EPC Parts Criminally Negligent! Been waiting 18 months for refund! Rip-off! Chatsworth California

I ordered a computer online at EPC parts, Order ID# 3131, and thought I had ordered a model with a DVD-ROM. When the laptop arrived, it only had a standard CD-ROM drive. I returned the laptop by UPS in June of 2003, tracking # 1zra59670303908694.

It was received by EPC parts on June 19th, 2003 and was signed by someone named Middleton. I was told that the refund process would take 14 - 30 days. I called again on July 7, 2003 to check on the progress. I was informed that the refund process had not been started yet, but that they would begin the process immediately, however it would be another 14-30 days to get my refund.

I am still waiting for a refund. I have called many times in the past 18 months but have gotten the run-around by the company. I would leave a message for someone to call me back and get no response. I asked to speak to a manager and was told that they would call me back later that day, but again I never received a phone call.

When I asked to speak to the accounting department directly, I was told that they do not have an outside line and therefore could not talk to customers, which is just not right. I offered to take delivery of another unit just so I did not completely lose my money. They said that that would be acceptable, but they never shipped it.

Over the last 6 months however, I have not been able to get in touch with the company because their phone number has changed. The address might have changed as well since the other complaint I saw about EPC Parts had a different address. I feel I have no recourse against this blatantly negligent company, but I really need my money back. Is there anything I can do?

Gia
West Springfield, Massachusetts
U.S.A.