Jonathan Castle
GBHorrible Customer Service In short - received the computer.... Finally. It would better use of your time and money to go elsewhere. 1. Ordered computer: stated 17 days to build. 2. While I was waiting on the build I had questions about the components used in the build. 3. Customer service became defensive and combative and never really answered my questions. 4. Its been 21 days and they still have yet to complete the build. 5. It seems a lot like retaliation for questioning build components. 6. Horrible customer service. While can certainly appreciate being swamped, workload was not communicated to me anytime during the wait period. In fact, the ship date was stated twice in the email communication. Furthermore, I clearly communicated a business was reliant on the build and could not afford delays. Again, there was no communication from Falcon NW regarding a delay at any point of the dialog or on the status of the build. Help me understand how this is customer centered service and not to be construed as retaliatory? In the end, I will be losing money and do not have the option to wait for another company to build a computer. Glossy sock puppet reviews from so-called expert sites speak to the effort made to produce a perfect product – for the review, but do not speak to the actual experience. The seasoned company has lost its way and only seems to cater to critics – not the average customer. Will I receive this same dismal service and support if there’s a problem? It certainly seems likely. Finally received the computer. I had to call and email to get a status on shipping. Its the complete lack of communication and follow-through that most upsets me. They truly do not care for the little guy. I highly suggest you look elsewhere for a computer. Better yet, use their "configure" application to build your computer and then replicate the parts on PCPartPicker to build your system and save about 2k. Otherwise, use Origin or any other boutique builder for your custom solution. Falcon NW simply lacks the capacity or simply refuses to take care of the customer.
Kevin E.
GBThere are plenty of companies out there… but Falcon's got an Ace There are plenty of companies out there making custom built gaming and creative machines. Many of them are very talented at what they do, and FalconNorthwest is no different. Rest assured, you will get a machine made from your choice of a good spread of hardware options, and it will look clean and excellently assembled, from the paint, to the cable management, to every screw. Shipping materials are carefully designed to make sure your machine gets there safe and sound. No bloat-ware at all to worry about like some other builders either. What makes Falcon truly stand out from the rest of the pack, is their service and commitment to their machines. I have had a few issues with one of mine, a TLX laptop. On all occasions, Falcon did their best to quickly help over email, and when the issue needed the machine to be sent in, they cover overnight shipping both ways and get it back as soon as possible. When my TLX model was nearing the end of its warranty and had a reoccurring fan issue show up again for the second time, Falcon went out of their way to send a brand new TLX machine, of the current generation parts and chassis, completely free of charge. You can buy a great computer anywhere, but you cannot buy the piece of mind you get with Falcon Northwest's support team.
Ben
GBShockingly cheap construction. What has happened to Falcon Northwest?! I have been a customer and fan of Falcon Northwest for over about 15 years. My builds were always essentially maxed out in every area of performance and quality. When I decided to buy a high end gaming laptop for my son I went back to FNW, hyping them up to him as the best of the best. I explained that even though it might be a little more expensive, we could get a monster of a laptop that has a quality on a different level then the mass produced machines of the regular companies. Unfortunately, when I received the laptop I was shocked at the cheap construction. The whole thing is made of flimsy plastic. The screen is supported by a thin piece of plastic and noticeably flexes when it is opened and closed. In most laptops, when you tilt the screen back to it's limit, it tips the laptop back. This feels like if you open it to fast, you will literally snap the screen off. The keyboard feels like some Chinese generic knockoff of a better keyboard. I felt so bad for my son because it looked and felt so cheap. I just started apologizing and getting him to focus on it's performance rather than it's looks. From the beginning I had concerns about its durability. Plastic pieces fell off the hinges in the first month. And then the laptop tipped off a coffee table onto the carpet and landed open on the keyboard and screen. In any other laptop this would have absolute non-issue. But with this laptop it kind of came unglued and all the plastic pieces unsnapped. Seeing the inside where the hinge is glued to the plastic leaves me shaking my head at the design choices. I am an professional engineer who has appreciated Falcon Northwest for the quality of their computers for a long time. I have no idea what happened in the company for them to think that this was the kind of product they wanted to represent their business. The protection plan doesn't cover accidents, and this was clearly caused by an accident. But the extent of the damage is due to the incredibly poor build quality. Even though this is a brand new computer, I honestly don't know if it is even worth sending back to be fixed.
Vince D
GBFirst Talon I purchased repeatedly had… First Talon I purchased repeatedly had the Blue Screen of Death. Gave them another chance 5 years later. Now I can't even get the computer. FNW uses UPS for delivery with very limited delivery options. Must be home to sign for it or travel many miles away to pick it up (and only after you demand this option). There are better choices!