Compu Electronics Ohio 2 ACER Laptops Purchased for a total of $1,317. RIP OFF. COMPU ELECTRONICS WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL Cleveland Ohio

I recently bought a Compaq laptop computer at a liquidation sale in Minnesota. (This was a display model)The information on the table explained that this PC had 2GB ram and 260GB HD. The salesman told me to give him 20 minutes and he will install Office 2007 as a "bonus for me". I also purchased a monitor and he wrote a slip for for the total price but tried to charge my credit card $100 more. After signing about 4 different receipts, he claims to have it correct. (Still waiting to see my credit card bill). I got home and noticed that the PC only had 504MB ram and 50GB hard drive.  I returned to the sale the next day and asked him to show me where the 2GB ram and 260GB harddrive was and he told me that you can't see it but it will be there when you need it. He speaks broken english so I had a hard time understanding him. I was also told that this could not be returned, just exchanged.He said for my inconvenience he will install an antivirus for me ( for free). This antivirus can be downloaded from the internet for free. I told him to box up my "junk" and I will just write it off as a stupid investment.I was charged $349.99 for this piece of junk, and was disturbed to find out that I could have purchased the same PC (brand new) with 2GB ram and 260GB harddrive from Best Buy for $349.99.I have tried to contact this company by phone and left messages but have heard nothing yet.I would just like to thank you people for removing any trust I had in people like you.

Please listen carefully, 2 Laptops purchased in November 2011.  1 Hard Drive Not working after 30 days.  The 2nd Laptop Screen LED / LCD overheated and displaced the Screen and could not use it.  No one's son smased the Laptop on anything, that was NEVER stated in any phone conversation.  Sure Acer replaced the Hard Drive at the "owners" Expense of shipping and handling, they even wanted credit card information just to guarantee that the broken hard drive was going to be sent FED EX.  The 2nd Laptop screen is all Lava Lamp looking and can't even use it.   Both Laptops broken only after 30 days from the date of purchase.   When the Customer attempted to contact Compu Electronics they would not "assist" the consumer with repairs to either laptop.   Listen, if you're going to be in business ANY business; the "Consumer Is Always Right" to a point !!! While in Business ATLEAST KEEP AMERICAN BUSINESS IN AMERICA and STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT/S that you sell.  Atleast Develop a Policy of Return so as to ASSIST the CONSUMER and be the "Liason" / "Middle Man" as the Original Retail Seller between the CONSUMER and the MANUFACTURER !!! Sure Acer is a Big Conglomorate Business / Manufacturer and Yes it's always Easier to Blame the LITTLE GUY/S but the LITTLE GUYS are usually the ones "Screwing" the Consumer "Trying to make a Quick Buck to Stay in Business".   

 Here's the Point !!!! 2 Laptops Purchased November 2011 Broken within 30 Days from the Date of Purchase !!!! Acer explained they are under Warranty until November 2012.  However Acer requested that the "Consumer" / Client contact the ORIGINAL RETAIL STORE / SELLER.  To the Consumers Disappointment the REPAIRS were not Covered by the Original Retail Seller based on their POLICIES.  WELL GOOD FOR YOU COMPU ELECTRONICS YAY FOR THE LITTLE GUYS !!!! YOU WIN THIS ONE !!!

   I've Owned Many Desktop and Laptop Computers in 20 Years and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER have any of them BROKEN DOWN ONLY AFTER 30 Days From ANY MANUFACTURER DEFECTS LIKE THESE 2 LAPTOPS have within 30 Days from the Date of Purchase !!!  And Walmart Sells the Exact same Laptop for $400.00 So SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE LIKE COMPU ELECTRONICS GOES TO WALMART Purchases 30 of them at a Time and then Turns around and SELLS THEM at $600 AT A COMPUTER ELECTRONICS SHOW !!!! SO TELL ME THAT'S NOT A RIP OFF ????

