Problems with Amigastore.com (AKA AmigaKit.com)

[arnljot]

I have bought several things from AmigaStore.eu and NEVER had a problem with them, and I've been a customer since 2000 or so, when they were AmigaSuperBit.

Yeah, AmigaStore.eu are great, most people here think so too.

AmigaKit has been nasty and taken the domain amigastore.com , it's a sleazy move and creates the confusion that you illustrated so well now.

Imagine you reccomend amigastore.eu to a friend? He doesn't quite remember the name, and then goes to the other store. Now he's given his money into a black sinking hole, and bought into more headache.

 

[davideo]

Even I'm getting confused at times who we're talking about in this thread.

Added clarification to thread title

 

[Boing-ball]

My understanding is the following:

Amigastore.com was registered by Amigakit (Leahman Computing). Amigastore.eu registered afterwards? Anyways. Just putting it out there. If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong

 

[miggymad]

@Boing-ball

You're not wrong ...

Domain: amigastore.com
Registered On: 19 October 2004

Domain: amigastore.eu
Registered On: 13 March 2012

 

[FerryA1]

@Boing-ball

You're not wrong ...

Domain: amigastore.com
Registered On: 19 October 2004

Domain: amigastore.eu
Registered On: 13 March 2012

Hmmm… According to Archive.org, there was an "amigastore.com" domain registered before that one, in year 2000, pointing to "merlancia.com", an Amiga company and store run by Dr. Ryan Czerwinski (at some point, Dane Haynie became CTO of Merlancia). In fact, the page and link was active until March of 2004.

In March 2008, and always according to Archive.org captures, the domain seemed to be inactive, it was even suggested it was for sale:

In fact (again, according to those captures), the domain was not used again, active, until January 2018, when it became active again, this time pointing to AmigaKit store.

But then it comes to my attention that "amigastore.eu" domain was already active as a full working domain since January 2013, that's 5 years before.

So it looks like AmigaKit suddenly remembered, realized they had a dormant domain and put it to work quite after Spanish AmigaStore did, and probably (these are my assumptions) after watching their success as a trustable provider of Amiga stuff.

All this was already stated by John "Chucky" Hertell in his page (except for the Merlancia part):

In fact, that move was widely commented in Spanish forums as this created confusion among users/buyers. That's a capture of a Chucky's message in Facebook:

And, yes, he is right, they even tried to mimic "amigastore.eu" design to confuse people even more:

EDIT: AmigaStore.EU capture added for comparison:

In my opinion, a very ugly trick, not good for them, because these things eventually come to light, and also bad for the small Amiga community.

Saluditos,

Ferrán.

 

[Jameson]

I have bought several things from AmigaStore.eu and NEVER had a problem with them, and I've been a customer since 2000 or so, when they were AmigaSuperBit.

I know it's only my experience, but even so…

Saluditos,

Ferrán.

My experience with Amigakit was very positive too..... until it wasn't, and then it sunk to the depths of "please close my account immediately". Having said that, a friend of mine (that Amigakit staff keep confusing with myself) only has positive things to say about them - except that they keep calling him by my name.

So I guess your mileage may vary.

 

[qz3fwd]

You only have to order once from .com and .eu, after which you will only deal with .eu!

 

[Benedykt]

I first tried to order from AmigaKit in 2009. I never received the goods. Later, I tried a few more times. In 2020, I finally received the order only after I requested a chargeback from the bank — in other words, a refund.

 

[bdb]

The Amiga community of retailers is small and runs on a thin margin, they are in competition with buyers who are constantly looking for the least expensive deal.

Some, such as AmigaKit, use the URL crap-shoot to garners buyers, along with building electronics that are open source but difficult for end users.

URLs for AmigaKit has resulted in negative comments like these, and responsive, reliable operations have worked for Sordan and Amigastore.eu.

 

[uniquefreak]

Hi!!
Have somebody problems with Amigastore.com (UK)?

