SWS Computers — Attraction in Tucson

TL;DR: Wasn't able to look at cables myself, acted like i didnt know what i was talking about, then proceeded to sell me 2 male adapters that don't go together.

This place is a computer nightmare. I've been building computers for around 15 years now. I needed a simple cord, which wasn't in stock at the time, and thats fine. I then wanted to look around myself to see if I could find another solution such as molex-SATA adapter to power an additional SSD. Wasnt allowed to look around the store myself and had to have someone hold my hand the entire time. Probably to prevent theft, its a computer store, i understand. So I proceed to look for this cord only stopped every few seconds to look at other cords. Im eventually shown 2 adapters that are supposed to go together to then connect to that molex output from my power supply. I purchase these adapters and say I would like to browse the store for a moment and perhaps make another purchase. The store itself looks very nice.

After being alone for 2 minutes I am then followed around and constantly interrupted to ask if I know what I would be looking for. I try to make it clear that I know what I would want/need and I would like to take a look. The guy decides its time for a full on computer conversation and asks about my computer specs. I have the Intel-12700K for reference. I explain its one of the newer E-Core, P-Core, models 75:25 split and i am enjoying the setup. I get an, "Actually, that processor is 50:50 and..." continued his babbling for a bit, talked about getting an AMD processor to upgrade my Intel setup. I just kinda had to go "yeah, sure, whatever bud". I was kinda just wanting to look at the parts. He was very certain I was wrong about the processor I had. So I look it up myself on my phone just to confirm I wasn't crazy and I wasn't, the person helping me was very confidently clueless. This is a pattern.

I wanted to look at power supplies i get stopped again and ask if I understand the 80 plus standard. I tell him yes and continue trying to look myself. He asks me to explain, like what? I'm just try to shop buddy. I explain, tells me I'm mostly right, but, includes an "Actually, there was a platinum and titanium version too." And starts going off on a tangent again.. This is when me and my fiance notice the guy appears to be focusing on her. It got a little weirder so she mentions "I'm not the one buying something, he is." As she started feeling uncomfortable a bit. We then got into a whole conversation where these people couldn't figure out if 80% effiency implied it was 700W at the wall and 560W at the board, or 560W at the wall and 700W at the board. How you could not know that information?!? How could you possibly end up with more power at the board then whats coming out of the walls? He ended up asking another coworker for clarification and by this point I got annoyed of course having my shopping interrupted every minute or so for this and decided I wouldn't be buying anything else right now. It wasnt even something I asked about and even my fiance knew the answer to that one only knowing a bit about electronics. All I could say was "Yikes."

It was a very cringe inducing conversation. I get home and open my adapters I wasnt allowed to select myself and they sold me 2 male adapters. Wasted over an hour in this store for that. Honestly, the price wasn't bad, but it would've helped if they were the right cables. Don't even really want to go back to exchange it or find...

Absolutely appalling communication. I was tasked with bringing in my roommates computer, which was made by SWS. My roommate had called in multiple times to ask questions normally on speaker phone with me nearby. She asked about upgrading the CPU and was informed as long as she brought the part they could do a parts swap for 25 dollars. One of these calls was also to ask about having me drop it off which was said to be fine. Come to find out that she was lied to, and that the actual information was "if you buy the part through SWS the price is 25 dollars to swap the part" which wasn't in the call so they tried to upcharge it to a 37.50 because she didn't buy a hyper-inflated price for a CPU through SWS. (Because having tried buying parts through them, most of it is massively overpriced compared to market value.) They also didn't inform her on the phone that the price was an upfront cost so while they said I could drop it off instead they charged me the money rather then my roommate. Needless to say I wouldn't give my business to a store that can't even communicate to the customer the actual information and price of their request.

Edit: So now the owner has replied that this was unjustified, or a hefty insult for something small like $12.50. To put context, I myself work as a tech in the front lines of customer service as well. Had I been that representative taking care of me, I would have been spoken to afterwards. The owner's definition of rude or customer service based seems rather loose as I've normally been treated better by other staffers. They also only honored the $25 dollar amount after I asked for management and they couldn't be bothered to come forward. I asked to speak with a manager because they should be able to explain to me why their staffers all give me different conflicting answers to one question. By the way I've come to SWS well before the pandemic (for years) because I wanted to support local business. But their prices have been inflated since well before the pandemic, ram sticks and SSD that were charged 40 to 50 dollars more then anyone else. There is trying to make a living as a local company and inflating the prices. As to why it has stayed a low score, on explaining to their client (my roommate) what to buy they assumed a basis of knowledge that they did not have. So they bought a CPU based on the information given by SWS, that now cant be installed because it needs a dedicated graphics card. Which since the computer is a model that they built, SWS should be able to see what's in the machine and notify the client appropriately. Also, even if it is $12.50 your client's money regardless of the amount should be important even more so in these trying times. Which again, my roommate was not informed it was an upfront nonrefundable payment rather then payment upon completion of services, so I had to pay. It speaks volumes that the owner responding to me is complaining about being local and trying to stay afloat when they themselves do not apparently take the money of their...

Wow I read some of these negative reviews and it looks like the statements are more personal than professional. My review comes from two different prospectives. I am a longtime former employee, and a customer. First of all let me say that Owner/Manager Fred Jr. is one of the most passionate people I know, both personal and professional. Fred is extremely passionate when it comes to customer service, honesty, and integrity. Fred's mission for SWS is to provide an excellent experience for every customer who contacts or comes in the store. Employee's are not only screened for knowledge of product, computer operation, but also there ability to patiently listen to customers needs. I know for a fact that poor customer service is not tolorated. Some of these complaints baffle me because it appears they very likely could have been rectified with a little understanding and better communication. My experience shopping at SWS has always been pleasant. Even though I am a former employee, I show patience when entering the store and seeing they are very busy. Employee's are trained to make contact with customers, but not smother them into high pressure sales. One person's review noted that he was not being taken care of and noticed several employee's were alegedly standing around. Employee's are expected to help stock merchandise, and at times they leave the service counters to do so. It's not unheard of to simply ask for some help if you feel the salesman is not currently with another customer. SWS is a full service computer electronics store. Fred Jr. personally oversee's the service department, and also constantly reviews products that keep SWS ahead of the curve in an industry that is constantly changing. Although offering his customers products at reasonable and competitive prices is a priority, Fred Jr. also makes sure to quickly cease carrying any products that tend to be cheap quality, with high return rates. SWS is very deserving, and appreciative of your business and they will strive to make sure you are taken care of in a professional manner. Fred Jr. and the staff understand that customers have choices. Give SWS a chance to earn your business, and you will likely become a repeat, or in my case a lifetime customer after you see what a pleasant...