FacotoryOutletStores.com aka 101Phones.com factoryoutletstore.com aka 101.com False Deceptive Advertising Scam Bait and Switch Tactics New York New York

BUYER BE WARE when you make a purchase from either factory outlet store which advertises on AMAZON as 101 phones (who has also been notified of this breach) they advertise new products which are NOT NEW and then charge a restocking fee for the return.  Something customer service failed to inform me when I make the purchase initially over the phone.  The company info on Amazon sends you to their site with a phone number which is how I ended up going outside of Amazon to purchase this.  I called them to verify if this was the same item I was looking for and since I was already on the phone with their customer service department I just went ahead and placed the order on the phone. 

I purchased a “NEW” handset from this company in November.  When I got it was far from “NEW”.  Instead it was a used refurbished piece of equipment.  The item clearly was discolored from age or smoke; it was also not shipped in the Manufacturer's box (just wrapped in brown paper and an unmarked box and was missing parts.  Even the battery pack was used and refurbished.  When I called them to state the obvious, I was told I could return it but would have to pay for shipping and a 15% restocking fee!  I was willing to pay the extra 30% more over what it would have cost me, just because I thought it was a “NEW” piece of equipment.  So you can imagine how insulted I was that any refund would have their restocking fee deducted from the refund, plus I'd have to pay for the return shipping.  I would have been happy to keep the phone for a discount.  But it was not an option either return the item with additional costs to me or keep it and suck it up!  It’s not worth returning it at this point since it would cost me almost 30% of what getting another item would cost me in savings.  Then I’d still have to go somewhere else and again make another purchase thereby costing me as much as what I already have!  The time and costs aren’t worth it at this point, so I’m left to just eat this bitter experience and keep the thing.

NOTE: I should note Amazon has always met or exceeded my expectations whenever I’ve purchased from them or other sellers.  So I felt AMAZON needed to know a seller was misrepresenting their products, which is why I notified them.  I also notified the BBB and my credit card company of their bait and switch tactics in the hopes that if anyone researches them prior to considering a purchase they will at least be aware of what they are getting into.

Update: I checked today to get the webaddress of this site and noticed Amazon has pulled 101 phones.com  when you research this particular model.