"I was pleased with ABS. They offered solid support and the ordering process was easy."

"My son is a dedicated 'gamer' and shopped some time for a gaming laptop which I was buying him for an early graduation present. He found several highly rate laptops at $2700 and more but could not afford them. Then he discover ABS, who offered a very comparable computer for $1000 less. ABS offers a great product at a fair price. My son has been delighted with the performance and I am delighted with the value! Thanks ABS!"

"Found ABS when I was shopping for a name brand laptop. They offered to let me customize it and offered the options I needed. The ordering system was a little awkward but I got thru it with no problem. The tracking system seemed fairly useless but since the laptop arrived a couple of days before I expected it who cares.

The laptop runs like a champ, except for the wireless card which drop connections and then picks them back up. Since I need to run a card compatable with Linux (its a dual boot machine) I just turn the internal off and plug in a good PCMCIA (they cost less then $50). The rest of the componets fire right up in Linux, I can boot right into X Windows with default configuation so this laptop is a great deal for the price.

All in all I'm happy and will purchase from ABS again."

"Very satisfied with overall purchase experience. This is the 4th system purchased from ABS."

"This was my second machine purchase from ABS and I have and will recommend them highly. High quality and priced well."

"This is going to be a review revised over time. I just purchased my machine from ABS because my last one died and I do not have time to buy a new one. I bought the M6 (Athlon X2 4400). In my notes I was specific in noting I did NOT want them to install software or games for me such as Microsoft Works nor the free games as the less clutter the better to me. I like my systems bare as possible aside from the OS and the requisite tweaking. The order is on step 3 of 8. Once I get the PC I will post my review of it."

"I guess I might have to revise my original post. ABS doesn't seem to have a clue what's it's doing. I placed my order on January 5th and was tracking my order throught their online system. It showed it passed payment verification and they were getting the parts together for assembly. On January 13th I checked my order and it was cancelled. Wow, I have no luck. I called ABS and found out my credit card company didn't have my work address listed on my account which was wrong. I had added my work address before I placed the order with ABS but apparently ABS only calls the automated system of the credit card company which usually lists only the primary billing address. My credit card company said ABS needs to talk to a human to get that information and most businesses know that. So I get that cleared up and my order is put back into the system. Well I get a call three days later saying do I want the free 19" monitor and speaker that I checked off on their website that suddenly are not free. In fact the main reason I ordered the computer was because they were listed as free when I was builing my system on the website. Now they tell me that was a website mistake and I'd have to pay for the monitor and speakers. I wonder if it was a mistake or a bait and switch type thing. You order thinking you're going to get one thing and then they tell you later one thing is different and most won't bother to cancel. I didn't cancel my order but I did refuse to pay for the monitor and speaker. It's taken me way too long to buy a new computer. My original post is below but I'm seriouly wonding about them. I guess I'll have to wait to see how my computer works. They just called back and said they would give me the new speakers for free ($30.00 value). BFD, I just gave away my old 17" monitor because I thought I was getting a new one with my order. Now I need to ask for it back or buy another one.

Where to start. I just ordered my second gaming computer from ABS today and decided to post my experience after reading different reviews of ABS. This will be my second computer from ABS with my first one purchased about 3 years ago. I originally discovered ABS after reading a good review on a budget gaming computer they offered in one of the major publications and decided to give them a try. I’m still using that computer today and will pass it down to my daughter once my new computer arrives. I’ve had no problems with the first computer I purchased from them so I hope my second experience will be just as good. I will say I went a different route two months ago when I had a large computer store in VA build a computer with parts they helped me pick out. After 5 trips back to the store and the computer still not functioning properly I twisted a few arms and got my money back. I then decided to spent a little more and have ABS build me my new computer to my specifications. I’m sorry I didn’t do this from day one because I’m sure I would have had my computer working two months ago instead of driving 20 miles each way, 5 times, to the place I tried to save a few dollars.

