Complaint Review: Vacuum Center Super Stores

The following is a copy of a letter to the Pensacola BBB written by my Mother-In-Law. I can only hope there is a special place in hell for people who ripoff 70+ year old widows on fixed incomes.


On June 4, 2004 I took my old Electrolux vacuum cleaner to be repaired at Vacuum Center Super Stores, Inc. Within a minute I was told that there was a problem with the hose and that the cost to repair same would be approximately $179.00, which I thought was too much and so stated.

Then the salesman began to demonstrate a Simplicity vacuum cleaner which did have many good features, and said he would give me $200 for my old vacuum. The deal "sounded good", and with the salesman being very slick, I agreed to buy the Simplicity. I used my Master Card and hurriedly signed the purchase order without paying attention to the total cost, which was very stupid. I trusted the salesman to do the math correctly and deduct the promised $200 trade-in from the purchase price.

Upon departing the store, I had the feeling that something was amiss. I did not receive a copy of the purchase order. A few days later, I called Master Card to ask the amount of the charge, being told it was $644.95. Thinking this was too costly in view of the fact that the salesman promised me $200 for my old vacuum, I decided to return it.

During the original sales transaction the salesman said that the Simplicity was U.S. made in St. Louis. I called my daughter in St. Louis and asked her to check prices for the model I purchased. She related the following information:

Store #1: $499
Store #2: $540
Store #3: $499

Realizing that I had been conned, on June 9, 2004, my daughter-in-law and I took the Simplicity, IN UNOPENED BOX, to the store, hoping to return it and retrieve my old vacuum cleaner. The salesman said I cannot return or exchange it, pointing to a sign close to the ceiling stating such.

I then requested a copy of the purchase order showing the accounting for the promised trade-in deduction. He stated that he did not have a copy and could not produce one for "several days".

I then requested my old vacuum be returned, to which he responded that it was no longer there.

To date, the Simplicity remains in an unopened box while I determine what further actions are available to undo this ripoff.

Robert
PENSACOLA, Florida
U.S.A.