Monarch Computer Bites the Dust?

[Kyle_Bennett]

Monarch Computer Bites the Dust (http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?news=MjMwMDgsLCxobmV3cywsLDE=)?

Monarch Computer (http://www.monarchcomputer.com) seems to have fallen on some hard times in 2006. They were not too happy with us when we evaluated a system of theirs back in May (http://consumer.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTA1NCwsLGhjb25zdW1lcg==). They pledged then to fix all their support issues repeatedly, but we never saw that happen. We then saw constant complaints about Monarch’s customer service in our forums and at that time we decided to end their advertising contract with HardOCP. It just did not feel right telling our readers to rely on Monarch any more. After that we heard rumors of them going bankrupt, but those rumors could not be substantiated. And finally this week Monarch is not answering phones or returning many of their customers’ emails. Here is what Monarch had to say when asked when asked for an official statement on the condition of their business:

I emailed the owner and legal for the answers to your below questions regarding the recent issues at Monarch so hang on and I will contact you with an official update ASAP.

That is certainly not a good sign and no reply as to the state of your business is surely scary for customers looking for support. I think most of the people that have had issues with Monarch (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1115217) are just about out of patience. We will let you know what else transpires.

You can Digg this story here (http://www.digg.com/hardware/Monarch_Computer_s_Going_Bankrupt).

[Shava]

Ouch, they were pretty good for prices too. I wonder how such a big company can just fall apart like that and be so unreliable.

[EODetroit]

Kind of a shame, I remember buying stuff from them out of Computer Shopper. Then again, if you can't give proper customer service you probably don't deserve to exist any more as a company. I for one have never had a problem with Monarch, but in the past few years I've only bought a couple video cards and a sound card from them, pretty easy to not screw that up imo.

[johnzm]

i was just up there 2 wks ago. they had hot deals on their lian li's (V1200 for 110bux)

nobody said anything when i was there... maybe i should head back up there soon and see whats going on...

[w1retap]

Yes.. I'm very interested and will keep an eye on this. I've spent tens of thousands of dollars with them over the years through home and work purchases. I have always relied on them in the past. I even won their last contest they hosted on [H] and got some cool prizes. But, my last order I placed with them through work, I haven't been able to get a hold of them, and its been over a month. I'm over $600 out and can't get a refund, an email response, or a phone response. This will be my last time ordering from them. If they come under new ownership, I will reconsider if they turn out to be reputable again. I have existing warranties on mobo/processor combo's with them, and it looks like they are no good now. :(

[Xilikon]

While it sucks to see a former great online store bite the dust, it's actually about time they put the key on the doors after the blatant abuse with the refunds and using the money as float since a few months.

A honorable owner should have closed the doors a few months ago, give time to rearrange the business then reopen with a much better store.

[malicious]

ouch for them... business is hard .. competition in their industry is huge and price driven ...

maybe they will liquidate :D

[rthefley]

I just ordered a Silver G70 Lian-Li Full Tower case from them about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and I got it but let me tell you, there was no email at all to tell me I had even made a purchase. It wasn't until several days later I got a "your item has shipped" email.

I was very worried.

On the other hand, I got the case for $125 shipped. It is $200 anywhere else.

[DudeItsMe]

It'd be great to hear what's been going on with them. It seems like not that long ago when we used to jump on the [H]ot Deals every day here.... then it's been heading south since then. Hopefully everything is resolved for the people that have made orders there in the past few months. They should make things right before going under.

[overclock]

I never ordered anything from them based on the reports of horror stories. Granted every e-tailer has disgruntled customers but Monarch had more than its fair share. And then they were busted on resellerratings.com for posting fake reviews of themselves. You treat you customers like crap and want to stay in business? I for one am glad they are gone. Now I'll never have to read another "Hot Deal from Monarch" thread again!

[Nasty_Savage]

I was going to put my core2 Duo system with them over the summer to support the [H] and because they had a decent presence in the Hot Deals forum. But something rubbed me the wrong way a bit for paying for extra Warranty stuff. I know that other e-tailers are doing this now too, but fortunately for me, they never had all my parts in at the same time. I wound up going with the Fly...used to be an Egg guy until they opened a warehouse in NJ. Sales tax combined with occasional gouging for new products (and the Zip does this at times too) made me have to drop the Egg. It was about a month later I saw threads popping up about Monarch complaints...I'm glad I dodged a bullet there.

[qdemn7]

Just checked their site, and they have practically NOTHING for sale. Their site is now a pale shadow of what it used to be. I'd say they're history.

[eth00]

maybe they will liquidate :D

With their current trend that might be a risk in itself.

Sad to see them go down, though I have not used them in the past year or two I did purchase a computer years ago via computer shopper when they were still pretty small. The web is a dog eat dog world unfortunatly, would be interested to see how this turns out.

[Viper87227]

ouch for them... business is hard .. competition in their industry is huge and price driven ...

maybe they will liquidate :D

I was thinking the same... and then thought to myself... even if they did, would you trust them enough to buy anything?

Such a shame, monarch used to kick ass.

[jcll2002]

^no. never. ever.

[Dew]

I would only chance something from them on liquidation if I did in person pickup.

[Evil_SPanKY]

I purchased my Athlon 64 X2 4800 processor from them, when AMD dropped the prices drastically a few months ago. Got it for around $300, when everyone was still selling them in the $500-$600 range. No problems on the order or delivery, it went through just great.

This was a featured Hard/Hot-deals promotion.

[Leon2ky]

Good, they suck! :mad:

[Paul_Johnson]

I did lots of business with them over the years. Still have some systems out in offices with service contracts. Too bad.

[Schro]

Its a hard time for computer parts vendors in general - I worked for a smaller Atlanta area shop part time, however, it circled the drain for a year or two before finally closing its doors just a few months ago.

Distributors are ruthless, which I know for a fact Monarch still did/does a lot of business through Atlanta distrubitors, as they would often order every peice of whatever the new item of the day was, leaving the rest of us with none to sell. The distributors, of course, aimed towards satisfying their high volume customers, so those of us ordering 1-2 video cards of each type at a time would get the short end of the stick.

Several Atlanta area distributors have gone under over the past few years, or simply closed the Atlanta branch, though a few new ones have appeared. As their mindset is once you buy it, you own it no matter what, its very difficult if you make a couple of bad business decisions such as purchasing a wad of CPU's to have the price drop out from under you, you're looking at a rather substantial loss. Do this a few times and you go under.

I could also comment on the razor thin margins in the business - no reasonable business person would ever get into the computer parts business as a small (like the one I worked at) or midsize (like Monarch) dealer, as the consistant battle to try to make more than 10% on any given product is a huge struggle at a low volume.

Another huge impact factor has been the price drops on the HDTVs, Xbox360's, Wii's, PS3's and other hot ticket consumer electronics, as the average consumer's enterainment dollars are limited, they'll be spending $1,000 on a nice new TV (like I did a few weeks ago) instead of $1,000 to upgrade their computer that runs Windows XPloder just fine.

After taking a peak at Monarch's site, it certainly seems like the grim reaper is in the house....

[Eian]

Once upon a time well over five years ago I think I used Monarch. I had a great experience. I think they wehre really small then at least I got that impression. I used them for a while with very few problems. As they grew they began getting worse and worse. Started with ordering something and not shipping for a few days. Then it was ordering something and it not shipping for a week. Then it was slow shippping and partial and or wrong orders. The customer service went from friendly to down right rude. About a year ago I used them again. I figured they might have improved besides their price was like $30 cheaper than the next cheapest supplier. I ordered a video card from them for a friend. I waited a week. A week later my friend is calling, "Hey I didn't get my video card yet and they charged my credit card I checked." They haven't even sent me an email. So I shot them an email it was like 8pm on a Friday, calling was out. I didn't get a reply at all. I sent another email. No reply again. So now it's a Wednesday. I call them I'm on hold for 2hrs. I hang up call back, I get the "we are now closed" message. I send another email(borderline rude). I get a reply the next day, so and so who handles that department is on VACATION for the week. I call, on hold for an hour this time. "Can someone else help?" "No I'm sorry you'll have to call back next week". "Can I just cancel the order please." "No you have to talk to so and so." "Maybe your boss can help me?" "Sorry, he's on vacation too." "Can anyone who worth a sh*t help me?" "No Sir I'm sorry." "You sure are sorry, you worthless pile of crap", etc... You get the idea. So the following monday I get an email. "The credit card number you supplied does not match the address on the account." WTF, I check other vendors they are now all out of stock! I jump through hoops with them and the bank. Finally it'll ship out this afternoon. Glad that's over with. Nope sorry get an email next day sorry we are temporarily out of stock. I call to cancel the guy is a jerk about it but says they'll have more in 2 days. I say this is because you didn't tell me about the credit card issue for 2 weeks. The guy coulda let me believe that. Nope he says no it was sold out when you ordered it. There was a stocking error. If he was there in person I woulda ripped off his head and shit down his throat. 2 days turned into 4 days and finally it shipped. My friend payed for next day air they shipped it ground. Called back they refunded the difference. Then to top it off, DOA. They gave me a hell of a time about that. Then finally they said, nope we don't do returns on that item you have to go to the manufacturer. It says so on our website. Luckily BFG rocks! They did a cross ship and got a new card in 3 days. So long story, I don't care if they are $50 cheaper. I won't order from them EVER again. As a matter of fact, unless it's a HUGE price difference or they are out of stock. I only order from Newegg now. Newegg rules!

[Ingonuts13]

Wow, I wonder what that means for people like me who purchased extended warranties on products through them.

[malicious]

it just goes to show you how important well managed systems are to the life of a business ...

growth is both a blessing and a curse depending on your ability to manage it..

the only difference between newegg and monarch are the systems they choose to use and their ability to adequately manage those systems...

Newegg's product isn't a cpu or a video card it's the whole newegg buying experience from start to finish

Newegg's ability to duplicate that experience over and over again creates their brand position in the minds of consumers...

this is the same with Mcdonald's or any other successful business.

my .02

mal

[malicious]

Wow, I wonder what that means for people like me who purchased extended warranties on products through them.

well if they go under i'd say you are farked

[jcll2002]

well if they go under i'd say you are farked
and me too

[SuperSparky]

First, I must express my sadness for the shut down of a company. The more companies, the better the prices are. However, being a former one-time customer of theirs, and having had nothing but a nightmare experience with them, I am not sad it's them. Making a bad impression on customers, especially first-timers and having that bad experience compounded by even more bad behavior in subsequent emails from them because I told people (here) about my experience, makes my brief sadness turn into manic happiness. I cannot help but feel in my heart a similar feeling to what someone expressed here earlier.

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out Monarch." Good riddens in my opinion. Sometimes price isn't enough.

[lopoetve]

thy did me good for a long time

then they did me bad

it took posting in here, calling, emailing, etc, and finally attacking their hot-deals thread to get a refund.

Good riddance for bad rubbish

[rahlquist]

Posted this in the other thread here today, but I'll repost.

This is sad. They are about 22 miles from my work. If nobody manages to contact them maybe I'll run over there. Perhaps the local Fox5 news station who likes to rip into ripoffs like this would like to be in on this. I'll send them a link.

EDIT: You can reach the Fox5 I-Team at iteamatlanta@foxtv.com and tell them your story of being ripped off, enough voices will likely get them to investigate, they love stories like this. They also have a # of 404-898-0242

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=318554&version=65&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

There is a Digg thread on this too pointing to the story here. Digg it folks and spread the word..

http://www.digg.com/hardware/Monarch_Computer_s_Going_Bankrupt

[KingPing]

I was lucky...I got some great deals from them and never had a problem......bummer this has happened and I hope everyone is able to work out their problems with them:(

[uOpt]

Wow, this would mean for a change the bad guys would die first.

They pissed me off enough to say that.

The only disappointing part is that people will say it was due to market conditions. When it clearly was due to pissing off one customer after another and never fixing a single thing.

[Tons0fun]

Sad to see them go, I just hope I get some sort of use out of my warranties through them.

[Paul_Johnson]

Posted this in the other thread here today, but I'll repost.

This is sad. They are about 22 miles from my work. If nobody manages to contact them maybe I'll run over there. Perhaps the local Fox5 news station who likes to rip into ripoffs like this would like to be in on this. I'll send them a link.

EDIT: You can reach the Fox5 I-Team at iteamatlanta@foxtv.com and tell them your story of being ripped off, enough voices will likely get them to investigate, they love stories like this. They also have a # of 404-898-0242

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=318554&version=65&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

There is a Digg thread on this too pointing to the story here. Digg it folks and spread the word..

http://www.digg.com/hardware/Monarch_Computer_s_Going_Bankrupt

Or call Clark
;)

[rahlquist]

Or call Clark
;)
Either way if folks want their money they better get moving before this company does something like cleans out their merchandise, leaves town, and sets up an ebay account to dump their inventory.

