Blue Hippo ripoff Baltimore maryland

What's funny is after Mr. George H. Christian was exposed on here; the website for PCS4all (Financing Alternatives assumed web name), all his personal info was taken off. His picture was also taken off. His picture was shown along with a personal statement from him about how he tries to make peoples lives easier. Now it's a statement from the company about who he is. Instead of the word usage "I" it is "he". Now I can admit every company is made to profit. But this is outrageous! The free software is embellished (1.99 to 4.99 for each title at computer store bargain bins), the 2.0 megapizel camera and the printer are all low end. What gets me is they charge you 9.99 for a debit. That's the maximum allowed by law. Most companies charge you .99 to 5.99 each debit, if that. Like I said, there's no justification for charging 2367 for a low end laptop computer. At Dell, if your credit is approved, you can qualify for 1 year interest free financing, along with a low 9.9 to 14.9% interest rate. All Financing Alternatives does is target bad credit people, and then locks them in a illegal loan without allowing the consumer to make a educated credit decision. I will continue to make a comment in my posts about Mr. George H. Christian. His company isn't listed as having a trade line with Dell. Therefor his company is only a customer who buys computers when his company obtains the 3 months of payments. I'm surprised Dell allows the computers to be marked up so much.

This isn't a membership and loan package Financing Alternatives offers to people who have ruts in their lives. They are a (we'll take 3 months of payments so we can have money to buy the computer, then charge 9 months extra so we can take advantage of you) type of business. If they really wanted to help people, they would lower their prices drastically.

I am not just a disgruntled person who fires off on this company, I am giving straight and valid facts. These facts can be backed up. Since Joey has gotten 'very' quiet, he knows all this is true. If he can offer a rebuttal to any of my posts, I strongly encourage him to. If he can't then I will consider my posts true and accurate to reflect this "womans apparel and shoes" company's true nature.

Wow that was great ..

When you look at it that way computers are not 2,300 dollars anymore, gateway sells them for $400 bucks and that is not even a laptop, that is a desktop. So I hope that this company is not advertising anymore.

But I did see an advertisement for the same type of deal, so I called it up out of curiosity and guess what, the recording kept disconnecting as if they have my phone number in there system like they know I filed on them. It is under another company name, and when I see this again I will let everyone know that they changed there company name again.

Thanks alot

There is a good point someone just made about the business of Financing Alternatives. If a car company is advertising a 10,000 dollar car (lets say a new Kia Rio- one of the cheapest made sedans ever), and over the life of the loan it costs 40,000 dollars...well thats just absurd! So in effect, your paying 40,000 dollars for a cheap made Kia Rio. For that 40,000 you could get a very decent and comfortable {Suburban, BMW, Acura, Honda, VW Jetta, Mazda Miata, even a Mazda RX8 Twin Turbo!). And most of these NEW vehicles would be fully loaded! Yes, fully loaded! A cheap poor performing 2.4 celeron represents the Kia. Where as; for the 2367 price, you could get a BMW (or a new Toshiba or Apple, widescreen or tablet display, with atleast triple the HD space, RAM, features and performance). Like I said, price gouging is what Financing Alternatives does. Go to Dell and pick out the Dell Inspiron 1150 Laptop, and you'll see it is on sale for about 700 or 800 dollars. Plus it performs better and has more storage. Financing Alternatives gets the LOWEST performing laptop model from Dell. These laptops are not good sellers, so Dell sells the computers to Financing Alternatives for a discount price for bulk orders. I'm sure that the computers Financing Alternatives retail at about 500 or less. Infact, you can go to Walmart and get an E-machine with a 2.8 GHZ celeron, DVD/CDRW, 512 MB RAM, 64 MB video display, and other goodies for $699! For the two desktop computers Financing Alternatives charges, the first one is $1500 dollars over the 1 year 'loan' The second desktop computer is 1800 dollars. The computers are the exact same model, and same specs. The only difference is: the 1800 dollar model has a cheap 2 MP digital cam and a cheap canon color printer. Figure that the Camera and the printer are 150 a piece. I know for a fact you can get a decent 4 in 1 (fax, copy, scan, print) Lexmark for 150 dollars. You can find a 3 to 4 MP digital camera on Ebay for 150 bucks. The ACH debit fees are 9.99 a pop. But Financing ALternatives is only out a dollar for each transaction. They charge you the maximum allowed by law for ACH debit fees. So basically they make 9 dollars off of you each week. Or 45 dollars a month. Over a year thats well over 500 bucks.

