BS: COMPUTER RIP-OFF

Subject: RE: BS: COMPUTER RIP-OFF
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Apr 01 - 05:54 PM

Well, I would just like to refresh this thread as I find the very idea of what happend to you, Bluejay, utterly disgusting.

Subject: RE: BS: COMPUTER RIP-OFF
From: Willie-O
Date: 11 Apr 01 - 08:47 AM

...guess there's still something to be said for bricks-and-mortar, plunk-down-yer-money-and-take-it-with-you purchasing. Same thing happened to 3,500 people who ordered and paid for "Barbie and Ken" computers for their kids via Mattel--the computer making company tanked and the people got stiffed.

Tough break BlueJay. You're right, "broke" is a different concept to yer high-level corporate types than to you and me.

W-O

Subject: RE: BS: COMPUTER RIP-OFF
From: BlueJay
Date: 11 Apr 01 - 03:05 AM

Dave and Jon- Thanks, you guys. I think I'm beyond the shock of losing two grand, and really just want to see this guy, George Cappel, in prison where they really know what to do with such assholes. I am hoping that since the company filed bankruptcy the day AFTER the Pennsylvania Attorney General filed criminal charges, that things may not go so easy for this crook. Appparantly they were still on TV, advertising products they had no intention of shipping two days before filing bankruptcy. Dave- I am trying to get even. On the complaint site linked to above, I have advocated a "letter to the editor" campaign, from all the aggrieved people. I figure if enough people write to major newspapers explaining that such rippoffs are happening, maybe public sentiment will encourage the courts to do the right thing, and send me a hundred bucks or so. And send King George to prison. One of my greatest fears, however, is that King George (Cappel), has made so much money that he will recieve tax breaks under King George's (Bush, that is), new tax plan. I am sure these tax breaks would exceed my total annual income. For an absolute felon. What about it Mr. Bush.? Answer me. Surely you have people monitoring obviously subversive websites like The Mudcat Cafe? Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: BS: COMPUTER RIP-OFF
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Apr 01 - 09:13 AM

BlueJay, if it is any consolation, I would be fuming and venting off here if it happened to me. It really makes me sick that companies can do this and presumably still walk away with other people's money.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: COMPUTER RIP-OFF
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Apr 01 - 07:00 AM

Commiserations BlueJay - Worse thing is not loosing the 2k but knowing that some b!"£$%ds, who don't need it as much as you, have got it!

On the plus side - it's only money. And you were going to part with it anyway so you are no worse off financialy. Just lacking a PC. Can anyone on the Mudcat help on that score. With whatever you get back can you buy second-hand, build one yourself, get bits donated from friends and collegues etc etc. You could end up with a better machine than you were going to buy as most box-shifters, like the company you were buying from, use the cheapest crapiest components they can find, throw them together without care and couldn't give a toss about the configuration of the bios or motherboard.

Also, don't forget to 'not get mad - get even'. Even if you cannot do anything yourself, don't worry. I'm a great believer in Karma - and someone who has caused this number of people hastle will get their come-uppance, believe me. Take delight in imagining what is going to happen to them, and even more in not having to do it yourself;-)

Difficult advice to take when you are angry, depressed and negative but look for the hidden benefits. They will be there. And it will get better - I promise.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome (who has had some himself)

Subject: RE: BS: COMPUTER RIP-OFF
From: kendall
Date: 10 Apr 01 - 06:41 AM

Dont apologize. Such info is valuable. More so than the ravings of someone who supports this kind of business.

Subject: COMPUTER RIP-OFF
From: BlueJay
Date: 10 Apr 01 - 04:28 AM

Sorry to bother this forum with my problems, but I am so pissed off. Back in November, 2000, I ordered a computer from the Video Computer Store, whose ads have been running on television for years. Two thousand dollars later, I have never recieved the computer. "Backordered" and "will send ASAP" were the responses to my phone calls. I finally cancelled my order, and have been waiting for the "prompt, cheerful refund" I was promised. So last week when I called again, I got a recording informing me that the Video Computer Store has filed for bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court in Philadelphia.
If any of you have been similarly victimized by this company, check out this site for information on how to file for relief in the Pennsylvania Bankruptcy court, as well as other avenues of complaint.
My own State Attorney General's office advises me that there is usually little relief for the consumer in such cases. Chapter 11 "protection" generally leads to Chapter 7 dissolution. Realistically, my two thousand dollars is probably gone.
What pisses me off equally, is the AG advised me to make such purchases in the future with a credit card, so that the bank would be stuck with the loss. And then passed on to everyone, I suppose. I find this ironic, since our Congress is now tightening the bankruptcy laws to prevent honest people from getting out of overwhelming debt incurred in part from the aggressive marketing tactics of these same banks.
Apparantly it's OK, however, for companies such as the Video Computer Store to rob thousands of trusting consumers of millions of dollars. I'll bet they walk away with more money than they started with.
If you are waiting for merchandise or a refund from this criminal outfit, wait no more. You are not going to get it. Go to the web site I mentioned above, where you can learn how to download claim forms for the bankruptcy court in Philadelphia. You never know. If we're real lucky, we might get five cents on the dollar.

I am deeply sorry for introducing such negativity to the Mudcat, but I thought someone might be a fellow victim. Also, I feel my story is an good illustration of "Caveat Emptor". Plus, I feel better. Thanks, BlueJay