[msde]

Ouch, I bought most of my hardware from them over the last couple of years.

Does anyone know of a vendor with good prices that doesn't charge CA tax?

[HighwayAssassins]

good riddance. at least they cant keep peoples money for expensive computer componants as float.

[ktingle]

I stated the obvious back when the article came out and [H] denied it.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1029444592#post1029444592

lol

[LynxFX]

GOOD RIDDANCE!

I have spent a lot of money at Monarch, and when they had no problems with my order, I couldn't have been happier. Great price, decent shipping time, quality products.

Then came my last order from them. Ordered a CPU, next day shipping, ordered on a monday, needed it for a big project starting on the friday. They charged my credit card immediately, of course, yet kept contacting me saying they couldn't verify my shipping address with my credit card. This is supposed to stop fraud, which I understand, but then why charge the card first. Doesn't that negate the fact?

After checking with my CC company they had a bad number, fixed it on tuesday and said it would take immediate effect. Monarch didn't clear it until Friday! Well I cancelled the order on friday before it was even sent to the warehouse. Then I got the 'it takes 30 days to refund a CC' bullshit. I wait the 30 days, nothing, 45 days nothing, 60 days, nothing. No one answers my calls, no one replies to emails. I do get a hold of someone on 3 seperate occasions, each one saying it will be taken care of in the next day. Nothing.

Finally I got my CC to refund the money, never heard anything from Monarch.

They went from a great alternative to Newegg, especially for cpu/mobo combos, to a shady company I wouldn't touch with my neighbors credit card.

Guess, what goes around comes around. Karma's a bitch monarch.

[moetop]

If you go to their Clearance section all sections are marked "All Massive Clearance". (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=M&Category_Code=mclearance) This isint a good sign either.

[Scroatdog]

With all the sub-standard service and borderline unethical money "floating" tactics, I say good riddance. They've got what's coming to them.



Buh Bye !

[w1retap]

If you go to their Clearance section all sections are marked "All Massive Clearance". (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=M&Category_Code=mclearance) This isint a good sign either.
lol.. its not like the have much in their 'massive' clearance. Look through it, there is barely anything.

[nobody_here]

i think it's true as well, noticed EVGA removed them as an authorized e-tailer on the EVGA site.....wonder if any EVGA card sold by them now will have any warranty through EVGA, because according to EVGA's T&C, items bought from any retailer/e-tailer not on the authorized vendor list are not covered by EVGA's warranty....

[revenant]

wow - crazy! the few times I ordered from Monarch they took sooooooo long to get my orders out the door.. I just stopped ordering there.. the no tax factor was not worth it to me when I get stuff like in two days from the egg with standard shipping. At any rate, it's a shame because Monarch was one of the places I used to price out hardware and it's a place I visit often, regardless of my no ordering policy with them.. bad time of the year to be shutting the doors also.. I feel sorry for their employees probably out of jobs at xmas time. not fun!

[nobody_here]

it really is a bit saddening to me, i lived about 20 miles away from them, used to visit frequently, I actually had reviews published on their amdreview.com website and got paid for them, and was on a first name basis with a few of the guys up there, walked in and got to hand pick my Opty 165 stepping of choice CCB1E, they really are good people, at least the ones i knew, but i think they were understaffed to be honest, there were not very many people there to answer phones and such, i have been all through their offices and warehouse, as i recall, they may have had 10 people to answer phones, if that, alot of their employees were doing more than one job it seemed

it was neat because it was like having Newegg nearby and being able to walk into the store

[goodcooper]

sooooo whens the liquidation sale :D

[NeoGohan]

sooooo whens the liquidation sale :D
According to what people are saying, you'd never get the item you bought lol. So any sale is bad :p

[darkmatter]

ouch, wow... and i had almost ordered my computer stuff from monarch due to such good pricing. Only reason I didnt was because I saw so many CC stories in the forums here about getting charged and not getting items for weeks due to stock problems and etc. Thanks to [H] for saving me my hard-earned cash!

[ASUDevil83]

Monarch sounds like a computer company i used to work for.

doing quite well for themselves and then the quality of customer service went down the drain. more and more customers look for alternatives, which leads to employess leaving for greener pastures. which then in turn lowers the customer service because the remaining tasks are delegated to whoevers left.

the company i worked for went from having close to 40 employees in 2003 to about 7 when i left this past summer. the steady stream of cutting costs to pinch every available penny out of the company until you are left with garbage.

the smart employees bail early and get out before then get laid off.

[MooCow]

Well I can assure you I wasn't full of shit to get an engineering sample motherboard almost two years ago. A lot of people love to jump in saying "nope, no problems over here what so ever" but eventually the stories pile up. They were doing great, I have no idea how they can start to downgrade on service. Thats like Newegg doing the same thing. Highly unlikely.

[InorganicMatter]

Good bye, good riddance. All money-floating companies deserve to rot.... :mad: :mad: :mad:

[phelan1777]

I used to be a big fan of Monarch then after a couple of times, especially where I had to wait nearly two weeks for my case to ship 2 day shipping and the case was in stock, or so the website said and I was told by customer service I backed off buting from them.

[sc0tty8]

I remember OCZ going down a similar road years ago, and eventually being bought out, to this day, I say no to OCZ.

[swatbat]

I remember OCZ going down a similar road years ago, and eventually being bought out, to this day, I say no to OCZ.

Same here.

Yea the thing is even if Monarch was to pull a 180 and start being good would anyone go back to them? I went to buy something from them a while ago and the 30 days to get money back turned me away. Seeing how much bad luck people have had with them I'm glad I did.

[sculelos]

Hmmm, I never even used manarch, although I was thinking about ordering from them earlier in the year, I decided agains't it and went with newegg, I usually get my stuff off of newegg or go to amazon if new egg doesn't have it.

[Techx]

never purchased from them, but I definately feel for you guys that are missing out on money or hardware from them..

[jcll2002]

QUOTE FROM OCFORUMS

"spread the word..i went to monarch computer and talked with the guys there. their front doors are locked and there is a sign on it saying that they are closed and out of business . !!! they have been in financial trouble for awhile. they will be out of their building in two or three weeks. they were bought by another company. THEY ARE STILL SELLING PRODUCTS !!!!!! DO NOT BUY !!!!! they are more than likely bankrupt and in trouble with corporate law and IRS..(that is my feeling last sentence not a fact but more than likely)"

[swatbat]

QUOTE FROM OCFORUMS

"spread the word..i went to monarch computer and talked with the guys there. their front doors are locked and there is a sign on it saying that they are closed and out of business . !!! they have been in financial trouble for awhile. they will be out of their building in two or three weeks. they were bought by another company. THEY ARE STILL SELLING PRODUCTS !!!!!! DO NOT BUY !!!!! they are more than likely bankrupt and in trouble with corporate law and IRS..(that is my feeling last sentence not a fact but more than likely)"

If the door is locked and they have a closed sign on the door who did he talk to?

[Schro]

If the door is locked and they have a closed sign on the door who did he talk to?

The IRS agent chaining it closed?

I've got a friend of mine that does business with most of the big Atlanta area distributors. I've asked him to sniff around with his contacts there to see whats been going on at Monarch. I'll report back when I hear something from him.

[jcll2002]

If the door is locked and they have a closed sign on the door who did he talk to?
how would i know? go ask him.

[nicepun]

It was just a matter of time.

[swatbat]

The IRS agent chaining it closed?

Nice

Guess we'll get an offical responce soon if they are closed.

[Met-AL]

I remember OCZ going down a similar road years ago, and eventually being bought out, to this day, I say no to OCZ.

Same here. I can remember the day the OCZ rep got banned here in a thread trying to defend OCZ.

[lopoetve]

Same here. I can remember the day the OCZ rep got banned here in a thread trying to defend OCZ.

They got themselves back together, but I'm with you, I hesitate to touch them.

[Killermac]

I too was going to place an order with them when I was building my rig but I passed since I was reading so many stories about items taking forever not arriving etc etc. It just goes to show that if you miss manage a company what will happen. I have seen this many times in the past and it will always end up the same they end up with no money and the customer gets hammered.
:( :( :( :(

KM

[RadCliffeX]

I've never bought from Monarch, But I refused to anyways. Their website looks like shit, probly some 10 year old made it.




If a company can't even afford to design a professional website why should i waste my money buying stuff from them? Hell If I'm gonna fall for a scam I would atleast find one with a decent website first :p



TigerDirect with me has a 1-1 record

and Egg has a nicer record of over 300-0



My money goes to Newegg, if it cost more, then so be it, atleast I'm paying a company that will give me what i bought and has great customer support.

[RadCliffeX]

Edit::




Here is their online rating :P


http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Monarch_Computer_Systems

[silentcoercion]

The ratings history is particularly fascinating. Lifetime rating of 8.45, Six month of 3.55, December rating to date of 0.34. For the month, customer service and likelihood of future purchases are both 0.09. I'd actually be interested in seeing if RR had any ratings lower than that, because it's not possible to get much lower.

[lopoetve]

The ratings history is particularly fascinating. Lifetime rating of 8.45, Six month of 3.55, December rating to date of 0.34. For the month, customer service and likelihood of future purchases are both 0.09. I'd actually be interested in seeing if RR had any ratings lower than that, because it's not possible to get much lower.

You can. I've seen worse, actually... When a crappy company goes under ;) Monarch at least had a decent history for a long time. I wish I knew what happened... what deal they blew to make them get in so much trouble.

[mkygod]

ive spent about $1000 in computer parts from them over the years. In terms of getting the products to you at a good price and in proper time, they are great. Another plus is in CA, they dont charge tax, which makes them very attractive. I remember when they gave out Age of Empires 3 to all their loyal customers that have placed 3 orders with them; i thought that was cool of them.

I can't say how their computer support was, as i was only interested in buying the parts, but I for one will miss shopping there.

[mj007]

You can. I've seen worse, actually... When a crappy company goes under ;) Monarch at least had a decent history for a long time. I wish I knew what happened... what deal they blew to make them get in so much trouble.

SNT Systems? :D

[S1W]

Just my 2 cents on Monarch Computers. I tried to order a x1800xt as a chrismas gift last year from Monarch using ther web site. Well.... I got message that the transaction did not go through. No problem.... try again same thing. I decide toorder from another site, Monarch had taken my money & would not refund it. They made me wait 30 days to get my money back. On top of that they refused to cooperate with the credit card company when I called to get the issue resolved ASAP!

I was stuck wating for January to purchase the x-mas gift.

Maybe Monarch had good prices, maybe they had real good people working their that deserve to stay employed but the service I received was beyond bad !

Bottom line, I hate seeing people out of a job but I hate Monrach even more :mad:

[S1W]

Just my 2 cents on Monarch Computers. I tried to order a x1800xt as a chrismas gift last year from Monarch using ther web site. Well.... I got message that the transaction did not go through. No problem.... try again same thing. I decide to order from another site, Monarch had taken my money & would not refund it. They made me wait 30 days to get my money back. On top of that they refused to cooperate with the credit card company when I called to get the issue resolved ASAP!
If you are going to take my money send the goods dont just take the money & hold it it for a Month & leave me with nothing!

I was stuck wating for January to purchase the x-mas gift.

Maybe Monarch had good prices, maybe they had real good people working their that deserve to stay employed but the service I received was beyond bad !

Bottom line, I hate seeing people out of a job but I hate Monrach even more. :mad:

[Schro]

I've never bought from Monarch, But I refused to anyways. Their website looks like shit, probly some 10 year old made it.

If a company can't even afford to design a professional website why should i waste my money buying stuff from them? Hell If I'm gonna fall for a scam I would atleast find one with a decent website first :p


Sadly enough, they did have "professionals" working on the site. Their site runs on an ecommerce package known as Miva Merchant. It came free with the that I worked at's web hosting, and I attempted to get it up and running, as my boss was all happy go lucky about "Monarch uses it, therefore it must be good". I spent a few days trying to make sense out of the package and get it running in a way that it was usable, but it was simply not possible. I'd actually like to offer kudos to them for figuring out how to use such a turd of a package and conduct business for as many years as they did while maintaining it. I do agree that it didn't appear like a very professional site, it was difficult to navigate, poorly organized, etc, but given what they started with, it couldn't have been much better.

[Ingonuts13]

So it looks like the rumors are true. My company evidently did some business with Monarch and they have been refusing to pay for at least 4 weeks now and looks like they are officially listed as kaput in our accounting system. I cannot say how much they stiffed us for, but lets just say that most of us could put a down payment on a house with that.

