Stellar Tickets Tried to keep my money without delivering the tickets - Using unique FedEx com Phoenix Arizona
In August 2007 I purchased 6 tickets to Celine Dion in Las Vegas for the December 1st 2007 concert. The tickets were priced at $540 each.
I have an email confirmation from Stellar Tickets confirming that my order is accepted. They charged my American Express card for $3,255 in Agust when they confirmed that the tickets were allocated to me. They told me the tickets would arrive first week November.....
By mid-November, when nothing had been recieved from Stellar Tickets, we tried to contact them.... 23 voicemails to their 'offices' 14 emails - they ignored them all. Evetually I threatened to charge back the transaction and call the police...
That night, when I returned home, there was a FedEx envelope on my doorstep.... eagerly I opened it to find..... it was EMPTY! No tickets, nothing...
I emailed Stellar again (also called FedEx) and the next morning someone from Stella called me. He said his name was Joel G (wouldn't give me the whole name) - the very first thing he said was:
"I have proof of delivery for the tickets - if you have lost them that is your problem!"
When I pointed out that I hadn't, in fact, signed for the evelope - FedEx left it on the doorastep.... Joel asked "Was the envelope damaged?"
I said there was very slight damage to the leading edge - but NOT enough to get the tickets out.. he said he would look all around the despatch area at all the desks to see if the tickets were left there - but as they sell "Hundreds of Thousands of Tickets a year" He didn't think it was possible.
Joel G also said that if he couldn't find the tickets in their offices... I would NOT get a refund or the tickets re-issued.....
Guess what - he didn't find the tickets - so he said there was nothing he could do.
Now, I live in Colorado, but I just happened to be travelling to Phoenix on business - so I told Joel G I would call into their offices - I said I would call in on the following Monday, I confirmed their address (which he said WAS their offices).
The next day (Saturday) I received an email saying that "Unfortunatly, due to staffing problems - their offices would actually be closed - so I shouldn't come"...
I replied I was going to Phoenix anyway - so would still go and look at their offices...... I then get another email sayig they had refunded my $3,255... even though they had previously said there was NO WAY they would refund it....
I still went to their address.... and now I know why they said I shouldn't go, and why they gave me a full refund.....
THEIR OFFICES ARE IN A APPARTMENT BUILDING!!!!!
Guess it couldn't have taken them long to 'search the despatch desks (probabaly a bedroom!).
I called American Express and talked to them about it... They said it was almost the perfect Rip-Off ....
Since IF I had signed for the FedEx package - the merchant (Stellar Tickets) could have shown my signature as proof of dlivery that would mean they had forefilled their merchant obligations of delivery and American Express would have been powerless to charge back the transaction.....
So - if I had been home when FedEx delivered - I would be out over $3,200.....
Nice - work from home - tell clients you ship 'hundreds of thousands of tickets' - deliver an empty envelope - prove delivery (or the empty envelope) and keep the money....
Strange that the 6 tickets they charged me $540 each for are now selling for $1,600 each... guess the extra $1,000 per ticket was extreemly tempting.
Now - I am certain they will post a rebuttal - but..... Their terms and conditions state they never charge a card until the sale is confirmed (I have a confirmation AND they charged my card)....
They also say (in their site terms) they will not give a refund if the tickets are lost... NOT true - they refunded me..... but I hadn't signed for FedEx so their ploy didn't work!
Check them out on the BBB for their area - lots of complaints.
Beware you don't fall for the almost perfect Rip-Off..... imagine how you would convince your credit card comapny that "Yes, you did sign for the package.... but it was empty..." You think they would believe you?
You have been warned - buy your tickets from a reputable company.... Tell all your friends about what happened- and avoid Stellar Tickets!
Dave H
Near Denver, Colorado
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Dw
Yuma,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Shady indeed...
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, July 31, 2008
I agree with the FedEx retiree. Good day sir! I am a FedEx Kinko's employee, and you are correct about the signature requirement. Any package declaring a value of over $500 absolutely requires Direct Signature service. However, this is entirely contingent on the shipper actually declaring the proper value. I believe Stellar Tickets did everything correctly, but I *have* unfortunately heard of incidents where a Direct Signature package was actually left at the destination, with the driver him/herself actually signing for it!!