Joey says Rent A Center is bad because they sell used computers. No they don't. They sell new computers too. PLUS, you can walk out with the computer THAT day. You don't have to wait 3 months (which Financing Alternatives does because they don't have the funds available to order the computers). Rent A Center helps your credit after you pay off the loan. Plus, the total cost of ownership is cheaper than Financing Alternatives.

To sum it up, Financing Alternatives is deceptive. Here's how: You call an 800 number. They ask you for your bank information BEFORE you can see the ENTIRE contract (which they state they will mail to you). After you give them your bank info they tell you the price of the computer. Then they get a verbal authorization from you using a voice recorder. They got you locked in then. On the contract it doesn't give you an APR for the life of the loan, as required by the Federal Truth in Lending Act. This is so the consumer can make an informed credit decision.

If they were a good company, they would only ask for your mailing information first. Then if you agree to the terms of the contract, then you call them up and do business with them. They won't do this because they would get no business then. Then Financing Alternatives asks for 3 months of payments (this is how much the computers cost). If you all think about it, the price fits the 3 months of payments. For the laptop, its 45 bucks a week. 180 a month for 3 months, thats 540 dollars! That includes the cost of shipping and any debit fees. That fits the price of the computer perfectly. Then the other 9 months of payments is money in their pocket. I can't believe they can get away with this garbage. I am continuing my vandetta by telling everyone I know. I have even made banners with the real cost of their computers VS their prices. Why they are a ripoff and a link to this website.

I have posted several of these at malls in Austin, San Antonio and Waco. Since I frequent these locales, I will be doing followups. F-U Mr. George H. Christian. You know how hard it is for people to have bad credit, hah, thats the main enterprising solution you came up with. You were gullible. You know they are gullible. So you prey on that. Nor will you respond to these rebuttals.

Plus you will NOT even answer as to why Financing Alternatives is listed as a Womans Apparel and Shoes Company on Experians Business credit report. Why aren't you listed as a computer dealer with an account with Dell? Because: You don't have Dell as your true supplier. You are infact another customer. You buy the computers outright with cash when you collect 3 months worth of payments. Thats the only relationship you have with Dell. Gateway didn't work out because they refused to sell computers to a 3rd party dealer and then make a huge markup on the computers. Lol, you are a loan shark and a scammer. Once you buy the computers, you collect 9 months of payments as profit. There is no friggen way Joey or Mr. George H. Christian can sit here and tell us theres justification for charging 2367 for a 500 dollar laptop.

There is a good point someone just made about the business of Financing Alternatives. If a car company is advertising a 10,000 dollar car (lets say a new Kia Rio- one of the cheapest made sedans ever), and over the life of the loan it costs 40,000 dollars...well thats just absurd! So in effect, your paying 40,000 dollars for a cheap made Kia Rio. For that 40,000 you could get a very decent and comfortable {Suburban, BMW, Acura, Honda, VW Jetta, Mazda Miata, even a Mazda RX8 Twin Turbo!). And most of these NEW vehicles would be fully loaded! Yes, fully loaded! A cheap poor performing 2.4 celeron represents the Kia. Where as; for the 2367 price, you could get a BMW (or a new Toshiba or Apple, widescreen or tablet display, with atleast triple the HD space, RAM, features and performance). Like I said, price gouging is what Financing Alternatives does. Go to Dell and pick out the Dell Inspiron 1150 Laptop, and you'll see it is on sale for about 700 or 800 dollars. Plus it performs better and has more storage. Financing Alternatives gets the LOWEST performing laptop model from Dell. These laptops are not good sellers, so Dell sells the computers to Financing Alternatives for a discount price for bulk orders. I'm sure that the computers Financing Alternatives retail at about 500 or less. Infact, you can go to Walmart and get an E-machine with a 2.8 GHZ celeron, DVD/CDRW, 512 MB RAM, 64 MB video display, and other goodies for $699! For the two desktop computers Financing Alternatives charges, the first one is $1500 dollars over the 1 year 'loan' The second desktop computer is 1800 dollars. The computers are the exact same model, and same specs. The only difference is: the 1800 dollar model has a cheap 2 MP digital cam and a cheap canon color printer. Figure that the Camera and the printer are 150 a piece. I know for a fact you can get a decent 4 in 1 (fax, copy, scan, print) Lexmark for 150 dollars. You can find a 3 to 4 MP digital camera on Ebay for 150 bucks. The ACH debit fees are 9.99 a pop. But Financing ALternatives is only out a dollar for each transaction. They charge you the maximum allowed by law for ACH debit fees. So basically they make 9 dollars off of you each week. Or 45 dollars a month. Over a year thats well over 500 bucks.

