Household Retail Services and Best Buy rip-off! Deceitful business practice! City Of Industry, California

My nightmare began April 13, 2003 when I ordered a computer from Best Buy. Because it was a special order, I did not receive the laptop until April 28, 2003. It was advertised 12 months interest free. I received my first statment in early May showing a due date of May 28, 2003. Great, my payments will be due appx. the 28th of each month.

This statement should have alerted me to the kind of business I was dealing with! I noticed a "debt cancellation fee" which was alien to me. I called Best Buy, no explanation. I called Retail Services and was told it was a credit life policy. I informed HRS that I did not desire the coverage. They billed me for it for three months for a total of $48.26. I called back and would not take no for answer.

I received the credit on the next statement. I also discovered that my account had been closed to any further purchases. And the July statement showed a late fee! I made 12 payments all sent 7 days prior to the due date, and only one is late, and charged right after my confronting HRS about the insurance. I don't think so!!! I asked that this bogus late fee be removed, they reluctantly agreed, however, never removed the charge.

Here's the real slap in the face. After 12 months making payments with a due date of the 28th of the month I had paid back exactly what I charged within 1 year. I'm thinking great that' one bill taken care of. HRS had other ideas. The next thing I find is a bill from HRS charging me for the deferred interest and the late fee that was supposed to be removed!!! After contacting these "people", they said I went past the "promo expiration date". Of course I had no idea what this was as no one felt the need to explain it to me, and it is not mentioned in any of my documents. If I had known about this I would have sent my payment accordingly.

It's a darn shame when an American business has to resort to this kind of deceit, against fellow Americans, to make money! It's all about greed! I'll never shop at Best Buy again! I will never make a purchase involving any of Household Banks companies!!!

John
Las Cruces, New Mexico
U.S.A.