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View Full Version : So, I promised my Desk Story!



XBarbarian
01-25-2007, 11:28 PM
So,

My new hardware quest be gan a few months ago. Well, it starts everyday when I read Toms Hardware, and [H], and anandtech, etc. I'm a wanna be geek. I work as a System admin for the Department of Veteran's Affairs..I work with pc's, I spend my free time at home on my PC. I don't watch tv. I game, I read lots of forums, pc and politics, etc.

Well, my current pc is old. The time had come to get new stuff, and I got a nice $3000 performance award at work, so I told the wife that that money was going towards my new pc. She agreed. I settled on Maingear after deciding I wasn't gonna build anymore, thattI wanted a pre OC'd, super special Toy.

The next part was the Montior. I was thinking about a 24" widescreen, but then I started rwading about the Westinghouse 37". I realised that for 300-400 more, The Westy would rock the 24's, and that the 30" Dell, etc, was not as big, and the resolution was too high, and frankly, I prefer a tad bigger, so I can sit back, as opposed to be leaning up in the grill to read stuff. Waited for Westy's to become avail agian, as they hard to find these days, ordered it, got it. So now I have a new F131 coming, have the Westy monstor goodness, but I need a new desk to accomodate the Monstor Display. Saw lots of pics of people on the westy threads with a desk by Ikea, the Model is the Jerker! Whack name, but that thing is sweet! Simple, strong, efficient, industrial coolness.

http://www.tiny.cc/5pXEO

Exactly what I like for my totally new setup. This past weekend, I was going to order it, but decided to cal to get an idea on the shipping costs, etc. I also added the swivel shelves, and the cable management add ons, so this will be a clean, well organized setup. I call, and tho the Site, which has to be one of the most horrendous eCommerce sites out there, says they have em, the CSR on the phone says..."oops..they are discontinued! " =/

I was soo like wtf? SO , not being one to take no for an answer, I went back to the site and ordsered anyways. Their weak site doesn't even tell you what the shipping will cost when you complete the transaction! " Thank you for your order..we will email you the totals later...yada yada! " LAME

So a day goes by, NO EMAIL! I called. Woman was a piece o work, but we get to the end of the transaction, and she says..." oops..sorry Mr. Turner..it's discontinued!" GRRRRR I told her that a few of the actual stores on the site look up show it as being in stock, she says they dont, nor they wont either, ship from a store. If they dont have it in the catalgoue sales warehouse, thats it, sorry, its done. I pleasded with her, but no, they wont bother to ship from a store. BS.

I was bummed, as there really is nothing even similar available at office depot, staples, etc. No one has a desk thats so efficient, strong, and will accommodate the 37" display.

Still not being willing to give up, I started googling " personal Shoppers" etc. I called the San Diego store in CA because it showed as having one in stock. YES they had one. My googling led to many sites, finally, after about 30 web pages, of ads and reviews, I found a guy, http://www.str8eye.net that runs a Concierge service in San Diego, look s reputable, BBB, Chamber of Commerce etc. I call him, and he'ld be happy to go to the Ikea store for me, pick up the desk and take it to UPS, etc, and ship it to me, and said he would only charge like 30-50 bucks depending on how long it took!

I called the Ikea store, bought the desk they had, and had Gary picked it up the Next day. The shipping wasn't any more than Ikea was going to charge me them selves, and Gary did as he said he would, only charged me $45 for his time! He sent me the tracking numbers etc, its due to deliver on Monday!

w00t!

If ya ever need a trustworthy person in San Diego for anything, look him up! I fought the world trying to keep me from the desk I wanted, and perseverance paid off!

Now this weekend, going to get the last two items, Klipsch Pro media 2.1's, and a good UPS with AVR ( Clean Power ) and I will be done! And hopefully, Raphael told me my F131, in Sponge Bob Racing Yellow! will ship Friday ( tomorrow ) night or Monday!

Of course, Pics will be inc once alls setup and gtg!

RottynDawg
01-26-2007, 03:58 AM
You think Gary might be willing to do my beer shopping for me?

Hah, just kidding :) That is an awesome story; I had no idea there were such things as personal shoppers...that is honestly a pretty good business idea. I can't wait to see the pics of your setup once you get everything! Thanks for sharing the story.

HCA
01-26-2007, 05:01 AM
Awesome story. It appears you really wanted that desk lol! Now all you need is your ubah rig. :D

XBarbarian
01-26-2007, 07:22 AM
I knew I could trust the guy, his name was Gary! after all! ( Gary is Sponge Bob's Pet Snail! LOL )

Thanks Guys. I was actually kinda proud of my perseverance on that! $$

Plan1x
01-26-2007, 09:21 AM
Great story. Gary pulled an awsome service there.