Ordering was great because I upgraded the components I thought would be necessary while leaving many of the very good standard components alone. I believe this will give me a product that will not need to be upgraded for years while allowing me to spend less in the future when I do have to upgrade certain parts due to advanced technology. I think the value will end up being much better then some out of the box computer you get in a store.

I've now had my ABS computer for about 3 months now and I've been very pleased with it. The computer hasn't given me any problems and plays better the expected. I still use my original ABS computer (modified over the years) from 5 years ago and expect this one to be useful for about as long.

My recommendation in the end would be to buy from ABS but learn how to deal with some customer service problems.
"

"When tracking the UPS number, the status says that it was delivered and placed outside next to the wall. I've checked the entire area around the house and could not find the package.

So I contacted UPS and they told me that the tracer can only be initiated by the shipper.

So I called ABS and told them that the package was not delivered and UPS needs the shipper to contact them to initiate a tracer so that UPS can begin the investigation on where the package is.

ABS told me that they will not do this and offered to a discount on a replacement order.

I run an online business and ship daily with UPS so I know the process of tracking lost packages and packages that were not received.

I told ABS that they just need to call UPS so that the driver can come to my house and either (a) show me where he put it and find it or (b) not be able to find it and file it as a lost package.

ABS REFUSED TO DO THIS SIMPLE PHONE CALL AND INSTEAD OFFERED A DISCOUNT ON A REPLACEMENT.

I asked to talk to a supervisor or the owner and was told that he/she will call me back later.

I understand that packages get lost and that it wasn't ABS' fault at that point. The problem is that they are not willing to help after that point in which THEY are the only ones that could initiate the investigation with UPS to FIND my order.

I have contacted MY COMPANY'S UPS rep and trying to work around ABS' unwillingness to help and find the package.

UPS did not find the package and told me to tell the shipper to file a claim because the package is lost.

I need either a replacement shipped out to me because the package is lost, or a full refund because my order was never delivered."

"I got this computer over a year ago and i love it all though i did run into some problems they where very quickly resolved by there technical support. Well anyways my system rocks with a P4 3.0 GHz processor and 1gb of memory it kick serious ass. I do want to get a better video card though because it currently has a radeon 9800.Once I save up for it am definitely calling ABS because so far i have spoken to two techs and they rule because they seriously sound like hardcore gamers and knew what they where talking about when it came to this technical part of it. Well i just wanted to say Thank you Nick and john. you guys rule. "

"ABS provides superior product and most excellent service!!! I was extremely happy with the original purchase and am still thrilled today! I have had my ABS desktop for over 2 years now and it out performs other name brand computers that friends have bought just recently at other major electronics stores or ordered online. Additinally, I upgraded to my ABS machine at the same time a friend purchased an HP and he has replaced his hard drive twice since purchase... once after the warranty ran out.

I decided to add additional memory this week and had some problems installing it due to changes that needed to be made in the computer's bios. I called ABS 15 minutes before end of business day, they looked up my purchase from 2 years and 3 months ago, referencing the service number on their sticker on the machine and scheduled to have a tech call me the next day! The tech saw exactly what I had purchased and was able to confirm that my machine was able to support the memory I had purchased. After doing that they told me what changes I needed to make to accept the new memory and they stayed on the phone while I made the changes to be sure I had successfully installed the additionaly memory.

They gave me this kind of service at no charge, promptly, on a machine that I purchased from them over 2 years ago. Nobody else does that.

Thanks ABS, keep up the good work. You have my next purchase for sure."

"Words cannot convey how terrible my experience with ABS was. However, I will attempt to highlight a few of the "low points" in the hope that I might help keep someone else from going through this same experience...

The product itself was faulty. I purchased a laptop and after running for a few minutes the case would get so hot you couldn't even rest your hands on it to type! Customer service told me that it was "normal" for laptops to get hot like that and "within their alloted range" because they had tested it. I've owned and used several laptops before, and I've never had one get this hot. In addition to the sheer pain and inconvenience, the laptop undoubtedly would have broken after a few months of use due to the heat. Heat is like kryptonite for computers and eventually the hard drive would have shut down. But hey, at least it was "within expectations" for ABS because "they had tested it."

