CyberPower, Inc Unauthorized Substitution of Components, Excessive Delay in Refund Baldwin Park California

I ordered a computer from CyberPower on Nov 03, 2008 for Christmas. Ordered a preconfigured system with mostly brand and model specific components. Company webpage stated all systems received a 48 hour burn in. Paid $39 extra to upgrade to a specific Brand/Model motherboard. Paid $44 extra to upgrade to a specific Brand/Model Graphics Card. Paid $49 extra to upgrade to a specific Brand/Model Power Supply. Company charged my credit card the next day. Called the company one week later to check on status and enquire about possibly upgrading Power Supply even further. Salesman insisted it wasn't necessary, the unit I upgraded to was of good quality and sufficient power for other system components. Called on Nov 18, 2008 to check status because website identified Nov 18 as estimated shipping date. Salesman checked on system status and stated it was still being assembled. If any parts were out of stock, salesman had excellent opportunity to discuss with me at this time, but no mention of out of stock parts or component substitution was made. Salesman said system was on schedule and would ship within a few days. The next day CyberPower webpage lists my computer as having been shipped? There was no possible way to perform a 48 hour burn in? Nov 20 I receive the final invoice (one full day AFTER the computer shipped). When I review the invoice I see the company has substituted a different CD burner and a different Power Supply. I had already invested $66 in the power supply ($17 base unit and $49 to upgrade to Brand/Model specific unit). The substituted unit could be purchased for $22 and had a questionable performance history. I called the company to complain and was told the salesman could do nothing about it because the PC had already shipped. I was told to accept the PC and then call their Customer Support (which I found out later had a very poor track record). I explained I didn't receive any indication of the unauthorized substitution until one full day AFTER the unit shipped. After much discussion, the company finally agreed to refund my cost. It then took the company one full month to refund my money and only then after I challenged the charge with my credit card company and files a complaint with the California BBB.

Jeffr
Proctorville, Ohio
U.S.A.