Barry Bennett Ltd. Enabling Technology Centre
Unit 15a Bankfield Business Park,
Quebec Street, BOLTON BL3 5JN.
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