Video Computer Store: flagrant violators of FTC regulations. *UPDATE ..delayed refund violates the FTCs' refund regulation
On August 17th, 2000 I ordered an Everex 750MHz AMD Enhanced Athlon computer system package. The total cost for this package before rebates, and including shipping and handling charges was $2,220.00. The stated delivery schedule was 3-5 weeks. Within a week, before anything was shipped to me, my credit card account was billed for the full amount. If I was smart I would have cancelled the order at that time, but a friend of mine had ordered and received a computer system from VC Store several months earlier, so I didn't suspect foul-play. If he had reported to me any trouble with VC Store I would never have done business with them at all. Apparently, the company business plan is to satisfy a very few consumers to gain referrals, and then scam the rest.
On September 22nd, exactly 5 weeks after my order date, I received the monitor, on schedule. This was the only item I ever received. After waiting an additional 4 weeks and still not receiving the rest of the computer system, I cancelled the order on October 23rd. I returned the monitor to Video Computer Store/Computer Personalities, Inc. and they received it on October 30th. As of today, Nov. 30th, the $2,220.00 refund credit still has not been issued to my credit card account.
Video Computer Store and Computer Personalities, Inc. are looking at very serious legal trouble. I have contacted my lawyer, the FTC, the PA. Attorney General, and the Eastern PA. Better Business Bureau. The local news will be next.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Got my money ...They need to be put out of business and locked up
#20
Thu, December 14, 2000
Video Computer Store had run out of time to issue the refund
credit to my credit card. My lawyer had given them ten days from the date of his letter to them to comply. That deadline was Dec. 1st.
I had checked my credit card account late on Fri., 12/1/2000 and my $2,220.00 refund credit was not there. I was going to contact my lawyer on Mon., 12/4/2000 and let him know that I wanted to proceed to take VC Store to court at their expense, as he had warned them in his letter, when I decided to check my credit card account one more time on Sunday, 12/3.
To my happy surprise, my $2,220.00 refund credit had posted to my account on 11/28/2000. (My credit card issuers' data must not have been updated on schedule prior to 12/1).
The refund came 29 days after VC Store had received the monitor that I returned to them. This delayed refund violates the FTCs' refund regulation in their "Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule" for businesses.
Video Computer Store believes that their company policies of pre-billing your credit card several weeks before they ship any merchandise you; not complying with the FTCs' rule about "Delay" notices to the consumer; and under bold pretense having 30 days to refund a consumers' money after merchandise is received at their warehouse, somehow supersede Government regulations.
Since my lawyer contacted them, and also forwarded my complaint to the DE Attorney General; and since I contacted the Eastern PA
BBB, the FTC, the PA Attorney General, my credit card company, and also posted my complaint online at two web sites, I guess VC Store decided not to hold on to my money any longer like they have done with many other people.
If Video Computer Store hasn't treated you properly, get the authorities on them, and turn up the legal heat. Take it to the media if you have to.
They need to be put out of business and locked up. And if you're lucky enough to have not tried to purchase a computer from VC Store, DON'T.
- Roy M.