Direct2U Audio Paramax, Visionmax White Van Scam 2 White Males in a Best Buy parking lot. Roseville, California

I had two guys approach me in a best buy parking lot on my way into the store. They stopped right in front of me as I was crossing the street. They asked if i wanted to buy a 72" tv. I said no and tried walking around but he remained persistant. I finally agreed to take a look at what he was offering and listented to the entire sales pitch. He got out of his Silver dodge suv and opened the back door to show me this projector and the catalogue stating it was worth $4xxx.

It looked alright but when i said no he offered me the home theater system. After talking with him and thinking how my roomate and I wanted a set up like this i convinced myself i couldn't pass up the deal. I appeared shady to me and i asked questions asked him to open everything and show me what was actually in the box. Everything seemed legit. He said someone offered $1200 earlier but only a check and if i could do cash he'll lower it. I said all i have is $600 he said no then got me for $800. I asked to verify none of this was stolen or five finger discounted or fell off of a truck and he said no. Just some extra stuff that was delivered and if he brought it back to his boss he would just keep it. He showed me the invoice and delivery statements and the pricing on it and i finally agreed when he said everything would be covered by warranty. Foolish me i caved in the end and gave him the $800 after following me to my bank. I thought he was exited to sell this stuff to make some extra cash. Boy was i right.

Once i got home i googled paramax and first thing i saw was the website. Next were a list of sites reporting "white van scam" and i was both angry and foolish. I called the number given to me by him saying give him a call if I'm around the area and we could grab beers sometime. Did not work.

Next number he gave me with his name, employee id number and other store information called "Direct2u Audio" to activate the warrently a man named Paul picked up and I just asked to speak with Charley, the man who sold me the products, and he said that's his driver and the number i called is just a warehouse where he breaks down pallets and ships out boxes. I didn't mention a scam or anything just asked questions to keep the conversation going. He said his warehouse is out of El Dorado Hills CA and Charley is just his driver. He took me name and number and said he'd have Charley give me a call once he got in.

Next day later still no phone call, I just tried to appear as a customer looking for installation help hoping he'd call me back. I call the "warehouse" number again now it just rings. I listen to the machine to leave a message and it states it is Direct2U Audio and leave a message and if you're calling about a job as a delivery guy and become a rock star leave your information and they'll call you back. I called again a few hours later and the machine's message changed. Left a message stating I still had a few more questions about mounting the projector.

Never received that phone call yet and I never even opened the boxes up as I've only read horror stories and see no point in it if it's all just junk.

Although this has been going on for decades people I've talked to have never heard of this. I figured it would be a common occurrence and I was just the unaware shameful buyer falling for their tactics. I hope something is done about this but what can be done? From what I see they're not doing anything illegal. They're just selling overly priced items. I've seen spit, underwear and "ghost in a bottle" go for more than what I have lost.

Hopefully there is a way to educate everyone about these scams and I hope no one falls for this like I have. It's an extremely shameful feeling. I'm going to make sure I post about this on some car forums I am on and spread the word that way as well.

At least I was skeptical enough to jot down their license plate number while i was texting but that's not getting my anywhere. But we will see.