Did you by any chance check out the Ikea's in Elizabeth New Jersey. I was there only last week and they had two floor displays of that desk in brown and black tops. I was actually going to pick one up with all of those desk extensions and what not. Iknow you said they don't ship from stores, but I was just wondering if you came across the New Jersey store with them in stock?

XBarbarian
01-26-2007, 12:04 PM
Actually, I did check, Peter, because I considered asking if a Maingear person wanted to make some side scratch and go and do the shipping for me as well :P

but this is what the site shows:
************************************************************
stock availability

Here are the results of your search. Hit "check availability" to return to the beginning of the stock availability search. Hit "back" to search another IKEA store for the same article.

The information provided is an indication only because stock levels are constantly changing as customers take products off the shelves in our stores. We try to be as accurate as possible in our indication to you and we always err on the side of caution to avoid disappointment.

computer desk > JERKER

color: birch effect/silver color
size:

Elizabeth, NJ
In stock:
no

Your stock check was valid at:
1/26/07 12:07 PM
****************************************************
So, thats how I ended up searching for a personal shopper. It truely is a Unique and kick ass desk for PC's, and is going away. So if your thinking about it, run, don't walk, to Elizabeth!

brink668
01-26-2007, 02:00 PM
You think Gary might be willing to do my beer shopping for me?

Hah, just kidding :) That is an awesome story; I had no idea there were such things as personal shoppers...that is honestly a pretty good business idea. I can't wait to see the pics of your setup once you get everything! Thanks for sharing the story.

ya they do exist. Its kinda of weird.

HCA
01-26-2007, 04:20 PM
What color combination did you get? :)

XBarbarian
01-26-2007, 04:58 PM
well.. I wanted the Black. Ikea Sna Diego Said they had 1-2 in black. Bingo!

But then 1 hour later, Kelly, the girl that took the order ( she sounded so hawt omg! ) called back and said she actually didnt have a black one. BUT, she had a Birch one, so I was like fine! I'll take whatever!~ I'll fricken paint it if i have too! LOL I was just stoked that i guess I found the 1 employee at Ikea that gave a damn about customers :shock:

But the frames are all the same industrial gray anyway, so /shrug who cares what color the top is :P

theDreamer
01-26-2007, 05:01 PM
( she sounded so hawt omg! )

~Hmmm....focusing on the call & not the desk huh?

So is the jerker desk going away completely, I was thinking of buying a new desk as mine is this HUGE round the corner thing & is so clutter. If so, guess I will have to look else where.

Ella Lythe
01-26-2007, 06:03 PM
I looked at the Jerker too. Decided to get this monster seeing as it matches the monitor and my Dinovo Edge Keyboard.

Plan1x
01-26-2007, 06:10 PM
Thought I would post this as a little side note.

Mr. Turner, I saw your yellow machine today and let me just say "OMG IT LOOKS SICK!!!" It's bright, it's sleek and ohh man is it sexy.

XBarbarian
01-26-2007, 06:12 PM
RAWK!

very cool! Thanks for pump up Pete!

HCA
01-26-2007, 06:46 PM
Thought I would post this as a little side note.

Mr. Turner, I saw your yellow machine today and let me just say "OMG IT LOOKS SICK!!!" It's bright, it's sleek and ohh man is it sexy.


Sweet! :D


( she sounded so hawt omg! )


Sweet! :D

XBarbarian
01-29-2007, 05:55 PM
small update, I'll post pics once put together..

Received my desk as promised by the Concierge , Gary, in San Diego! Just got to put together.

BTW...frakin UPS is completely hte sux. The box looked as though the entire thing was damaged, but luckily, only a few scratches. AVOID UPS tho, their shipping seems to be increasingly pathetic.

theDreamer
01-29-2007, 06:22 PM
I have always hated UPS, while they can be good at times, it is just to much of a coin toss for my liking.

I try to use FedEx when ever I can, or that new on which begins with a D...

Ella Lythe
01-29-2007, 09:35 PM
D.H.L ? D.esk H.andling L.ivery God I need a beer

RottynDawg
01-29-2007, 09:54 PM
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...beeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr!

Plan1x
01-29-2007, 10:21 PM
BTW...frakin UPS is completely hte sux. The box looked as though the entire thing was damaged, but luckily, only a few scratches. AVOID UPS tho, their shipping seems to be increasingly pathetic.


I can not agree with you more.

theDreamer
01-29-2007, 10:46 PM
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...beeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr!

QFT

*cough* even though I am not legal in the US *cough*
One more year. :roll:

XBarbarian
01-29-2007, 11:41 PM
Posting it everywhere because Im STOKED! FedEx tracking received! My F 131 is INC! RAR!

HCA
01-29-2007, 11:53 PM
Posting it everywhere because Im STOKED! FedEx tracking received! My F 131 is INC! RAR!