Anyway, I don't believe that's what happened here.
Mr. Complainant: two of your primary arguments are complete bunk, and are quite easy to disprove. In fact, I already have.
1) Status with the BBB: I checked the Better Business Bureau website, and searched for Stellar Tickets in AZ. Wonder of wonders, I was provided with an exact address in Phoenix. More on that in a moment.
On the BBB site, it's plain to see that the business has been registered with them since 12/01/2004, and that although they do have some complaints against them (and really, what successful company DOESN'T?), they have satisfactorily resolved nearly all of the "many" complaints lodged against them (a grand total of 25). For a business that interacts with customers beyond the borders of its home state, I consider that number of total complaints to be pretty low.
2) Physical location of the business: Two words. Google Maps. Use the address you can readily see on the BBB results page, and paste it into Google Maps. Check out the satellite view. Now, while it's true that Google Maps doesn't specifically single out one building, it's very obvious that no building near that location could even possibly be considered an apartment building. In fact, the location pin is smack in the middle of a major shopping center in Phoenix. How do I know? I've been there. Many times. I live in Yuma, and visit Phoenix often for weekend trips.
So two of your main points against Stellar Tickets being a legitimate business have been shot down and completely disproven. It's beginning to look more like you have some kind of personal issue with the company for some unknown reason, or, more intriguing, have an alternate ulterior motive for your vehement behavior toward the business to the one you have laid out for us here.
Ken
Fort Wayne,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Signature release from Fed Ex
#6Consumer Comment
Sun, March 30, 2008
I am a recent Fed Ex retiree. Stellar has indicated that package was left because recipient has a fed ex release on file...
Quote...They have once again advised us that according to their records the package sent by our company to you was delivered to your residence in normal delivery condition(having no abnormal tears or rips). They added that the package was left at your residence without a signature due to your residence having a signature release on file with FedEx.
Since 2006 Fed Ex changed their policy that required a recipient to have a release on file before a pkg could be left with out a signature. Now they have a blanket residential release. Meaning all residential pkgs can be left with out a signature. This voided the release on file program.The shipper has the option to request a
"signature required service". Which means pkg may NOT be left with out obtaining a signature. There is a small fee for this sercice, I think 4.00.
In my many years of delivering I have never seen a ticket promoter send tickets Fed Ex with out requiring a signature, even before the blanket residential release came out.
I can take a guess this person never talked to a fed ex mgr, but rather supplied this information based on knowing how fed ex operted a few years ago. Perhaps the mgr was imaginary much like the address.
Anyone sending a pkg fed ex that has a value of more than 500.00 is advised to request a secure delivery option, and in some cases it is required.
There, got my 2 cents in.
Concert fan
Kissimmee,Florida,
U.S.A.
More BS form these people!
#6Author of original report
Thu, November 29, 2007
Guess that was the shortest rebuttal ever!
Or should I say the fastest BS ever posted?
There was NO Fair Resolution Provided. I am out 6 flights I had booked on their guaranteed tickets I have 4 hotels rooms booked and 6 people will now not be able to see Celine Dion.. All due to the deceit of Stellar Tickets!
Deceit that they had the tickets back in August when they charged my American Express Card
Deceit that they would search their huge dispatch area otherwise called a bedroom.
Deceit that they had sent the tickets
Deceit that the address they gave me was an office in fact: it was a not very nice Apartment Building.
Ignoring my emails and telephone calls is not made right but refunding money they should never have charged in the first place.
Failing to honor their side of the contract is not rectified by refunding my money
They tried to con me and failed. Refunding does NOT make it right.
This is one of the most deceitful, dishonest and underhand companies I have ever had the misfortune to get involved with
Notice they did NOT use their usual defense. They usually claim they followed their company policy/procedures. They cant say that here they didnt follow them.
I am still waiting for fair resolution! Though I doubt I will ever get it from people like THIS!
