- Report: #11079
Complaint Review: Gateway Country Store/Bernie Horlek Sales Rep. - Sarasota Florida
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Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Gateway Country Store/Bernie Horlek Sales Rep.
6508 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, 34231 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
941 922 5883
Web:
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GATEWAY COMPUTER "EASY PAY" PLAN RIPOFF ..GATEWAY TO NOWHERE
My daughter, a college student for graphic design, bought a Gateway Computer approximately 18 months ago. The computer was financed by HRS USA. The salesman, Bernie Horalek, Gateway Country Store, Sarasota, FL, represented that the computer would be "paid off" in full at the end of two years with $52.00 monthly payments.
Recently, my daughter realized that the balance on her monthly statement has not been decreasing, in fact, after paying $52.00 a month for 18 months, she has only paid $120.93 towards the principal, with the remainder going towards the 26.90% interest or more simply she still owes $1379.07 for a $1500 computer. It seems that she was placed on a 48 month revolving charge plan. This is NOT what Mr. Horalek told her and NOT what she agreed to.
After numerous phone calls to Gateway Customer Service, Mr. Horalek and his store manager, and HRS USA no one will help her resolve the misrepresentation for the financing of her computer. In fact, when asked, Mr. Horalek did not know what a "revolving payment plan" was. He can't understand why the balance on her account is not going down.
Perhaps this is the reason he told her she would have the computer paid off in two years!! I can't believe that he would lie to an unsuspecting female college student to earn a commission. (NOT!!)
The store manager was going to "look into" the problem and call my daughter back. This was three weeks ago and she is still awaiting his return call.
My daugter is now stating that she will make no further payments to HRS USA, an action which will result in a poor credit rating;
which might me better than throwing the computer through the window of the Gateway Store!!
I realize that 18 months may be a long time before realizing that something was wrong but there still has to be a fair resolution to this issue.
My daughter will graduate from college in March. After graduation she will require a computer better suited for graphic design. I know it won't be a Gateway!
Click here to read other Rip-off Reports on Gateway
Recently, my daughter realized that the balance on her monthly statement has not been decreasing, in fact, after paying $52.00 a month for 18 months, she has only paid $120.93 towards the principal, with the remainder going towards the 26.90% interest or more simply she still owes $1379.07 for a $1500 computer. It seems that she was placed on a 48 month revolving charge plan. This is NOT what Mr. Horalek told her and NOT what she agreed to.
After numerous phone calls to Gateway Customer Service, Mr. Horalek and his store manager, and HRS USA no one will help her resolve the misrepresentation for the financing of her computer. In fact, when asked, Mr. Horalek did not know what a "revolving payment plan" was. He can't understand why the balance on her account is not going down.
Perhaps this is the reason he told her she would have the computer paid off in two years!! I can't believe that he would lie to an unsuspecting female college student to earn a commission. (NOT!!)
The store manager was going to "look into" the problem and call my daughter back. This was three weeks ago and she is still awaiting his return call.
My daugter is now stating that she will make no further payments to HRS USA, an action which will result in a poor credit rating;
which might me better than throwing the computer through the window of the Gateway Store!!
I realize that 18 months may be a long time before realizing that something was wrong but there still has to be a fair resolution to this issue.
My daughter will graduate from college in March. After graduation she will require a computer better suited for graphic design. I know it won't be a Gateway!
Click here to read other Rip-off Reports on Gateway
1 Updates & Rebuttals
#20
Sat, January 19, 2002
I was surprised that others have reported that they have also fallen into this financing rip off.
My Daughter and I have been in contact with several other Gateway and HRS USA employees. We have been told by Gateway that according to their information we are on a 48 month payment plan. The bank tells us that the finance plan is set up as Gateway submitted, a revolving charge account. One HRS USA employee, David, is the one and only person who admits that we are not financed properly, unfortunately he can't resolve the problem. We have had nothing but a complete run around. The most recent individual from Gateway has basically told us that there is nothing they can do. I think he means nothing he will do.
I have filed a report with the Federal Trade Commission and I have also discovered that Gateway has been in "trouble" with them before regarding false advertising. I have also notified the Better Business Bureau in Souix City, South Dakota, the location of Gateway's home office. I urge all others with this problem to do the same.
I intend to discuss this situation with the State Attorney in Sarasota County, FL. Maybe they can get a more positive response.
My daughter and I are more determined than ever to get this settled in our favor.
