I signed a contract with Central Payment Corp. To purchase a credit card processing machine on January 25. I had a wonderful rep. That talked me through the process. We agreed to a payment arrangement of $550 divided evenly over 3 months 0% interest and the first payment was not due until the end of February. I paid him $95 that was to be refunded to me once I recieved the machine (this is stated on the receipt that he gave me).
I was told that I would have my machine in Monday 1-27-08 but it did not come until Wednesday 1-30-08. Then the rep. Could not come to my office to set it up until Monday February 4.By this time I read all the info that was sent with the machine and found fees that were not explained to me at the time of signing. I was displeased with the delay and the hidded fees and told the rep to take the machine back, I was no longer interested. Needless to say I did not get my refund of $95.
The good rep that he was, he convinced me to stay with the company and that he could get me a cheaper alternative. And agreed. Later that day I checked my bank account and Central Payment had deducted $246 that same day. When I called and spoke to Rosalyn she said that my contract stated that I was to pay $200 now, $175 on 2-25, $175 on 3-25. They also charged me for shipping $26.44 and a wireless fee for the month of January $19.56. (I recieved the machine 1-30 so they charged me for a machine that I had less than 24hours and had not even activated yet). This was NOT our agreement. This is NOT what is written on the carbon copy of the contract that I have or the original that my rep has. (He brought me the original after this happened so that I could see that he did not make the changes)
I requested a copy of my contract from Central Payment. When I got it, not only did a see the changes that were made but also on page 4 of the contract someone forged my initials 3 times on the Compliance Form For All Merchants.
When confronted with this, Kevin Ross, with Central Payment stated that it does not matter if I signed that portion of the contract because it does not invalidate the contract. Neither does the fact that they changed the payment arrangements. The laws in California may be different than in Georgia but I am under the impression that once a contract is signed any changes made after make that contract null and void. Also last I check forgery is illegal.
My rep. Tried to get my money back and was successful in getting a temporary credit of half of what they took. I then cancelled my account that they had access to so that they could not take anymore. Now not only do they want the full $550 they also want $300 for a termination fee paid by 3-20-08 or they will send me to a collection agency. (no doubt ruining my credit)
I had an attorney here in Georgia look at my contract and he believes it to be invalid. He advised that I send the machine back with the $300 termination fee because I cannot afford a costly court battle or for my credit rating to be compromised. I did as he advised.
On March 4 my attorney called and tried to reason with Central Payment but had no success. That same day Central Payment tried to deduct money from the account I closed. Not only did they try to charge me for the $550 but they also tacted on an extra $275 which adds up with the previous charges to be over $375 more than the price of the machine.
I have since filed a complaint with the Golden Gate Better Business Bureau and with the Attorney General in California. I hope that this will be resolved peacefully. But I still wanted everyone to know what kind of business practices this company has.
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