LOL!!!! I think you need your own forum section. :lol:


Speaking of which... Perhaps Maingear can create a private forum section exclusive to MG owners. Sounds fun to me. :D

Plan1x
01-30-2007, 12:02 AM
Speaking of which... Perhaps Maingear can create a private forum section exclusive to MG owners. Sounds fun to me. :D

I actually like that Idea. I will talk it over and see if I can get it up if I get the go ahead.

NICE suggestion

CiN
01-30-2007, 10:51 AM
Posting it everywhere because Im STOKED! FedEx tracking received! My F 131 is INC! RAR!


LOL!!!! I think you need your own forum section. :lol:


Speaking of which... Perhaps Maingear can create a private forum section exclusive to MG owners. Sounds fun to me. :D


:agree:
That is so funny.

theDreamer
01-30-2007, 11:44 AM
:cry:

Guess I will be left out.../sigh

~Must think of a get rich quick so I can buy from Maingear now...any ideas? (Nothing illegal please I have tried some...I mean never tried any). :roll:

RottynDawg
01-30-2007, 12:20 PM
Well now that you mention it Dreamer, I have a business opportunity I would like to present to you. Ever heard of Amway!!! Hah...OK, maybe that's only funny to me :) If I think of something, I'll post it...but only after I get rich using the idea!

:coffee:

Plan1x
01-30-2007, 12:22 PM
Well now that you mention it Dreamer, I have a business opportunity I would like to present to you. Ever heard of Amway!!!
:coffee:


hahah....I laughed out loud on that one. But we have a new one over here called Quickstar.

RottynDawg
01-30-2007, 12:33 PM
Hah, Quixtar...yes, I know that one. I was actually an Amway person for about five years. The business I was involved with migrated online and named themselves Quixtar. I am no longer involved but I'm still a member so to speak because I like some of their products. I don't actively, nor will I ever again, sell it as I have some issues with some of what they teach.

That's why I just had to say it...cause even I laugh at myself for doing that a while, haha!

XBarbarian
01-31-2007, 07:18 AM
Hijackers! yea..my whole life, I have been constantly approached by network market peeps.

I don't like being solicited. When I want, I research and choose, don't need to pressure or hidden agendas in mah grill, yo!

Anyway, put the desk together last night, DAMN MAN, this thing is all that i hoped it would be! UBER stable, strong. Awesome! So glad I went thru the effort to get it, as I just can't imagine anything better!

btw..today is D day for getting my F 131! RAWK!

theDreamer
01-31-2007, 09:55 AM
For the desk, was it much of a paint to put together? Or just some nuts/bolts?

Also, I see many people with little add-on tables on the left/right sides. I know there extras but how big are they? Can they hold a 15-17" laptop, and can they be adjusted up & down? Maybe not easily, but can be set to what eve height I would prefer?

XBarbarian
01-31-2007, 10:17 AM
yes, the addon $20 swivel shelves are mounted where ever you want. there are mounting holes the entire length of the Vertical frames, so I can put em where ever. They say on Ikea site they will support 66LBS. I originally thought about mounting one low on the right and using a strap and mounting my F131 there, but, that would impede the bottom of the case and the air flow, so re thinking that I guess. The box with my shelves went USPS instead of the UPS, so I haven't gotten them yet, I'll feedback more when I do.

But read the story. Ikea has discontinued the Jerker, and I had to jump thru hoops to get it. You may or may not be able to find one as well. But I wll say this, at the $129 price, this thing just flat out pwns. It's like something you would have seen ina college lab, or something. Amazingly strong, simple,industrial, which for me with the Westy 37" , which just barely fits, it is perfect!

RottynDawg
01-31-2007, 02:30 PM
Pictures XB...pictures! :)

XBarbarian
01-31-2007, 04:59 PM
Well, I RECEIVED MY F131!!!

didnt even get to unbox it, was having to get to work, but Im on my way home in a couple!

TrinityX
01-31-2007, 07:32 PM
Hurry up and get home :morepics: but please drive safe :wink:

theDreamer
01-31-2007, 07:48 PM
Yeah, don't end up like Plan1x. :roll:

Xcoolix
01-31-2007, 09:31 PM
:minime: :congrats: :minime:

Congratulations on your purchase and ya un-box it please!

XBarbarian
02-01-2007, 08:00 AM
Review with pics later, but guys, this is MORE than I expected. PERFECT!

I sincerely couldn't be happier!

late for work...was up til 3am baskin in it's glory! :P

HCA
02-01-2007, 10:41 AM
Review with pics later, but guys, this is MORE than I expected. PERFECT!

I sincerely couldn't be happier!

late for work...was up til 3am baskin in it's glory! :P

No work for me today. I'm sick. :wink:

theDreamer
02-01-2007, 11:52 AM
^Liar. :lol:

Glad to hear things are working great out of the box, but we demand pictures.