[mjwebb007]

Having not even heard of the problems they were having, I sent a random email to them asking them about their lack of components on the site and if they were going to a purely systems and barebones business as I was in the market to but an AM2 mobo and processor and had no problems in the past with them (admittedly the last purchase I made was well over a year ago). I received a fairly speedy reply. They told me that they in fact were moving to pretty much systems only. I sent another reply email and again received a fairly quick response. I asked it they would still be an AMD launch partner as I was interested in getting on the Quad FX bandwagon. They stated that they would still be a launch partner as they had been in the past. It is unfortunate that a company that used to be as good as they were has come on hard times (whether self-induced or not). I try to support the smaller retailers (like Hank Baron at performance-pcs.com and the guys over at Overcool) but sometimes the newegg and zipzoomfly prices are just too hard to beat. That still doesn't address customer service as that is just as important to me as price. There are retailers that are a little more expensive but the customer service makes me a return customer and a good source of referral. Just my two cents.

[lopoetve]

as a note for all you who had problems getting refunds: If they're giving you the runaround, after a day or two (it takes 5 MINUTES to do a refund), call your CC company. contest the charge. They'll get your money back

[toddw]

Over the years I've thrown them about a grand or so in business. It's too bad, Monarch is one of the few companies that ship to military serving overseas. With them gone, that's one less option. The Egg ships to APO, but they hose you hard on shipping.

Just remember every time you see that "free super saver shipping" the military member is getting hosed for $50. Buying in Europe isn't an option isn't an option either cuz the euro is about 1/3 more.

... now if only they'd pay us in euro....

[Ockie]

When monarch was first popular I experienced some problems with them, just shady type of activities in terms of shipping out your things/refund/rma, etc... I was worried about their business intent and abandoned them early last year. I remembered when I warned people about them that somethings up and I got the other cheek attitude, but I guess I was right.

[wtburnette]

You can. I've seen worse, actually... When a crappy company goes under ;) Monarch at least had a decent history for a long time. I wish I knew what happened... what deal they blew to make them get in so much trouble.

I don't know exactly, but I "worked" with them for a while and they always seemed a bit shady. When they began their AthlonXP.com website, myself and a group of people from the old AMDMB.com forums started working on their forums and doing reviews for them. It was a great experience for a little while, but things gradually started getting worse and worse. We were supposed to have full control over the staff of the site, posting of the reviews and articles, etc. but suddenly Monarch was adding reviewers who didn't know much about hardware, tossing up barely edited content and more. Most of us saw the writing on the wall and left the site before it could become a complete joke. It's sad, as I used to talk to Sterling, one of the owners, all the time and he was very passionate about the business. Not sure what did actually happen, but I notice things have gotten worse and worse for them in just a few short years... :(

[kush]

@ The comment re: eVGA on the previous page - Maybe I should post over on their forums to get an official answer, but this would be my thought.. They can't retroactively say anyone who bought from Monarch is no longer covered - at the time of purchase Monarch WAS a certified retailer. As we all know the PC business is cut-throat, companies come and go all the time.

Of course if Monarch had an eVGA product listed now (and were actually open for business), any current purchases would NOT be covered; now != then. It doesn't preclude them from filing for bankruptcy (and recovering from it), nor selling the business, then becoming a partner once again, but for now it's over.

[Robstar]

To me their website looks like they are liquidating.

For example: This should be $500'ish (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=150028&Category_Code=drives)

[lopoetve]

To me their website looks like they are liquidating.

For example: This should be $500'ish (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=150028&Category_Code=drives)
or they're hoping people will bite to float them a bit longer

[uOpt]

Here is somebody who bought from them just now (post #8):
http://forums.2cpu.com/showthread.php?t=79963

Summary: don't do it. They didn't improve when they went belly up :)

[steeltoe]

Damn shame, I ordered from them in the past and they rocked.

[jcll2002]

can you copy and paste that in? im not registered

[khanable]

can you copy and paste that in? im not registered


yea, i want to read it too but i dont want to register.

cpcpcpcpcp!

[ir0nw0lf]

Lazy people. :p Post #8 as requested:
I ordered one...unfortunately.
I did get a board...Its just not a H8QC8.
They shipped me a Tyan S4882, in a Super Micro box. Bastages...
Now I gotta fight with my bank to get my money back.

Caveat Emptor.....

[nobody_here]

I did get a board...Its just not a H8QC8.
They shipped me a Tyan S4882, in a Super Micro box. Bastages...

sounds exactly right for a company liquidating it's remaining stock, ship them whatever we have, in any box it will fit in, and call it a day....

[Robstar]

If they don't ship you what you ordered, that is what you have a cc for.

I had a vendor do that once on my discover, and discover said "your problem", so I cancelled my discover.

I had that on my amex, and amex gave the vendor the smackdown.

[Dulak]

What kind of recourse do I have with them if ...:

In may I purchased a vid card from them; it came to me DOA; I sent it back and did a charge back. (my CC ended up siding with monarch because monarch said they were giving me a credit).

11/8 I made a purchased and 'tried' to use my credit; and have made numerous phone calls/messages/emails to no avail. They are not honoring my credit and have given me the run-a-round for over a month. (I can see why now since they have closed the doors). And want to take my money and run.

I called my CC company again and they said I could send them somthing but they said most likely it wont help.

So what recourse do I have here? (I just want the money which is owed to me).

[pillagenburn]

so unfortunate... i built a system from their parts... recently bought a p5w dh deluxe from them, worked great...

the margins in the PC parts business are just so razor thin on most items... the only reason a company like Newegg does so well is because

a) insane automation
b) inventory turnover, they can move a lot of product
c) not offering any kind of specialty product line (monarch hornet box) so not responsible for any real in-house tech issues.
d) keep costs low

Everyone wants rock bottom prices and top-notch customer service, but those two things are generally closely related. I, personally, will pay $10 extra to get a product if it means the company will be there until the end of the warranty period.

It kind of upsets me to hear about people wanting rock bottom prices and the best customer service. I worked in an industry (auto insurance) where this was always the case. No one ever wanted to think about their auto insurance.... until they rear end someone in traffic and find out it's all their fault. And many people felt like paying any positive amount of cash for premiums was too much (mostly because they can't take their Insurance policy home and put it on their TV stand and watch it).

Anyway, really sad to see Monarch go... hopefully they'll come back another day..

[hity645]

That is a shame, the monarch rep worked with me to get a deal for a hard drive and was able to get one going for "while supplies lasts" twice. And it was packaged beautifully. Though the 2day I paid for arrived in 3, all in all I was pleased.

[Axon77]

Yeah, I thought they rocked too until they sold me a used processor (AMD X2 3800+) in August of this year, that was supposed to be new, but it was USED. It was an OEM processor that had scratches and sh*t all over the IHS. I swore to never buy from them again.

[SuperSparky]

A "credit card customer support" rep is always going to say "you're out of luck". That is what they are supposed to say. You have legal rights and can file a credit card fraud complaint in writing delivered by certified mail detailing the fraud. Every state also has their own rules on how you can handle such situations over and beyond the Federal means. Credit card companies don't exactly tell you what your rights are, just theirs (and usually embellish theirs to sound more depressing for you). If you can show malice on Monarch's part (and this forum is also a great place to show a pattern of behavior with Monarch your know), you can get your money back. You see, the burden of proof is on you AND the credit card company. The more rock solid your complaint, the more they have to punch holes through it to counter it. They have to have a darn good reason to deny fraud didn't take place before they can refuse repayment. If you report the problem immediately and not wait months and months, the maximum you can be responsible for is $50, and that's only if the fraudster can't be found (stolen card for example).

You see, verbal complaints are not considered valid "legal complaints" and most people don't bother to follow up and do things the right way. No matter what the credit card company said, file a complaint and report it as fraud. Write your story without emotion and stick to the facts, be professional, and be as detailed (yet brief) as possible. Cite reciepts (copies, you keep the originals), packing lists, product descriptions from manufacturers, Monarch ads (online and printed), item lists, etc.

Remember, a company does not have to refund if you accept delivery of a product. However, they must have sold you what you paid for (it must be working, the right product, etc.). They must only give you a working product. Refunds are up to the retailer. HOWEVER, a contract is a contract and if they say they refund, they must as long as you follow the contract's guidelines. Also, if they gave you a defective product, then you must get a replacement. If they refuse to replace, then you can get the refund only if you can show they didn't make all dilligence to replace the product for you. ALSO, if they tell you to send a defective product back for replacement, and they never sent the replacement, then you ARE entitled to a refund as they have agreed to accept the product back and they decided not to replace it. This is a violation of the sale and thus you get the money back as the story changes when they accept the product back and not replace it.

Keeping money or product they are not legally entitled to is FRAUD and the credit card companies HAVE TO address the matter. YOU have to start the process IN WRITING. Heck, have the complaint notorized for good measure.

For Pete's sake, stop believing what credit card companies tell you! You have rights, some more than others, depending on the state. Also, if they sent you anything via US Post, then they also have mail fraud to deal with. You can get criminal charges filed against them if you can send their local DA enough complaints about fraud by Monarch.

Note, I am no lawyer, and you should always consult one for legal advice. I just happen to have had experience in situations like this myself and those are my suggestions.

[Killermac]

Thank you for the excellent post.

KM

[Pringals]

.... Well, I'm sad to see them end up like this. I've built 6 systems around their Motherboard/Processor combo's and have had nothing but great success and great experiences with them. In the past, I always had troubles with mounting the processor and having a first run success with mounting the cooling unit. So when I found Monarch provided such service with their combo's, I gave them a try. That was about 4 years ago and still today, everyone of these systems I've built on their combo's are running with zero issues and at some of the most consistent temps I've seen on custom builds. This service took the stress off my shoulders of a poorly installed CPUs.

... I for one would love to see them make a strong comeback in 2007.

[Lethal]

Write your story without emotion and stick to the facts, be professional, and be as detailed (yet brief) as possible. Cite reciepts (copies, you keep the originals), packing lists, product descriptions from manufacturers, Monarch ads (online and printed), item lists, etc.
Sparky, you make some very valid points. :)

Remember that old saying about catching more flies with honey than with vinegar. A well written letter that sticks to the facts and issues will usually get you a better response than one that is full of bitching and whining. Odds are the person reading your letter (or email) had nothing to do with your problem, and they will be more sympathetic to your cause if you are reasonable and simply present things in as concise a manner as possible, instead of rambling on about how fucked up you think their company is.

[uOpt]

I didn't realize you have to register to 2cpu to read the posts there :confused:. Sorry.

Anyway, yes, the credit card route is really not easy.

They only act after the problem has not sorted itself out after 6 weeks from your first legally binding complaint to the company, which would at the least be a fax, not email, not phone. You can be sure that in 6 weeks there won't be any money on the Monarch accounts to draw from. So that is unrealistic in two ways.

[Arcygenical]

I stopped getting emails from them...

Awesome for me, I'm Canadian (can't order from there) and cancelled their newsletter at least 3 times, all to no avail :rolleyes:

[kush]

Update:

Puget Systems is providing FREE LABOR to 'former' Monarch system owners. Pretty damn cool olive branch from Puget if you ask me, since they otherwise have nothing to do with this fiasco.

source1: http://www.pugetsystems.com/monarch_computer.php
source2 (not reg'd there so didn't actually read following thread) : http://forums.hardwarelogic.com/f9/monarch-computers-going-bye-bye-puget-custom-systems-stepping-3509/

[jcll2002]

<3 puget for covering me...especially when i paid $150 for an extended warranty from monarch

[Kyle_Bennett]

Update:

Puget Systems is providing FREE LABOR to 'former' Monarch system owners. Pretty damn cool olive branch from Puget if you ask me, since they otherwise have nothing to do with this fiasco.

source1: http://www.pugetsystems.com/monarch_computer.php
source2 (not reg'd there so didn't actually read following thread) : http://forums.hardwarelogic.com/f9/monarch-computers-going-bye-bye-puget-custom-systems-stepping-3509/


Wow.

[jcll2002]

why would they do that though?

I mean I would strongly consider buying from them because they're covering me now, but is there any reason other than publicity?

[Paul_Johnson]

why would they do that though?

I mean I would strongly consider buying from them because they're covering me now, but is there any reason other than publicity?

Well I would think because people would then think of buying from them next time. :)

[CopyCat]

Update:

Puget Systems is providing FREE LABOR to 'former' Monarch system owners. Pretty damn cool olive branch from Puget if you ask me, since they otherwise have nothing to do with this fiasco.

source1: http://www.pugetsystems.com/monarch_computer.php
source2 (not reg'd there so didn't actually read following thread) : http://forums.hardwarelogic.com/f9/monarch-computers-going-bye-bye-puget-custom-systems-stepping-3509/WOW. I don't buy pre-built systems but I gotta say this is a pretty awesome hand out that Puget systems is giving. I never really heard of them except the couple of [H] reviews and I am pretty sure I never personally opened their site but they just upped themselves on my recommendation list to others.

Thats awesome.

[swatbat]

Well I would think because people would then think of buying from them next time. :)

Thats what I'm thinking too. Also mind you I'm sure they have a little markup in the parts needed to fix said boxes. Still a great way to try to get some business comming in.

