Aaron's Sales And Leasing - ripoff harrasment by store employees Delano California
Two years ago, I made a grave error in judgement by walking into an Aaron's Sales and Leasing Facility and purchasing a computer.
Upon my agreeing to the numbers provided by the then manager, I ended up taking the computer home in my car and setting it up myself, however, there were cords missing and I had to go back to the store the next day.
My agreement had been to pay them $99 a month with a pay-off or exchange for upgrade w/in 3 months, however, managers changed and even though I had a contract, I was informed it was incorrect and had to sign a new one with higher payments and no upgrade.
Stupid me, I purchased again from them, they changed managers again and even though all of my contracts show my due date as the 15th of the month on a monthly basis, I receive harrassing phone calls at work, at home, my children have been traumatized by these strong arm tactics to the point of having these guys show up at my house when my teenagers are home alone and rather than knocking on the door, they proceed to beat on the side of the house.
I am currently on disability from my job, and have kept Aaron's abreast of my situation informing them all accounts will be finalized by the middle of February and to please be patient as I keep receiving these "valued customer" post cards, so I must be doing something right.
I was just informed that as my account is over 40 days in arrears (it isn't, I just passed the 15th day of the month) they were sending someone to come retrieve their merchandise right now. I paid in December yet haven't paid them this month. I re-told the manager tonight to please wait for the income tax in order for me to pay them off and I would be done with them, but he proceeded to threaten me with the law.
I wouldn't recommend Aaron's Sales and Leasing to ANYONE.
Just as an FYI; I did e-mail the "Top Dog" tonight and let him know of these strong arm tactics coming out of this store with his name on it and I requested a reply. We'll see what happens, but no one should have to be subjected to this type of behavior from anyone.
Thank you for this soap box. I appreciate it.
Pamela
Wasco, California
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Pamela
Wasco,California,
U.S.A.
These guys sure know how to stick it to you!
#2Author of original report
Sat, May 27, 2006
Soon after my comments here and to the National Headquarters of Aaron's, I was contacted by their Regional Manager, who DESPERATELY wanted to work with me, consequently crediting my account with $400 towards my balance. However, the very next payment due, (days after my husband was Medi-vacced to a Trauma Center here), as I was sorting through mail, guess who showed up at my door? The Regional and Local Managers. They, very nicely, were demanding a payment on the spot. When I explained what was going on (spouse in coma, etc), they said they needed a payment or they would take the mattresses and box springs we all sleep on (3 sets), but that they would simply hold them for me until I could pay off the contract. To date, I have paid over $1700 towards these 3 (14K) sets, but when I suggested they take a post dated check for the 1st, the local mgr said no and the regional mgr said yes. So I wrote the check out with specific instructions NOT to post prior to the 1st of the month and then had the wherewithal to request they sign my receipt book. I put the current date on the receipt for the same amount along with the check info, etc. Not considering professionals would screw up, I gave them no further thought until the RM called me nearly 30 days later to tell me the check bounced and I either needed to bring in $580 or they would be out to "confiscate" their merchandise. (My husband had JUST come home maybe an hour prior to this phone call). I tried to explain his new arrival along with asking how the check could've bounced when I postdated it for the first and I knew it was covered then, when lo and behold, I was yelled at by the RM who stated, "We NEVER take post dated checks. I don't know where you think you gave a post dated check to, but it wasn't one of my stores." I don't like being yelled at by anyone, so I hung up. Of course, instead of the RM and Local guy, the sent the midgeons, whom I felt very sorry for. So, daughter - accident in January; husband - bad accident in mid March, coming home March 30th; (me still on disability due STRESS). I asked if they couldn't wait for the payment until the first of the month, as at that time I was literally tapped out of funds. No. So, since April 25th, 2006, my 16 and 17 year olds, my still very much recovering spouse and myself have been sleeping on our floor. Before the un-delivery guys left, I asked for a receipt. They told me they weren't supposed to give me one. They had a print out from the store of my account info, address, work info, how many children I have, etc., so I called said RM and told her I was having the guys leave me that copy so I'd have something that showed they had retrieved the merchandise (I had them sign and date each set). Of course, she said No, but I have that document. As I was scanning this same document before my beds walked out the door, I noticed on THEIR accounting section that they had deposited my postdated for April 1st check on March 30th. Not only was it a day early and many dollars short, but they NEVER notified me of this and neither did my bank, nor did my bank assess any NSF fees. Why? I think they walked the check into the bank on the 30th to see if it would clear yet and left it at that. Never trying to deposit after the 1st. About 2 weeks ago I thought I'd better stop payment on the post dated check from March. This last Monday, the 19th, I believe, I received notification from Small Claims Court of a hearing in which the judge ruled "without prejudice" in my favor. So, I was taken to court, without any knowledge beforehand on a matter that they have no leg to stand on as I have written PROOF they accepted a postdated check. In my aggravation with this whole situation, I ended up speaking to the past Franchise President and the current one. However, NO ONE TO DATE has tried to contact me about anything. I have paid over $1700 on 3 sets of beds, owing on contract, according to their paperwork, only another 580, which I had told them I would be in 5 days from the day they took our beds. KEEP THEM AND LET ME HAVE LEARNED A HUGE LESSON IN LIFE. READ THE DARN FINE PRINT. I have also been informed after paying on this contract for one year, involving all that cash, I have ABSOLUTELY NO EQUITY IN THE MERCHANDISE, but they'll hold it for me until I decide to pay them off. (The un-delivery guys told me that is NOT Aaron's practice when they pick up used merchandise, so I climbed up in the back of the Aaron's truck with my permanent black magic marker and very discreetly placed my mark on every single piece they were taking.) So if anyone out there gets really comfortable beds from Aarons, check by the tags under the cording for an inch long mark. Those would be mine. Thank you for allowing me to vent. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE THIEVES AND BULLIES.