Joey says Rent A Center is bad because they sell used computers. No they don't. They sell new computers too. PLUS, you can walk out with the computer THAT day. You don't have to wait 3 months (which Financing Alternatives does because they don't have the funds available to order the computers). Rent A Center helps your credit after you pay off the loan. Plus, the total cost of ownership is cheaper than Financing Alternatives.

To sum it up, Financing Alternatives is deceptive. Here's how: You call an 800 number. They ask you for your bank information BEFORE you can see the ENTIRE contract (which they state they will mail to you). After you give them your bank info they tell you the price of the computer. Then they get a verbal authorization from you using a voice recorder. They got you locked in then. On the contract it doesn't give you an APR for the life of the loan, as required by the Federal Truth in Lending Act. This is so the consumer can make an informed credit decision.

If they were a good company, they would only ask for your mailing information first. Then if you agree to the terms of the contract, then you call them up and do business with them. They won't do this because they would get no business then. Then Financing Alternatives asks for 3 months of payments (this is how much the computers cost). If you all think about it, the price fits the 3 months of payments. For the laptop, its 45 bucks a week. 180 a month for 3 months, thats 540 dollars! That includes the cost of shipping and any debit fees. That fits the price of the computer perfectly. Then the other 9 months of payments is money in their pocket. I can't believe they can get away with this garbage. I am continuing my vandetta by telling everyone I know. I have even made banners with the real cost of their computers VS their prices. Why they are a ripoff and a link to this website.

I have posted several of these at malls in Austin, San Antonio and Waco. Since I frequent these locales, I will be doing followups. F-U Mr. George H. Christian. You know how hard it is for people to have bad credit, hah, thats the main enterprising solution you came up with. You were gullible. You know they are gullible. So you prey on that. Nor will you respond to these rebuttals.

Plus you will NOT even answer as to why Financing Alternatives is listed as a Womans Apparel and Shoes Company on Experians Business credit report. Why aren't you listed as a computer dealer with an account with Dell? Because: You don't have Dell as your true supplier. You are infact another customer. You buy the computers outright with cash when you collect 3 months worth of payments. Thats the only relationship you have with Dell. Gateway didn't work out because they refused to sell computers to a 3rd party dealer and then make a huge markup on the computers. Lol, you are a loan shark and a scammer. Once you buy the computers, you collect 9 months of payments as profit. There is no friggen way Joey or Mr. George H. Christian can sit here and tell us theres justification for charging 2367 for a 500 dollar laptop.

Hey Timmey

Thanks for your input, someone really needed to let Joey have it. I hope that everything works out ok for you. I recently checked my credit and so far no blue hippo. But I will get my fingers crossed and hope that they do not show up.

Joey has not addressed the point. Since he wants to use car analogies, let's do it. A rental car is not ment to be permanant transportation. So let's stop with the renta; car comparasions. A better description of your business model would be if you sold a $10,000 car for $40,000 and made the consumer put up the $10,000 before they got the car. Did I mention that they still oue you $30,000 on a $10,000 car. Simple math. But comapies like Blue Hippo and FA prey on people's ignorance.

BOTTOM LINE
Whatever amount of money they want from you before they ship the system... that's all you need to save up on your own to buy a computer cash and not owe another dime!