[kush]

why would they do that though?

I mean I would strongly consider buying from them because they're covering me now, but is there any reason other than publicity?


Bingo - of course they did it for publicity, and the 'wow they did something so I'll buy from them' aspect. Certainly it's not a purely philanthropic motive for them, but I think it is a damn fine move, and will get the desired effect for them..Even if Monarch does goes belly up after all this and totally abandons their own systems/customers.

Hell, I never thought about them either, other than reading the [H] review(s?). But if I'm ever in the market for a pre-built system, or someone asks me for a recommendation, I'll have to say Puget Systems (or as my half-brothers ex would say Poo-Jit :p).

[SuperSparky]

What Puget is doing is demonstrating clearly how important customer service is to any business. Yes, it's an olive branch. Yes, it brings good publicity. Yes, it's a very nice thing to do. There are only positives here for both sides. It's the golden rule in action.

If more companies treated people like this, even though they don't have to, but because it's a good thing to do, then many people just might have better attitudes towards "companies".

Way to go Puget!

[Xilikon]

What Puget is doing is demonstrating clearly how important customer service is to any business. Yes, it's an olive branch. Yes, it brings good publicity. Yes, it's a very nice thing to do. There are only positives here for both sides. It's the golden rule in action.

If more companies treated people like this, even though they don't have to, but because it's a good thing to do, then many people just might have better attitudes towards "companies".

Way to go Puget!

QFT, especially when he is paying from their own pocket for labor costs. They will surely attract customers toward them for the next system upgrade or get the wanted publicity to get more sales.

Kudos to Puget :cool:

[solotech]

So is there any real information coming out of Monarch yet?

Has anyone driven by to see if they are packing their cars with stuff to empty the building before the creditors stop by?

Any employees on here that can pass some real facts rather than rumors trash talk?


Personally and on a corporate purchasing level I stopped ordering from Monarch 2 months ago when it took them 3 weeks to get a system out of their warehouse...

[Paul_Johnson]

So is there any real information coming out of Monarch yet?

Has anyone driven by to see if they are packing their cars with stuff to empty the building before the creditors stop by?

Any employees on here that can pass some real facts rather than rumors trash talk?


Personally and on a corporate purchasing level I stopped ordering from Monarch 2 months ago when it took them 3 weeks to get a system out of their warehouse...

On Friday of last week there was the sign up that was posted here and when I went by there were some cars parked outside and a couple of people went inside. When I knocked I got nothing and the door was locked with an ATI poster blocking the view in. Other than that Monarch at some point recently approached Systemax about a take over. That is about it for now.

[nobody_here]

So is there any real information coming out of Monarch yet?

Has anyone driven by to see if they are packing their cars with stuff to empty the building before the creditors stop by?

Any employees on here that can pass some real facts rather than rumors trash talk?


Personally and on a corporate purchasing level I stopped ordering from Monarch 2 months ago when it took them 3 weeks to get a system out of their warehouse...

their AMDReview.com website is still up, used to be AthlonXP.com for any old timers here....at any rate, Devin posted as recently as 12-14-06, i have tried to email him and what not but he hasn't replied, i used to write hardware reviews for their AMDReview.com site and knew several of them by first name, went by there at least once a week or so, it's unfortunate things turned out this way because they were pretty cool.....i did have Devin's phone number, but lost it some time ago after i stopped reviewing for them......oh well

[Mark_Warner]

Whatever their purpose for offering free labor to Monarch customers, it's damn cool of Puget to do this. Even if it is just for publicity.

[Paul_Johnson]

Looks like the Systemax deal might go through.

[Piccol0z]

I've been meaning to post about Monarch Computers for a couple of days now. My best friend was an employee there till today, Wednesday the 20th, when three cops came and told him and some other people to get out of the building. He is now jobless of course.

A couple weeks ago, my friend told me Monarch lost a large contract and that he was worried about losing his job there since it paid him a decent wage, $12 an hour or so with 40 hours a week. He enjoyed it for the most part.

He only worked at Monarch for a couple of months and does not know much about what caused Monarch's downfall.

[Palmyra]

[QUOTE=Piccol0z]
A couple weeks ago, my friend told me Monarch lost a large contract and that he was worried about losing his job there since it paid him a decent wage, $12 an hour or so with 40 hours a week. He enjoyed it for the most part.
QUOTE]

Just out of curiosity, what was he doing for $12 an hour?

[rahlquist]

I've been meaning to post about Monarch Computers for a couple of days now. My best friend was an employee there till today, Wednesday the 20th, when three cops came and told him and some other people to get out of the building. He is now jobless of course.

The police came and removed who? Everyone or just some employees they were terminating and afraid of? Was it an Eviction? A little more detail would be great to hear, since your friend no longer works there he may not mind ponying up some more detail?

[Piccol0z]

Just out of curiosity, what was he doing for $12 an hour?

If I remember correctly, they started him out in PC repair/building computers. He was suppose to be in that department for a few weeks then rotate around to the other areas and ultimately end up being in tech support.

[Piccol0z]

The police came and removed who? Everyone or just some employees they were terminating and afraid of? Was it an Eviction? A little more detail would be great to hear, since your friend no longer works there he may not mind ponying up some more detail?

I'll ask him and find out who was exactly removed from the building. I know their staff was rather small so it may have been everybody but the owners. He might not know a large amount of details other than the police came and he no longer had a job. As I said, he has only been there a few months (2-3) maybe even less and he mostly just focused on complete his job.

[grimreaper112]

Yesterday, Monarch was shut down and secured by the Dekalb County Tax Commissioner. Just a FYI..... :cool:

[nobody_here]

Yesterday, Monarch was shut down and secured by the Dekalb County Tax Commissioner. Just a FYI..... :cool:

well.....that does it for now doesn't it

i really feel bad for the guys who worked there, losing their job a week before christmas, but if they were paying attention, the smart ones would have already left and gotten another job, it had to be really obvious

[Piccol0z]

My friend isn't down about losing his job. He did kind of know something was bound to happen since that contract was lost.

[CyberDeus-RagDoll]

To play guinea pig, I placed a small order today with monarch just to see if they can fulfill it.

I have already received order confirmation, as well as a follow-up message stating that they are verifying my order and processing it.

(order was in the $10 range, so.. methinks I can afford it)

I really would hate to see this company go under.

[nobody_here]

To play guinea pig, I placed a small order today with monarch just to see if they can fulfill it.

I have already received order confirmation, as well as a follow-up message stating that they are verifying my order and processing it.

(order was in the $10 range, so.. methinks I can afford it)

I really would hate to see this company go under.

the building was cleared out by the cops though....employees told to leave, who do you think is going to process your order for shipment?

[CyberDeus-RagDoll]

the building was cleared out by the cops though....employees told to leave, who do you think is going to process your order for shipment?

I never saw that posting. :-(

They are still taking orders online at this very moment.

[nobody_here]

I never saw that posting. :-(

They are still taking orders online at this very moment.


yeah, it was like two or three posts before your's

[Treetops]

Could be difficult to stop the website from taking orders if the cops kicked you out. :D

[ifuonlyknew]

I've been meaning to post about Monarch Computers for a couple of days now. My best friend was an employee there till today, Wednesday the 20th, when three cops came and told him and some other people to get out of the building. He is now jobless of course.

A couple weeks ago, my friend told me Monarch lost a large contract and that he was worried about losing his job there since it paid him a decent wage, $12 an hour or so with 40 hours a week. He enjoyed it for the most part.

He only worked at Monarch for a couple of months and does not know much about what caused Monarch's downfall.

I have a very very hard time beleiving this, a VERY hard time. but I digress, I am really posting here to ask if we can get the pictures of the lawn sign saying they are forced to close. I am itching to see this.

[Viper87227]

I have a very very hard time beleiving this, a VERY hard time. but I digress, I am really posting here to ask if we can get the pictures of the lawn sign saying they are forced to close. I am itching to see this.

There was a picture on the front page a few days ago that showed a sign saying the in store operations were closed to focus on online sales... but that is all I have seen.

[qdemn7]

Found this at the Dekalb County Tax Assessors Office: (https://dklbweb.dekalbga.org/TaxAssessor/personalDisplay.asp?pid=3852176) I bet if they got shut down it was for non-payment of taxes.

Account # 3852176
Owner Information
Property Address 5242 ROYAL WOODS PKWY #160 UNI
Property Class CF - COMMERCIAL F&F M&E
Tax District 04 - Unincorporated
Owner Monarch Computer
Co-Owner
Owner Address 000000 P O Box 1008
Tucker, GA 30085-1008
Current Appraised & Assessment Value
Business Personal Property Value $2,788,297
Total Value $2,788,297
40% Taxable Assessment $1,115,319

[ifuonlyknew]

There was a picture on the front page a few days ago that showed a sign saying the in store operations were closed to focus on online sales... but that is all I have seen.


Yea saw that, but I wana see this new one.

[Paul_Johnson]

I posted that yesterday. I also found it odd that they paid part of it on the 18th of this month.

Found this at the Dekalb County Tax Assessors Office: (https://dklbweb.dekalbga.org/TaxAssessor/personalDisplay.asp?pid=3852176) I bet if they got shut down it was for non-payment of taxes.

Account # 3852176
Owner Information
Property Address 5242 ROYAL WOODS PKWY #160 UNI
Property Class CF - COMMERCIAL F&F M&E
Tax District 04 - Unincorporated
Owner Monarch Computer
Co-Owner
Owner Address 000000 P O Box 1008
Tucker, GA 30085-1008
Current Appraised & Assessment Value
Business Personal Property Value $2,788,297
Total Value $2,788,297
40% Taxable Assessment $1,115,319

[MixManSC]

Sounds like one of two things to me if law enforcement showed up and locked the place up.

1 - Unpaid back taxes beyond extensions and recovery. Tax assessor locked them down until they pay up or a court orders liquidation to recover the taxes due.

2 - They filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy to reorganize. On the court date the judge disagreed and converted them to Chapter 7 and ordered immediate closure and liquidation to pay debts.

I've personally seen number two happen to a company with over 5000 employees (Inacom). I worked there and became rapidly unemployed via option number two. Once the judge converts it to Chapter 7 court appointed law enforcement is told to immediately secure all assets and premises. At Inacom (who was Compaq and HP's largest distributor and had support contracts worldwide) they literally shut the entire company down in under two hours. Website, servers, warehouses, everything was shut off and locked up.

[nobody_here]

Yea saw that, but I wana see this new one.


what new one? what more do you want to see

lets put it this way, i know some of those guys, suddenly they dont return any emails, nor do they return any customers emails, try calling them yourself....

we have a picture of the sign on the door saying they are closed to focus on online orders, then go visit their website, they have next to nothing, the site is but a shell of what it used to be, and orders are not getting shipped, and the last few that did were wrong item in wrong box, like somebody was rushing to just ship something....

we have all employees forced out by the Tax Commission / Police

what more could you possibly want? there will of course be a public statement soon of course, but if you dont believe they are closing/bankrupt, whatever at this point, i dont know what to say...

if they are in the bankruptcy scenario, that information is public knowledge, the fact they have been forced or filed will be published in the local newspaper as well

[Paul_Johnson]

what new one? what more do you want to see

lets put it this way, i know some of those guys, suddenly they dont return any emails, nor do they return any customers emails, try calling them yourself....

we have a picture of the sign on the door saying they are closed to focus on online orders, then go visit their website, they have next to nothing, the site is but a shell of what it used to be, and orders are not getting shipped, and the last few that did were wrong item in wrong box, like somebody was rushing to just ship something....

we have all employees forced out by the Tax Commission / Police

what more could you possibly want? there will of course be a public statement soon of course, but if you dont believe they are closing/bankrupt, whatever at this point, i dont know what to say...

if they are in the bankruptcy scenario, that information is public knowledge, the fact they have been forced or filed will be published in the local newspaper as well

Or they could be approaching another company for an aquisition.
;)

[qdemn7]

Or they could be approaching another company for an aquisition.
;)Why would a company want them if they are way in debt to the Tax Assessor?

[qdemn7]

2 - They filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy to reorganize. On the court date the judge disagreed and converted them to Chapter 7 and ordered immediate closure and liquidation to pay debts.

I've personally seen number two happen to a company with over 5000 employees (Inacom). I worked there and became rapidly unemployed via option number two. Once the judge converts it to Chapter 7 court appointed law enforcement is told to immediately secure all assets and premises. At Inacom (who was Compaq and HP's largest distributor and had support contracts worldwide) they literally shut the entire company down in under two hours. Website, servers, warehouses, everything was shut off and locked up.Damn, did you ever get paid any remaining salary?

[Paul_Johnson]

Why would a company want them if they are way in debt to the Tax Assessor?

As far as I know for two reasons:

1) They owed the company a ton of money.
2) They wanted the Hornet.

