"This week I made a second purchase from Advance Tec and 0n both ocassions I received excellent customer service from this company.

However, my latest purchase was an outstanding example of how shopping on the Internet should really work, and so often, with other suppliers, does not.

I placed an order for an internal hard drive on Monday morning. The item selected was at the most competitive price that I could find on the net. Later that day I was called to be informed that my item was out of stock and a substitute comparable in price and quality was offered which I accepted.
The following morning this item was delivered to me before midday by courier. It is now installed and working perfectly in my PC.

I consider this to be the best experience I have had of Internet Shopping in many years and after many purchases.

I will have no hesitation in buying again from Advance Tec and would highly recommend their site to others.

Rodney White"

"prices I was happy with...fast delivery...no errors...one minor driver glitch sorted within hours with courtesy and patience..thank you."

"AdvanceTec consistently beat the competition on price! My regular haunts would be Aria, Scan, Ebuyer, Dabs and MicroDirect - yet they still show the small companies can compete with the giants!

As with any component level supplier (not the PC World type places who just dont have a clue!) you do need to know what you need and how to utilise it as with all the companies mentioned, they won't tolerate the buy-it try-it dont-like-it type without it costing to send it back when there's nothing wrong with it. As with all new components these days, its sometimes hard to find fault with an item when theres so many compatibilty issues that still exist.

After reading some of the reviews on here, I'd say those with the returns problems do sound like they fit in that category, and they would probably find the same kind of issues with any of the others too (I know I've tried with all of them at one time or another, including having to completely strip a machine in MicroDirect's lobby because they wouldnt test it assembled!)

Service is as only as good as your manners! If you give anyone grief about something the supplier cannot control, especially faulty goods, then you can't really expect a helpful reply, you wouldn't if someone did it to you demanding the odds!"

"I have ordered several times from advance technologies. I have always received my goods next working day excellent service and the prices are very good."

"I've always bought items from small companies with confidence, never having a bad experience. This has finally come to an end..

I ordered a HDD and an external HDD enclosure from Advance Technologies, and promptly received an order confirmation e-mail. A week later, since I hadn't received anything, I called them. They were surprised that I hadn't received the package and said that they'd investigate with the courier company and would get back to me. Another week passed without any news; I called them, and they said that I should get the package the same day. Yet another week passed; this time they promised the package next day, and stated that couriers have lost my items twice. Nothing happened. Then I called again a few days later; this time they were surprised that the shipping address was different than the invoice address (although that was clearly stated in the initial order confirmation e-mail), and promised the package next working day. Of course, I forgot to mention that I also e-mailed on several occasions and didn't get back anything at all.

UPDATE:
I finally received my items - 27 days after ordering. I am still waiting for an explanation from Advance Tec why this took so long and why my communications have been so unsatisfactory.
"

"Excellent Customer Service - Rang me to confirm order and advise of dispatch date. When couriers let them down, they rearranged with another to ensure delivery on Christmas Day. Goods duly arrived on the 25th. "

"the best computer shop around Very friendly, smiling, helpful staff very competitive prices
i would not go to any other shop 10/10


mr a.mills "

"What can i say about advance Technologies, simply fantanstic! I ordered a Power Supply unit from them (because mine blew up and i needed one urgently) and even though I live locally I opted for the same day delivery service. I phoned them up at 10am that morning and the PSU arrived at 3pm! All i can say that they are extremely helpfull and would recommend to anyone wishing to buy PC;'s or even Nintendo Wii's! "

"gotta be said, these are ace, i don't buy computer things very often so it helps when people know what they're talking about when i go to buy things,i bought a 120gb hard drive from these guys, they gave me great advice on which product to buy and it was greatly appreciated!!! even helped me install it!!

thanks a lot!! recommended"

"I baught several items from advance tec and they got to my house the next day!!! I placed the order on the 6th at about 5 and got them on the 7th Cant get any better, and the value is great!"

"This is possibly the worst online company I have ordered from.

I ordered some RAM which appeared to not work. The engineer assured me that it was probably another part of my system (as it was all new). I replaced/borrowed the other components until I did indeed narrow it down to the RAM. I tried to get an RMA number, sending them my order number. They said that they wanted my invoice number, but the cleaners at work threw away the invoice so I didn't have it (and only the sales number was on all the electronic communication). So they said they could look it up for me if I wanted, but I'd have to pay £8 for this amazingly simple 10sec job to get a number just to give it back to them for the RMA. When I finally did this due to no other option, they pretty much threatened me that if the RAM was ok then they're charge me for the testing of it and the shipping to send it straight back. The problem was indeed with the RAM, well actually I'd say it was with AdvanceTec."

"this store service is totally unacceptable, it takes a minimum of 4-6 weeks to get any hardware RMA'd.
there engineer does not have a clue what he's doing and doesn't test hardware properly which means they send you broken parts back only for you to have to send off again directly to the manufacturer.

i used this store religiously for 2 years as its only a 5 minute car ride from me but all their top end hardware must be b grade stock as it all breaks within 12 months or does not perform as it should, i have now started using overclockers.co.uk and haven't had a single problem with any of their products or service.

be warned about advance technologies ;)"