Degutis Insights

09 Jul, 2008

Drobo customer service could use an upgrade

Posted by: Al In: Business| Technology

Yesterday Drobo released a new model of their “robotic storage” which provides Firewire 800 connectivity, in addition to the USB ports of the original model.

I purchased the USB-based Drobo 12 days prior to the announcement of the new version. Had the Firewire version been available, I would have purchased it. I went to the Drobostore.com site and could not find a written policy for exchanges or returns. In fact, even the privacy policy comes up “not found.” So, they don’t have a return policy? I called customer service. The woman on the phone confirmed that they do not have any policies in place, took my information and said she would have to talk to someone and they’d get back to me. I followed up with an e-mail via their support form to make sure my request didn’t get lost. A little more digging around their website turned up a warranty policy that only covered non-functioning hardware.

I found out this morning, via email, that they will not exchange it.

Most retailers have either a 14-day or 30-day return/exchange policy. I find this to be poor customer service. Especially since they don’t have a written return policy online. What if Best Buy, Dell, Apple and others didn’t have a return policy? Not acceptable.

-Al Degutis

Viewing 3 Comments

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    Hello Al. Did you get anywhere with Drobo. I have been dealing with them today about returning my unit also and they have been very uncooperative. Horrible customer service. For months they had a 30-day money-back guarantee and then they did a huge promotion with the Macbreak Weekly podcast. This was clearly just to dump a bunch of old drobos which are now worth "nothing." And now they have NO mention at all of returns on their website PERIOD. I am waiting for a call back from them but I am not holding my breath.
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    Mike,

    I haven't followed up with them yet after getting the initial rejection. As you saw on the Typical Mac Users site, they recommended taking this to PR. I haven't done that yet. Not sure I will.

    I ordered my Drobo combo using the promo code from Cali Lewis on GeekBrief.tv. Initially I thought I was saving money, but now I feel as you do, that they were just trying to clear inventory since the promo codes were only good through June 30th and the new version was released a week later. Hell, even Apple runs their inventory down so there's less in the channel and still will swap it out.

    I disagree that the original Drobo is worth nothing. Sure it's value has decrease. If it wasn't for the poor customer service, I'd consider taking the loss of buying a new one and selling the used one at a loss. Heck, I still have all the original packaging AND the protective plastic sheet still on the front and back so it's a used unit but "like new" or "excellent condition".

    -Al
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    Yeah. When I get home and out of this huge iPhone line. I will email you what I sent them yesterday. It was quite a verbose rant. Based on that I hope to have this settled once and for all today.
 
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Degutis Insights consists of the ramblings of Al and Judy, where we share our thoughts and images from our lives, including family and friends, technology and other miscellaneous topics.

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