By aquiring them they gaurentee whatever stock is left that they had sold to Monarch and they get rights to the Hornet.

At least that is what the grapevine is saying.

[ifuonlyknew]

what new one? what more do you want to see..............
we have all employees forced out by the Tax Commission / Police



That is what i want to see, there is nothing in any police blotters nor anywhere else about them being forced closed or the doors locked by the tax man. We only have the word of some people who claim to have worked there and those stories are obviously c**p. I just want these pictures we have been promised I want FACT not more he said she said. God knows there has been far to much of that in this whole Monarch situation.

btw nobody, please don't think i am attacking you nor that i think you were attacking me.

[Piccol0z]

My friend's story is crap? How so? Well, believe it or not, three cops told him and several other employees to get out and go home. He is now jobless.

[nobody_here]

That is what i want to see, there is nothing in any police blotters nor anywhere else about them being forced closed or the doors locked by the tax man. We only have the word of some people who claim to have worked there and those stories are obviously c**p. I just want these pictures we have been promised I want FACT not more he said she said. God knows there has been far to much of that in this whole Monarch situation.

btw nobody, please don't think i am attacking you nor that i think you were attacking me.

oh, this was never personal, but it's a clear cut case, no matter what reason, Monarch is no more for now, like i said, try calling to place an order and see how far you get, or drop by the store to pay for an item, you wont even get in the door

[matt fury]

Why would a company want the rights to the Hornet? It doesn't seem hard for to build SFF systems these days.

[nobody_here]

Why would a company want the rights to the Hornet? It doesn't seem hard for to build SFF systems these days.


brand name recognition, things of that nature

our company has bought three other companies that do the same thing we do, had products almost identical to our's, so we just buy them, and still manufacture the products with the old names on them, companies that bought a "XXX" brand item in the past are looking for that same brand name when they go to buy another one, they dont really care who actually makes it, it has the "XXX" name on it and thats what they will buy

i mean, we literally have three products that are marketed under like 8 names, it's all about brand name recognition

[matt fury]

brand name recognition, things of that nature

our company has bought three other companies that do the same thing we do, had products almost identical to our's, so we just buy them, and still manufacture the products with the old names on them, companies that bought a "XXX" brand item in the past are looking for that same brand name when they go to buy another one, they dont really care who actually makes it, it has the "XXX" name on it and thats what they will buy

i mean, we literally have three products that are marketed under like 8 names, it's all about brand name recognition

I understand that. Hell, that's what they were doing in Zalinksy wanted to do in Tommy Boy. But what kind of brand recognition does the Monarch Hornet have? Did I just miss the big Hornet boat?

[matt fury]

OMG, I fucked that sentence up and can't even edit it. :(

[nobody_here]

OMG, I fucked that sentence up and can't even edit it. :(

yeah....i noticed that....why are posts in this thread not editable?

[workingnonstop]

yeah....i noticed that....why are posts in this thread not editable?
easier moderation, people can't go back and edit things that may have been reported

[nobody_here]

easier moderation, people can't go back and edit things that may have been reported

but it's only in this forum section?......

:confused:

[Viper87227]

but it's only in this forum section?......

:confused:

I wonder if when they disable the option to make new threads, the option to edit is also disabled?

[Paul_Johnson]

I wonder if when they disable the option to make new threads, the option to edit is also disabled?

All of these points have been addressed by Kyle i nthe help/feedback section.

[Paul_Johnson]

Why would a company want the rights to the Hornet? It doesn't seem hard for to build SFF systems these days.

It is a custom job by LIan-li for Monarch. All I know is what has been passed along to me and that was that they approached Systemax. Systemax was considering it because of the outstanding debt to them and the Hornet. There is a third company that is on fringe that was bing pitched but that deal is extremely unlikely.

[ifuonlyknew]

My friend's story is crap? How so? Well, believe it or not, three cops told him and several other employees to get out and go home. He is now jobless.

Afaid so, yes "his" (your) story is c**p

[ifuonlyknew]

.... Systemax was considering it because of the outstanding debt to them and the Hornet. There is a third company that is on fringe that was bing pitched but that deal is extremely unlikely.

Monarch owed Systemax money? I have a warehouse full of bridge deads, anyone who is beliving more than 50% of what is posted in this thread please PM me for a quote on one of these bridges. :p

I really wish we could have these pictures, it seems that this too was a load of c**p :-(

[Paul_Johnson]

Monarch owed Systemax money?

That is what Systemax says.

Believe it or not some people in this thread may know a bit more than you. ;)

[ifuonlyknew]

Believe it or not some people in this thread may know a bit more than you. ;)

so you want the brooklyn? Golden gate? Delaware water gap?

;) :D

[enginurd]

I have a warehouse full of bridge deads, anyone who is beliving more than 50% of what is posted in this thread please PM me for a quote on one of these bridges. :p

I really wish we could have these pictures, it seems that this too was a load of c**p :-(
bridge deads? and it seems you're the only person interested in more pictures. It almost sounds like you're directly involved with MCS. Are you?

The bottom line is, MCS screwed over a ton of people and their doors are now closed and their website has almost nothing for sale. I don't require proof of any of that, because I can see the website myself, along with the closed forums. I require proof to the contrary. Can you provide any? Even if you could, it wouldnt matter, because I wouldnt buy nor recommend them to anyone, EVER, unless there was some compelling reason to do otherwise.

[ifuonlyknew]

bridge deads? and it seems you're the only person interested in more pictures. It almost sounds like you're directly involved with MCS. Are you?

The bottom line is, MCS screwed over a ton of people and their doors are now closed and their website has almost nothing for sale. I don't require proof of any of that, because I can see the website myself, along with the closed forums. I require proof to the contrary. Can you provide any? Even if you could, it wouldnt matter, because I wouldnt buy nor recommend them to anyone, EVER, unless there was some compelling reason to do otherwise.

You will not find me defending them nor arguing any point you have made. I am just interested in truth is all. We all know there is a LOT of false being posted in regard to the Monarch situation, both for and against them.

There was plenty of you demanding the pictures the first time, I can't be interested in the this closed by the tax commisionar turn of events? :-(

[nobody_here]

You will not find me defending them nor arguing any point you have made. I am just interested in truth is all. We all know there is a LOT of false being posted in regard to the Monarch situation, both for and against them.

There was plenty of you demanding the pictures the first time, I can't be interested in the this closed by the tax commisionar turn of events? :-(


ok, lets go with what's not false (these would be considered truths btw) that you can prove to yourself

truth:

they dont answer the phone anymore or return phone calls, basically turning away all customers

they dont answer emails, both on a personal level and emails from customers or potential clients

their storefront is closed with a sign saying they are closing it to focus on online orders, i saw it myself

which means you go to their website only to find that it is absolutely nothing like it used to be, different layout, sponsor ads removed, most inventory is stuff that doesn't move well, nothing really to buy worth buying

customer reports a plenty saying they have not received their orders from Monarch or received the wrong item in the wrong box, etc.....there aren't just a couple, there are many, if you like see their resellerratings.com feedback recently, the numbers speak for themselves

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller_rating_history.pl?id=2079

what are you looking for here? President Bush to make a National Press Announcement stating Monarch is closed? sheesh.....

[lopoetve]

so you want the brooklyn? Golden gate? Delaware water gap?

;) :D

How much has MCS been paying you, exactly?

The place is closed, they screw over people, and they're shutting down in their current form.

All truth.

[ifuonlyknew]

How much has MCS been paying you, exactly?

The place is closed, they screw over people, and they're shutting down in their current form.

All truth.

Just saying that while there is A LOT of bad that is truth, we could do without the people making stuff up to get attention. i.e. the guy who threw a bunch of stuff in a case and said it came from Monarch that way, these people who are saying they were forcibly removed, and the tax guy shut em down.

Monarch did a whole lot they should not have you will not find anyone with any sense arguing that point. I am just concerned that the exaggerations and lies will only dilute the waters and the real things they did will be lost. Some may come to believe that some of the more outrageous things that DID happen were also made up. And/or someone friendly to them will roll some of the real things that happened into the ball of lies and say that it was made up. I find it funny that I am being seen as a fan boy for them, which is not the case here folks, I am just issuing a plea for us to stay to truths.

[nobody_here]

Just saying that while there is A LOT of bad that is truth, we could do without the people making stuff up to get attention. i.e. the guy who threw a bunch of stuff in a case and said it came from Monarch that way, these people who are saying they were forcibly removed, and the tax guy shut em down.

Monarch did a whole lot they should not have you will not find anyone with any sense arguing that point. I am just concerned that the exaggerations and lies will only dilute the waters and the real things they did will be lost. Some may come to believe that some of the more outrageous things that DID happen were also made up. And/or someone friendly to them will roll some of the real things that happened into the ball of lies and say that it was made up. I find it funny that I am being seen as a fan boy for them, which is not the case here folks, I am just issuing a plea for us to stay to truths.

at this point i dont think anybody here really cares what is fact and what is fiction, fact is they are not doing business as Monarch Computers anymore, all the details will come out in due time, truth will sort itself from lies, but the end result is, they are no long doing business, it will be interesting to find out exactly why, but it wont change the opinion of anybody here, nobody aware of any of this, true or not will be dealing with them in the future

[lopoetve]

Just saying that while there is A LOT of bad that is truth, we could do without the people making stuff up to get attention. i.e. the guy who threw a bunch of stuff in a case and said it came from Monarch that way, these people who are saying they were forcibly removed, and the tax guy shut em down.

Monarch did a whole lot they should not have you will not find anyone with any sense arguing that point. I am just concerned that the exaggerations and lies will only dilute the waters and the real things they did will be lost. Some may come to believe that some of the more outrageous things that DID happen were also made up. And/or someone friendly to them will roll some of the real things that happened into the ball of lies and say that it was made up. I find it funny that I am being seen as a fan boy for them, which is not the case here folks, I am just issuing a plea for us to stay to truths.

You don't get it. It doesn't ~matter~ what "real things" they did. they're currently screwing over customers and have been for a while. In corporate america, one streak of evils destroys all goods you may have done. No one is going to start expecting that things have been made up, the company is going down the toilet; they're poofed as it is.

There's no one friendly to them. Not a single person.

[Paul_Johnson]

so you want the brooklyn? Golden gate? Delaware water gap?

;) :D

I prefer long suspension bridges...I'll take the mackinac bridge

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/S_p_e_c_t_r_e/monarch-1.jpg

[wtburnette]

Hehehe...SMACK! :D

[matt fury]

Wow, Delkab County loves exclamation marks.. !!!!

[ifuonlyknew]

I prefer long suspension bridges...I'll take the mackinac bridge


Good choice... Nice Photo shop. ( KIDDING )

Thanks for the pics whoever took it.

[Paul_Johnson]

Good choice... Nice Photo shop. ( KIDDING )

Thanks for the pics whoever took it.

Guess that means you didn't have the bridges huh?

[qdemn7]

Hehehe...SMACK! :DOuch!! guess that settles that!

[navav2002]

Wow...I've been "semi" keeping tabs on this for a while...I Feel bad for customers who have been left hanging...But also think of Monarch and their staff...How sad for everyone involved...

You see..I remember them in allot different light than some of you may...I live about an hour away...I was a Retail Store Customer of theirs...I've built/upgraded several Rigs in the past couple of years...Most of my shopping has been with them...I placed my first order in Feb 2004...My last purchase was a 4800x2 processor in July of this year...During that time I spent allot of money there...I havn't added it all up...But I'd say easily 8k....Probably more like 10k...

Basides Atlanta traffic...I alway's enjoyed my trips to their store...It was pretty kewl to have your own local "newegg" type place within driving distance...There was always some level of excitement involved with going to get my latest processor, videocard, motherboard or whatever...This is my Hobby...So my trips to Monarch were alway's more like trips to the Toy Store...It was Fun...I always had good luck with all those I came in contact with...

I probably did notice something a little "different" during 2006...Although I personally never had any trouble...I suppose I may have had a "Gut Feeling"...They quit carrying some of my preffered Brand Names...They started asking if I wanted to pay extra for an In store warranty policy?? They weren't quite as up to date on inventory...It didn't seem they were keeping up with the latest stuff?? I kinda noticed an "Excuse" or two with some perticular product inventory questions...I dunno...I guess I just "noticed" this as kinda wierd...

When I decided to Build up a C2D system...I elected to shop elseware...Mostly due to inventory reasons...Everyone else had the stuff...Monarch didn't...

I stumbled on this and similar threads shortly after beginning my C2D Rig...

I feel Sad...

Bye Monarch...

And Best of Luck to those effected by their Hard Times...

[nobody_here]

Wow...I've been "semi" keeping tabs on this for a while...I Feel bad for customers who have been left hanging...But also think of Monarch and their staff...How sad for everyone involved...

