Hand Technologies slams retail reseller services

Hand Technologies has hit out at high street stores and mail-order operations, claiming they are not suitable for consumers to buy their PCs.

Founded as Habitech and MacFriendly in 1995, Hand Technologies pioneered the sales process of demonstrating hardware and software in customers? homes, through a team of technology consultants.

Martin Slagter, chairman at Hand, said: ?Retail and mail order are not well suited to technology and a new approach is needed and this is what Hand offers.

?The [retail] model is flawed for retail and vendors. Ours is a model that delivers customer satisfaction.?

He pointed out that the consumer does not get enough time to make a decision before purchasing a PC, which means high street retailers and vendors have high return rates.

But Slagter said Hand?s one-to-one sales approach would not replace retail operations or mail order although there was a ?sizeable gap? for Hand to fill.

The attack coincides with Hand raising a $6.75 million cash injection from a private group of investors. The company will use the money to expand its operation in the UK. It will increase its technology consultants from 600 to 1,000, so that there will be a member of staff within 20 minutes? drive of anyone in the UK.

As part of its expansion, Hand has teamed up with the Consumers? Association to offer an internet home start product. For #79, consumers get unlimited access to Which reports, as well as three months? free access to the Microsoft?s network.

Slagter said Hand would be looking at tying up with other companies to offer similar packages.