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  • Report:  #80253

Complaint Review: CompactAppliance.com - Richlund Ventures Inc.

CompactAppliance.com - Richlund Ventures ripoff Buffalo New York

  • Reported By:
    Toledo Ohio
  • Submitted:
    Fri, February 13, 2004
  • Updated:
    Sat, April 02, 2005
  • CompactAppliance.com - Richlund Ventures, Inc.
    200 Amherst St.
    Buffalo, New York
    U.S.A.
  • Phone:
    800-297-6076
  • Category:

I ordered a dishwasher from CompactAppliance.com, a branch of Richlund Ventures, Inc. When I got the dishwasher, the only way to get the thing out of the box was to destroy the box. Since I had thought there would be no problems with the dishwasher, I didn't keep the box. Well, the dishwasher is defective. I spent $378.00 and got majorly ripped off. They claim they won't take anything back without the packaging.

I feel that they intentionally sell defective products to consumers, knowing full well that the box that the appliance came in will have to be destroyed and then they won't have to refund any money if there are any problems. The State of Ohio even wrote to them, for me, and the answer came back as expected, the company refuses to do anything because the packaging was ruined. I don't want anyone else getting ripped off like this, ever again.

These kinds of places need to be put out of business for deceptive practices. Even if I had kept the packaging, how does a person wrap a dishwasher back up? They don't. It's not possible. The dishwasher was sealed with heavy duty staples and it took a lot to even get the packaging apart.

Lissy
Toledo, Ohio
U.S.A.

2 Updates & Rebuttals


Shanna

Pace,
Florida,
U.S.A.

Lady from Ohio is absolutely correct... The dishwasher that I purchased from compactappliance.com did not even last 30 days.

#3Consumer Comment

Sat, April 02, 2005

I truly wish that I had read this ripoffreport before purchasing from compactappliance.com.

I experienced the same situation, though I am lucky enough to have found the original package. I thought that I had thrown the package away considering the fact that it was so big and I had no place for it. I had placed it in a closet and found it while recently cleaning out the closet. Getting it back into the box is going to be a challenge though. I will do it in order to get my money back.

The dishwasher that I purchased from compactappliance.com did not even last 30 days. The reason that I had thought that I had thrown the box away was because I did not plan on returning the dishwasher. But, after it acquiring a leak 27 days after I acquired it and receiving extensive water damage and mold behind my counter, I contacted compactappliance.com and inform them that they would have to exchange this product at their expense because of their 30 day no hassle return policy. They still have not contacted me back even after contacting the BBB. They have responded to the BBB that they will not take the product back because I do not have the original packaging. So, that means that this company is able to sell defective products and receive commission for selling them and hold the customer responsible for any defective problems that they experience with the product? Something does not seem right about that.

I feel that the rebuttal that whoever wrote to the lady from Ohio was extremely insensitive and extremely inaccurate with the theory that you gave in your rebuttal.

If compactappliance.com is going to sell a product, then they must be held accountable for any defect warranty that must be established for the protection of their customers. The way that they have their policy set up now, they get the money for selling the product but then the manufacturer handles defective issues and compactappliance is not held responsible? No, business is not handled that way. Businesses have a responsibility toward their customers and are not able to pass the buck. Wow, how easy would that be? Sell a defective product and the customer is unable to get their money back? That is not the way things work guys!


Stephen

Albany,
New York,
U.S.A.

You are mistaken - you need to read the policies

#3UPDATE EX-employee responds

Fri, February 13, 2004

I work for an appliance parts and service company. We do not sell appliances, however we repair thousands each year and I deal with distributors and dealers on a daily basis. I just have to tell you that you are totally out of line. Your post is slanderous and accusatory and completely baseless.

First of all, there ARE ways to open appliances without destroying the packaging. How do I know? I have done it plenty of times when installing units for customers. We keep the boxes for storage precisely because they are NOT destroyed after we open them. If you were unable to do that, then that is YOUR problem. It is not a conspiracy to prevent people from returning appliances. Nevertheless, that is not the point. The point is that you did not understand or just did not bother to read the details of the return policy for this company.

Their website states EXPLICITLY that returns can be made within 30 days of units in NEW condition, if you are unsatisfied for any reason. Your unit is not in new condition. If your unit is DEFECTIVE, then that requires an entirely different procedure and it is very clearly explained and easily accessible on their website. Here it is-copied directly from their website:

Defective Products-All defective products will be handled by the manufacturer under the terms of their warranty. CompactAppliance.Com is not responsible for replacing products that fall under the manufacturer's warranty coverage.

That was accessed right from the main page and I am quite certain it is printed on your bill of sale.

You see, when you buy an appliance it is sold WITH a manufacturer's warranty. That is completely separate from any guarantee that the dealer may offer. If your unit is defective under the manufacturer's warranty, then you need to call that manufacturer to make plans for replacement or arrange warranty service. The company did NOT sell you a defective appliance on purpose. That is insulting and ridiculous. I find it even more insulting that you went to the State of Ohio (what does that mean exactly?) and tried to further defame the company, who was absolutely justified in the way they handled this matter.

People like you who make absurd accusations against reputable companies should be ashamed. This company has been in business since 1999 and has a very good reputation. They distribute all over North America (including Canada) and have a fantastic customer service department including email, telephone hotlines, and even a live chat available on their website. You can run a search in these forums and find only ONE other complaint against this company and while not as ludicrous and unjustified as yours, it is still nothing more than a misunderstanding that the complainant felt they needed to vent about.

The simple facts are: A. YOU were unable to open the box without destroying it (which doesn't matter anyway-you don't need to return the unit to the dealer-you need to deal with the MANUFACTURER of your appliance) and B. YOU either did not understand or didn't bother to take the time to actually read the return policies and as a result YOU tried to go about returning the unit THE WRONG WAY and then YOU got upset because the company upheld their policies (which are explicit and fair and entirely available to you through their website and literature), which is completely justified and THEIR RIGHT.

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