   I'm Gonna Tell you PEOPLE A LITTLE SECRET ABOUT MYSELF !!! I'm a SMALL BUSINESS OWNER FIXING THOSE PROBLEMS !!!! IT'S PRETTY SAD WHEN A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER / IT PROFESSIONAL LIKE MYSELF HAS TO STEP IN AND MAKE THE NECESSARY CALLS, REPAIRS, and BE THE GO BETWEEN FOR PRODUCTS THAT ARE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE RETAIL SELLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL !!! IT'S NO WONDER SMALL BUSINESSES GO OUT OF BUSINESS !!! I MYSELF HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS and I'M NOW THE GO BETWEEN LIASON FOR THE CLIENT AND ACER !!! I Just GOT AHOLD OF ACER and THEY STATED TO ME THAT COMPU ELECTRONICS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS BEHAVIOR and they are Familiar with their business practices of selling KNOCK OFFS and not standing behind the products they sell which ACER Manufacturers.  I EVEN SELL REFURBISHED LAPTOPS AT A COST LESS THEN THE $659 For 1 of those laptops that the CONSUMER PURCHASED !!! AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT'S EVEN AN ACER INSPIRON !!! I JUST SOLD FOR $500 REFURBISHED and I STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF MY WORK and I STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THAT I SELL NEW AND USED / REFURBISHED !!! LESSON LEARNED !!! BY ME and MY CLIENT !!! NEVER PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM A COMPUTER ELECTRONICS SHOW AGAIN, THE RETAILER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS THEY SELL !!!

   THAT'S RIGHT COMPU ELECTRONICS - BUY THE PRODUCTS RETAIL !!! SELL THEM TO THE CONSUMER BY PRICE GOUGING !!!! THEN ONLY OFFER A 30 Day Policy (which is understood) and THEN PUSH THE CONSUMER OFF TO THE MANUFACTURER and YOU'RE SCOTT FREE WITH NO RESPONSIBILITY EVER AGAIN TO THE CONSUMER !!!

   SORRY, I'm THE NICE GUY DOING YOUR JOB NOW !!!! AND I'M NOT GETTING PAID TO DO IT !!! THANKS !!!! MAYBE I WILL SEND YOU THE BILL LOL

Also, they were correct that the software and installation is not covered.  It's your responsibility to backup the computer as soon as you get it and keep your data backed up.  It's also correct that most companies will sell a disk with an image of your original hard drive. 

It's always been done this way and is nothing new.  I'm sure Acer provides instructions to backup your disk image.

Unfortunately, computers are more complex than a toaster and it's up to the user to gain some technical knowledge.  It will make your life much easier.

The retailer did nothing wrong and neither did Acer.  If you (or your son) broke the display, no one will replace the machine for free unless you bought some kind of specific accidental damage warranty.  I'm sure you didn't do that did you?

Special Thank You to Flynrider! It is so pleasant to see that at least someone understands the ridiculousness of this report. I sincerely hope other people reading it will take their time to think it over. 

To address a few points in Steve's complaint. 

The laptops now are worth less money ("WALMART SELLS THE SAME LAPTOP FOR $368.00 (just 1)") - of course they are, it's been 6 months after the purchase! With fast developing computer technology they will be worth even less in 6 more months.

Manufacturer Acer refuses to fix the laptops while they are under the warranty - and Compu-Electronics deserves the negative review. Of course, because it is easier to blame a small privately owned company then a big CORP. 

Another point that Steve forgot to mention here, but mentioned during our phone conversation (yes, I am the "foreign" accented woman that he spoke to on the phone - and I do not see what difference it makes whether I am foreign or American, unless there is a racial prejudice behind this comment): their son smashed the laptop on the floor. "I want you guys to replace it now or we want our money back" (real citation from the phone conversation with him) - really? Do you think any company will do that?  

