I purchased 4 computers from an online Chinese business, COBO Trade, newfasions.com.initially, I was going to pay for the items using Paypal as I knew my transaction would be protected, but through the persuasion of the sales rep I was dealing with, I paid via wire transfer. (The rep told me that Paypal was not a good payment method in China because of the high taxes for the businesses. He claimed that wire transfers though the HSBC bank of China were preferred because his company could save 7% business taxes and he would pass a 5% merchandise discount onto me. Wanting to help both myself and his company, I took his word. I briefly investigated wire transfers and found that, though it was not my "preferred" payment method, it seemed legitimate enough. After agreeing on a total price for the 4 items, I sent the money from my business account, $3,696.00 $35.00 bank fee. There were several emails back and forth about the wire transfer transaction itself; the Chinese rep requested a lot of detailed information about the confirmation number, he had me email a copy of the bank's paperwork, etc. It was annoying and time consuming, but I complied and supplied his company with everything requested. (I understood that numbers and information can be entered incorrectly, which can hold up the process.) There were several emails back and forth after that, but then on 6/28, I received a response to 1 of my many inquiries about where my merchandise was. Basically, I was told that my items had been put together by shipping several days previously, but the finance dept was not allowing them to leave because the items were too heavy and an additional $150 was needed from me before they would be shipped. I refused to pay it as that was not part of the agreement, so I told the rep it was his company's error and I wanted my merchandise or a refund. I have had no response from anyone at this company since. I have sent many emails to various email addresses in an attempt to come to an agreement with COBO Trade and I am being ignored.
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