Frustrated with HDD data recovery company.

[Verlessa]

Am I frustrated with the services of Adroit data recovery Centre... Firstly, I called in enquiring about how much to recover my data from my unfortunately crashed HDD.. They ask me to bring my HDD there for their "free" evaluation. They next day, they called me and also send me an quotation.. $2500! I was blown away! So different from what I read in their website - between 200 - 2000.

I do not want to spend that kind of money and naturally I told them that I did not want to proceed with the data recovery. Guess what?? They told me I had to pay a "S$50" cancellation fee. I paid the fee very unhappily. They free evaluation is not free at all... Is this how data recovery companies earn money? Is there even any data recovery service that is honest in Singapore??

Devasted.

[spell]

When you pass your hdd to them for the 'free evaluation' I'm sure you signed some form? I believe such forms should at least write something about cancellation charges, so if did not mention & when they asked you to pay, you can argue from there.
In the first place you should have read through & looked out for the free evaluation thingy. But I guess since things is already this way, just treat it as a lesson learnt. I do not know if going to CASE will help matters.

[prisyap]

I know that they specify S$200 to S$2000 for 20 to 40 GB disk on their website. Is it because you HDD exceed 40GB?

Cancellation fee is clearly specified on the web site too. I realised as a consumer we must also read all the terms and conditions before sending in for data recovery services.

Adroit Data Recovery has been credited by CNet and Hardware Zone, their services can definitely be trusted.

[cscs3]

Do you really believe CNet review?
It the first place, the title should not be "free evaluation".
Many of these evaluation process is actually for them to secure their business. If they quto you a price, you know they have find a way to recover your data!

[Verlessa]

My hard disk is indeed exceeding 40GB in size. But they did not tell me the data recovery price will be more if it exceeds 40GB size. Even if they are credited by government bodies.. They should be transparent and not employ such a tactic..



I know that they specify S$200 to S$2000 for 20 to 40 GB disk on their website. Is it because you HDD exceed 40GB?

Cancellation fee is clearly specified on the web site too. I realised as a consumer we must also read all the terms and conditions before sending in for data recovery services.

Adroit Data Recovery has been credited by CNet and Hardware Zone, their services can definitely be trusted.

[Verlessa]

I do admit I was careless about not take note of the cancellation fee.. But I really didn't expect the data recovery to exceed 2k... On their website at www.adrc.net (http://www.adrc.net) clearly states 200 - 2000... and no further elaboration for higher fees. Moreover, I did try to ask for a lower quote as It is a personal disk (their website states can tak to them if i am on a budget). It is non negotiable still.

Maybe I shall call CASE to find out more...

When you pass your hdd to them for the 'free evaluation' I'm sure you signed some form? I believe such forms should at least write something about cancellation charges, so if did not mention & when they asked you to pay, you can argue from there.
In the first place you should have read through & looked out for the free evaluation thingy. But I guess since things is already this way, just treat it as a lesson learnt. I do not know if going to CASE will help matters.

[Verlessa]

Most definitely. I do not believe in everything that CNET reviews. Some true and deifnitely some not true. I really do not know how these companies operate but to charge a cancellation fee for a price I did not expect is not acceptable.

Do you really believe CNet review?
It the first place, the title should not be "free evaluation".
Many of these evaluation process is actually for them to secure their business. If they quto you a price, you know they have find a way to recover your data!

[hlots123]

http://www.adrc.net/price.htm

i read the above, and _sadly_ the relevant info is there.

but telling u to "bring ur HDD down for free evaluation" seems inappropriate, since their "free evaluation" is not wat u or me will think (its they ownself define one).

methinks it shud be $50 evaluation fee stated clearly, but waived for pple who continue with data recovery.

[epos]

Cancellation Fee versus Evaluation Fee

Some may ask why then do we charge a cancellation fee of S$50 if the data recovery job is cancelled? Is this the evaluation fee in a different form?

If the cancellation fee is equivalent to evaluation fee, then the customer must pay this fixed fee regardless if the job is recoverable or not. However, this is not the case because if we fail to recover the data, there will be no charge at all, not even the cancellation fee.

The idea of charging the cancellation fee is to discourage those who are not genuine in pursuing the data recovery process with Adroit Data Recovery Centre. We reckon the best way is to impose a small amount of cancellation fee. Moreover, we think it is fair that we should be covered in a little way for the time spent in handling the disk just because the customers decide not to go ahead with the recovery for whatever reasons.

Further, customers would have known our price range from our pricing guide or after calling us so we will not arbitrarily raise the price in order to force the customer to cancel the job to reap the cancellation fee.

What the...who in their right mind would waste their time & effort to send the HDD there for fun? simply full of it.

this is one company i would never bother...

[Verlessa]

Once bitten twice shy. What more can I say? There is nothing much I can do anyway if its stated. Hope this would let the forumers know and be cautious in when they enter any agreement. This is one data recovery I would avoid like a poisonous snake in the future.

http://www.adrc.net/price.htm

i read the above, and _sadly_ the relevant info is there.

but telling u to "bring ur HDD down for free evaluation" seems inappropriate, since their "free evaluation" is not wat u or me will think (its they ownself define one).

methinks it shud be $50 evaluation fee stated clearly, but waived for pple who continue with data recovery.