Our company is a reseller just like Best Buy, Micro Center, CompUSA, or any other retail store. If you go to Best Buy in 6 months after the purchase date, do you think they will give you a refund or replacement? Of course not. They will tell you to call the manufacturer,  everyone knows that. Compu-Electronics abides by their policy, and as Flynrider kindly mentioned: "you can't really call that a ripoff".

And to finalize my rebuttal: yes, people, "BE VERY AWARE WHEN PURCHASING ANYTHING FROM COMPU ELECTRONICS !!!!", and also when purchasing anything from Best Buy, Micro Center, CompUSA, Tiger Direct, etc. because those companies provide ONLY 30 days return policy, and after that you are screwed :)

  You are special and they should recognize that. 

" Sure Most Retail stores tell you 14 days to 30 days with most products, but not all...  "

   Of course, there must be an exception to the policy for you, right?    Does the policy allow returns past thirty days if you buy two computers?   I bet not.    I think you'd be surprised to find out what happens when you try to return your computer to Best Buy after 15 days. 

   I can see why you'd have a major beef with Acer about their shoddy product, but I think you're way off base complaining about the retailer.   They abided by their written return policy and you can't really call that a ripoff.  You even said so yourself :

" COMPU ELECTRONICS WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL Unless IT's WITHIN 30 Days of Date of Purchase !!!!  "

Due to the circumstances, of both Acer Laptops being Unusable only after 30 days, We Have read the so called "Warranty".  Compu Electronics SOLD supposedly 2 new "Working" laptops.  Sorry but we feel that if a Retail operation is going to sell you something and it breaks down becomming unusable after 31 days, then contacting ACER and they tell us to try to Contact Compu Electronics to start with, then Compu Electronics should STAND BEHIND the Products they sell EVEN IF THEY JUST ADVOCATE and accept the Computers and they handle the shipping to and from ACER.  Acer replaced the Hard Drive but did not install any software that was pre installed.  Another concern is WHY SHOULD ANYONE SPEND $1,300 on 2 Laptops and 31 days later have to go directly to ACER when they were sold by COMPU ELECTRONICS.  Sure we went to ACER for Warranty repair.  Sure ACER gladly accepted the responsibility to make the repairs, however, 31 days after purchase BOTH Laptops aren't working ???? Come on, Please !!!! It's like buying anything NEW - You expect it to last, but come on 31 days 45 days ????? Please get real !!!! Sure Most Retail stores tell you 14 days to 30 days with most products, but not all... But come on the investment of $1,300.00 for 2 laptops and BOTH broken not long after the 30 days ??? Please people... Wouldn't you expect the Retail or Manufacturer to stand behind the product they make or sell ???If you BUY A CAR for $20, 000.00 and it breaks down 31 days later and isn't working, wouldn't you go back to the Dealer that sold it to you and Expect them to fix it ???? I WOULD !!!! I FEEL I WAS MALICIOUSLY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF by Compu Electronics.

" Compu-Electronics will not replace or repair any computer they sell unless "IT'S WITHIN 30 DAYS" of the date of purchase. "

  Standard practice with just about any retailer.  They offer an initial return period in case a computer is dead out of the box, or soon after.  Thirty days is better than many retailers.  Last time I checked, Best Buy would only take computers back within 14 days of purchase.  

  After the retailer's return period is over, the manufacturer's warranty applies.   Reading your post, you seem to be expecting the retailer to be responsible for the warranty.   That's not how it works. 

" they want us to Send them BOTH LAPTOPS AT OUR SHIPPING COST !!!!! WHICH TO ME SHOULD BE AT COMPU ELECTRONICS COST NOT OURS ! "

  Why should Compu Electronics be responsible for anything at this point?   It seems to me that your complaint should be directed entirely at Acer.   As a side note, most companies require the customer to pay shipping to return an item under warranty.  They generally cover the return shipping.   That sucks, but that's usually the case.   Read your warranty (which you apparently haven't) for specifics.