Financing Alternatives explains the reasons they charge over 2 Grand for a low end laptop. They: account for all bank fees (bank fees to draft through ACH debits?), shipping and handeling (freight shipping and insurance should run about 100 dollars AT MOST), financing charges (based on that low end model at 800 dollars new, 100 dollar shipping and bank charges; {how much is FA charging for debit fees?} the finance charge would be another 800 to 1000 dollars, the price of the computer should be about a grand at most with a few hundred in finance charges for reasonable profit. From my math, FA is charging nearly 1000 dollars in interest. I'm sure if Joey was really interested in Financing Alternatives interests, he would disclose the actual price breakdown of the bill components. Shipping, finance charges, price of the computer, shipping and handling ect. Oh and according to the Federal Truth in Lending Act, Financing Alternatives is required to disclose what the finance fee will be, and a breakdown of other fees. From my original UNSIGNED FA contract, it says nothing about how much the real price of the computer is, as well as the finance charges. That is a violation of Federal Law. According to the FBI investigation into Financing Alternatives, I have contacted the field Agent in charge of this investigation, I have forwarded a copy of the contract and all other literature to the FBI, and the Virginia State Attorney Generals office. This is in direct cooperation with the ongoing investigation into Financing Alternatives business practices. I also obtained a copy of Financing Alternatives' business credit report with Experian. As Joey seems to be missing this completely (perhaps avoiding this?), Financing Alternatives located at Cedar Park In Chesapeake, Virginia; I have seen nothing about Financing Alternatives being listed as a computer retail company. It is listed IN WOMANS SHOES AND APPAREL. If you wish to have a copy of this posted on here, I will be more than happy to furnish a copy of this on here. I have brought this to the FBI's investigation, they seem very interested in this. It is considered misrepresentation of business practices in order to avoid federal tax. Also called tax evasion, as well as a list of other charges including violation of the Federal Truth in Lending Act. Thank you Rip Off Report for allowing me to post these injustices on here. Since George H. Christian (name pulled off of Experians Business credit report on Financing Alternatives listed as the CEO of the company mainly in Womans shoes and apparel) won't respond to our emails or demands for explanation, we will happily allow his stooge Joey, who apparently is bent on bashing Blue Hippo, and has posted under fake names for Blue Hippo, take the heat for Mr. George H. Christian.

I think you're not getting that WE DON"T CHECK CREDIT. As I have stated before, there are reasons why we ahve the 3 month in place. TO BUILD CREDIT. Do you really think that we're going to send a brand new computer to people with bad credit without some kind of credit history? And we allow them to pay it off to that they can get it faster. Rent A Center sells used or old computers. If you can find a dell at a Rent A Center, its not new. Only new Dell computers come from the factory they are built in, which is in Texas. Plus, no payments, and you have them at your door to reposess it.

When someone purchases something on crdit, the mechandise is in there possesion at the time they are paying for this. I have not heard of paying on something weekly and there is no merchandise. I mean you guys have already proven yourselves as fraud, and then to pay weekly or bi-weekly for something that we are not probably not going to get is crazy. Even rent-a-center aint that stupid. Of course we can try to save up for something and then buy it. But you do not have to hold our money for us until we have the overpayment that you need to make a profit. Even a car dealer let's you drive off the lot with no money down. So do not even come at me with that. Be real, because if it happend to you, you would be right on here with us. Tell the truth.

When someone purchases something on crdit, the mechandise is in there possesion at the time they are paying for this. I have not heard of paying on something weekly and there is no merchandise. I mean you guys have already proven yourselves as fraud, and then to pay weekly or bi-weekly for something that we are not probably not going to get is crazy. Even rent-a-center aint that stupid. Of course we can try to save up for something and then buy it. But you do not have to hold our money for us until we have the overpayment that you need to make a profit. Even a car dealer let's you drive off the lot with no money down. So do not even come at me with that. Be real, because if it happend to you, you would be right on here with us. Tell the truth.

When someone purchases something on crdit, the mechandise is in there possesion at the time they are paying for this. I have not heard of paying on something weekly and there is no merchandise. I mean you guys have already proven yourselves as fraud, and then to pay weekly or bi-weekly for something that we are not probably not going to get is crazy. Even rent-a-center aint that stupid. Of course we can try to save up for something and then buy it. But you do not have to hold our money for us until we have the overpayment that you need to make a profit. Even a car dealer let's you drive off the lot with no money down. So do not even come at me with that. Be real, because if it happend to you, you would be right on here with us. Tell the truth.

