SMC 7004AWBR HORRORS !!!

Does anybody know what the deal is with SMC ?

I bought one of their wireless routers a few weeks ago. Needless to
say it did not have the wireless firmware. There is just no link to
the wireless as described in the manual. The router can not be reset
and the firmware is not upgradeable. This piece of shit has been a
nightmare since I opened the box. It is obviously defective. The worst
part is that the dealer is out ot stock and wont refund it and my SMC
RMA shows a backorder. So I'm stuck with a wireless router that has NO
wireless options and now SMC called and they want me to downgrade to
the VBR from AWBR. I said no so now when I log on to the web it show
that I'm getting the ACCTON version. Somebody please tell me I'm not
the only getting screwed here. SMC support is useless. The call is
routed to some other country with horrible support staff.


SMC NEVER AGAIN

Are you sure the VBR is a downgrade?

Routine calls are handled in India but I have also had direct contact with
engineers in California. SMC seemed responsive and reasonably concerned.
They shipped me a replacement unit pending return of the original.

I have had issues with the SMC AWBR but overall I have been satisfied.

Try contacting SMC by e-mail or calling the California office.

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Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.

The VBR is not wireless and would be a downgrade. Perhaps they meant to
offer you VWBR which is wireless.

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Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> I bought one of their wireless routers a few weeks ago. Needless to
> say it did not have the wireless firmware. There is just no link to

"Needless to say" seems like an odd thing to say, actually.

> part is that the dealer is out ot stock and wont refund it and my SMC

Now there's a problem. Why won't they refund or exchange a defective unit?

> the VBR from AWBR. I said no so now when I log on to the web it show
> that I'm getting the ACCTON version. Somebody please tell me I'm not

What is an ACCTON version? Accton is the parent company of SMC, but I
don't see any mention of an Accton version of the routers.

> the only getting screwed here. SMC support is useless. The call is
> routed to some other country with horrible support staff.

Does that depend on time of day? I've spoken to support staff in
Singapore, but that was in the evening in the US. some of them are good,
some of them aren't.

I was advance-shipped a replacement for my 7004VWBR. Initially, I think
they were going to send a model that was not wireless. When I pointed
that out, they sent a 7004WFW which was a bit of an upgrade in features,
but I lost one wired port. The shipment was authorized by someone in the
US, and the RMA was to and from southern California.

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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8-122.5