Complaint Review: TheTechGeek

My husband requested a home theater system for his birthday. He and I spent a couple hours researching products that might work. Our current TV has built in speakers that aim outward into nowhere. The open floorplan in our great room meant we had to turn the TV up very loud because the sound just got lost in the room. We were not looking for anything expensive, just some way to move the sound toward our couch.

Being a frugal online shopper, I searched around and found a sale on a jWIN JD-VD609 2.4GHz Digital Wireless 5.1 CH Home Theater System and used a $25 off coupon. The total with shipping was $166.13. The home page of the website lists the following:

-100% Satisfaction Guarantee
-Hassle-Free Return
-Secured Shopping Experience
-Privacy Protection
-Platform to Contribute to The Improvement of Our Site.

I admit that I didn't go hunting for fine print. 100% was good enough for me.

The package arrived. The product was shipped in it's original box, so anyone who passed by our front porch would know exactly what we had ordered. We unpacked the box and attempted to hook it up that night. After a few tries, we found that in order to get sound and a picture on cable tv, we had to unplug and use DVD players. It was a hassle so we decided to speak with tech support for the manufacturer the next day.

After a discussion with tech support, we determined that this type of home theater system will not work the way we intended it to without buying some more expensive equipment. Unfortunately, we would have to return the product.

I went online and found the return information and requested an RMA number as their site said to do. The sent me an email with the RMA that included a document called Basic Return policy. I was very disappointed to learn that I would be responsible for shipping the product back, but most online companies require this. I packaged up the product just as it had come and took it to UPS. It cost $40.00 to ship this system back to TheTechGeek, but we felt fortunate that at least there was no restocking fee.

It was about a week when I received an email from TheTechGeek.com customer care acknowledging the receipt of our product. The email advised me that I had a choice of a credit to my credit card and they would take a 25% restocking fee off of my credit or I could have a full refund in store credit. I was furious and immediately started search for the email which said that I was responsible for shipping, but had no mention of a restocking fee. I found it and then began searching the website for TheTechGeek.com policy on returns. Here is the website for their return policy:

http://www.thetechgeek.com/content/return.php

There are so many restrictions on returns. Electronics, computer hardware, DVD players. The list is endless. They are a computer and electronics store that advertises and sponsors many websites and yet you can not return most of their products for a full refund if you are not satisfied! I am sure I will never do business with this company again so I opted for the $104 refund to my credit card. This system ended up costing me $70 for nothing. That is NOT a 100% Guarantee or a No Hassle return. My husbands birthday gift was restocking and shipping and unwanted product.

I will not recommend this company to anyone and I will never use this company again. Their return policy is a smoke screen. I wonder if there is anything in their store that is 100% Guaranteed. I doubt it! I suggest you research your product as well as complete return policies before purchasing online. I learned my lesson.

Patty
Findlay, Ohio
U.S.A.