Also, ABS was selling two versions of the laptop I ordered: one in a black case and one in a silver case. I specially asked for the silver case, and even had them make a special note on my invoice that I requested the silver case. Sure enough, the laptop was black when it arrived. No attention to detail whatsoever!

Finally, the first two problems could have been solved if it weren't for the DREADFUL customer service. Please, please listen to me if you are thinking about buying an ABS: their name is wrong. You don't get "Always Better Service." In fact, it's false advertising, because this company represents some of the WORST customer service I have ever had the misfortune of encountering. They barely speak english. Worse, they don't answer your questions. Instead, they just read to you from what must be a "script" that they all have with pre-written answers. Their answers in no way address your question or help you out, they just serve to annoy you. It's like talking to a brick wall. Oh, and from what I can figure, they don't track your history at all, and the different departments don't talk to each other. Each time I would call, I would have to re-state my ENTIRE problem because the person I was talking to had no idea about my situation. Worse, they had no record on the computer. I mean, they had my name and invoice number, but they never made any notes about my complaints. On the bright side, that did solve the mystery of why no one ever called me back when they promised to (because there was no record ever made).

The ONLY positive thing I can say is that they finally took my laptop back on a return when I threatened to call MasterCard and dispute the charge. ASK YOURSELF THIS: do you really want to go through this? NO!!!!

The sad thing is that I bought an ABS laptop two years ago and it was great. The service was even great back then too. Something has happened in the past few years, maybe a change in management or something, but trust me, ABS is a company you want to avoid, at least until they fix their production and customer service problems.

F minus.

(oh, and I guarantee you someone from ABS will write back to this post and say something to the effect of "our door is always open to you, please call us and we'll help you." If they don't write that here, just check out all the other posts, they have written something like that to nearly every bad review. This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about with their pre-scripted responses. That have these great one-liners but then they never stand behind them. ABS is the epitome of having a nice glossy exterior with ZERO SUBSTANCE on the inside. Don't get sucked in!!!)"

"abs is a great company selling top products. Their computers use excellent brans name components, no cheap stuff. The best of all is their tech support. Toll free and very knowlegdable techs with lots of patience.
My next computer will definetly be another abs"

"ABS besides some other budget sites is really the only place on the net you can buy a barebook laptop.

Barebook means you need to buy all the ad-ons, which are: processor, RAM, hardrive, wireless internal card.

ABS has a chat function where two nights I spoke live to this guy named "gary" who gave me some info on some questions I had, but in some instances also gave dumb info, aka he said I could order "any" dvd expansion drive for the laptop (I doubt this is possible, I stuck with the Uniwill-specific drive available), and when I asked about installing the CPU he forwarded me to a tutorial for desktop machines, and he also had no idea what a dual layer 9GB DVD-writer was.

Other than that, I would say that ANYONE WITH A DECENT TECH KNOWLEDGE SHOULD BUILD THEIR OWN LAPTOP.

The computer came with a CD that had the service manuals and some really dorky budget but very informative VIDEOS of how to install the components.

By just watching their little movies I was able to successfully install everything. ABS won me over with that.

The prices at ABS are moderate. I spent 800 on the top of the line AMD barebook, and then about 600 at new egg on components.

I suggest doing it that way, see what components you need, and then buy them elsewhere. You can get better quality stuff for less.

Shipping was cheap with ABS, FedEx express saver came in a few days form CA to MA.

You need the 1800 number on your credit card to complete the purchase, my initial order voided because I didn't think it was necessary to get it right.

My Rating:

Barebook option: A
Service: A-
Delivery/support: A

Altogether: B+/A

D_P of Great Barrington, MA"

"ABS has good technical support service.
I have been their customer for over 8 years.
My first computer I bought from them in 1997,
second in 2002.
The support service has been good. Now days
it takes a little longer to get help, but still
the service is very professional."

