Ok, after about 30-45 minutes on hold with them, they informed me that they were unable to find my order number due to the new system. I'm guessing incompetence here but that's just an assumption. Either that or they're "blowin' smoke." They told me I would receive an email in 24 hours. Yeah, along with that tracking number on Friday...

Okay. I am calling with one of my two order numbers to see what they tell me. More to follow in an edit. I have already spent the first cycle of hold time and spoken to a live person, so I hope to have more data, propaganda, confusion, smoke and/or mirrors soon.

Edit 1: They couldn't find my order number either, but they are at least looking for it. On hold for another cycle. More to follow.

Edit 2: They still couldn't find it. They took a little extra data (email address, product ordered, contact information) and are "escalating it" to their order processing department. I am supposed to receive the results of that query within 24-48 hours by email. At this point, I would assume that all orders taken for the Rio Central are in a strange "limbo" state - not on their system. As I hear more, I will post it.

Note: I only gave them one of my two order numbers, in case they decide to cancel that order number. But, given the weird state these are in, I still really doubt that any will reach shipping...

Right, the exact same thing I was told. I was on hold for 3 cycles I think.

Looks like my Rio Central dream is over. This has given me the Central bug. If Sonic Blue have a clearance sale and REALLY sell these for silly prices, then someone grab me one!

I'm on hold right now jamming to the E.T. theme. I'll let you guys know what happens.

#1 - Gave info... put on hold....

#2 - Could not find it in their database... asked for my login and password for the site to check my order... said it showed as processing, put on hold again. Don't think they'll like the $18.03 charge they see on there. On hold....

#3 - Says they can't find any record of it and thinks it may have been cancelled... she's escalating it to see whats up with it. Got a case number for it. Yeah... I think we're not getting them. It was fun while it lasted.

This has given me the Central bug.

Ah, the master plan has succeeded . . .

Well, up to a point. I want one, but I'm not paying $1200 !

I would be happy if they did what they did with the RioCar's, ie 80% off

Cheers

Cris.

Once again, us UK residents would lose out.

#2 - Could not find it in their database... asked for my login and password for the site to check my order..

Login *and* password, huh? You sure you called Rio, and not Mitnick?

Ooooh!

I actually got a response from Sonic Blue. It does not look good. Quoted below:

Hi Paul,

Your order was not processed and you will be receiving an email acknowledgement stating the reason and the status shortly.

Regards
Customer Support

There is, of course, no follow up message yet...

oh arse

Just got a cancelation email. At least the explaination was an honest one.

Unfortunately, an error on our website allowed you and a limited number
of other customers to purchase products at little or no cost. Because
of this error, your order was not processed.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Please accept
this $25 coupon good towards the purchase of any product on our
SONICblue website

Dear Jonathan,

Your recent Rio order was not processed and has been cancelled. Your
credit card has not been charged.

Unfortunately, an error on our website allowed you and a limited number
of other customers to purchase products at little or no cost. Because
of this error, your order was not processed.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Please accept
this $25 coupon good towards the purchase of any product on our
SONICblue website http://customer.sonicblue.com/cgi-bin12/DM/y/eCts0Em4M304h0lvY0CG
between now and June 30, 2003.


Your Coupon Code: XXXXXXXXX
For instructions on redeeming your coupon, please see below.


Best Regards,

Rio Audio Team
rioteam@customer.sonicblue.com

It was fun while it lasted. It provided some entertainment anyway.

It would be cool if they put them back up on the site at a reduced cost.

Agreed. It was amusing, no matter how it went.

And, if we got $25 gift certificates out of the deal, at least it is something. What was that quote, I think it was Calvin & Hobbes, "Getting half an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery..."

Calvin had such a refreshing outlook on things. My favorite comic.

My favorite comic.

Mine too, by far.

Hey look at it this way - you've all got about $30 that you thought you'd spent, and now have it back!! Free money!

Hahahahaha.

The funny thing is that I wasn't in the market for anything new then when the store had the error, and I am still not in the market. I might pass the gift code on to someone else...

I'll say again - if Sonicblue have a ridiculous sale on these, I want one sent to the UK! Someone take note

I never really thought I'd spent anything, though, and I'm not going to use my $25 certificate. Still, it was fun!

Honestly I'm sort of glad it didn't work out. I think I would've felt bad taking a 100,000% discount.

I may do the same.

I might pass the gift code on to someone else...

How many folks got gift certificates out of this? Can we apply more than one GC to a purchase? We could all pitch in to get Mike Schrag a central so he could get Jemplode working really well on it.

good idea, but they pulled the central off of the site completely. it'll be interesting to see if and when it returns, and at what price.

--dan.

Hmmm...not sure if you can do that or not but your welcome to mine.

Your recent Rio order was not processed and has been cancelled. Your
credit card has not been charged.

Unfortunately, an error on our website allowed you and a limited number
of other customers to purchase products at little or no cost. Because
of this error, your order was not processed.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Please accept
this $25 coupon good towards the purchase of any product on our
SONICblue website between now and June 30, 2003.


Your Coupon Code:
For instructions on redeeming your coupon, please see below.


Best Regards,

Rio Audio Team
rioteam@customer.sonicblue.com


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to redeem your coupon

1. Go to http://customer.sonicblue.com
2. Add a product(s) to your shopping cart
3. Enter your coupon code into the text field
4. Click "checkout" and your coupon will be applied
5. Your coupon or credit will be deducted from your order total

Important: This coupon can only be used once. Any remaining balance
after your initial use will be lost.

----------------------------------------------------------------------Your Email

Great idea Tony. I'm up for it although I don't believe you can use more then one coupon.

If in fact I am wrong and multiple coupons can be used you are welcome to mine.

Yeah I got the same email. I've got to say I'm actually impressed that they fessed up and mailed out $25 coupons. I didn't expect anything, so $25 off is a nice gesture.

Now, of course, this leaves me in a quandry. It's a sonicblue coupon, so I figure I have to spend it now or never, which rules out applying it to a pearl. So I decide that an S10 for $60 isn't a bad deal, but that doesn't come with an FM tuner, so I should probably go with the S30 for $80. Now of course, we start talking about real amounts of money that could be applied to a pearl this summer. I guess I'll have to work this one out for myself.

Matthew

So maybe it was really a ploy by sonicblue after all

Oh well, I guess I didn't need a new kitchen after all. I won't be using my $25 gift certificate either, if anyone wants it.