Flashbyte Digital, has an F rating on the BBB website for San Bernardino County. They request an initial fee of $278.00 up front to schedule an installation date. They claim faster speeds then cable or DSL in remote areas.
However, I paid my initial fee via paypal, and scheduled an appointment to install 3 weeks later on a Tuesday between 2 and 5. At 2:15 pm Brenda Barnes called with this long story of computer problems and double booking.
I agreed to reschedule for a week later. The following Tuesday came and no one showed up, called, or emailed to explain where they were. We called and left numerous messages and sent emails. The following day, we received another song and dance by Ms. Barnes.
My wife corresponded via email on numerous occassions with Ms. Barnes. Numerous missed install appointments, numerous excuses, computer problems, bad equipment, double booking, ect.
After the third day of siiting at home waiting for an installer who didn't show up and receiving no phone call explaing why, we told Ms. Barnes if she could install by the last Thursday in March then that would be fine, otherwise, we just wanted our money back.
The last Thursday shows up and at 5:00 pm an installer comes attaches their equipment to our house and is unable to get a signal. He explains he is new and has only done 1 previous install, he would return on Friday.
Friday came and went.By 4:30 we got ahold of Ms. Barnes who again apoligized and promised the installers would be at my home at 9:00 am Saturday morning, which was very important as we were having a deployment BBQ for 2/7 Marines leaving for Afghanistan.
Well the installer showed up at 5:00 pm, by himself and again could not get us a signal. We informed Ms. Barnes, that we still had no connection and gave her a week to either get it up and connected or remove it from our house and refund our money (this was on Sat).
Monday morning two contractors showed up and removed their equipment, saying they were sorry but they were unable to get a signal at our location. They offered to try again at a future date and informed us we would get a complete refund.
However, Flashbyte kept our money. When both my wife and I tried to contact their offices via email or phone, we were ignored. Ms. Barnes actually hung up on me as soon as she pulled up the address.
She then proceeded to lie and proceed with a character assasination of my wife, rather than sticking to the fact that they could not and had not been able to provide a signal.
The company never did credit any of our money back, even though they admitted to at the very least oweing us $40.00. However, that was with charging us for installation and 2 months of service that we never had.
She even threatened to sue my wife if she told people about this matter. Well, I am a US Marine, and just returned from Iraq a few months prior to all this happening, and for all the people like Flashbyte and Ms. Barnes who want to cheat people, I fight for your right and my right to speak out when companies treat people unfairly.
I would be very cautious in any dealings you might have with this company. Make sure you get everything in writing, up front.
On a more positive note, Navy Federal after disputing the charges and then arbitrating the matter, has found in our favor. Luckily we saved all of our email correspondance with the company, which proved what we were saying was the truth and that Ms. Barnes was lieing.
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