APC Back-UPS ES 500 Backup Battery and Surge Protector

Manufacturer:	APC
List price:	~~$79.99~~
Our price:	$47.99 that is 40% off!

APC Back-UPS ES 500 Backup Battery and Surge Protector

Average rating: Stars

AWESOME!!! A great battery backup from APC!!!

I have had this UPS for about a year and a half now and LOVE it!!! I just upgraded to the BACK-UPS 1000 (review to follow in about a month or two) and am now using this to backup my DVR, DVD recorder, and television. I could not be happier with this product! APC has some great stuff and I have had several different brands of UPS's. This one, the BACK-UPS 500, is probably their most popular. It's powerful, affordable, and VERY reliable!!! Give it a try -- You WILL NOT be dissappointed.

APC Back-UPS ES 500 Backup Battery and Surge Protector - APC

Horrible Customer Support

The UPS unit itself works just fine. It kicks in properly when power fails, allowing me to save my work and safely shut down my computer. It even automatitcally shuts down the computer when I'm not available to do so myself.

Having said that, APC's customer support is downright horrible. I contacted them concerning an issue with a recent software upgrade, explaining the situation in some detail (two paragraphs) and asking for a possible resolution. I received a poorly written, canned, response in return which did not relate at all to anything I had said. This happened again following two more follow-up messages. Either they were not reading, or could not understand, what I was writing.

Angry at this point, I sent another message, including all the previous messages and replies, bluntly asking for this message to be delivered to someone who spoke English and could actually read what was sent. To my surprise, I received a response saying it was being sent to the software developers who would respond in detail. However, a few days later, I received a message stating that, since I had not contacted the company in some time, my problem had apparently been resolved. Of course, it had not been resolved - I was still waiting for the promised response.

I gave up at this point. I never did receive a response from the software people, nor has the issue been resolved to this day. This company has apparently outsourced their customer support to a third-world country, using employees whose command of the English language is questionable at best. This was insufficient to handle even a relatively minor issue like mine. Further, I'm not exactly thrilled about the loss of American jobs as a result of overseas outsourcing (obviously "American" is only good enough to use in a company name). Therefore, since I'm buying a new computer this week, I'll look for another company who takes customer support, and American workers, more seriously. I urge others to consider the same option.

APC - APC Back-UPS ES 500 Backup Battery and Surge Protector

Don't buy this item for the warrantee...

I don't own this specific APC product, but I do own other APC products.

My home was hit by lightning on July 2, 2004 during a severe lightning storm. Both of my garage door openers were destroyed during the strike and they were on separate NET3 power line surge protectors made by APC.

NET3 surge protectors offer the best ($50,000) damaged equipment warranty that APC offers. APC refuses to pay for replacement garage door openers since in their determination, the surge protectors are functioning properly (I had to send the surge protectors at my expense for analysis at their labs).

I will never contend that a surge protector can protect any device from a direct lightning strike, but the APC warranty contends that they will replace your equipment in the event this unfortunate event occurs.

I now do not recommend APC equipment, since their warranty is worthless.

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