Complaint Review: Buy.com

Buy.com has carefully structured their company policies to make it impossible for anyone to return anything for refund.

On 6-6-02 I ordered a camera, with the understanding that I had 30 days to return it and that I had to obtain a "Return Merchandise Authorization" (RAM) number before returning anything.

I received the camera on 6-10 and noticed that the shipping document indicated that it was shipped on 5-25-02, a week before I even ordered the camera. I thought it was an honest mistake, but I realize now that it was deliberate, in order to reduce the time I had to return the camera.

I immediately tried to get a "RAM" number but every option I chose resulted in "no RAM available at this time". I tried again a few days later, and the message was "This is a clearance item and the time for return has expired". (That was within 14 days of the time I received the camera. The only way the "time had expired" was if they started counting on the ficticious shipping date of 5-25-02.)

When I turned this over to the BBB, the company rep lied - said the camera was clearly marked clearance, and I waited more than 30 days to contact them, blah blah blah.

I have reported them to the state AG in California, but I don't have a reply yet. I have also asked my credit card company to charge it back. They have done so, pending an investigation. I have hopes of getting some justice in this case.

I have learned NEVER to order anything from a compnay that requries a RAM - it's just a way to avoid giving a refund at all.

Jo
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma