"My husband and I have bought two computers from TAC in the last 4 years and are 'Totally' satisfied. The service we have received from them, for both computers, has always been professional, knowledgable, and very helpful. On the 2 occasions where problems did arise(upgrade on sound card for latest system)the errors originated in the warehouse shipping. The friendly guys in the Bountiful store bent over backwards to accommodate us any way possible while we anxiously awaited our kickbutt new soundcard! The lifetime service on their systems was the deciding factor for our purchases from the start, and coupled with an 'Awesome' sales & tech team like Nick,Mike,Dave(Flash),and the rest of the TAC crew,(THANKS GUYS!)we will definately be TAC customers for a lifetime!!"

"On March 3-04-04 I made a deal with Totally Awsome Computers in Murray, Utah. It was for PC for Video Editing and future HDTV use as a Personal Digital Recorder when the part became available. I was assured that it was easily capable of such future upgrades. I gave them $3458 in cash and took the computer home on 3-10-04. It locked up and blue screened frequently. Took it in seeking a refund. They resisted and insisted it was the case that I chose that was causing over-heating of the parts. I gave them an addition $91 to replace the case and remount the other hardware. I continued to have problems with the PC could not use the suggested Liquid Edition software because of inexperience and PC crashes. I had to go away from town to help my elderly Aunt for most of the spring and summer. When I returned I complained again to TAC .... They would not refund the PC and smugly suggested I learn how to use it. Around the 10th of August I went to the training classes as they suggested. For the next few days I tried and tried to use my new knowledge of the PC's software. I dealt with lock-ups, software sudden disappearances (the program would halt and need restart). Liquid Edition video editing software could not import any clips ... even those it created. Called for tech assistance and they could not figure out why but suggested I purchase, via the internet, at an additional cost of about $40, some video cleaning software, it helped sometimes. On the 17th of August I was having trouble shutting down the PC and upon restart it would just go to black screen. If I started in "safe-mode" first it would start up okay the next time. Over and over lock-up, then safe-mode start, then lock-up. As I trying to import a video clip into Liquid Edition I had a complete failure to get PC booted back up. It smelled of smoke and I open it to find the Video Display and Capture card improperly inserted or mounted. The AGP slot screw was loose because it was poorly mounted; it was sitting in its slot at an angle instead of flat. How it got that way I can only guess, was it installed that way? Did it work it way up and out of its slot because of the pressure of connecting of VGA and breakout box cable? Who stripped the female case screw hole.... not I. Today I received a reply from TAC with pictures showing burn marks and damage to the card they apparently blame on me and therefore refuse to repair or replace. According to part of (Chairman of the board) Dell Schanze's Promise to customers, "If you have any trouble with one of our computers we are going to fix it; not blame it on someone else; whether it is our fault, your fault, or your grandmother's fault we have got you covered." But not in my case, if they'd have refunded my money at my first request they’d have a partly functioning card to pass off on another sucker. They PC s functioning with a new Video Card (I provided to get PC functioning), however the new HDTV DVR has arrived and the PC appears not well enough designed to handle the new card. Another violation of what I was promised.
I an seeking a 3408 in refund CASH refund that reflects $300 Trade + $2800 CASH (3-4-04) + $352 Cash (3-10-04) + 91 CASH for a different Case that would “fix problems” (about 3-17-04) less 175 for DVD Burner (about 3-30-04) returned and refunded (surprise!) and because Dell promised, another $40 for suggested Video import fix they suggested. "We guarantee everything we say, do, think, insinuate, suggest, sell, charge for, recommend, or hint at forever! If you are not absolutely, positively, completely, 100% satisfied with your Totally Awesome Computer we will choose to either fix the problem, give you a new computer, or give you your money back as fast as we humanly can." However no signs that TAC is at all willing.

"

"I had found an AMD Athlon XP "Barton" 2500+ at an online retailer for $90. So, I called TAC to see if they could match the price (so I didn't have to wait for shipping). They told me they had it in stock and would do a price match. However, when I arrived at their Riverdale store, I showed them the site. The store manager came up and refused to sell me at the $90 price, stating that the site was having a sale, and that is not their normal price, and they have no warranty on CPU, and that the cheapest he would sell me the CPU for was $100. This was at newegg.com, the price was the everday price (not on sale), and it did come with a manufacturer warranty. It also included free shipping. After arguing with the manager about the price, he then changed his story, saying they did not have any in stock, and I would have to wait 5 days for them to get one in. Needless to say, I just ordered the chip from newegg. All-in-all, I think some of these salespeople at the Riverdale store need an attitude adjustment."

