Complaint Review: Online Merchants Corporation

On or about 1/28/02 or 1/29/02, I logged onto a banner ad that advertised computer financing. It sent me to www.omcsolutions.com. I filled out an online application. On 1/30/02, I received a call from Sean Duncan (a company representative of Online Merchants Corp) saying I was approved for financing. I could either select a laptop or desktop.

I needed the laptop to help me in a part time business that would help earn money for my retirement, as my husband is suffering from several chronic illnesses, including liver disease, and we may not have much time together. So I needed to make some extra money, and the laptop would have helped. Anyway,

I was told I exceeded the limit of financing, and would have to pay the additional cost of the computer as a downpayment. I was told I would have to pay $225 down, and the contract would be $118 a month for 18 months. I said okay. Sean sent me an envelope with the contract, financing papers, laptop papers, etc. I filled everything out and sent them back on 2/01/02 with a check for $225 the required down payment. They even provided the envelope which was sent back to them by FedExpress. I was told I would receive my laptop in 5 to 7 business days.

On or about 2/15/02, I called Sean Duncan & told him I had not rec'd my laptop yet. He said that Premio Company had to specially make it the way I wanted it. (Okay, I didnt order anything extra. Lie #1), a week later, still nothing, Lie #2-I was told by Sean they just sent it Federal Express & gave me a Fedex phone number 800-463-3339 and tracking number #602055916113.

I called Federal Express and they said the company requested the package be returned to sender. I called Sean, he acted stupid (lie#3) & said he had to check into it. Two days later, I receive a phone call at my job, after my husband demanded Sean call me. I was told the company was no longer financing computers, that part of their business was going out of business.

(Lie#4) He said they would be returning me my down payment of $225 only after I questioned him about my refund. He acted like he forgot I paid it. Lie #5. It is now, 3/23/02, after several phone calls from myself and my husband, after emails, after threatening them with better business bureaus, internet fraud reporting, etc. I have still not received my money back, in fact, I was just emailed by the accounting department that the check went out on last Tuesday & I should have rec'd it by now, call back Monday if no check in the mail.

The week before that, I was told it went out the previous Friday, we must have a mixup in the accounting department. By the way, they are still advertising that they finance computers
and still have an online application.

I am not a wealthy person, my husband is very ill and had to quit his job, I live from paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet, and all I wanted was to finance a laptop because I couldnt afford to pay the whole lump sum of $1800 at once. I needed this laptop desperately, I dont have any credit, and I am worried about my future without my husband. With the laptop, I could have done desktop publishing, word processing, graphic design & photography work to help make some extra money for us.

But thanks to this company, I have no laptop and now I am shorted $225 that I definitely cannot afford to lose. I cant believe these people can go home and sleep at night without having their conscious bother them knowing that they rip off innocent people. Can someone please help me get my $225. back.

I have all the necessary paperwork they sent me, and I have the cancelled check with their acct# they deposited too. I also have the bank statement. thank you for listening and Please everyone stay away from this company. As for lie#3, they are still advertising their online financing for computers.

I am very angry, and very ashamed that I fell prey to this. I am not a dumb person, in fact, I have always tried my best to not fall prey to these kind of scams, and I guess because I wanted the laptop so badly, I didnt even see it coming! I feel like such a fool! Please people, beware of everything and anything on the internet.

Janet
Mentor, Ohio