I bought 16 march a Zorro card for A2000.
They had a problem with website and then after few days i got email “sorry we had problem with server blabla,we will asap send you order….”.
I wrote few times email and monday 25 march i got reply “out technician is busy with your card”.
I asked : when will be send- then no answer when. I tried almost ebery day send email “what is the status of sending.
On my account is information PENDING and nothing more.
I wrote today one email again and ive asked “if not send me the money back”.

No reponse of course….
What can i do now with Amigastore????

Grtz

Give them a ring buddy, on the occasions I've done so; they've always answered and dealt with whatever the issue was really well. The phone number is on the site (top right). Like most of us, they are small companies (and human beings) trying to juggle life/business. I'm not saying they are faultless, but a quick call normally resolves.

 

[bdb]

When in different countries with different time-zones, phoning up a company poses a bit of a challenge, as does not knowing if you'll be greeted with an understanding responsive electronic menu.

But it's great to know that a real person will answer the phone.

 

[qz3fwd]

Instead they should run their business properly so customers don't experience these systemic persistent problems.

 

[davideo]

I recently ordered an item from Amigakit.co.uk

A few days later I changed my mind about the direction one of my projects was going and asked them to cancel the order.

Luckily for me they hadn't posted the item and cancelled my order and I recieved a refund a couple of days later.

 

[amigean]

I think that the Amiga community is building unrealistic expectations about the small retailers that serve it, for the most part, extremely well, despite the challenging conditions they face.

I have ordered from AmigaKit many times over the span of two decades and was always satisfied, even when things took a bit longer to arrive (and I didn't have an email explaining why, which is fine, they're not Amazon and I don't run mission critical applications on my Amigas!!), they always delivered in the end.

Like I have said in the past about about AmigaStore.eu, I think AmigaKit too fundamentally mean well, try their best and we're blessed to have more choice and competition in such a small market, even if they're not perfect. A complaint, or two, or ten for that matter, do not justify the character assassination campaign I see in this thread and others: come on guys, give them the benefit of the doubt! If things don't work out with an order, get your refund and move on.

 

[bdb]

The "thin margin" description I used in my prior comment refers to minimizing the staff and, thus, the maximization of their time generating hand-built items, fulfilling orders and income generation. Without a solid (routinely followed) plan to answer emails, that don't generate income, they may fall to the wayside.

Best of intentions can lead to errors of omission, rather than commission, without the attention to details. Knowing this, I give AmigaKit a large leeway in fulfilling my orders, and since I fundamentally believe that they mean well, I continue to order from them. [I avoid RP with a passion, ignore AOTL, but use the other Amiga sellers regularly]

 

[amienslaver]

My 5 cents regarding AmigaKit. In the past few years I have ordered from them like 10 times probably, and no issues so far. But to make it clear: I did not buy any services like recapping or repairing (those are typically anyway not great at any known company, including *passion*). I just order items which I either cannot find in some other places or it's just more convenient to order a batch of things at once from them. If there is a choice to order either from a no-name Chinese supplier at eBay or at AmigaKit - I would prefer AmigaKit. Items were always dispatched in a few days, and at a very reasonable shipping cost. I also always check that everything I order is in stock.

 

[Gambler]

I ordered around 30 different Items in February ( 3 different Orders)
Contacted them in May, got a very quick response…….. but nothing shipped till today in 6 months, opened 3 PP Cases.
Take care guys

 

[Watson]

I ordered around 30 different Items in February ( 3 different Orders)
Contacted them in May, got a very quick response…….. but nothing shipped till today in 6 months, opened 3 PP Cases.
Take care guys

Not to make excuses for Amiga-Kit but, I guess depending on the items ordered, some are built to order, which can cause delays, especially if they have a backlog.

I ordered a few items, 1 of was built to order and I'm currently located in the UK but, still I waited a few weeks. Six months though, that's bad.

 

[Gambler]

Yes, 6 months is hard and thats 3 different Orders. Two Orders with just cables and Little Stuff and also not shipped.
They just answered to the PP Case that they are at Amiga 40 show in Germany atm.
Thought that is from october 17th till 19th

 

[miggymad]

@Gambler

Somebody is stalling you. Get back in contact asking for an update - without the Amiga 40 show lies.

Don't accept the BS - get Matthew on the case, not his subordinates.