Beware of purchases at Element 14 / Newark / Farnell - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 06:24:46 pm
content: Two weeks ago I purchased a Raspberry PI 7" Touchscreen Display for my EE class (The newest from Raspberry Pi dot org) direct from Element 14. However, for my class last Friday at school the screen was dead . Today I called Element 14 (customer support) and was told that someone from Tech support would call me back in the next 48 hours to determine problem and course of action. If the product needs to be returned and when it is received at Element 14. I ship to Element 14 at my cost. Tech support will test it and see if they can repair. If no repair can be performed. Element 14 will contact Raspberry dot org for next steps. Whatever those next steps might be?If a replacement is needed then Raspberry dot org to ship direct to me.WTF? you have got to be kidding me.I should have bought from China! at least they will tell me to keep it and send me a new one...express mailCaveat Emptor......

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 08:12:04 pm
content: You did this the wrong way. Just order a new one and send the old one back.

author: stevenhoneyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 08:30:57 pm
content: I'm not suggesting this is the case here, but I imagine they get a lot of complaints/returns about this sort of item when there's nothing wrong with it, but the buyer can't get it working.Basing that guess around the fact that they try and redirect "raspberry pi-ers" away (to the forums) all over their main site E.g. I went looking for packaging info, foundhttp://uk.farnell.com/help-packaging-options.See the very last FAQ on that page. It's also on at least some of the others e.g.http://uk.farnell.com/help-technical-support

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 12:55:18 am
content: Thank you for link. Later today I did get the RMA and Ship label to send it back. Lets see what happens next with these people.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 12:57:01 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 26, 2015, 08:12:04 pmI should not have to repurchase this again. At that point I am out 120 dollars.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 01:01:34 am
content: I don't know how you managed to leave it alone until class time.Impatience sometimes has its benefits.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 01:13:35 am
content: It was hard too! But the professor said it is for the class assignment and we had to wait. Some of the younger students did not wait and the professor was really mad that he gave them a failing grade for the assignment. That really hurts because our assignments are 40% of our grade. The six of them went to the dean today to complain but to no avail. So now even if they were to ace all exams and assignments best case grade would be a "B" - good luck with that. A hard lesson learned for them.Ahh! the days of being young and stupid! I remember those well.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 01:31:18 am
content: It's mail order - you should have a 14 day no quibble return, and if it's faulty/wrong you get your return postage paid too?...Oh, I just spotted the flag. I thought farnell is newark over there? Yeah, sorry about that. Different rules in the land of the free I guess...

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 01:34:21 am
content: I ordered it on 9/30 and delivered on 10/2

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 01:35:38 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on October 27, 2015, 01:13:35 amWTF? Your professor should provide them himself then. Seriously??

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 01:53:47 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on October 27, 2015, 01:13:35 amWhat kind of idiot professor is that? Even a fool knows to test equipment before use for a crucial task!Quote from: Docholiday on October 27, 2015, 12:57:01 amIt is the quickest route in these situations and you'll get your money back soon.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 01:54:40 am
content: The shipment scheduled for the school got delayed with no clear delivery date. Because we are on a schedule we had to purchase ourselves directly. The school did give us fair warning of the possible delay. I do not know of any school in America where the school provides materials for class. You are given a syllabus on the first day of class. The syllabus gives you the information of what books, assignments, books to read, class days and times, test dates, mid-term, final, and materials required for the class.We do get discounts on most materials from the school bookstore. But as I said the shipment got delayed. This apparently happens in a lot of schools not just mine and I go to the number 3 school in America for EE.Perhaps in your country its different?

