I ordered a computer package deal from a computer infomercial. The VC Store normally advertises on Saturday and Sunday mornings. They also have a web-site, "vcstore.com. On this date they were advertising, a "Proteva" 500 MHZ Celeron processor, with Epson printer, Micotek Scanner, 17" Monitor and 1 year of SkyTel internet service. The price was $1697.00, after rebates $1299.00. I watched the TV informercial but ordered via the web-site. I used my credit card, which had ample funds, no problem there.
They advertised, "Two to Three weeks for deliver" and "billing just prior to shipping", but stated the following, "approval for the full amount of the order is obtained the Monday after the order is placed. This means the full amount is reserved in your account for this purchase only until bill occurs."
Over 2 months later, someone from the VC Store called to verify my order. My credit card was billed $1697.00. Since they advertised computer are shipped, "Federal Express, 2nd day delivery, 23 days later, I sent VCStore an E-Mail inquiry, asking if my computer had been shipped. They responded, "no it will probably be an additonal three weeks". I responded, "then why has my credit call been billed?". They responded, "one of the other items must have began shipping, (printer, scanner, monitor). They advertised shipping for these items as "UPS or FED EX ground, 3 to 5 business days". ELEVEN DAYS, after being billed, I had received nothing. I tried to call, I was informed that someone from customer service would call me back, THEY DID NOT. I sent another E-mail, NO RESPONSE. I sent another E-Mail, they responded, "YOUR COMPUTER HAS NOT BEEN SHIPPED". I again tried to call, left on hold, then told someone would call, THEY DID NOT CALL. I sent E-mail demanding to know what was going on. Was I ever going to receive my computer, when, how, what was the delay, and why was I billed. I kept citing what they advertised. I got no response.
I again called, this time I told the person I did not want someone to call me back. I explained they had my $1697.00 and I had nothing. I stated I wanted some information, and someone calling me back was not satisfactory, her response "HAVE A NICE DAY".
Eight weeks after placing the order, four weeks after being billed, I canceled the order via E-mail. I did this after logging onto the VCStore web-site where they had posted a newletter, "PROTEVA files for BANKRUPTCY", the article stated they had cancelled all outstanding purchase orders with Proteva and they would be making other arrangements to handle technical support for Proteva merchandise they had previously distributed.
This bit of news combined with the customer support or should I say "lack of support" I had already experienced just finallized my decision to cancell the order. As an added measure I also called the VC Store and canceled.in both communications I demanded an immediate refund of my money. They had no right to have billed my $1697.00 for a product they had not began to ship, if fact it appeared they had cancelled doing business with the company around the same time.
I wrote my credit card issuer, protesting the charge, I have not heard from them yet. Two weeks after the cancellation I again called the VC Store, "same old run around", "it is in the credit department, usually takes two weeks". At this point I filed a complaint with the BBB, no response yet. Three weeks after requesting the refund, I sent an E-mail, "where's my credit". They responded, "it usually takes two weeks". I countered, "it's been three weeks". They responded, "computer have been taking 4 to 5 weeks for delivery".
In summary, it has now been in excess of thirty days since I requested an immediate refund. To date, NOTHING. I sent another E-Mail today threatening legal action for compensatory as well as punitive damages. I believe what they have done is not legal. Anyway, I need some help!
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