Customer wishes she had never Bought IPC Computer!

[Duplicated Word for Word from Original letter which was published in the Barrie Advance in my Dr. Computer Logick Column]
Dear Doc:

I have a problem I was wondering if you could help me with? I'll give you a bit of background about my situation first.

I purchased an approximate $3,500.00 system - IPC Select Series (Intel inside), 100 MHZ, 8MB Ram, 420 MB hard drive with a fax, CD Rom (quad), 3.5" floppy drive, MSDOS 6.22 with Windows for workgroups, etc. in June of 1995 from a local business. ( At the time I did not know of Rob Smith Consulting, but have since read your articles in the paper and have had your name recommended to me a number of times). Anyway, before I purchased, I explained to the salesperson that I planned to use the computer for a home business and could not afford downtime and was assured twice that there would be no problem - "just bring it back in if you experience any problems." (When I did experience problems, this was not the case). [typical] I won't get into the multitude of problems I have experienced with my computer or the lack of support from where I bought it. (I have ten pages of notes of problems and things I have had to go through to correct them (1-800-support #'s), technicians to my home three times and finally my machine sent back to where it was manufactured, gutted and rebuilt. Through all of this (from June to Dec.) I have had no support from where I purchased my computer.

The reason I am writing to you is that recently I installed Corel CD Office Companion. At first it worked well. I didn't use it for a couple of weeks and in the meantime had installed "Announcements." When I went to use CD Office, the Clipart gallery section shows a "Gallery 2 caused a Stack Fault CGault5.0DLL" application error.

Can you tell me what a stack fault error is and how to correct it? (I have taken the program off and reinstalled it -3 times - but I still get the same error message). I also uninstalled Announcements thinking this may have interfered but I still get the same error. Could you also provide me with information on what services you provide re support? Also, could you provide me with information on the Internet? I'd eventually like to explore this area.

Sincerely,

Renae

Dear Renae,
This kind of thing happens alot and it infuriates me. Your main problem here is lack of service and accountability. The store got your money and it seems they obviously felt that's where their responsibility ended. I suggest you find a few others in your same situation and together make them accountable. Try using the internet or the classifieds. Post a few flyers around the malls.

Back to the problem at hand. Your problem is clearly corrupted .dll files. Reloading and deleting files will not correct this problem. Two solutions, reformat the drive and reload everything, not, you'll probably get the same problem knowing IPC. Other option, see a doctor and debug the system. This will take about 4 hours but will solve the problem. It would be covered by a really class support program. Feel free to call me @ 1-800-661-2631 to discuss your options re: support and Internet in person or E-mail me at rcsmith@drlogick.com

Ps.

I called Renae and discussed her problems. I asked her to bring in the computer so I could help her resolve the problems. I took her on as a client and so far she seems to be happy. I confirmed the computer was purchased from a place in Barrie, Ontario called Barrie Computer Mart. Quite a few people have called and reported similar problems. We seem to have the makings of a class action suit....if you are one of the disgruntled and wish to join in E-mail me with all the details and solid proof that can be proved when we go to court and we may allow you to join in possibly recovering damages. Isn't this what the internet is all about. Now we can band together to accomplish common goals. There is so many of you and you don't know each other. Watch this page and I will add more names to the list with there letters after they are verified and authenticated.

Email received Sept 7/96 fromPeter Smith

Email received Mar 14/97 fromJeff "JD" Watters

Email received Oct 16/97 fromTim McKenzie

Email received Jan 2/98 fromBrian Young