[Verlessa]

I guess I was one of those not my right mind who wanted to waste their company resources.

What the...who in their right mind would waste their time & effort to send the HDD there for fun? simply full of it.

this is one company i would never bother...

[Verlessa]

Quoting from their website "Further, customers would have known our price range from our pricing guide or after calling us so we will not arbitrarily raise the price in order to force the customer to cancel the job to reap the cancellation fee. " Hello?? I do know their pricing guide is 200 - 2000. But they must have another pricing guide hidden under their drawers which says 2500.
Obviously, they had "arbitrarily raise the price in order to force the customer to cancel the job to reap the cancellation fee".

[mulderang]

try complaining to case to see if they can help u or not lo

[Black Angel]

Am I frustrated with the services of Adroit data recovery Centre... Firstly, I called in enquiring about how much to recover my data from my unfortunately crashed HDD.. They ask me to bring my HDD there for their "free" evaluation. They next day, they called me and also send me an quotation.. $2500! I was blown away! So different from what I read in their website - between 200 - 2000.

I do not want to spend that kind of money and naturally I told them that I did not want to proceed with the data recovery. Guess what?? They told me I had to pay a "S$50" cancellation fee. I paid the fee very unhappily. They free evaluation is not free at all... Is this how data recovery companies earn money? Is there even any data recovery service that is honest in Singapore??

Devasted.

I see how you felt, like got cheated. May be you should try another company CBL data recovery www.cbltech.com.sg . they are confirmed evaluation to be free, even you decline the job. My company sent all the data recovery jobs to CBL, this company is quiet well knowed.

[Verlessa]

I will try lodging a complain to case for this incident. The terms are clearly misrepresented. They cheated me of my S$50 and still claim that they are fair in their website. I am still very frustrated and I hope people reading this will be warned about the unethical acts of Adriot Data Recovery Centre. They have multiple websites www.adrc.net ; www.adrc.com ; www.datarecovery.com.sg ; adrc-japan.com ; www.adrc.com.sg and they are easily found from search engines.

[randylim71]

Verlessa, may I know how is the case complain proceeding? I also hope to do something about this as I am also a victim of the S$50 bucks saga beginning this year.

[largeresource]

Do you really believe CNet review?
It the first place, the title should not be "free evaluation".
Many of these evaluation process is actually for them to secure their business. If they quto you a price, you know they have find a way to recover your data!


yes you have some points in there about the vague and misleading title

if it is free only if they could not recover any data then
they SHOULD STATE that IN BOLD and be noticeable

[cscs3]

yes you have some points in there about the vague and misleading title

if it is free only if they could not recover any data then
they SHOULD STATE that IN BOLD and be noticeable


Like that all the banks also cannot print their term and condition so small that most people does not read?

As long it is printed. I think case lost already! Believe me.

[largeresource]

like all bank,
all of us know bank services ain't free.
and banks are all well known for their fine prints

how long has the data recovery company and its actual services been here?
longer than the bank's establishment?

[Nichi]

I see how you felt, like got cheated. May be you should try another company CBL data recovery www.cbltech.com.sg . they are confirmed evaluation to be free, even you decline the job. My company sent all the data recovery jobs to CBL, this company is quiet well knowed.
ya well known thanks to yr various advertisments lol

+1

[hlots123]

Firstly, I called in enquiring about how much to recover my data from my unfortunately crashed HDD.. They ask me to bring my HDD there for their "free" evaluation. I do not want to spend that kind of money and naturally I told them that I did not want to proceed with the data recovery. Guess what?? They told me I had to pay a "S$50" cancellation fee.Let's say I tell customers over the phone & on the streets to "come to my shop for free consultation", for some product or service.

After my consultation, they decide not to buy my product or service & I say must pay $50 - stated clearly on my website, signs at the entrance of my shop (which they didn't notice) etc.

Question: Am I right to say "come to my shop for free consultation" when the term "free consultation" is I myself define one??

[lDuckRicel]

can bring up to case, think its under fair trading case ba.....

case of misleading customers...

[cscs3]

Let's say I tell customers over the phone & on the streets to "come to my shop for free consultation", for some product or service.

After my consultation, they decide not to buy my product or service & I say must pay $50 - stated clearly on my website, signs at the entrance of my shop (which they didn't notice) etc.

Question: Am I right to say "come to my shop for free consultation" when the term "free consultation" is I myself define one??


Very important thing is everyone must have in their mind -- Nothing comes free. When you are told free. Ask for term and condition and read all the small print carefully.

There is nothing wrong with the word "come to my shop for free consultation" by itself.

[cscs3]

like all bank,
all of us know bank services ain't free.
and banks are all well known for their fine prints

how long has the data recovery company and its actual services been here?
longer than the bank's establishment?


This is why they follow the why bank is doing now a day (Insurance company did the same, remember the AIA case?).

[darius]

I know that they specify S$200 to S$2000 for 20 to 40 GB disk on their website. Is it because you HDD exceed 40GB?

