Columbia Telecommunications Group
Ripoff with Bounced Rebate Checks

Just like everyone else, I purchased 3 Columbia Telecommunications FRS Radios (pair) from Outpost.com for $25.00 each w / $25.00 rebate for each pair on December just before Christmas.
After the 10 weeks have passed, I called to inquire about my rebates. They told me that they have the rebates in the system and I would be getting them within 2-3 weeks.
Well, 3 weeks passed and I still have not received them. So, I called again and they told me that same thing. After filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and waiting for almost 3 whole months, I finally received 3 $25.00 checks about 2 weeks ago.
I cashed the checks right away and this morning I received a phone call from my bank about those 3 specific checks that I cashed; they came back "Insufficient Funds". For each bounced check, I received a $10.00 fee, so I'm out $105.00 now.
So, I called Columbia again and I know I'm going to be going through the same exact thing; time wasted and aggrevation. They just took my name and number and amount owed down and that's it. I even asked them about their "Filing for Bankruptcy" a week ago and they said that they don't know anything about what's going to happen in the future. All they can do right now is take my name and number down and the amount I'm owed with the bank fees.
I know this is a crime to purposely send out checks that are going to bounce, so why haven't they faced any criminal charges yet??? It was bad enough to falsely advertise honoring rebates and not paying them or spending 3 months of patience and persistence before receiving anything that would eventually bounce and cause even more damages.
All I know is, I am filing again with the Better Business Bureau in New York (newyork. BBB.org) and also with the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc. Gov) and I am even willing to go to Small Claims Court to sue for the $105.00 (3x$25 3x$10 bank fees) PLUS $500.00 for my time and aggrevation. My aunt lives about 20 miles from Farmingdale, NY so I shouldn't have a hard time going to court there.
If there is anyone else who would like some action taken, we have a better chance of getting our cases heard and promptly if the BBB and FTC knows that its more than just one person.
If you want to contact me, use the rebuttal box below.

Company: Columbia Telecommunications Group
Country: USA
State: New York
City: Farmingdale
Address: 174 Milbar Blvd
Phone: 6315015044

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