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 02:04:42 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 27, 2015, 01:53:47 amWell, I do not think he is an idiot. This assignment is not due to be completed and turned in until 2nd week of November. What we were doing last Friday was going over the equipment, setup, test, and install. This week involved the configuration and assignment start. Lucky for me my Raspberry PI is working so I am using a external monitor and using my professors Touchscreen for application testing. So I am good.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 02:31:14 am
content: I.A.N.L. but I do have considerable experience with returns to Farnell's CPC subsidiary.Look at Farnell's terms of purchase:QuoteYour "date of inspection" was the class date. You need to send written notice of the defect. I'd send the notice by post, recorded delivery, and if there is any uncertanty that it will arrive in time, fax a copy as well. Email or web forms are debatable whether its "written notice" and phone conversations certainly aren't.I'd also take a lot of photos of the faulty unit so that if they claim it's not faulty, you can easily check if its the same unit or if there are any visible signs of repair/rework.You also need to notify Farnell that you will be claiming for the cost of return postage and packing, as soon as they have confirmed the item is defective, and ask them which carrier they would prefer you to use, (so they cant claim that you incurred unreasonable return costs), or if they would prefer to arrange courier pickup.Finally, if no defect is found, you will definitely be liable for the return and redelivery costs,so be sure that the problem isn't with your Pi(already done if you used your professor's touch screen on your Pi). I'm *ASSUMING* you didn't connect it incorrectly, as that would make you liable for return, repair and redelivery costs, and if there is evidence of reverse polarity connection, you are S.O.L.Over here it would come under the Sale of Goods act, which overrides certain attempts by the retailer to restrict your rights, but I don't think that's applicable to export sales.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 02:35:20 am
content: Wow, Thanks Ian for that info.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 03:37:09 am
content: If the #3 university in America for EEs downgrades students for having initiative, we have really fucked up our system of higher education.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 04:23:45 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on October 27, 2015, 01:13:35 amSound bad and wierd but we don't need another "moraly corrupt" thread

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 07:07:33 am
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on October 27, 2015, 03:37:09 amFar too dangerous to encourage students to think for themselves. Much better to program mindless drones.

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 09:20:37 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on October 27, 2015, 01:13:35 amHarsh.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 09:59:20 am
content: This doesn't make any sense. What does your professor do if you already had your own touch screen that you have tinkered with and learned this forbidden knowledge that only he can teach on a certain class day? Does he send you to the Scientologists to get your brain de-programmed?I mean if this was some kind of competition or practical examination then I could kind of understand - but then surely the materials would be kept secret, just like an exam paper would.ETA: ... and yes, back when I was in college all the materials including consumables would be provided free. In fact I was paid to go to college and had free meals too! Take that 'murrica

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 10:06:28 am
content: It makes some sort of sense if the equipment is supplied by the college, as improper connection of the jumpers to the Pi GPIO header could damage it, but as it appears that the college parts order has gone AWOL and students have had to buy their own, i believe that its indefensible. If I was one of the six students, and I had not done anything else that would justify being immediately failed on the lab work under the college's code of conduct, I would be seeking legal advice.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 03:02:21 pm
content: In almost all schools in America books and materials are separate from ypur normal yearly tution costs. The books can be purchased at the school bookstore or online such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble or other Academia web sites. The average cost of a single book is about $300 dollars and up. Very easily you could spend $1200 on books alone for a full time student. That is why many students try and buy used books. Even those are gone really fast. If that is not enough to contend with you still have the issue of professors liking a particular book one semester and changing it for another book the hext semester. Next, we have multiple professors teaching the same subject but could they all agree on using the same book. No! Each prodessor has his own book he or she likes.Now, materials. These include all your supplies paper, pens, pencils, misc, and lab supplies. The school does give access to test equipment and nominal parts supplies. All others are at your purchases again at the school bookstore or external. Any extra credit work comes out of ypur pocket. The whole sad truth about American education is the cost. I pay about $45.000.00 a year for my education. Here in America for any subject chosen with a Grad degree you will be in debt for minimum of $100,000 when you graduate. Going for a masters or above you can just imagine. The schools then generally charge you double.Education in America is not what it used to be anymore. Yes, we do have cheaper schools to go to but the level and quality of education is not in par with top schools. I have a friend that has a masters in EE and graduated 3 years ago. Still looking for a job as an EE. Working at a hospital checking patients ijust to pay his student loans that become due right after graduation. In disbelief? Companies here if you tour their EE departments are mostly made up of foreigners. They are here working on special visa and at a much lower yearly salary too.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 03:50:29 pm
content: Moving on to the cullture of the students. Well, generaly the students mindset is a lackadaisical attitude. No morals, uncaring, irresponsible. Why? Simple they know that their parents are the ones paying for their education and to them its just one big party. Not all of them are like this but enough to make a majority. They are just waiting to get their trust funds ($$$$$) or the girls looking for the next future successful student that will be their husband. That is the reality here and their grades reflect this attitude. The students on scholarships or foreign students thats a different story. They are working hard to succede to make their parents proud of them unlike the Americans. But ironically, what happens sometimes they too become accustomed to the American life and they too become spoiled like their American counter parts, not all but some. Next, we have the students on sports scholarships. That itself is a joke. The school will bend over backwards to ensure that a minimum level they graduate, remain eligible for sports and will force this upon any of the professors with full force. I have seen and worked with sports students that should not be students but are their on these sports programs. These are the special privilege few that the school actively watches over.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 06:27:38 pm
content: QuoteTake notes. Yeah....with names and dates...When you graduate, write a book. Yeah...call it fiction if you want ....