You see..I remember them in allot different light than some of you may...I live about an hour away...I was a Retail Store Customer of theirs...I've built/upgraded several Rigs in the past couple of years...Most of my shopping has been with them...I placed my first order in Feb 2004...My last purchase was a 4800x2 processor in July of this year...During that time I spent allot of money there...I havn't added it all up...But I'd say easily 8k....Probably more like 10k...

Basides Atlanta traffic...I alway's enjoyed my trips to their store...It was pretty kewl to have your own local "newegg" type place within driving distance...There was always some level of excitement involved with going to get my latest processor, videocard, motherboard or whatever...This is my Hobby...So my trips to Monarch were alway's more like trips to the Toy Store...It was Fun...I always had good luck with all those I came in contact with...

I probably did notice something a little "different" during 2006...Although I personally never had any trouble...I suppose I may have had a "Gut Feeling"...They quit carrying some of my preffered Brand Names...They started asking if I wanted to pay extra for an In store warranty policy?? They weren't quite as up to date on inventory...It didn't seem they were keeping up with the latest stuff?? I kinda noticed an "Excuse" or two with some perticular product inventory questions...I dunno...I guess I just "noticed" this as kinda wierd...

When I decided to Build up a C2D system...I elected to shop elseware...Mostly due to inventory reasons...Everyone else had the stuff...Monarch didn't...

I stumbled on this and similar threads shortly after beginning my C2D Rig...

I feel Sad...

Bye Monarch...

And Best of Luck to those effected by their Hard Times...

i know exactly how you feel, i lived for three years in Dallas, GA, inside of an hour drive across ATL from Monarch, and it was some fun times, i was even writing hardware reviews for them that were posted on their AMDReview.com website, spoke with Devin and Mike frequently, i just hope they are doing well

[ifuonlyknew]

I prefer long suspension bridges...I'll take the mackinac bridge



Here you go my friend

http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/communications/greatlakes/GlacialGift/Graphics/Space_Images/Mackinac_Bridge(GLNPO).jpg

[CyberDeus-RagDoll]

the building was cleared out by the cops though....employees told to leave, who do you think is going to process your order for shipment?


Just as an FYI.

I posted on 12-21-2006 that I placed a test order on the monarch website.
(mind you, it was a SMALL order, something I can afford to forfeit)

On 12-21 I received (later in the day...) confirmations of the order.

On 12-24, I received the confirmation about my card passing authentication (one of the 12-21 msgs said something about them trying to protect me against ID theft)

Today, 12-28, I received a shipment confirmation, including a tracking number.


Yes, I know it's a week down the road, but SOMEBODY is doing SOMETHING. I don't think a tracking number can be auto-generated when there's nobody packing the items.

I will keep all apprised if something actually shows up!

[Schro]

I did a little digging into the Dekalb County tax... as it would be property tax that they owe based on Spectre's photo:

https://dklbweb.dekalbga.org/taxcommissioner/Display.asp?pin=3852176

It looks like they were billed for $50k on July 1, and made a payment of 6k on Dec 18.

[Paul_Johnson]

I did a little digging into the Dekalb County tax... as it would be property tax that they owe based on Spectre's photo:

https://dklbweb.dekalbga.org/taxcommissioner/Display.asp?pin=3852176

It looks like they were billed for $50k on July 1, and made a payment of 6k on Dec 18.

Yeah I posted that in the Computers & Gadgets thread about this last week.

[revenant]

that's an odd number, $6,243.58... must have been on a payment plan.. else that was everything in his paypal account. :eek:

[Pkirk618]

wanna take a guess where the 6k came from?>

[Pkirk618]

...also, if I'm not mistaken, monarch can be ordered to continue selling its remaining inventory to partially payoff its debt--also seen in ch7, 11 and 13s.

[d94]

...also, if I'm not mistaken, monarch can be ordered to continue selling its remaining inventory to partially payoff its debt--also seen in ch7, 11 and 13s.
right, so all those lovely parts/systems sent in for repair/rma or just the systems that have been ordered will be resold to pay off debt :eek:

[k1pp3r]

right, so all those lovely parts/systems sent in for repair/rma or just the systems that have been ordered will be resold to pay off debt :eek:


Not unless something really dirty happens, in the Chapter 11 liquidation I went though with a company I worked for (in Atlanta to, lol) only assests owned by the company could be liquidated, and this is done by a 3rd party company. Basicly you still run your company, but they watch what your doing very close.

[w1retap]

Here's me driving over the mackinac bridge. :p

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/wiretap25/Temp/DSCN0028.jpg

Still haven't got the near $700 back from monarch yet. :(

[sdgserv]

Monarch was the worst. Period:mad:

Just thinking about what they did to me and how they treated me..Ouch

[bob]

Visting the website gives me an idea of where the tax payment came from :
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv

They seem to have about as much inventory as my crampt apartment closet, looks like they are selling off what little left they have. Its sad to think they could barely make a $6k payment toward $50k in taxes, in the past 6 months.

[CyberDeus-RagDoll]

the building was cleared out by the cops though....employees told to leave, who do you think is going to process your order for shipment?

Strange. for an empty building... it's miraculous how I RECEIVED my test purchase today.

It's exactly what I ordered. The price charged was what I paid. It took a little longer than usual to get, but, heck.. THAT could be blamed on the holidays.

[CyberDeus-RagDoll]

http://dad.unicornservices.net/monarch.jpg

Order date : 12/21/2006 (Thursday before christmas weekend)

Date shipped : 12/28/2006

Date of Arrival : 01/02/2007

[nobody_here]

interesting indeed

probably one of the last unless they allowed them to sell remaining inventory

we should have seen some sort of "official" statement by now you would think

[mrjminer]

interesting indeed

probably one of the last unless they allowed them to sell remaining inventory

we should have seen some sort of "official" statement by now you would think

With the amount of time they've been screwing people over, they're going to postpone an official statement for as long as possible.

[pointreyes]

Order date : 12/21/2006 (Thursday before christmas weekend)

Date shipped : 12/28/2006

Date of Arrival : 01/02/2007


I was not so fortunate as you were. Must have been an easy item for them to process.

Order first week of December and never got a response on status 3 weeks later. Instead of risking interest rates on my credit card for a transaction that should have been removed from my CC since I was using MonarchComputers "credit," I contacted my CC to remove the transaction. Never bothered to contact MC about the cancellation because they should have not continued to float on my credit card. I would be surprised if I ever see my order processed and pretty much lost $200 that I expect Chapter 11 or 13 will remove responsibly to fulfill. Wish I would have kept that $200 motherboard that I was credited for as a backup now. :(

[the miser]

What also may be happening is that they moved some stock before the assesment, knowing it was coming, and moving that product under the radar.

[whoster69]

I bought a PC from them in August, the first one I've ever not built myself. They were fine until I ordered then no support at all. I will never use them again. I'm sorry to see them go because they were the only online vendor that I know of that would custom build PCs with all the parts I wanted and their prices were pretty good. Their support was so bad however that I will *NEVER* go back to them.

[Xilikon]

I bought a PC from them in August, the first one I've ever not built myself. They were fine until I ordered then no support at all. I will never use them again. I'm sorry to see them go because they were the only online vendor that I know of that would custom build PCs with all the parts I wanted and their prices were pretty good. Their support was so bad however that I will *NEVER* go back to them.

Check with Puget Systems for technical support for your computer since it seems they offered to pick up unfortunate Monarch customers as a alternative. http://www.pugetsystems.com/monarch_computer.php in the bottom for more informations.

[whoster69]

Check with Puget Systems for technical support for your computer since it seems they offered to pick up unfortunate Monarch customers as a alternative. http://www.pugetsystems.com/monarch_computer.php in the bottom for more informations.

Thanks. That's good to know.

[JonnyDoom]

OMG I cant believe this. I was wondering what was going on with thier website. I thought they where just redoing thier website. I bought 2 complete PC from them. One in Feb 2004 and Feb 2006 (still use both every day). Both where top of the line at the time and could not be bought at that price at any other place. Basicly if it wasnt for Monarch I would not have this kick arse PC I am on right now. I have Monarch GT64 stickers plasterd on my case. Monarch background, Monarch Screenasver, Monarch IE skins. Basicly a Monarch FANATIC. I started with Monarch cause a local vender that I built from his parts overheated badly. After several trips back with the same problem I went to pick it up for the last time. He was Closed and filed chapter 13. They took my PC as assets. Though I could sue I would never really get anything out of it. I lost it all.
I wanted to buy a Core 2 with DD2 and a 8800 GTS from Monarch in Febuary. No way I could afford it at any other vender. Guess my custom PC days are over with Monarch gone. They where the best of the best.

[JonnyDoom]

This explains whats going on fairly well...

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/437/1/

[michael.pa2]

Other vendors may have gone belly up because of the reasons given in the article,but I really feel Monarch's undoing was more due to greed,mismanagement,and customer abuse.I don't think the days of independent builders with good products AND reasonable prices are over yet,if builders like Vigor and Avadirect continue to maintain their present ratings and pricing they could replace Monarch.

[JonnyDoom]

CyberPowerPC looks like it could fill my void too.

[michael.pa2]

CyberPowerPC looks like it could fill my void too.

Better check their ratings,their prices are low,but they get very low marks for quality of build and support.

[JonnyDoom]

I hear ya. Avadirect has great prices as well. Looks like Avadirect is the better choice.
Thanks all for the heads up.....

[michael.pa2]

Yeah,I'm thinking of going with Avadirect myself with the ratings they have,plus the pricing and selection.I was looking for a particular case for the system I want that wasn't in their configurator and emailed them to see if they were going to carry it,they responded the next day that they now had the case in the configurator.That's customer service.

[Killermac]

I was going to purchase a whole system from them, but they never responded to my questions when I had asked. It truly is a shame such a good company to go down the drain. I can remember all the reviews that Max PC did on them and they usualy were top of the bunch... Well what are you goning to do I just feel realy bad for all the people that have not seen this thread and don't know they have other support options.

KM

[Tylander]

This kind of sucks. I got a gift certificate to Monarch for Christmas. Is it pretty much worthless now?

[-(Xyphox)-]

I guess i could say i saw this coming, but not so soon, sucks for all of those with a monarch PC though,

[robble]

This kind of sucks. I got a gift certificate to Monarch for Christmas. Is it pretty much worthless now?

not true, you can use it to see if they are still shipping anything.

[nobody_here]

I guess i could say i saw this coming, but not so soon, sucks for all of those with a monarch PC though,

worthless

best bet is to hold onto it and see if another company buys them out and see if you can get the new ownership to honor it, if they are worth a damn they will

[jayrod422]

ive been rippped off hardcore by these guys for $950. i bought a few things on their site on dec 26 and have received nothing... i used paypal for the transaction because monarchs site was unable to accept credit cards... seems like not only did i get ripped off by monarch but payapl too

i started a blog about the whole ordeal here..

http://monarchcomputer.blogspot.com/

[jayrod422]

FYI


https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/acc/community-outside

[whoster69]

Well that certainly makes me think twice about using PayPal.

[lopoetve]

This kind of sucks. I got a gift certificate to Monarch for Christmas. Is it pretty much worthless now?

I'd buy things from them and resell, you'll get something out of it that way. How much?

[Viper87227]

Well that certainly makes me think twice about using PayPal.


Paypal does shit like that all the time unfortunitly. They really are a horrible place to trust your money with :rolleyes:

[michael.pa2]

ive been rippped off hardcore by these guys for $950. i bought a few things on their site on dec 26 and have received nothing... i used paypal for the transaction because monarchs site was unable to accept credit cards... seems like not only did i get ripped off by monarch but payapl too

i started a blog about the whole ordeal here..

http://monarchcomputer.blogspot.com/

Paypal can only take action if there's money in a sellers registered account,if it's empty,there's not much they can do.That's their drawback,it's much better to make purchases online with a credit card(not debit cards,they don't have the same protection).Your story is also a good example of why you should check out an online vendor carefully at sites like ResellerRatings,by the time you ordered Monarch's ratings there showed they were ripping off people.

[jayrod422]

yea we should have checked them out before we made the purchase.... and we should have not used paypal off of ebay...

does anybody have any ideas on how to get our funds back??? i would rather not sue these people but would be open to it if nothing else works...

it seems like everyone else on this board is complaining about refunds and rma's not buying something and never receiving it... am i the only one?

as far as i am concerned this is just plain and simple theft

[GJSNeptune]

I'd buy things from them and resell, you'll get something out of it that way.
Don't be so sure about that, according to a lot of these posts.

[nobody_here]

yea we should have checked them out before we made the purchase.... and we should have not used paypal off of ebay...

does anybody have any ideas on how to get our funds back??? i would rather not sue these people but would be open to it if nothing else works...

it seems like everyone else on this board is complaining about refunds and rma's not buying something and never receiving it... am i the only one?

as far as i am concerned this is just plain and simple theft

you will probably either be forced to write it off as a loss or wait until a class action lawsuit becomes apparrent...which i am sure it will....not that there will be enough money to satisfy everyone's loss.....