When someone purchases something on crdit, the mechandise is in there possesion at the time they are paying for this. I have not heard of paying on something weekly and there is no merchandise. I mean you guys have already proven yourselves as fraud, and then to pay weekly or bi-weekly for something that we are not probably not going to get is crazy. Even rent-a-center aint that stupid. Of course we can try to save up for something and then buy it. But you do not have to hold our money for us until we have the overpayment that you need to make a profit. Even a car dealer let's you drive off the lot with no money down. So do not even come at me with that. Be real, because if it happend to you, you would be right on here with us. Tell the truth.

You still didnt tell me why FA charges 2267 for a low end laptop (20 GB HD, CD burner, shared video memory @ 8 MB, 1.4 ghz celeron). Why not offer Compaqs, Toshibas, or HPs for that price. For you to order them it would cost...what 1,000? You obviously get a discount on wholesales. I looked online and a laptop which FA is offering (the only one they offer BTW) only goes for 550 used or 800 new. So, instead of dragging your feet and saying that most people can't save cash because they will spend it on something else, and all this financing stuff, tell me why they charge that much for the laptop. I highly doubt the financing charges account for the other 1400 dollars. Does that take into account the "free 600 dollar software value), shipping and handeling, taxes, and the finance charge or what? That software isn't worth 600 dude, theres titles from that software pack that are sitting in the COmpUSA bargain basement for 1.99 to 4.99! Sure anyone can finance and I understand what your saying about people trying to get a computer but can't pay for it in cash. But what you don't understand, is that a lot of those people could save quite a bit, (when a payment to FA is due, stuff the payment in the envelope, without signing up with FA) after 5 or 6 months they will have enough to buy a higher quality computer for cash. If most people wont buy the computer with the cash, as you stated, they end up buying something else. That means, they really didn't need the computer after all. They gave it some thought and decided against getting one. Plus, from what i've read, its a hassle to get FA to actually send their computers out in 3 months.
Tell me one thing, why is Financing Alternatives listed as mainly womans apparel and shoes? The address match up on Experians business report. Are they covering up because it is illegal? Thats probably why the FBI is investigating FA.

You still didnt tell me why FA charges 2267 for a low end laptop (20 GB HD, CD burner, shared video memory @ 8 MB, 1.4 ghz celeron). Why not offer Compaqs, Toshibas, or HPs for that price. For you to order them it would cost...what 1,000? You obviously get a discount on wholesales. I looked online and a laptop which FA is offering (the only one they offer BTW) only goes for 550 used or 800 new. So, instead of dragging your feet and saying that most people can't save cash because they will spend it on something else, and all this financing stuff, tell me why they charge that much for the laptop. I highly doubt the financing charges account for the other 1400 dollars. Does that take into account the "free 600 dollar software value), shipping and handeling, taxes, and the finance charge or what? That software isn't worth 600 dude, theres titles from that software pack that are sitting in the COmpUSA bargain basement for 1.99 to 4.99! Sure anyone can finance and I understand what your saying about people trying to get a computer but can't pay for it in cash. But what you don't understand, is that a lot of those people could save quite a bit, (when a payment to FA is due, stuff the payment in the envelope, without signing up with FA) after 5 or 6 months they will have enough to buy a higher quality computer for cash. If most people wont buy the computer with the cash, as you stated, they end up buying something else. That means, they really didn't need the computer after all. They gave it some thought and decided against getting one. Plus, from what i've read, its a hassle to get FA to actually send their computers out in 3 months.
Tell me one thing, why is Financing Alternatives listed as mainly womans apparel and shoes? The address match up on Experians business report. Are they covering up because it is illegal? Thats probably why the FBI is investigating FA.