author: vodka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 08:19:07 pm
content: The university that i went it was worse . They advertised by the radio , TV and other medias as the best of South of Catalonia(Spain)and they had wins several awards in R&D and teaching.But the reallity was other.When we had the Labs ,I had brought the wires , the oscilloscope probes and the tools from the home(5kg of material work in the bag ) because in the lab hadn't neither screwdriver(RATS).At the beginning of course , the lab teacher gave us a plastic bag with all component that used for the course, and if you lose or break a IC,the teacher normally didn't give more. (These stuff i passed for guilting the teacher*)*anecdote: "My companion requested to help to teacher(researcher younger) because the linear power supply don't work(LM723), and the genius teacher said him that reverse the polarity of the feed .I asked for 4 times to my companion that he didn't reverse the polarity because the ic would blow up, but he did it. And the IC is burned and pasted in the breadboard".Finally the worse bitch that they could do you, i provoked fear and nightmares was that they gave a electronic board:In the Industrial Automation subject i returned the teacher 8 times the board and i took it was not so bad,even so i lost 6 hour of the lab and other 2 hour of the other subject for fixing the cold solders(RATS)In the electronic power subject the teacher gave our group a switching power supply, that it had the pads and tracks breaks due to soldering many times, i took and i fixed all the pads and tracks , but i never achieved to work. On the last lab day, we decided to change the IC and the transistor. And there we realized that the transistor(the id code was hidden with other component) was a SCR.I lost time ,hair , health and the arm mobility by accident when i went to university.Docholiday , Can you contact with somebody from last year for borrowing the screen?

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2015, 09:15:57 pm
content: I have a friend also getting his EE degree. But he is attending a local community college/university. That school does not have enough test equipment for all the EE students. So, its on a first come first basis. Cannot schedule for the use of the test equipment. Many times he was unable to complete his assignments, so his family got together and bought the test equipment he needed. Not new! but at least he could complete all his assignments. Once in awhile I sneek him into my school so he use our lab equipment. Sometimes his equipment does not have the features or bandwidth. But I have to be very careful as I could get expelled for that.

author: vodka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 07:09:57 pm
content: Don't the lab teacher pass you register when you are in the lab? or Have you free access to lab for all the week ? Because that is very strange for me

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2015, 07:34:25 pm
content: Lab is open every day untill midnight and open only to EE students. They do have lab assistants there to check your name and id in the computer. Sometimes and not always a lab assistant that works for the school that likes me and she will look the other way and let us both in. But we have to use only my access. Just depends if its real busy or not. Mostly, we go there a night during weekends and some holidays as the other students are out partying... Especially on Fridays.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2015, 01:57:48 am
content: Well today I sent back the Touch screen. Lets see what their reply is going to be.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 01:36:59 am
content: You shouldn't have any trouble with element14. At least going by the condition of customer returned Raspberry Pi's I've got my hands on. 90% of them are definitely customer abuse rather than manufacturing defects, but Farnell really aren't going to argue the toss and so just exchange for new ones anyway.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2015, 01:40:01 am
content: Thank you Macbeth for that info. I have purchased from them only once before. This being my second time and my very first return with them.