[[BRO]Alaskan]

Even though I use PayPal to make purchases I always use a credit card to pay and make sure to never leave any money in my account. I got ripped off by an E-Bay seller and paypal would do nothing for me either even though they also did an investigation and found in my favor. The seller had emptied thier paypal account and closed it. Paypals guarantee is not worth the bandwidth its listed on.

[drewfus]

i met a guy that got a job at monarch computers in december and he contacted me saying they have sales positions available. this was this morning. why would a company that is closing be hiring up to 10 new salespeople?

does anyone know if a buyout occured? im interested in a sales job with this company, (hell, im interested in ANY job at this point!), and im just trying to figure things out. if there is a buyout happening, id feel a little more confident about going in for an interview.

ill keep you posted at any rate

[nobody_here]

i met a guy that got a job at monarch computers in december and he contacted me saying they have sales positions available. this was this morning. why would a company that is closing be hiring up to 10 new salespeople?

does anyone know if a buyout occured? im interested in a sales job with this company, (hell, im interested in ANY job at this point!), and im just trying to figure things out. if there is a buyout happening, id feel a little more confident about going in for an interview.

ill keep you posted at any rate

sounds to me like a buyout has/is occuring......that....or this guy you met cannot be trusted...

i know one thing, i am ready to hear something official one way or the other, hopefully there was a successful buyout and things will be better than ever, here's to wishing

[drewfus]

MY BAD!

it isnt monarch computers, it was mintone computers. its a small computer store in tennessee. i have to switch cell carriers now!

hope i didnt get anyones hopes up:(

[Tylander]

I'd buy things from them and resell, you'll get something out of it that way. How much?
I believe 50 bux, but I'll have to double check.
not true, you can use it to see if they are still shipping anything.
I did check the site out, there is pretty much nothing I want for sale now, even things I wouldn't normally buy.

I'll have to contact them and see if theres any way that it can be reimbursed, I'd feel bad if my Dad just threw away the money.

[topcat989]

This kind of sucks. I got a gift certificate to Monarch for Christmas. Is it pretty much worthless now?

not if you intend to use it for toliet paper, no.:p

[nobody_here]

MY BAD!

it isnt monarch computers, it was mintone computers. its a small computer store in tennessee. i have to switch cell carriers now!

hope i didnt get anyones hopes up:(


yeah, big difference....LOL

[We_are_theBorg]

I've been following this thread since its inception. My story is similar to many. In October and November I ordered two systems, whose combined price was very nearly $4000. Neither system ever showed up despite much effort spent following up on my orders. I'm currently trying to deal with my bank, but I feel like it's long past time to begin criminal proceedings. After spending tens of thousands of dollars with Monarch over many years, they blatantly ripped me off, and I want justice.

[w1retap]

I've been following this thread since its inception. My story is similar to many. In October and November I ordered two systems, whose combined price was very nearly $4000. Neither system ever showed up despite much effort spent following up on my orders. I'm currently trying to deal with my bank, but I feel like it's long past time to begin criminal proceedings. After spending tens of thousands of dollars with Monarch over many years, they blatantly ripped me off, and I want justice.
Go file a lawsuit then, you don't need our advice, mere peons on the internet. ;)

[GJSNeptune]

Man, this is horrible. I feel fortunate that I've only ordered a few parts on occasion, and all before this big mess.

I hope it doesn't end up like Enron, only it's the customers who absorb their financial delinquency.

[fastfwd]

Hello all:
I have been lurking on this site for some time now and I have been customer of Monarch Computer since the 90’s. Granted what is going on is a damn shame, but small business is ruthless and until your in business you’ll never know how difficult it can be - with reporting and taxes from all the nit picking government agencies, to the shift in business and profits – one mistake can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

I would like to address the chat about class action law suites, and criminal charges. In order to have a class action you have to have a class and a customer is not a class, and a retail store not delivering goods to a customer is not criminal, it’s civil. One could go to small claims court and win a FiFa but where would it be served? If a business files for protection under bankruptcy a customer can join but the governments get paid first then the vendors, and what would be left over? Anyone’s best bet here is to go to your banks, credit card issuers and beg them for a refund.

Now I’m not interested in driving to some po-dunk town outside of Cleveland to visit AVA direct, nor run out to California to deal with Vigor or CyberPower PC. No, I’d like a major builder, with a stuffed warehouse here in Atlanta!

Now it may not be PC (the other PC!) in this forum, but I’d like to thank Trey, Sterling, Jason, Chris, Rick and of course Chuck, and Greg for all your help and valuable information they have given over the years. I can’t believe there is malice here; wish you-all well, and I’d be a happy guy if Monarch Computer came back from the ashes.

[dracop]

Dunno about customer not being a class, there have been large numebrs of consumer class actions lawsuits agasint comapnies for all sorts of sthings, from nondisclosures (that rootkit situation) to failure to perform as expected.

Only hing you need for a class is for a group of people with similar reltionship and similar claim grounded on the same legal principle.
I wouldnt hold my breath to actually money though, by the time you file and goto court, its unlikely there is anything left.

Re: criminal, you would have to convince a prosecutor or regulator that the officers of Monarch knowingly ripped clients off in that they explicitly knew they could not deliver on orders. Thats going to come down to proving certain timings and intents that is difficult to do without alot of inside info.

I for one, beleive they should throw the book at the owners. If they knew they were going under they should have ceased taking new orders asap.

Im not 100% sure, but if you could prove their intent or their negligence, you could try to pierce the veil (not sure if Monarch was an LLC or if it was Inc.) and go after personal assets. You would need to win the class status first to ahve a large neough claim to be worthwhile of course. Lot of ifs here, not worth it like as not.

[fastfwd]

There is an object lesson here: Always use a credit card, and support your local vendors. I don’t support Dell, Gateway, HP, and etc. because they aren’t local and don’t have dealerships in this town.

I would buy from AVA Direct if I lived in Columbus, but wouldn’t if I live in Atlanta. And I’m more than happy to buy from out of state vendors for parts, but I’d still use a credit (not debit) card for protection.

When all this saber rattling gets over with and calmer heads prevail you’ll quickly see going into the legal system is expensive and time consuming – I speak from experience. It’s great sport chatting up Class Action, and Piercing the Corporate Veil, but the reality here is in a bankruptcy all the government agencies are first in line then the major creditors, what’s left is pennies on the dollar if anything at all. In civil or federal court (class action is usually federal) a retainer is going to be required and that would start at maybe $20,000. In a class action the lawyers are looking to 50% off the top plus expenses. And “looking into” a company is called discovery, which can take years and tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention multiple appearances in court.

I understand the anger and the want to get someone, notwithstanding my posts are trying to say is this was/is a great company for years - staffed with helpful folks and as I mentioned before this is a damn shame.

[michael.pa2]

It would be a shame if they had come to this due purely to economic reasons and had tried their best to serve customers in a fair and reputable fashion.But clearly that is not the case,they engaged in any deceptive and possibly illegal practice they could to try and stay afloat.No number of years of good service can make up for what they put customers through at the end.I feel for the people who are probably going to lose their hard earned money over this because they trusted Monarch,but I have no pity for the Monarch ownership at all,they brought this on themselves.

[eggrock]

Hello all:
I have been lurking on this site for some time now and I have been customer of Monarch Computer since the 90’s. Granted what is going on is a damn shame, but small business is ruthless and until your in business you’ll never know how difficult it can be - with reporting and taxes from all the nit picking government agencies, to the shift in business and profits – one mistake can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

I would like to address the chat about class action law suites, and criminal charges. In order to have a class action you have to have a class and a customer is not a class, and a retail store not delivering goods to a customer is not criminal, it’s civil. One could go to small claims court and win a FiFa but where would it be served? If a business files for protection under bankruptcy a customer can join but the governments get paid first then the vendors, and what would be left over? Anyone’s best bet here is to go to your banks, credit card issuers and beg them for a refund.

Now I’m not interested in driving to some po-dunk town outside of Cleveland to visit AVA direct, nor run out to California to deal with Vigor or CyberPower PC. No, I’d like a major builder, with a stuffed warehouse here in Atlanta!

Now it may not be PC (the other PC!) in this forum, but I’d like to thank Trey, Sterling, Jason, Chris, Rick and of course Chuck, and Greg for all your help and valuable information they have given over the years. I can’t believe there is malice here; wish you-all well, and I’d be a happy guy if Monarch Computer came back from the ashes.

I'm just throwing this out there, but a join date of 1/23/2007 with 4 posts on two Monarch related threads makes me a little suspicious of your true identity.

Aside from that, why praise a company who seems like it intentionally defrauded customers by accepting orders, and more importantly, payment, with no intention of shipping those orders? Maybe they have every intention of shipping those orders out or refunding everyone. If they do and actually follow through then I'd say great, give them another chance if they go into busines. But if that doesn't happen then they're little better than outright thieves.

[lopoetve]

I'm just throwing this out there, but a join date of 1/23/2007 with 4 posts on two Monarch related threads makes me a little suspicious of your true identity.

Aside from that, why praise a company who seems like it intentionally defrauded customers by accepting orders, and more importantly, payment, with no intention of shipping those orders? Maybe they have every intention of shipping those orders out or refunding everyone. If they do and actually follow through then I'd say great, give them another chance if they go into busines. But if that doesn't happen then they're little better than outright thieves.

I'm with you. Not to mention: He's totally wrong about Class Action suits.

There is an object lesson here: Always use a credit card, and support your local vendors. I don’t support Dell, Gateway, HP, and etc. because they aren’t local and don’t have dealerships in this town.

I would buy from AVA Direct if I lived in Columbus, but wouldn’t if I live in Atlanta. And I’m more than happy to buy from out of state vendors for parts, but I’d still use a credit (not debit) card for protection.

When all this saber rattling gets over with and calmer heads prevail you’ll quickly see going into the legal system is expensive and time consuming – I speak from experience. It’s great sport chatting up Class Action, and Piercing the Corporate Veil, but the reality here is in a bankruptcy all the government agencies are first in line then the major creditors, what’s left is pennies on the dollar if anything at all. In civil or federal court (class action is usually federal) a retainer is going to be required and that would start at maybe $20,000. In a class action the lawyers are looking to 50% off the top plus expenses. And “looking into” a company is called discovery, which can take years and tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention multiple appearances in court.

I understand the anger and the want to get someone, notwithstanding my posts are trying to say is this was/is a great company for years - staffed with helpful folks and as I mentioned before this is a damn shame.

Dell and the others never defraud hundreds of customers by using their funds to float by for months at a time.

Doesn't matter what they were. What they are is lying, scheming bastards who stole from hundreds of people.

They are criminals.

(edit: and FYI, a debit card has the same protection as a credit card)

[nobody_here]

(edit: and FYI, a debit card has the same protection as a credit card)


not all of them, the only one i know of that really offers the same level of protection as a CC is the Visa logo'd cards

[fastfwd]

Michael: It’s 16 years in business and 8 or 9 in retail. And neither you nor I know “they engaged in deceptive and possibly illegal practice(s)”. With the exceptions of a few anonymous posts I don’t know what happened and I’m less than 15 minutes away from their location.

EggRock: Paranoia can be your friend, hear these words – customer!

You know another persons intensions?
To defraud?
To not ship?
I don’t know if they will follow through, if they are being bought out or have fallen on hard times and gone broke – and you don’t as well. What I do know is I was in their store early December and last week I stopped by and they were closed.

Lopoetve: Here’s a quick and dirty course in class action: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_action#Pros_and_cons_of_class_actionsAs your glancing at this let’s remember billable hours are $400 per hour or MORE!

Add to that you don’t know if there are 10 people who would join a class action or 10,000 – so it’s not a class. And even if I’m dead wrong what’s to gain from a defunct company?

Finally the differences between credit & debit cards, if you want to know whom the real crooks are shhhhhh Banks!

http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/7/40/225/http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001218d.cfm

Now I have to find a vendor/supplier - if anyone is local here I’d appreciate any recommendations – understand EDI over on Beaver Ruin is good??? But don’t have a phone # or address.

[GJSNeptune]

^^^ Someone make sense of this please? :confused: :confused:

[lopoetve]

not all of them, the only one i know of that really offers the same level of protection as a CC is the Visa logo'd cards

there's another kind?

[lopoetve]

Michael: It’s 16 years in business and 8 or 9 in retail. And neither you nor I know “they engaged in deceptive and possibly illegal practice(s)”. With the exceptions of a few anonymous posts I don’t know what happened and I’m less than 15 minutes away from their location.

EggRock: Paranoia can be your friend, hear these words – customer!

You know another persons intensions?
To defraud?
To not ship?
I don’t know if they will follow through, if they are being bought out or have fallen on hard times and gone broke – and you don’t as well. What I do know is I was in their store early December and last week I stopped by and they were closed.