You still didnt tell me why FA charges 2267 for a low end laptop (20 GB HD, CD burner, shared video memory @ 8 MB, 1.4 ghz celeron). Why not offer Compaqs, Toshibas, or HPs for that price. For you to order them it would cost...what 1,000? You obviously get a discount on wholesales. I looked online and a laptop which FA is offering (the only one they offer BTW) only goes for 550 used or 800 new. So, instead of dragging your feet and saying that most people can't save cash because they will spend it on something else, and all this financing stuff, tell me why they charge that much for the laptop. I highly doubt the financing charges account for the other 1400 dollars. Does that take into account the "free 600 dollar software value), shipping and handeling, taxes, and the finance charge or what? That software isn't worth 600 dude, theres titles from that software pack that are sitting in the COmpUSA bargain basement for 1.99 to 4.99! Sure anyone can finance and I understand what your saying about people trying to get a computer but can't pay for it in cash. But what you don't understand, is that a lot of those people could save quite a bit, (when a payment to FA is due, stuff the payment in the envelope, without signing up with FA) after 5 or 6 months they will have enough to buy a higher quality computer for cash. If most people wont buy the computer with the cash, as you stated, they end up buying something else. That means, they really didn't need the computer after all. They gave it some thought and decided against getting one. Plus, from what i've read, its a hassle to get FA to actually send their computers out in 3 months.
Tell me one thing, why is Financing Alternatives listed as mainly womans apparel and shoes? The address match up on Experians business report. Are they covering up because it is illegal? Thats probably why the FBI is investigating FA.

You still didnt tell me why FA charges 2267 for a low end laptop (20 GB HD, CD burner, shared video memory @ 8 MB, 1.4 ghz celeron). Why not offer Compaqs, Toshibas, or HPs for that price. For you to order them it would cost...what 1,000? You obviously get a discount on wholesales. I looked online and a laptop which FA is offering (the only one they offer BTW) only goes for 550 used or 800 new. So, instead of dragging your feet and saying that most people can't save cash because they will spend it on something else, and all this financing stuff, tell me why they charge that much for the laptop. I highly doubt the financing charges account for the other 1400 dollars. Does that take into account the "free 600 dollar software value), shipping and handeling, taxes, and the finance charge or what? That software isn't worth 600 dude, theres titles from that software pack that are sitting in the COmpUSA bargain basement for 1.99 to 4.99! Sure anyone can finance and I understand what your saying about people trying to get a computer but can't pay for it in cash. But what you don't understand, is that a lot of those people could save quite a bit, (when a payment to FA is due, stuff the payment in the envelope, without signing up with FA) after 5 or 6 months they will have enough to buy a higher quality computer for cash. If most people wont buy the computer with the cash, as you stated, they end up buying something else. That means, they really didn't need the computer after all. They gave it some thought and decided against getting one. Plus, from what i've read, its a hassle to get FA to actually send their computers out in 3 months.
Tell me one thing, why is Financing Alternatives listed as mainly womans apparel and shoes? The address match up on Experians business report. Are they covering up because it is illegal? Thats probably why the FBI is investigating FA.

Anyone can save up for anything. We all could save up money and buy cash for anything. I could buy a new porche if I save up for 5 years. That is nothing new that you are telling me. I still think that no one really understands FINANCING. MAKEING PAYMENTS without PAYING IN FULL for an item on one lump bulk. Of course it is going to be higher than the cash price. The ease of making payments rather than trying to save up cash, and then end up spending it on something else. I can bet a ton of people have tried to save up for something they wanted but always ended up spending it on something else.

Being that I have been ripped off by this company,and the are many of others like myself with bad credit, this was going to be an new begining.

Reading all of these reports, just shows me that the reps are prep on what to tell customers because we all get the same response, we are backed up. We are hard working people and we hold on to our money by a thread, and to h\get ripped off like that hurts. We are not millionairs, we are just ordinary people who want a second chance on fixing our credit andto keep getting ripped off sucks. So I hope that you get what you deserve Blue Hippo

Financing Alternatives might be a good program to credit challanged people, but here's my point Joey. If that credit challanged person called Financing Alternatives up and got a price quote for installment payments, then that credit challanged person can SAVE that money per installment payment. Meaning this: they don't call Financing Alternatives. They save 40, 60, or 80 dollars every two weeks in CASH. Whether or not the computer is a CASH price isn't an issue. All the credit challanged consumer has to do is save that money in cash and then after several months, with the SAME MONEY THEY SAVED UP IN CASH they can go buy a higher end toshiba computer IN CASH. If they are lower income and they can afford to pay financing alternatives every two weeks, then they can afford to save the same amount in cash and buy a better high end computer. The computers Financing Alternatives does offer are over priced. My invoice showed 2267 for a laptop from Financing Alternatives, Joey. Can you tell me why it was that much for a lower end laptop computer? I never signed and agreed to the contract, and I called my bank and got my activation fee refunded (ordered back in May). After I saw how much it was, I said F- that! I saved 300 a month in cash and got a high end toshiba computer for LESS than the total invoice on the laptop your company offered. Also, my point is this, if you placed a toshiba laptop in place of that lower quality computer, for the same price, your still making profit.

