In march I ordered the power storm vacuum after watching an infomercial. It was two for the price of $156.85 for which I used a credit card. After a few days I received a card from customer sevice, power stormvac, po box 10100, Van Nuys, CA 91410-0100 saying the demand had been so great that they were out of the product and I could either cancel my order or do nothing and if they got more in they would fill my order. A few weeks later I received the vacuums. I tried one out and found it to be very unsatisfactory. I then spent many hours trying to get in touch with someone to see how to return them and get a credit on my Visa. I was repeatedly put on hold, and then after an hour or more of bad music my phone would be disconnected. Finally one day I was told I needed a number from the wareouse and then I could return the merchandise. I called that number and got a run around as well. After many weeks of this treatment I just went to a shipping depot and returned the items to the company. I felt since the company had said on their infomercial you could get your money back if not satisfied that they would credit my account upon receipt of their merchandise. Was I wrong.
I have spent all spring, summer and fall trying every way I can think of to get my money back. I have contacted the BBB and found out that these people have operated under 15 different names and have been fined $300,000 after an investigation in 2004 for violations of the FTC's mail order rule.
The company has been sold and the new owners tell me that they have had over 1200 people like myself who have tried to get their money back. They say that the people we are trying to deal with have a new address. Milinex, POB box 394, Elliot, Maine. 03903. I still get the same woman when I call the 212-575-0500 number where I get put on hold for hours at a time. At times I'm told the money will be sent or has been sent. I traced my packages and have the name of the receiver but still can't get my money. I have 13 additional phone numbers for these people from the BBB of NY report.
It's no longer the money. It's the principle. A year of my life spent trying to resolve this issue. Any ideas? Class action?
0 comments