Lopoetve: Here’s a quick and dirty course in class action: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_action#Pros_and_cons_of_class_actionsAs your glancing at this let’s remember billable hours are $400 per hour or MORE!

Add to that you don’t know if there are 10 people who would join a class action or 10,000 – so it’s not a class. And even if I’m dead wrong what’s to gain from a defunct company?

Finally the differences between credit & debit cards, if you want to know whom the real crooks are shhhhhh Banks!

http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/7/40/225/http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001218d.cfm

Now I have to find a vendor/supplier - if anyone is local here I’d appreciate any recommendations – understand EDI over on Beaver Ruin is good??? But don’t have a phone # or address.

1. they took orders from a great many people and stopped shipping them items.
2. They refused repeatedly to issue refunds.
3. Thus, they stole this money from those poor people.

that's theft. They intentionally kept taking orders that they were not fulfilling. whatever they did with the money, they didn't return it, and that's illegal.

In addition, you're still wrong about a 'class'. I've been a member of 2 class action lawsuits and one normal civil suit as well. Customers can be easily members of a class action suit: See the one against apple for the iPod; the customers who bought them were the ones suing and getting paid for Apple's actions. Customers have made class action suits against car companies as well. You define the class as all people who may have purchased, or contracted for, specific goods and/or services during a specific time period. What's to gain? Probably nothing in this case, but that doesn't make your point valid. I wouldn't sue in this case, as you probably won't get anything, and lawyers are pricey (we've got one), but it would be possible if you wanted to.


I'll admit to being wrong on debit cards, I've only ever been offered visa ones.

I still think you're mighty suspicious here... Especially supporting a company that stole from as many customers as Monarch did.

[fastfwd]

Something good has happened now you know that Paypal, a debit card, cheque, script and cash are all about the same form of payment and a CC is the only payment method to be used on the web.

Let’s use 3 examples from your premise, companies A, B, & C. “A” took orders, stopped shipping and refused refunds; the owner(s) grabbed the money and ran. “B” did the same thing except for the grabbing and running left the funds and went bankrupt. And “C” didn’t do the grabbing-running and was shut down by a government agency - seizing all assets. All three examples could have happened here. Company “A” would be involved in conversion, but companies “B” & “C” simply went out of business.

I choose to believe something along the lines of “B” or “C”, but I’ve said repeatedly I simply don’t know and neither do you! I don’t like what’s happen to both MC and their customers. I didn’t say I supported Monarch Computers I said I know them and have for years, and I’ll bet that’s more than you could say about the 100’s of “poor people” you don’t know.

I tend to agree with Babalu: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1115217&page=21&highlight=fastfwd

[lopoetve]

Something good has happened now you know that Paypal, a debit card, cheque, script and cash are all about the same form of payment and a CC is the only payment method to be used on the web.

Let’s use 3 examples from your premise, companies A, B, & C. “A” took orders, stopped shipping and refused refunds; the owner(s) grabbed the money and ran. “B” did the same thing except for the grabbing and running left the funds and went bankrupt. And “C” didn’t do the grabbing-running and was shut down by a government agency - seizing all assets. All three examples could have happened here. Company “A” would be involved in conversion, but companies “B” & “C” simply went out of business.

I choose to believe something along the lines of “B” or “C”, but I’ve said repeatedly I simply don’t know and neither do you! I don’t like what’s happen to both MC and their customers. I didn’t say I supported Monarch Computers I said I know them and have for years, and I’ll bet that’s more than you could say about the 100’s of “poor people” you don’t know.

I tend to agree with Babalu: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1115217&page=21&highlight=fastfwd


You're missing something though. they've been doing this for a long time, made up resellerratings, and this has been a steady progression getting worse and worse. Not the government stepping in all at once, or them going bankrupt all at once. they got in a hole, and started cheating to try and get out. Period. This has been going on for almost a year.

[lopoetve]

fastfwd, why are you even defending a company that screwed over so many people? They could have stopped taking orders long ago, when they got in trouble, and didn't. they made a choice to keep taking orders they could not fulfill, the time period involved is TOO great to argue this. They hurt a great many of your peers, and there should be no one standing to defend them. different choices would have led them to FAR better solutions

[lopoetve]

btw, what nhappened to the edit button?

Babalu said this:

" Monarchcomputer using customers money as a float..."

That's not a defensible practice.

[michael.pa2]

Monarch's actions as a whole are not defensible,how can anyone dismiss the dozens of customer complaints listed at the various ratings sites?They took orders for merchandise they listed as in stock that they never had,then took months to issue refunds,if at all.They tried to pass off used items and engineering samples as new,their support line was unreachable,and RMAed items and systems disappeared.They became the prototypical online horror show,giving credence,fair or not,to all the reasons critics give for not buying from online vendors.

[eggrock]

I didn’t say I supported Monarch Computers I said I know them and have for years, and I’ll bet that’s more than you could say about the 100’s of “poor people” you don’t know.

Actually the people on the [H] forums are, in general, reliable and experienced enough that I tend to trust what they say. (Console vs. PC, disabling services and ATI vs. nVidia discussions excepted. ;) )

Enough people here have cried foul that it's a near certainty. I'll give you the 0.01% that's left.

[MixManSC]

I just noticed that their site is now totally gone.... It seems that Monarch is no more.

[lopoetve]

I just noticed that their site is now totally gone.... It seems that Monarch is no more.

good riddance for bad rubbish.

[We_are_theBorg]

At least Monarch can't rip anyone else off... But I'm still fighting with my bank for the $4000 that they stole from me.

Just to highlight the problem here: $4000 is about eight months rent for me, and those computers weren't mine: They were purchased for clients, so now I owe my clients a serious chunk of money with little chance of recouping it, and I've lost good clients too.
Anyone who defends Monarch, and anyone who thinks such actions are no big deal, or doubts that they've seriously hurt people should pull the golden dildo out of their ass and take notice. If someone had walked in to my house and taken these systems, they would go to jail for a long time. I think the same should be true for the owners of Monarch, as the effect is exactly the same. More to the point: They've done this to more than one person. This is the commitment of Grand Theft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_theft) in a serial fashion.

[aaronjb]

At least Monarch can't rip anyone else off... But I'm still fighting with my bank for the $4000 that they stole from me.

Just to highlight the problem here: $4000 is about eight months rent for me, and those computers weren't mine: They were purchased for clients, so now I owe my clients a serious chunk of money with little chance of recouping it, and I've lost good clients too.
Anyone who defends Monarch, and anyone who thinks such actions are no big deal, or doubts that they've seriously hurt people should pull the golden dildo out of their ass and take notice. If someone had walked in to my house and taken these systems, they would go to jail for a long time. I think the same should be true for the owners of Monarch, as the effect is exactly the same. More to the point: They've done this to more than one person. This is the commitment of Grand Theft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_theft) in a serial fashion.

If you've lost $4000 and your reputation has been tarnished, I'd contact an attorney. It's worth doing so to recoup your losses. I'd take care of this quickly, before they enter bankruptcy or dissolve the corporation.

[rifleman]

I was shocked, as we all were I suppose, to learn around the end of 2006 that things weren't working out for Monarch the, especially after years of excellent service, support, build quality. It amazes me how fast a company can go belly-up.

I'm visiting these forums because I wanted to ask/discuss a few things:

1. What is the real reason that monarch was shut down--is it really because they had been evading local income taxes? I noticed that on their site (which used to work) it said that Monarch was one of the first businesses in georgia to take advantage of some tax-exempt startup thing for new businesses. Similar to stuff that Wal-mart does all the time. Was it that after 10 years or so the tax-exempt status was up and they weren't paying local taxes for years?

2. I would seriously like to discuss the possibility of Monarch's demise being due to AMD's fall from performance grace at the hands if Intel Core 2 Duo products. My hair-brain theory is that Monarch was getting sweet deals from AMD as an " AMD platinum solutions provider" Any computer enthusiast knows that from about 2003 to July 2006 AMD was clearly the better choice, and Monarch computer pushed AMD systems heavily. I'm sure they made a bundle by combination of great deals (kickbacks?) from AMD and enthusiasts/system integrators flocking to their site to build the cheapest/best PCs/Servers. This changed when Core 2 duo launced, and if you look at when people started having problems with Monarch, it was in the immediate months following Core 2 duo launch. Anyone who knows anything knows that Core 2 duo is better, (or at least those who care about mid to top-end performance. So now no one wants AMD, every knowledgable person flocks to core 2 duo, and Monarch is stuck building Intel systems, has a surplus of AMD processors/motherboards that no one wants, and over months they get screwed because no one is buying.

What do you guys think?

[shybuthonest]

I was shocked, as we all were I suppose, to learn around the end of 2006 that things weren't working out for Monarch the, especially after years of excellent service, support, build quality. It amazes me how fast a company can go belly-up.

I'm visiting these forums because I wanted to ask/discuss a few things:

1. What is the real reason that monarch was shut down--is it really because they had been evading local income taxes? I noticed that on their site (which used to work) it said that Monarch was one of the first businesses in georgia to take advantage of some tax-exempt startup thing for new businesses. Similar to stuff that Wal-mart does all the time. Was it that after 10 years or so the tax-exempt status was up and they weren't paying local taxes for years?

2. I would seriously like to discuss the possibility of Monarch's demise being due to AMD's fall from performance grace at the hands if Intel Core 2 Duo products. My hair-brain theory is that Monarch was getting sweet deals from AMD as an " AMD platinum solutions provider" Any computer enthusiast knows that from about 2003 to July 2006 AMD was clearly the better choice, and Monarch computer pushed AMD systems heavily. I'm sure they made a bundle by combination of great deals (kickbacks?) from AMD and enthusiasts/system integrators flocking to their site to build the cheapest/best PCs/Servers. This changed when Core 2 duo launced, and if you look at when people started having problems with Monarch, it was in the immediate months following Core 2 duo launch. Anyone who knows anything knows that Core 2 duo is better, (or at least those who care about mid to top-end performance. So now no one wants AMD, every knowledgable person flocks to core 2 duo, and Monarch is stuck building Intel systems, has a surplus of AMD processors/motherboards that no one wants, and over months they get screwed because no one is buying.

What do you guys think?

The sins of the owners caught up with them... nothing more. Now they are have the systemax deep pockets to play with. Scary stuff.

[michael.pa2]

Every major supplier had to know well ahead of consumers how good the Core 2's were and had time to plan accordingly.I can't see that as being a big factor,as long as Monarch
was in business they had to know better than to put all their eggs in one manufacturers basket in this industry.Todays hot product can end up in the bargain bin overnite.

[fastfwd]

Rifleman, you’re doing some good thinking, and your ideas maybe contributing factors. First off they didn’t evade local income taxes, we have a state tax for that but the business licensing fees, sales tax, inventory tax and personal corporate taxes are very aggressive here by state and county. I know because I took the time to check on it – the personal property tax was paid before Christmas and was something like $70,000. Also the business is/was 16 years old so there would be no exemptions or credits left had there been any in place for a new business. These perks are to draw business to a location (it improves the tax base).

As far as your second theory, since the inventory tax is so “outrageous” any company here use virtual inventory as much as possible, meaning Atlanta is the distribution hub for the entire south-east so any part is only a phone call/e-mail away and less than 24 hours. So if Intel was good this week or AMD, it wouldn’t matter, don’t feel slighted – it was my first thought as well. As far as discounts well I just don’t know but MC has been a distributor for both for years!

Now I ran both Dekalb and Gwinnett county courts today, and there are NO cases in Dekalb, and 4-5 vendors are in Gwinnett civil, other than that there is no other activity – as in none.

My theory based on real facts is MC had customer service problems, probably internal, and the web light up like a Roman candle, and slurred them killing sales, with lower sales it made it impossible for them to meet responsibilities and obligations.

Just a theory but with no consumer court cases it’s illogical to think 1,000’s or even 100’s of customers would have been “taken” for 100’s or 10 of thousands of dollars and there is not one court case.

I don’t know if it was the chicken or egg - customer service/ web rant, and I don’t know what other bad business decisions were involved, what I do know it’s a damn shame they had the problems – for years they were the best.

Use local vendors/builders
Always use a credit card to buy on-line
Never use a debit card or paypal – ever!
And you-all will never lose a skinny dime.

[whoster69]

Not to throw wood on the fire, but maybe this information will be of some use. I bought my Monarch Core 2 Duo based system in August. They said up front it wouldn't ship until September. It shipped close to when I expected but a little late (5 weeks). Trying to get ANY support out of Monarch was HORRIBLE. They wouldn't reply to emails or answer the phone. I had a minor problem (they shipped the wrong DVD burner) and it took weeks to get it resolved. In the end I paid for it, because they went out of business before I got my money back. The computer is well built, but I doubt I'd buy from them again because of their really terrible support. It's too bad. They did a nice job putting it all together and offered good component choices.