PcDirectBiz.com ripoff Deceptive Advertising Lousy Customer Service Money Gone No computer Atlanta Georgia

I have fair credit - it isn't horrible but it is bad enough that I could not get traditional financing to buy a computer. I was refered to this company through a credit repair program I purchased and was SO excited when my application for an Easy Pay account was approved on August 15, 2006 (in a matter of minutes I had the approval email).

I immediately logged onto their site with my temporary password and selected Bundle 19 - a Sony Vaio Laptop. Once again, with in a matter of minutes, I received an email from them with my lease agreement and a confirmation that they would not deduct my $99.00 down payment until 8/25/06 - my next payday.

I promptly filled out my lease agreement, made a copy of my passport, my pay stub from work, a copy of my cable bill (I believe that was the utility bill I used) and finally my original check and mailed it all off that day - 8/15/06.

There were a couple things about the lease that were concerning - as someone who is really computer literate, I was concerned that they would be installing their "Sure Pay" software which sounded like the equivalent of spyware to me. I was concerned that they stated that they would not refund my down payment - but I figured it was okay since what I really wanted was the computer anyway.

Despite my concerns, I still felt fairly safe signing the lease and sending off my documentation. After all, I was very satisfied with the company who recomended PCDirectBiz and certainly they would recommend ripoffs to their customers.

Additionally, at the top of my lease agreement, it stated that "PCDirectbix.com is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau" - that is generally a good sign (in hindsight I really wish I'd taken a couple extra minutes to actually check that fact, since the BBB site states that their membership was revoked on 12/16/04 due to deceptive and misleading business practice).

On 8/28/06, I sent them an email just to make sure that they had received my paperwork. I got on their website and found that the email address was support @pcdirectbiz.com. I sent my email at 4:41 pm EST. At 6:47 pm EST, I received an email with the subject: "Warning: cound not send message for past 4 hours".

I'll admit, this concerned me a litte - certainly, the company should have a working customer service email account - but I figured there was a logical explanation.

On August 29, 2006 my $99.00 down payment came out of my checking account - and then the waiting game started.

To begin with, I wasn't bothered that I didn't yet have my computer. All I really wanted to know was (a) did you get my documentation; (b) what is the exact amount that will come out of my checking account each month; and (c) when will my first payment be deducted. I really was most concerned with my checking account bouncing if the payment came out when I wasn't expecting it to or if it was higher than I thought it should be.

Since I had had no luck with email, I decided to make a phone call this time. I don't remember the exact date I called - unfortunately, I wasn't worried about documenting things at this point. I called sometime between 9/4 and 9/8 becasue I was concerned about what was going on. I had requested that my computer be shipped to my work address and I was leaving for a week on a cruise. I had to make sure it wouldn't arrive while I was gone - and most importantly, that money wouldn't be coming out of my checking account while I was in the middle of the ocean and and not monitoring my balance every day.

I have never learned so little from a phone call to a customer service number in my life. About the only thing I did find out was that - yes, they did receive my paperwork.

I was told that my computer should probably ship by the end of the month - or maybe the beginning of October. I asked when my first payment would be withdrawn from my checking account - I was told that it would come out on the 1st or the 15th after the computer was shipped.

The girl - looking at my paperwork - couldn't tell me how much would be deducted each month. She promised me that an email would be sent to me when the computer was shipped.

According to their website - at the time I ordered my laptop - it takes 3-4 weeks for the computer to ship after they receive my paperwork - a little longer if it is the holidays (which it is not). So I waited.

On 10/10/06 @ 11:32 AM EST I had had enough waiting. By my calculations, it had been six weeks and I still had the same information I had to begin with. So, I sent an email to customerservice@pcdirectbiz.com and to maria@pcdirectbiz.com (both emails were listed under customer support).

I stated my complaints and asked them to update me on the status of my account.

I got no response from either email address - not even an automated response stating that they received my email.

The next day - 10/11 - after no response in 24 hours, I become quite concerned that I had been ripped off. I began to do some research online and found that they actually have a horrible record with the BBB and are no longer members. I filed a complaint with the BBB at that time.

I then sent an email to PCDirectBiz - I sent it to every email address that showed on their "Contact Us" page (at the bottom was the copy of the email I had sent the day before). In that email, I told them I was no longer interested in finding out when my computer would arrive - all I wanted now was a prompt full refund of my down payment and no further contact with their company. I explained that I expected an immediate response to my email outlining how their company intended to resolve the issue.

At that time, I also attempted to submit a complaint in their email form at the bottom of the "Contact Us" page. That never worked - and I tried numerous times - because every time I clicked the "Submit Comments" button it took me to a page with a server error stating I was forbidden to access that page.

Within minutes of my email, I started receiving system administrator emails stating that my email couldn't reach some of the intended recipients. Evidently, a number of the email addresses on the contact us page aren't actual valid email accounts - very helpful when you really need to contact them.

It is 10/17 today. I have just found your site and really wish I'd seen all of these complaints prior to doing business with this crooked company - since they all sound so familiar.

I feel like I've made very little progress. I have an open complaint with the BBB. I have contacted the credit repair company which suggested PcDirectBiz.com and they have kindly removed their recomendation to save other individuals like myself from the same trauma.

After reading what other people have written, I'm worried that the worst is yet to come. Their website no longer show any Sony computers - so I wonder if they will try to send me a Dell, HP or Gateway - 3 brands I really don't want.

I'm figuring that I will probably never see my $99 again - which really sucks becasue I don't have a hundred bucks to throw away. I'm seriously contemplating contacting my bank to see if there is anyway I can refuse all payment requests from them on my account.

Mostly, I've determined that it really sucks to have less than perfect credit. I really wish they would grab you in college when you get dozens of credit card offers and tell you to just say no. My credit trouble was 4-5 years ago when I was in college. Once I finally settled all of the overdue accounts - I swore off all credit.

So now, I have delinquent accounts showing from 5 years ago - nothing since - and while my credit score is in the good range, I can't get credit with anyone that is reputable. It is very wrong for companies like this to prey on people like myself. I think they should be shut down.

Kelly
Chattanooga, Tennessee
U.S.A.