"I found MadTux as I searched for online merchants of Linux distributions. I discovered they offered decent PCs for quite low prices. I was in the market for a new system, I bought their best PC.

the first system they delivered did not survive shipping from California to New Hampshire during the christmas rush. When it arrived, I first opened the system cover to begin installing my peripherals and I saw the CPU fan was not plugged in; the fans power cable was too tightly fastened to the power supply wiring harness and the power supply harness had pulled the fans connector out of the motherboard at some point before I opened the covers. Before I applied power, I corrected the harnessing issue so the fan would stay connected (I have the requisite electronics assembly experience).

After I assembled my own hard disk to the system (it was not electrically connected), I attached a monitor and applied power to the system. The CPU fan worked, the power supply fan worked, but the system would not boot. I presently believe shipping vibrations had been severe, and possibly caused collateral damages aside from disconnecting the CPU fan connector.

I contacted MadTux support and after discussions, I was authorized to return the defective system.

MadTux built and delivered a second system which was based on newer components than the first system. The second system was shipped via a different shipping method, it arrived in good condition and that newer system works very well.

Very responsive, MadTux gave quick replies and they were able to handle me changing from email to web based trouble ticket to cell phone and back to email. I did not intentionally throw them a curve, it was just the way things went down.

MadTux the handled the adversity very well, they are sensitive to customer service and if their support person is to be believed, they likely made nothing on my system, after all the shipping, phone calls and system rebuilding was said and done.

Good old fashioned customer oriented service.

Update: Feb 4, 2009: "Welcome to the MadTux Store
We regret to inform you that economic conditions have forced us to close our doors after eight years in business.""