"Dear ABS computers,
My customer number is RMA900223.
After suffering nothing but problems with my computer I telephoned ABS computers and was given a technician, a computer genious named Joel. Joel was professional, kindhearted (which is important to some of us weaker computer folks that are attempting to be better on our computers), patient, and extraordinarialy helpful!
In this life of poor customer service, I was so thrilled and delighted with the wonderful help that I received from ABS computers. Due to my technician Joel, I now have a computer that works like a dream. Now, I wouldn't ever purchase any other brand of computer other than ABS. Thank you ABS computers from the bottom of this old gals heart.
As a recent widow, I never listened to my husband when he attempted to show me how this dam computer worked. Neeless to say, after his death, I was lost. This computer was my Beloved husbands and it kept dying every few minutes, which meant that I lost my writings. It over heated and then, turned off. After hours and hours of struggling on my own, I telephoned ABS computers. Joel, was so patient, helpful and yet, professional with me that I think he deserves a huge raise! His information wasn't just fly by night junk either. Joel took the time to teach me the small things that will assist me to go it on my own. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Our family gets together once a year and passes around a list of the companies that have been horrible to one of us, which we all boycot. One of the companies that we have boycoted is K-Mart. Have you noticed how vacant K-Mart is? There are at least a thousand of us, each one of us knows at least a thousand people, and so the list goes grows. The thing is, if companies realized that customer service is their main business, (along with a good product), then, they would hire the type of peple that the technician that assisted me was. Joel represented your company in a superior mannor. That list that I mentioned? Well, we also add companies that are extraordinary as well and then, support that company. Then, we tell others to support that company. Eventually, that company should see a rise in busines and success. I'm sure you know that having loyal customers means having a rise in success--a just reward for having a great business. As it should be.
My repaired computer is like having a brand new computer and I'm thrilled!
At the present time, I'm editing a book series entitled Boxed Wings that my Beloved husband and I wrote over a ten year period. These books are in the self-help genre. Our goal with these books is to help to offer inner peace and healing of a personal nature etc. Healing the planet is a large order, but if we can offer a hand up to at least one other person with our books, then, we have at least accomplished something. So, you can immagine how imporant and drastic it was to me when my computer didnn't work. As a writer, having a computer is manditory.
Honestly, I can't help but cry every time that I think about the excellent assistance that I recieved from ABS computers, and my tecnician, Joel. Tears of gratitude!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart ABS comptuers. Due to my experience with ABS computers and my technician, Joel, I'm a ABS computer customer for life. My nephew is the personal assisant to the govenor of the state of Utah(a computer junkie as well), one of my nephews is a bank president, my cousin and his wife started the Diet Centers that were the beginnings of Jenny Creg and the other diet centers. Neeless to say, I have some wealthy and intelligent relatives. Therefore, it goes without saying that there are several influential and wealthy folks in my family that are extremely interested in computers. I might be on a fixed income and struggling financially myself, but I have some influence upon my family. I have already emailed a few of these folks and told them about my extraordinary experience with ABS computers! I'm extremely thrilled and grateful for your help ABS computers.
I discovered that althoguh the warrenty on my computer had run out, you still helped me. I'm no one important, on a fixed income, struggling, and yet you didn't know that. However, you helped me anyway!
Thank you ABS computers! May you have an increase in sales and much success in your company! Please reward Joel, my technician, with a raise or something really great, because I'm not in a possition to send him a thank you card along with a plate of homemade cookies. You should be proud that your technician, Joel, represented ABS computers in such a professional, intelligent, kindhearted, reliable, patient, and outstanding manner. It is apparent to me that Joel, is the tye of person that is good with all types of people. Thank you again ABS for having technicians that are the caliber that Joel was with me, and for having such a great computer.
Sincerely,
Helen Ferguson -Fritchen "