Complaint Review: Heriz Music and Art

Had rented from this establishment for many years for my kids who took music classes at school. My son who was only interested in 1 year of music was offered a monthly rental fee of $21.85 then returned instument. My daughter a year younger was more into the music and wanted to learn longer. Employee Margarita Heris then informed me I could rent to own the instrument since my daughter was into it. Just pay the $21.85 rental fee until you reach the price of the instrument which was about $495 according to the contract.

This took place in 8/07, we are now in 2010. I had gotten a call about 6 months earlier concerning my card being expired that they charge every month and if I didn't pay or update information they were going use legal enforcement. I then called back with updated card info and asked for my balance. They said we'll call you back. Never got a call back so just this past month, due to other matters happening in my life, I called them and asked what the balance was. They said the payment is done, we''ll mark your contract as sold and sorry for any inconvenience. I said ok but then actually calculated the months by how much I paid since 8/07 until now and it was more than the $495. It came out to $830.30.

So I kindly called the next day and asked if I could get reinbursement for what I overpayed or at least some compensation for the overpayment. Margarita Heris told me she would call me back and see what they could do. Less than 5 mins. later a gentleman called me back, which was the owner, and said his policy is very clear on rent to own and I am on a rent only contract....forever. I said, "WTF!!!!" We went back and forth over the phone about what I was told and what my contract said about the instrument being worth only $495. I then told the owner I wanted to me with him at the store so I can show him my 3 year old contract and he said come on down.

When I got there I spoke to Margarita Heris and she got the owner(don't know his name as he would not reveal and business card only has Margarits Heris). I explained again how I have been overpaying for the instrument and he said Margarits did me a favor by marking the contract sold. "Are you smoking somthing?", I thought. Then he was denying the the rent to own terms. I was so furious and just taking back by such ignorance. I told him we can go to court but the efforts are not worth my time for such a small amount of money. The fact that this supposed reputable music store would scam a customer like this is unbelivable. I even told the guy your contract states that if instrument is lost or stolen a one time charge of $495 will be put on the credit card. I would've been better off teling him I lost it and paying the $495 up front than $830.

What even set me off more is that he said if I want to complain about the difference he wants the instrument back and he'll continue to charge my account until it is returned.....forever. Holy Sh*#!! This stupid motherF$% wants to still recharge after I overpayed. I left it at that if he does he doesn't have my permission to charge and if he does it's stealing and I'll make a report with the police. What an A hole! So much for being a good customer, right?