Complaint Review: CEC Solutions/Gaurunteed COnsumer Funding LLC.

I am also a consumer who thought it was a good idea to pay for a computer I'd never seen!! and to trust a company without doing any research. Duh!! Anyway, I have made over $500.00 in payments, and after reading so many horror stories about this company, I also started getting that sinking feeling.

After making sufficent payments, I received a letter from CEC, stating that I now qualified to have the computer financed. The expected shipping date was 4-8 weeks from July 3rd, 2008. I filled out the required paperwork completley, and returned it.

After 3 weeks, I called, and I called several times, but the wait time was horrible!! Close to a hour wait. Then once I got through, the call mysteriously got disconnected, and I was hung up on!!

I sent them an email, to their customer care department, care@gcf4all.com I never received a response.

I also logged on to their website, www.gcf4all.com I attempted to log onto my account, but kept getting returned to the home page.

So, finally, I checked the BBB website, in McClean Virginia.

I was shocked and horrified to find many complaints. I did also find another phone number, as well as a fax number. I filed a complaint with the BBB, otherwise known as Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The phone number is (703) 955-4001, ext 5110. I was told it is to the supervisor, "James." The fax number is (703) 997-0086.

I faxed a letter to the manager, listed on the BBB website, Tim Houston. I demanded an exact shipping date, as well as the configuration of the computer that was being shipped.

Shortly after sending the fax, I received a phone call from some representative named Vicky. She told me that CEC called me on August 22, and left me a voice mail message indicating that they couldn't ship my computer, because the address on my driver's license wasn't vaild. I never received a voice mail message from them, and I told her that my license is valid. She insisted that it wasn't because the address on my driver's license wasn't the same as my home/shipping address!!!

Vicky actually argued with me, indicating that the state of California requires a to do an address change when they move. I asked her how she would know what California requires, when she's in Virginia!!

The conversation was unpleasant, and was terminated.

I then received a call from a supervisor, James. I explained how rude Vicky was, and insisted that my driver's license is valid. I reminded him that I included a copy of a utility bill, to verify my address. Also, the address on the checking account that they were taking 2 payments a month from matched my home address.

I expressed to James that I felt like this was a stall tactic, and that I would never in fact ever receive a computer, and that there was no where in the contract that states specifically that in order for a computer to be shipped, a consumer's address on their identification must match their utility and home/shipping address. James had the nerve to suggest that I get on the DMV's website and change my address.

James explained that CEC has a policy that a license must be valid. So, okay, I asked him why they were taking my money, if my license was "invalid." Of course he had no answer for that.

James asked me whether or not I actually filed a complaint with the BBB. I verified that I had. James told me that CEC has a strict policy that once a consumer files a complaint with the BBB, that CEC cancels the financing (layaway), and that the consumer has to pay for the computer in full before it will be shipped, because CEC assumes that the consumer is not being cooperative, and won't fulfill the terms of the agreement. Essentially, that the consumer won't continue to pay for the computer once CEC ships.

He "suggested" that I cancel the complaint with the BBB. He actually had the name and phone number of the representative at the BBB. I suspect that because there have been so many complaints, that the BBB has dedicated a respresentative to handle CEC solely. The representative's name is Theodore Thompson, and his phone number is (202) 393-8000.

James had no promises of what he would do if I cancelled my complaint.

I did not cancel that complaint. I also filed a complaint with the Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection, in Fairfax Virginia.

I again faxed a letter, to Tim Houston, confirming my conversation with James. I also noted that since I've complied with CEC's requests, including paying every month on time, that they REFUSE TO SEND MY COMPUTER based on an address on a license, that they have BREECHED their own contract. I revoked any authorization for them to debit my bank account any further. IF YOU DO THIS, YOU MUST SENT IT TO THEM 3 BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE DEBIT IS GOING TO BE PAID.

I also put a stop payment on the ACH debit with my credit union.

If CEC debits my account again, my credit union advised me that I can file a dispute. I don't want to make anymore payments on a comptuer I don't think I'll ever get.

Both agencies are investigating, and will advise me when their investigation is complete. I am going to work very hard to get all of my money refunded

I will post the outcome on this website.

I've been checking this website, and so far, only one person has posted a comment about actually receiving a computer, and it was lousy!

My husband and I have spoken with James, the manager at CEC Solutions. He has very willingly explained everything that we are to receive and is going to work with us until the end to make sure that the process of shipping goes as smoothly as possible. it is simple. If you don't make your payments for something, you will not receive it. This is with any company and I would do the same thing. Thank you James!!


I hope everything is going to go as well as James at CEC Solutions promises so that I can recommend this company to more people in need of help. :)

Well, I called the Dell Customer Service # and after they beat around the bush a whole bunch, I finally got an answer. The man/woman whatever said "Well, mam, if I had your order # I could tell you more, but, to my knowledge, there is no shortage of glass, of any kind, at any of our plants at this time." But s/he also went on to state that s/he does not want to give out any false information so if I had an order # s/he would be able to give me more information on my computer. Please make sure you have an order # just in case Dell really can tell us something about our orders.

I hope I have an order # at home because I want my stuff and not get ripped off anymore than i have already :(