March 6/7 a satellite internet system (Starband system) was purchased via telephone. I paid with debit card and a long time friend paid the difference (with agreement I repay him in one month, yes, I repaid the friend in full in just over 30 days as agreed).
I was emailed by Midwest Technologies (wife Colleen A Neal) on Mar 7 and she said "It will take a couple of weeks to get the product to ship out to you."
End of month came. No system. I phoned them and was ready to cancel. She said "there'd be a 20% restocking charge" (not previously mentioned to me when I placed the order by phone), she added "... But it's due to go out in next day or two." So I did not cancel at that time.
Next month, still no system. I emailed, no responses. I phoned and left messages. Then when April 23 came around I sent an email cancelling the order due to their "failure to deliver goods and merchandise." I also telephoned to ensure cancellation and I did reach Colleen Neal. She said they cancelled their merchant account because it was costing them too much money, so I said to refund via cashier check or postal money order as I no longer trusted them. She said ".. You paying for that fee?" and I said no, that they cancelled their merchant account and that due to their poor business practices I no longer trusted them and I did not want the satellite system because of the delays and bad business practices.
Her excuses, whether valid or not, was that her husband had been hospitalized. Yet they failed to autorespond on emails and failed to update the OGM on their answering machine on business tel number.
Later, the owner Steven R Neal said in an email that he "would" refund my money but "on his terms." To date no refund. I have since moved to Spanaway, WA since the order was originally placed in Calif. I have also filed a complaint with Boone County Prosecutor Office (Indiana) against both parties and the business (no updates or results yet from BCPO). As of Nov 1 I see that this business is still selling through Ebay under member/seller name of 3dalmations3 and this date I wrote to Ebay explaining why Ebay should not be allowed on the Ebay system.By the way, the email from owner Steven Neal was snotty, sarcastic, and immature — he wrote on May 13 "We will be sending you a check this week, however not on your terms but ours."
Mr. Steve D'Argenio of Starband was/is also aware of this matter of the failure to deliver issue by Midwest Technologies (of Lebanon IN) yet Starband has apparently has kept that dealer as a dealer (still listed on Starband site) and Midwest Technolies is still selling their systems via Ebay. D'Argenio of Starband told me initially too that there was nothing they could do toward making the refund and said he would review the topic of whether to have Midwast Technologies continue as one of their dealers. Said that Midwest could lose their dealership if this was not resolved properly. Well?!
Added final note. I am also a person of low fixed disability income (SSI) and I am a person of disability (recognized by the ADA). This business failed to deliver, and failed to refund, and is apparently still in business, and has caused substantial harm to myself not to mention the added costs of phone calls, email, and other communications.
I have copies of original emails, debit info for payment proof, telephone records validate communication attempts, and copy of complaint to prosecutor's office.
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