Dealtree, Dealtree.com And Dealtree Fails to honor computer trade-in quotes for Buy.com credit certificates Ripoff Tustin California

I've worked for UPS since 1988 (not management, inside grunt work), and my experience leads me to think both parties are probably at fault here. And I have some suggestions.

May best guess: the computer was probably inadequately packed. Most individuals have no clue. Watching what happens inside a sorting facility is like watching what goes into sausage, not for the weak of stomach. The problem was not that the cord was plugged in, the problem was that it stuck out where it was plugged in, and as the package tumbled over the belts and down slides and off the rollers and maybe onto the floor, etc., the computer shifted inside the box (styrofoam peanuts are pretty useless to prevent this) and the computer was effectively dropped onto the projecting cord, causing mechanical damage to the socket.

This should have been obvious when Dealtree opened the box (internal damage, like a power supply breaking loose from the printed circuit board due to weight and inertia, is a different matter -- check for rattles! -- but they say it was the power cord, and that could only be the problem if it broke the socket loose). They should have filed a claim with UPS (every package is automatically insured up to $100) and if UPS denied it because of improper packaging they'd have a defense.

Instead, like idiots, they plugged it in, adding electrical damage to the mechanical damage, which could perhaps have been repaired cheaply without their negligence.

Again, the kind of damage that can be caused by shipping with a power cord plugged in is OBVIOUS MECHANICAL DAMAGE. Plugging in a computer with obvious mechanical damage is NEGLIGENCE. Dealtree needs to pay up, train its people, and improve its instructions.

One instruction should be this: pack items like computers so that they are completely immobilized, several inches away from all surfaces. Bubble wrap, inside an internal box, inside another layer of folded cardboard and bubble wrap several inches thick. Then apply lots and lots of strapping tape. If you aren't comfortatable with dropping the result at any angle from several feet in the air, it ain't good enough.

I filed the original Ripoff Report against Dealtree.com. The response of "Garry" of Dealtree.com is the typical denial of this of this company. Contrary to the response of "Garry," the unit was packed appropriate packaging and cushioning material. as noted in my original report.

What "Garry" is correct about is that the power cord was plugged in to (i.e., not removed from) the computer prior to shipping. According to Dealtree.com, it was this situation that caused the supposed damage to the computer power unit. However, in following Dealtree.com's instructions for shipping computer units to Dealtree.com, IT WAS NEVER MENTIONED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE POWER CORD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE UNIT.

I find it difficult to believe that the unit was even damaged in transit because of the sufficient packaging protection, but even IF that is what occurred because a power cord was not removed, simple cautionary instructions from Dealtree.com to remove the power cord then could have prevented any alleged damage. If Dealtree.com was supposedly aware that any problems could result from shipping the unit with the power cord plugged in (as they later stated to me), then it would have been Dealtree.com's duty to warn others and me of that problem prior to shipping, and to provide clear instructions in order to prevent any such occurrences. Had they given any such instructions, I would have followed them to the letter.

What is also amusing is the notation that Dealtree.com "offered to return the unit at [my] expense." As noted in my original report, Dealtree.com was demanding payment of $85.75 to return the unit to me, and that amount supposedly included a "$25 inspection fee" which apparently was their charge for merely plugging in the unit (which according to them "would not operate") per their version of the circumstances. Thus Dealtree.com wanted payment of $85.75 to return a unit for which they previously advised they would pay me only $27.03.

A side issue here is whether an insurance claim could have been made regarding the alleged damage with Dealtree.com's directed carrier, UPS. An employee at UPS advised me that such parcels were automatically insured up to a value of $100. That UPS employee also advised that Dealtree.com would have to have filed a claim in that matter, since they had possession of the computer item and the original packaging, and had directed UPS to be the directed carrier.

I am unaware whether Dealtree.com has filed a claim with their carrier, UPS, regarding this alleged damage matter. But it sure would have made sense to do so, considering that Dealtree.com's valuation of the contents of the parcel was only $27.03, well below the supposed UPS automatic insurance amount of up to $100 in value.

Bottom line, I urge all to avoid dealing with this company.

Peanuts create static electricity. If your computer sparked and burned when it was plugged in, some static from the peanuts got into your system. Probably happened during shipping.

I learned this the hard way. When I moved, I packed my computer with peanuts and the same thing happened.

This is also why you cannot open your hard drive on the carpet. It could spark and burn upon plugging in due to the static in the carpet.

Dealtree.com operates several end-user trade-in websites and provides trade-in services for a large variety of well known manufacturers and retailers. In this case, the item in question here was traded-in for payment in the form of gift card to Buy.com

On September 11, 2006 Joseph completed his buy.com trade request. The quote of $27.03 received for the item was based on his word that the older Presario Desktop PC was going to arrive as he stated: "GOOD condition.

The item arrived 3 days later in our McKinney Texas return center. As a result of the shipper leaving the power cord plugged into the power supply unit during shipping, and insufficient packaging to protect this area, the item arrived with damage and would not operate. The unit sparked and burned when plugged in. Photos were taken of the damage and offered Joseph to provide proof of condition.

We offered to the return the unit at his expense, or recycle the unit at no cost. This information was communicated to Joseph, who responded: "I hereby demand the quote of $27.03 or the return of the unit AT YOUR EXPENSE! More than likely your personnel did not even inspect this unit. I will contact the proper authorities if you fail to comply with either of the above. "

The issue here is that we agreed to pay Joseph for a working computer. Joseph did not deliver the item as agreed. We are out the inbound UPS shipping costs (a 30 lb item) and the cost of labor for inspection and disposal.

We would caution anyone wanting to sell or trade items online to be sure to package the item to arrive in good condition. The seller is responsible for ensuring the safe arrival of the item they sell.