So don't beat around the bush. The point here is, if a person can afford to call you and order an over priced computer, they can afford to save that same amount in cash and get a much higher quality computer for the same price or less than what you would charge. But you don't acknowledge that. You only say the consumers have no other choice because they have bad credit and are low income. So they will run off and finance a computer. Plus you don't even report to the credit bureaus. That's lame. Blue hippo does. Plus they have plasma TVS and they have a better selection. Plus, if there is a customer complaint on this site, at least Blue Hippo would respond. You only responded because it came to Mr George H Christians attention. But you all don't respond to the customer. You only justify what are "reasonable finance charges" and easy program for those who are credit challanged. Again, tell me why FA charges $2267 for a low quality Dell Laptop. Tell me what is involved in that cost. Plus a lot of customers use their low interest credit cards to buy laptops and pay them off quicker.

They are in Baltimore, MD, and we reside in Cheapeake, VA. As far as overpricing, look at this:

A. The majority of people with bad credit have a reason for bad credit. NO PAYMENTS, LATE BILLS, ETC. so of course we are not just going to send a computer right out to just anyone without any kind of credit building history with us. Would you let just some random person take your car and have them say, sure I'll pay you in installments. I really think not.

B. The financing is actually rather reasonable, especially in comparison to what Rent=A-Center has to offer. If one can take the computer that day from the store, it is NOT a brand new Dell. Most people think that 1800 is a large sum for one year, imagine what is charged over a 5 year span, if you happen to get approved. The whole package, including shipping is covered in that price, along with all bank fees, and intrest.

C. Toshiba might have a higher end laptop, and it may be around 2000. BUT THAT IS A CA$H PRICE!. Its hard to believe that no one really understands financing. The convience of easy payments, as opposed to large cash sums. When trying to finance, ask the company who is doing the financing how much your end balance is going to be? They won't be able to tell you because they bet on the fact that you will miss payments. *See 'A'

If you want a rip off, check out NIKE. $1.50 to make a new pair of shoes, but charge 140.00 bucks?

And if it was so bad, then why have we been in business for 7 years now?

Shawn of Financing Alternatives ...If you search Financing Alternatives, there is a employee who defends FA to the death. Probably sent here by George Christian, because he won't answer our emails, he has to send some poor employee to the site. But I will say this much, that employee and Mr Christian still haven't answered to the fact about the quality of their computers. Why spend 1500 to 2250 on a dell laptop (outdated)? When you can get a high quality Toshiba for triple the HD space and memory, and even speed? Why doesn't FA offer new computers also? And instead of tacking on quite a few Hundred in financing charges, charge a flat charge fee. And make the computers more realistic in price. Like I said, they are over priced and bad credit isn't the justification here. Nor is the fact customers have limited funds. It's no excuse to charge around 2 grand for a low end Dell laptop. When you could charge 2 grand for a higher quality Toshiba and still make 300 to 400 dollar profit. Mr Christian is an idiot. They even took his name off the website, because of all the publicity he has received. Oh, you may have sold quite a few computers to COlorado, but that still doesn't stop the bad publicity you get in the Front Range, or the Austin Texas area. I have personally costed Financing Alternatives countless customers (all can be confirmed with names and numbers) about 42 last time I checked. I am still rolling too.

Yep - what a scam. THERE IS NO AUDIT DEPARTMENT. The faxes go to a que and reviewed by one of the customer rep's. They do not give refunds nor provide you with the administrative address and phone number to complaint to someone other than them. You have to contact the BBB by email or search their site to get the BlueHippo Administrative Department (the real ones responsible for the scams) - within a week or two you should get a phone call by BH. Do not accept anything less than a full refund - they will try to "buy" your silence by refunding the membership fee of $19.95.

This is worse company I've ever had the unfortunate business with. I hope someone brings them down and I will roast marshmallows over their steamy corpses... (I am not threating to do this - just expressing the serious - serious need for a lawyer to sue them!) ALL BLUE HIPPO CUSTOMERS ARE LOSERS - they (even if they get a computer) are ripped off!