Alvio Corporation Internet Computer Sales Scam Artists on priceline.com Warrensville Heights Ohio *UPDATE ..got it! would never buy from them again
I first saw the ad for this computer at Pricewatch.com the ad is as follows:
"Computer Systems - Kits Bare Bones Athlon XP 2000 Asus A7S333 DDR333,XP2000+ w/Heatsink 400w Front USB Case $ 222 Shipping $15 48 States fully insured $270 Delivery Time 3-4 days"
This ad is currently at www.pricewatch.com, Systems, PC-KIts, Bare Bones Athlon XP 2000, Page #5, the last listing.
I called Alvio and spoke with Frank in Sales, EXT 107. I added a 20 Gigabyte Western Digital brand 7200 RPM 100/ATA hard drive, a 15,000 RPM processor cooling fan, 256 Megabytes of 333 Megahertz PC2700 memory and for $15.00 more I received a one year extended warranty. This all totalled to $411.45.
Frank told me at this time that I would receive this computer within 5 days of the date they receive the money order. I sent the money order "Next Day Air" on 7/3/02 and it was signed for on 7/5/02 by an Alvio employee.
I called Frank on 7/9/02 in hopes that he would have a tracking number for me so that I could have an idea when the PC would be delivered. He told me that it had not been shipped yet and I would receive it in two days.
On 7/12/02 I called their company in hopes that it by then would have a tracking number. Frank was not working and I was referred to Dan in Customer Service. He said that the system had not been shipped and would definitely be shipped no later than 7/15/02. On 7/16/02 (this morning)
I called Alvio beginning at 9:06 AM CST. "All" of their voicemail message boxes were full and I could not speak with anyone or leave a message. I continued dialing until Dan in Customer Service answered the telephone at approximately 9:17 AM. He informed me that my order had been misplaced and again was not shipped. I told him that I was not very happy with their service and he assured me that my order would be shipped "within the next few days". I do not expect my order to be shipped within the next few days as he claims.
I have since contacted the Ohio and Arkansas State Attorney General offices, the Ohio chapter of the BBB, the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI Division of Internet Fraud concerning these people and I suggest others with legitimate complaints do the same. There are a lot of complaints on the Internet from other dissatisfied Alvio customers.
It is now 7/20/02 and still no computer or contact from Alvio concerning delivery.
Steve
Jacksonville, Arkansas
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Update 7/29/02
#30
Mon, July 29, 2002
My system arrived 7/26/02. It was not DOA as I had feared from reading other reports about Alvio. I completed setting it up Saturday 7/27/02 and it runs perfectly. Does this mean I would buy from Alvio again? No chance of this ever happening. I doubt I would have it now if I hadn't filed so many complaints with several government agencies. A customer should not have to deal with this much hassle in order to get what they paid for. So please if you are considering buying a PC or component for your PC from Alvio; save yourself a big headache and buy elsewhere. Also, do perform a thorough check of who you plan to spend your hard earned money with before ordering.
Alvio Corporation of Warrensville, OH. Ad from pricewatch.com
#30
Tue, July 23, 2002
On 7/22/02 I contacted Alvio and again spoke with Dan in customer service. He informed me that he did not understand what the delay was with my order. He later returned my call to inform me that my order would be shipped today and that they were in the process of completing it at that moment.
I performed a search in Google for the Alvio corporate office address, 4364 Cranwood Parkway. It turned up four individual computer companies, they are as follows: AvaPC.com, MGEpc.com, AccuBuy Computers, Inc and of course Alvio. This must be a very big building!