Complaint Review: Circuit City

I was defrauded and sold stolen goods by Circuit City(CC) in North Bergen, NJ where they sold me a Hewlett Packard(HP) laptop that I opened at home and found its contents was a completely different model laptop than that which I paid for. The model in the box was physically damaged as well as an older (2 years), and different model. I repackaged the item and tried to rectify the situation with the store and was denied the return.

I later found out, through direct contact with HP that the merchandise I received was previously registered and REPORTED STOLEN by the previous owner. I unsuccessfully disputed the charge and my final rejection came through today. Now I plan on exploring my legal options and would appreciate any advice as to where to begin.


To recap: I bought a new HP laptop from the CC located in NB, NJ and, upon opening its contents noticed some damage on the case so I repackaged the laptop to return it to the store for replacement. A store employee, upon inspecting the laptop, determined that beyond being damaged that the laptop I was trying to exchange was a completely different model than that I purchased and that they could not accept the return. Of course I was both flabbergasted and irate over the situation and had the store provide me a record of the incident and returned home with the "packaged" laptop upon which I called CC customer service department. The cust service person opened up a service ticket and instructed me to speak to the Operations Manager who would be in the next day. I was left with a complaint number and the next day

I called Anna the Ops Manager from the store with my situation and she again rejected my exchange and was told to contact HP over the incident. I then reported the above scenario to HP and gave them identifying information on the laptop I was supposed to receive (marked on the box) and that which was packaged (bottom of the laptop) and they opened a ticket.

A few days later I was told by HP that they could not provide any more help and/or details because the "packaged" laptop had been reported as STOLEN from the previous registered owner yet no police report was ever sent to HP.

Since that time I had disputed my charge through AMEX twice, initiated a BBB complaint, and spoke to CC executive staff and they continue to deny any wrongdoing. This is absurd, criminal(at minimal negligent) behavior because the previous owner of the laptop that they sold me as new was registered about a year earlier as Daniel Hernandez from North Bergen.

Anthony
North Bergen, New Jersey
U.S.A.