Last Thursday I ordered a notebook computer from buy.com for $689. On Friday I received an email stating that my order was canceled because my "excellent" credit card had been declined, but I could re-order. I check with the credit card company and I have excellent credit and the card and information are correct. On Saturday I re-entered the order at the same price. On Monday I received an email from buy.com informing me that my order was canceled because my credit card was declined. I checked again with the credit card company confirming that nothing was wrong with the credit card information entered and my credit is excellent. I checked buy.com site and now understand what is happening. Buy.com has raised the price by $50. This is the classic BAIT AND SWITCH game. I found an 800 number (800 800-0800) for buy.com and called to complain, discovering that I am talking to someone in India. The person said that they would have to transfer me to their supervisor and I was placed on HOLD (Never-Never Land). After 20 minute I gave up and hung up. I guess I am luck in that buy.com did not get to my credit card however, judging from my experience and reading other complains, I don't think BUT know BUY.com is engaging in unethical and deceptive trade practices. I do not understand why these con men/women are not prosecuted. I know in Texas we have a strong law "Texas Deceptive Trade Practice Act" which entitle victim triple damages. I know this would not apply to me however, what they are doing is unethical and deceptive. Anyone considering buying anything from buy.com should be aware of the risk in dealing a business such as this. It is also interesting that all their un-bias marketing sites i.E. Pricegrabber.com give them a 5-star rating. After knowing what I know now, I wonder where do these rating come from?
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