"I am very disappointed with Totally Awesome Computers. I have been subjected to their annoying commercials for years, and I finally decided to pay them a visit. I had done research on a new gaming rig, and had a great price from an online seller. When I went to TAC, the sales person helping me (Adam) was fairly friendly, but his manager treated me like a jerk. He became rude after I heard him tell another customer that Mushkin brand RAM is 33% faster than any other brand of RAM and I laughed at the outrageousness of his claim. Then, when it turned out that they wouldn't be making a lot of money off me if the beat the price I had brought in, he said that he wasn't going to beat it. He said the advertisements for his company only say he "can" beat competitors prices, not that he will! I feel that if TAC is truly interested in building a customer base, they will engage in truthful marketing and advertising. A good first step would be letting this manager at the Sandy store go."

"I have bought 5 computers for my businesses from Totally Awesome and have been completely satisfied. They do live up to their service. I can call or bring my computer in and they fix it at no charge. And, my problems are usually software related, not hardware. I am so grateful as they have saved me and given me same day service when I really needed it. If you compare them to other computer companies (I have bought computers in the past from other places), Totally Awesome is definitely worth it! I won't buy anywhere else now."

"Check out this story from consumer advocate Bill Gephardt. He took a broken computer to 4 computer stores for a repair: Totally Awesome Computers (TAC), Burgoyne Computers, CompUSA and Best Buy. Totally Awesome Computers totally screwed the pooch.

http://kutv.com/gephardt/local_story_041192114.html

There's a video too but you have to search for it.

Based on my experience with TAC and this story, here are the conclusions I've come up with:

1. The techs sometimes do a bad job because they are pressured to fix so many computers per day that they tend to make lots of mistakes. In the words of owner Dell Schanze, "he (the technician) was in a hurry...had a lot of machines, he should have been more complete and more thorough...but he screwed up...we're stupid". The truth is that the techs at TAC work on multiple computers at the same time while charging each customer for the same amount of time. In other words, if a tech works on 5 computers simultaneously for an hour, all 5 computers are charged for 1 hour of service each.

2. Employees are motivated to up-sell repair jobs into new computer purchases. That is the reason that your report said "due to the age of the machine, I would not recommend fixing. Hard drive would cost between $40 and $60. The O.S. install would be 97.50 to 130.00 dollars in labor. The machine is not worth that." They would rather your computer didn't work so you would be forced into buying a brand new system.

3. SUPERDELL (Dell Schanze) promises that he will beat any price by $100. Before buying from TAC any store and ask them to beat the price of an Office Max or Dell computer system with all the same specifications. You will be shocked by the responses you get from the different sales people. Can you say Bait and Switch?

"

"The prices are too high. Check the parts against any other seller and you will see. The owner is an A-#1-Dick. He cares more about money and trying to look like a good Mormon than being a decent person. Service is susposed to be free unless your IBM hard drive dies then they want to sell you an upgrade and charge you to try and copy any data they can find. If you believe in the devil, then go somewhere else."

"Totally Awesome is not the place to buy a computer if you are not familiar with at least the basics. If you feel comfortable setting up a computer (plugging it in, installing mouse, speakers, keyboard & etc) then there should not be any hesitation buying from Totally Awesome. No setup instructions come with computer although I'm sure technical support would be willing to walk you through it on the phone if you want to take that route. There are instructions for each of the components that make up the system as supplied by the component manufacturer. They ship what is ordered. In my case they had trouble getting the video card I ordered but they upgraded shipping at no extra charge and the computer was delivered on the date promised. While I'm on shipping, their shipping is on the high side up when total delivered price is looked at they are slightly lower most.

My computer came as ordered. It fired up without a problem. It is a fast machine that is well assembled with top of line name brand components.

I have called tech support a couple times and the phone has always been answered on either the second or third ring. My calls have not really put them to the test they have just been about some operational issues with the keyboard. They directed me to the proper web site to down load needed drives. This is my only complaint; I feel all needed drivers (even minor ones) should come with the equipment.

Totally Awesome bots the best warranty I have seen. I have not had an occasion to test it yet but all indications are they do what they say.

"

"Well, their parts are in excellent quality, and they have nice computers, but as far as the service goes -- I was very disappointed. Had to take my computer back to them 4 times in a row before the original problem was ever resolved (which might I add I ended up fixing myself.) Wrote an email to "Superdell" complaining about the poor service, and was basically told that I am stupid, and I don't know what I am talking about. He also told me that because I didn't buy my computer from him was the sole reason why I was having problems. Their techs that I spoke to sounded remotely interested in helping me, I felt like I was waking him up from a nap. Also, I was charged 4 times for each time I brought in the computer. They would put new parts and such in it saying that would fix it, but my original problem was NEVER fixed. I felt like I was paying them to do nothing but put unneeded parts in my computer.

Anyway, good prices and good systems, but horrid service. If you buy a computer from them, plan on bringing it back multiple times if one thing goes wrong."

"Talk about service. Not only the smartest, but also helpful and friendly. They took care of a virus I had for me FREE OF CHARGE. Then a few weeks later my son formatted my hard drive, and they reinstalled my OS FREE OF CHARGE. When they mean lifetime warrenty, they mean it. "

"Please disregard this post. I wish to withdraw my review. Since I cannot, I will just leave this memo."