Cancellation fee is clearly specified on the web site too. I realised as a consumer we must also read all the terms and conditions before sending in for data recovery services.

Adroit Data Recovery has been credited by CNet and Hardware Zone, their services can definitely be trusted.


There is a big difference between endorse and credit. From what I see, CNET didn't mention this service at all while HWZ only put up a press release about it. That is certainly far from an endorsment or a review.

[jtsmyth8]

I also got scammed by Adroit data recovery. I'm more upset at myself for taking the "cheap" way rather than going with a professional. At the end of the day I end up with nothing, and having pay for it. Jake

[cscs3]

I also got scammed by Adroit data recovery. I'm more upset at myself for taking the "cheap" way rather than going with a professional. At the end of the day I end up with nothing, and having pay for it. Jake


You are right. Also watch out instead of recovery of your data ended up with they make another copy of data and "sell" it. If your data is confidential and private!

[maa]

If your HDD is Seagate, then you may try Seaagte's SeaTools at first. It will help you a lot in case your HDD can be recovered ........ I tried it recently and it recovered 2 of my Seagate HDD, later after I transfered the data into new HDD, then I RMA the old ones.

during my HDD crash in Sept 2006, I brought it to one of recovery data company at SLS, forget which level, but it was located behind The HardwarePlace (at the backlane).
It cost me $500 only including new 160GB HDD that time .... consider cheap coz I got quotation from $1.5K - $3K as well from so-called professional ones.
Since these data were very important, then I didn't mind to pay that amount.

[Verlessa]

Sadly, I have called case and it seems that since Adroit Data Recovery Centre have included it in their terms and conditions in fine print, I would lose the battle. They asked me to be careful next time when entering any agreement. I will like to thank all the hard ware zone forumers for all their input. Please be warned against such an unethical and under hand data company.. Adroit Data Recovery Centre. I can guarantee that it will definitely happen to another unfortunate soul in the future.

[lindsay]

I do admit I was careless about not take note of the cancellation fee.. But I really didn't expect the data recovery to exceed 2k... On their website at www.adrc.net (http://www.adrc.net/) clearly states 200 - 2000... and no further elaboration for higher fees. Moreover, I did try to ask for a lower quote as It is a personal disk (their website states can tak to them if i am on a budget). It is non negotiable still.

Maybe I shall call CASE to find out more...
Out of curiosity, may I asked if they have quoted u $2000 to recover ur data, would u proceed to let them perform data recovery for a fee of $2000?

[albertlee]

@Verlessa, did you managed to recover your data eventually?

[intepent4280]

If PC need servicing,can email to intepent4280@yahoo.com.sg or sms 97525493.

[Verlessa]

Yes. I would have. Definitely. This is a matter of integrity.

Out of curiosity, may I asked if they have quoted u $2000 to recover ur data, would u proceed to let them perform data recovery for a fee of $2000?

[Verlessa]

No not yet. I really want the data to be recovered actually. I see a few recommendations like data savers, cbl etc.. I may just bring it to one of them.

@Verlessa, did you managed to recover your data eventually?

[NeGrusti]

Sorry, didn't find it in the post, can you tell what was the problem with the drive, what capacity it was and what was the diagnostics result from ADRC?

[megaweb]

So what do they mean by "free" evaluation ?

How they judge the price from 20 to 2000 ?

[clhh12]

No not yet. I really want the data to be recovered actually. I see a few recommendations like data savers, cbl etc.. I may just bring it to one of them.

So eventually which data recovery provider did u bring ur hard disk to? My hdd crashed. I'm thinking of bringing to one too.

[dotaleavers]

evaluation means advice. e.g. (you go to a doctor, doctor suspect something give you medication you buy the medication) in this case, evaluation is the suspected solution/problem that might cause your data problem. its up to you if you buy the medication but at least you are informed.

so, gather as much information before doing anything to avoid further mechanical failure. :(

can google for the data recovery services. try www.microndr.com.sg / http://www.adrc.com/ www.datasavers.com /

i ask all of them and dr fixed mine.

[HDRecovery]

Hello,

The company I work for has used multiple Data Recovery companies over the years. Some big names as well as some smaller and mid sized recovery centers. My recommendation is to ask alot of questions. Smaller data recovery centers can often give you a better price and more direct service. But you have to make sure that they are really qualified. Make sure to ask about their cleanroom and data recovery procedures.

Some of the data recovery centers which we have uses include:
http://www.datanalyzers.com

http://www.krollontrack.com

http://datarecoveryorlando.net

Hope this helps!

[TimeTravel_0]

I suspect you are related with them. :s8:

I know that they specify S$200 to S$2000 for 20 to 40 GB disk on their website. Is it because you HDD exceed 40GB?

Cancellation fee is clearly specified on the web site too. I realised as a consumer we must also read all the terms and conditions before sending in for data recovery services.

Adroit Data Recovery has been credited by CNet and Hardware Zone, their services can definitely be trusted.

[win_man]

i recovered with CBL before.. you only need to pay courier charges if you decide to cancel yr order after the free evaluation wor...