computer shops in hua hin

Post by **svga** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:04 am

a recent bad experience, i purchased a system preloaded with windows and other ms software, have had problems for three months since i purchased it, upgraded cpu, replaced monitor, spent thousands of baht trying to resolve problems, finally found out it was software problem. all counterfeit, shop said wel it was cheap wasnt it, thai people only use word and view dvds, what are you complaining about. have lost my microsoft certification because of this, shop offered to give me new counterfeit to replace one suspended by microsoft, i love this country, i love this town but after 35 years in the computer industry have never heard such a load of b**ls in my life. am i wrong for complaining, thai friends say oh well what do you expect

Post by **caller** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:35 am

I don't know what to make of this. I know little about how PC's work. Its like cars with me, as long as they do what they promise and don't go wrong too often, I'm okay.

But if you're a computer bod with 35 years experience, shouldn't a few alarm bells have rung with the deal you were getting?

I asked for advice on this site, didn't get a great response - fair enough - although I was told there was very limited choice in HH. So I sought help elsewhere, thinking IT must be cheaper in LOS than the UK, then I kind of realised it wasn't.

Eventually bought a laptop (trendy name = notebook)through:

http://tohome.com/catalog.aspx?catalog_id=339

Apologies if this breaches any rules.

Good service, goodish deal. A few freebies thrown in, free travel case, mb upgrade. All legit. The beauty being I was able to compare what was offered with what was on offer in the UK.

Happy customer? Well sort of, the fiancee is!!!

Post by **svga** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:17 am

hi caller,
did the research, checked the spec, 35 years in industry does not make you check legitamacy of software, when queried at shop recently they said oh we sell some computers with real software, others with counterfeit, apparently its my fault for not asking if software was legit. it was only the continuos problems that made me carry out online counterfeit check, over the years i have lost count of the number of computers i have purchased and have never experienced this before. old head yes, should have checked when first installed, yes, i will next time but its closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. Didnt realise that shops in thai offer two standards, apparently its perfectly ok for thais to use as they only use limited application, its only ferrangs that try to use the full system that have problems, what a statement to issue by a thai shop owner

Post by **buksida** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:59 am

It is pretty common knowledge throughout Asia since the software, if all purchased legally, would end up costing more than the machine. The computer shops in town are largely for the local market who are not going to pay full whack for Bill Gates' software that they can buy on a CD for 150 baht.

You are right to be annoyed that they didnt inform you of this or offer you a legitimate copy of the operating system. Usually when you go for the brand named machines such as Compaq/HP, IBM, Sony, Fujitsu etc they come preloaded with a licensed version of Windows. The cheaper off the shelf models don't.

Post by **caller** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:03 am

Well, thats something else that I've learnt that will be helpful for when I'm a resident.

Sorry, it was too late for you, svga, but a lot of others are now forewarned.

Post by **sam** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:03 pm

We were thinking of buying a new pc when we move to HH but reading this are we better to upgrade at home and fetch the one we have with us?

Post by **buksida** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:25 pm

Nothing wrong with buying here, you just need to specify exactly what you want and check it after purchase ... then check it again.

Post by **Norseman** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:58 pm

Good advise buksida.
When I bought my computer, I wrote down my spec. and handed that info to the people in the computershop.
They upgraded a new pc to my standard and they had no problem with it.
If you want licenced software, you'll get it.

Never had any problems later with either sw or hw.
.

Post by **Burger** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 5:25 pm

sam wrote:

We were thinking of buying a new pc when we move to HH but reading this are we better to upgrade at home and fetch the one we have with us?

Hi Sam, I bought a lap top when I first arrived in Bangkok and it's been fine ever since, plus it was a lot cheaper than the UK. The software on it was the original licenced type but limited as to what you got.
Then I bought all the 'cheap backstreet' software I needed and again I've had no problems with that.
Maybe svga has been unlucky, would be interesting to know how many other people have had problems with PC's and/or software bought here ???

Burger

Post by **svga** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:17 am

buksida wrote:It is pretty common knowledge throughout Asia since the software, if all purchased legally, would end up costing more than the machine. The computer shops in town are largely for the local market who are not going to pay full whack for Bill Gates' software that they can buy on a CD for 150 baht.

You are right to be annoyed that they didnt inform you of this or offer you a legitimate copy of the operating system. Usually when you go for the brand named machines such as Compaq/HP, IBM, Sony, Fujitsu etc they come preloaded with a licensed version of Windows. The cheaper off the shelf models don't.

buksida it may be common knowledge but it was not off the shelf, it was not cheaper than other models, it was reputable manufacturer, it was more expensive than uk equivelant, didnt want to buy fake software, agree could have got same for 150 baht, actually 100 baht if i shop around but paid full price ie microsoft mark up for software.

Post by **Jaime** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:06 am

Why not threaten to 'shop' them unless they give you what you paid for?

Post by **buksida** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:08 pm

svga wrote: buksida it may be common knowledge but it was not off the shelf, it was not cheaper than other models, it was reputable manufacturer, it was more expensive than uk equivelant, didnt want to buy fake software, agree could have got same for 150 baht, actually 100 baht if i shop around but paid full price ie microsoft mark up for software.

Looks like the shop ripped you off then. All the reputable manufacturers (even in Thailand) ship their machines from the factories with licensed operating systems preloaded. They usually come with a CD with the software stating "Only for distribution with a new xyzBrand PC".

Incidentally I have had run ins with some of the shops here who do not supply what has been ordered. Watch them carefully and make sure you get what you order, they'll think nothing of slipping a cheaper brand mainboard in or slower bus speed RAM because they think the average Joe doesnt know the difference.

Post by **svga** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:36 am

Jamie came here to escape from that, just wanted an easy life, think i got insulted by buksida, 35 years in industry expects a common standard, you cant think of everything, in thailand all piracy laws apply, if you dont want legitimate software cheaper to buy in bangkok, if you go to retailer in hua hin best to ask if software legit, they do not volunteer info, we all have opinions, i love thailand, love the people but get insulted when thais treat each other as second class citizens, my supplier says well thais only use offline, if they want internet they go to cafe, only aspect in life here i dont understand, thais seem to accept this situation but do not realise that the prices here for computers are more than in europe. buksida your opinion shows that you are full of s***, you are welcome to voice your opinions but would prefer to recieve silly remarks on my e mail address, contact modertor for my e mail address. thought this forum was for relevant opinions not sly asides. moderator, if you stop this message ok but forum posting by buksida should have been censoreed as well

Post by **svga** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:51 am

buksida owe you an apology used your name when it should have been caller, please e mail me direct i will apologise,
caller, you may be shown as professional but so am i , 35 years in industry, masters in business management from texas state, certified microsoft trainer, ok, should have thought that thai would rip me off but why, would like to continue this thread away from forum, please contact moderator, may be shown on system as novice but prepared to compare experience and qualifications with you directly, my e mail address available on request, moderator and caller, because i am a new comer to hhad i am not a novice in the techno industry, if moderator allows this type of comment suggest he deletes or bars me from forums, any quote i dont know, but make sure your gun is loaded before you point it at anyone.
edit whatever you want, it seems that moderator allows "professional" more latitude than "novice" on this site.
both moderator and caller welcome to discuss this comment.

Post by **caller** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:12 am

Oh dear! Sorry, but I think you've lost the plot? I thought it fair to ask how someone with such experience was conned and then when it was explained responded in a way that I thought appropriate in my 2nd post - sorry you took offence.

But it seems like you're ranting at the wrong person to me, it should be the guy in the computer shop, if anyone has insulted you, he has.

I'll pass on continuing with this, thanks. I'm not that interested.