Probrand/The IT Index

[sahmeepee]

I have used a few companies and schoolquote over the past 5 years, I have however found that Orchid UK (Simon Hulland) beats or a least matches most of the quotes and gives me free delivery which is bonus as I work on the Isle of Wight.

 

I've bought some larger items from Orchid via schoolquote and found them to be amazingly cheap in some cases. I think 3com switches were their best ever result, coming in at about 70% of my lowest "regular" supplier's price and not a dodgy non-UK model either. I dealt with Simon Hulland as well - presumably he does all the schoolquote business.

 

On the original topic, Probrandstrokeitindex are a tad annoying with their big-brother style monitoring of your use of their website. I check prices against them every so often when I'm struggling but they've not managed to be cheapest for anything yet.

[Gatt]

Our regular supplier was taken over by probrand last summer - there was an initial problem with orders (suspended whilst everythign was changed over), but this was due to the take-over, and over the summer hols things started being delivered.

 

Not had a problem with them since, we still have the same Account Manager from the old supplier.

 

They do favour HP machines, which is fine cos so do we!

[Oops_my_bad]

Not had a problem with them since, we still have the same Account Manager from the old supplier.

But have you had to return anything yet?

[Heebeejeebee]

I use Proband/IT Index all the time and find not only the prices good but the delivery is invariably on time. I'm not sure why they have to split the orders up sometimes and deliver the separate parcels on different days though (especially since the items are nearly always 'in stock').

 

We have had to return a couple of items recently one because it was faulty and two UPS units that I ordered incorrectly and got the 120v version. In each case I got the items picked up for free (not bad considering the weight of the UPS units) and had replacements in my office before the old ones were collected.

 

The account manager has got the message now and doesn't try to ring me everything I go onto the website. That was a pain but a friendly chat solved that one.

 

Recommended.

 

HBJB

[russdev]

As said people have no issues with account managers as such just we are guarded because of the way the management have treated our members in the past.

 

But of course MD ( and only the MD) I am more than happy to speak to if they wish to pm or email me to discuss way probrand has interacted with our members in the past.

 

Russell

[meastaugh1]

I use Proband/IT Index all the time and find not only the prices good but the delivery is invariably on time. I'm not sure why they have to split the orders up sometimes and deliver the separate parcels on different days though (especially since the items are nearly always 'in stock').

 

I would imagine the reason single orders are split over multiple consignments is because the items are coming from different warehouses, maybe?

 

I use IT Index (and Misco) to procure most of our equipment and are happy with them. When I need to call the sales people they're always helpful. I haven't had to do many returns, so haven't had much experience of the returns process, but when I have it's been acceptable.

[Gatt]

But have you had to return anything yet?

Yep with no problems - thus far

[ANiceEnglishman]

FWIW, I found that referring to the dispute procedure in the Catalist T's & C's and dropping the name of their Commercial Director brought an instant resolution to the issue that had been ongoing for months.

[Oops_my_bad]

FWIW, I found that referring to the dispute procedure in the Catalist T's & C's and dropping the name of their Commercial Director brought an instant resolution to the issue that had been ongoing for months.

Certainly one to bear in mind should I order anything from probrand again, thanks

[hcir]

Good afternoon all

I read with interest this forum as I have worked for Probrand as a Business Development Manager for the past seven years.

 

I can see that a number of users have had issues previously, If anyone does have any current issues and requires assistance please email me directly and I will endeavour to resolve these.

 

My contact details are as follows:-

Richard Hunter-Rice

[email protected]

[RichCowell]

I know I'm getting in to this discussion quite late, but thought I'd throw in my opinion too...

 

I always used Insight, until The IT Index introduced themselves to me, their prices were always fantastic, so couldn't justify using Insight - I was let down by late deliveries far too many times, but carried on using them until Insight could offer us the Catalist pricing...

 

I do still use The IT Index, but if we're desperate for something, it'll usually go straight to Insight...

 

I must admit, then in cases where delivery was late - Richard (posting above) always got it sorted fairly quickly

[Stevenw]

I have started using It index. so far so good *fingers crossed* will have no problems.

[PeterW]

I'm not sure why they have to split the orders up sometimes and deliver the separate parcels on different days though (especially since the items are nearly always 'in stock').

 

Most stock will be with wholesalers and not actually at proband as such multiple items may be coming from different wholesalers.