IF THEY THINK WHAT I AM SAYING IS INACCURATE I INVITE THEM TO SUE ME!
Concert fan
Kissimmee,Florida,
U.S.A.
More BS form these people!
#6Author of original report
Thu, November 29, 2007
Guess that was the shortest rebuttal ever!
Or should I say the fastest BS ever posted?
There was NO Fair Resolution Provided. I am out 6 flights I had booked on their guaranteed tickets I have 4 hotels rooms booked and 6 people will now not be able to see Celine Dion.. All due to the deceit of Stellar Tickets!
Deceit that they had the tickets back in August when they charged my American Express Card
Deceit that they would search their huge dispatch area otherwise called a bedroom.
Deceit that they had sent the tickets
Deceit that the address they gave me was an office in fact: it was a not very nice Apartment Building.
Ignoring my emails and telephone calls is not made right but refunding money they should never have charged in the first place.
Failing to honor their side of the contract is not rectified by refunding my money
They tried to con me and failed. Refunding does NOT make it right.
This is one of the most deceitful, dishonest and underhand companies I have ever had the misfortune to get involved with
Notice they did NOT use their usual defense. They usually claim they followed their company policy/procedures. They cant say that here they didnt follow them.
I am still waiting for fair resolution! Though I doubt I will ever get it from people like THIS!
IF THEY THINK WHAT I AM SAYING IS INACCURATE I INVITE THEM TO SUE ME!
L. Chambers
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Fair Resolution Provided
#6UPDATE Employee
Wed, November 28, 2007
To whom it may concern,
Please review the below communication our company sent to the above client regarding the aforementioned situation. Please also note that above customer posted an incorrect address for our company location, which is located at the following address:
XXXXXXXX Rd.
Suite 23-278
Phoenix, AZ
85044
Our company address is NOT located at an apartment or any other residence and is a blatent lie and fabrication from the above poster.
Our company decided the reasonable and prudent resolution to this issue would be to cancel the original issued tickets and refund the above client in full, to ensure if a fraudulent claim was made (stating tickets were lost or stolen when they truly were not) that the claimant could not benefit from this.
Additionally our company is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau with a highly rated record for all our years in business. Our record indicates all our clients concerns were addressed promptly and efficiently. We remain in excellent stading with both the Better Business Bureau as well as the Chamber of Commerce.
Once again below is the communication we issued to this client after their repeated attempts to claim tickets were lost or stolen, and after both FedEx and American Express recomended that we cease dealings with this customer as their claims were out of the norm and were suspected of fraud.
Mr. ----------:
After speaking with Stellar Tickets management and the owners, your AMEX credit card ending in: XXXX has been fully credited in the amount of: $3355.00.
A copy of this transaction follows below:
Transaction ID: 1625888428
Payment Method: XXXXAMEX
Amount: USD (3355.00)
Customer Name: ------
This course of action was taken as we are unable to 100% confirm or deny your claim that the tickets you reserved were not received on your end. We have spoken again with FedEX and they have advised us they are continuing to investigate this incident and will render a judgment after their investigation is complete. They have once again advised us that according to their records the package sent by our company to you was delivered to your residence in normal delivery condition(having no abnormal tears or rips). They added that the package was left at your residence without a signature due to your residence having a signature release on file with FedEx. Our internal checks have indicated that our normal and proper procedures were followed and your (6) tickets were packaged and shipped within the FedEx envelope. However in light of the out of norm claims of the package being tampered with, we have elected to end this issue with a full credit and continue the investigation with FedEx and internally.
Please be aware that we have also contacted the original ticket supplier and advised them to cancel ALL the barcodes of the originally issued tickets so if attempted to be used they should be rendered invalid. We are currently awaiting confirmation of this security measure.
We understand your frustration with this situation and have tried wholeheartedly to remedy this situation to the best of our abilities given the out of norm circumstances surrounding this incident.
Please understand that we will feel our course of action of all full refund is fair to both parties as we can not independently confirm your claim of an empty package, and with the possibility of canceling the original tickets no one should be able to benefit from these tickets.
Thank you!