Complaint Review: CEC Solutions - Guaranteed Consumer Funding - McLean Virginia

Ok, I will join. VA. Consumer Affairs told CEC that they will be in violation of the Federal Racketeering Laws for collecting money and not delivering the product.

I suggest you download the files I prepared for you from the yahoo group fightingdebtcollectors. You must join the group to download the files (I do this to prevent SPAM.) I am curious as to how you suppose to prove they are violating racketeering laws. Another thought. They claim to have a special relationship with HP and Dell. I would be tempted to write a letter to HP and Dell and ask them if they are aware of what GCF4all.com is doing and more importantly if CEC Sollutions aka GCF4all.com is an AUTHORIZED RESELLER of their products, which mean the HP or Dell WARRANTY would be in effect. If Dell or HP responds that they are NOT an authorized reseller, well that is probably another count for "unfair and deceptive" business practices that would be provable. Good luck.

Thank's Robert I will follow up with this information.

On December 27, 2008 I spent quite a bit of time conducting research in an attempt to help. I found some troubling information and I became fearful that you would NOT receive what you bargained for. Your subsequent posting confirms my suspicion. I found desktop computer offers on their website, but when you follow the BUY NOW link, the hardware configuration CHANGES TO SOMETHING SUBSTANCIALLY LESS THAN WHAT THE OFFER PAGE indicates. I believe this is a violation of the FTC law (unfair or deceptive business practice) and may be actionable. Here's an example of what I found on their website: DELUXE HOME/SMALL BUSINESS PACKAGE ONLY $29.99/WEEK FOR 12 MONTHS This package is designed for our students and single parents. This is equipped with everything you need to run today's programs, navigate the Internet, and manage personal/business functions seamlessly. Energy-efficient and fully customizable, you can download your favorite music and have plenty of room and speed to store them. This is our best seller among our customer and is ideal for most applications. What you get: Intel 2.0 GHZ processor (256.2) 17 Flat panel LCD monitor 1 Gig DDR2 Memory 80GB Hard Drive 48X32 CDRW/DVD Combo V.92 PCI Data Fax controllerless modem Integrated 10/110 Networking 104 Key Keyboard Two Button USB Scroll Mouse Microsoft Windows Windows Vista Home 2 Stereo Speakers Microsoft Works 8.5 Business Productivity software pack 3 Year Ltd Warranty, On-site Service However, AFTER you click on the BUY NOW button, here is the configuration of the desktop system: Your Product Selection DELUXE HOME/SMALL BUSINESS PACKAGE: Intel 2.66 GHZ processor, 15 Flat panel LCD monitor, 256 MB DDRAM Memory, 80GB Hard Drive, 48X CD-RW, 56.6K PCI Data Fax modem, Integrated 10/110 Networking, 104 Key Keyboard, Two Button USB Scroll Mouse, Microsoft Windows XP Home, 2 Stereo Speakers, Microsoft Works 8.5, Business Productivity software pack, 2 Year Ltd Warranty, On-site Service As you can see, the system that would actually be ordered is drastically different! It is a significantly LESS POWERFUL system. It's no wonder it comes with Windows XP, because with ONLY 256Mb of RAM it would BARELY run Windows Vista Basic. NOTICE all the differences between what is OFFERED and what is actually on the purchase page! I archived their website on 12/27/08 in case these bozos change their website. There are similar discrepancies with their other desktop computer offers. I went thru the motions of clicking the BUY NOW button for each desktop to compare the offered configuration with the configuration that was going to be PURCHASED. I SAVED THE ARCHIVES to make available to you. Yahoo has groups and there is a group for fighting debt collectors (all one word) and that group has a folder FOR CHERYL in the file section. The archive files are there and you can download them to show to your attorney, the FTC, your state Attorney General, THEIR state attorney general, etc. I will affirm that the PDF file formatted archives were taken directly from their website on 12/27/2008 using Adobe Acrobat Professional at approximately 11:32 AM (Eastern Time) and have not been altered. I STILL think your best course of action is to sue them in court. Arbitration is not likely to make a decision based on their (IMO) misleading web offers; whereas a COURT can make a FINDING that they have violated the law and rule in your favor. Perhaps you should run this past your attorney. Additionally, I think you should write a written complaint (MAILED) to your state Attorney General (include prints of the website archives) and request that the AG send them a Cease and desist letter as regards their business practices as demonstrated on their website. Sorry for not posting this sooner, but running two small businesses sometimes keeps me very busy. GOOD LUCK!

sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I am not familiar with California consumer laws as I am with the laws of NY State. By all means, file complaints but I would file a small claims case against them. It is possible that in California the small claims court MIGHT require you to go through some arbitration process, or maybe not-I just don't know (and I haven't been able to find anything definitive about this.) It is very difficult to attempt to second guess the small claims courts WITHOUT reading the actual contract you signed. Some states, as NY, do NOT PERMIT mandatory arbitration on consumer contracts-it's considered unconscionable and as such, is a non-enforceable clause in certain consumer contracts. This may be so in California and I suggest you check into this with someone in California; an attorney, or the equivalent of a state level consumer protection agency. You could test it yourself by filing a small claims-that is what I would do. The point of my rebuttal was to highlight the fact that some States do NOT ALLOW MANDATORY ARBITRATION for certain consumer contracts and that YOU and anyone else in a similar situation should exercise your right to sue in small claims. Good luck. I hope you prevail.

Read the agreement ! Arbitration First, GCF aka CEC Solution's will have to pay your fee's. File your Complaint's to the County of Fairfax, VA. FREE GCF aka CEC Solutions will be in Violation of the Federal Racketeering Laws. After my filing with Arbitration Forum CEC aka GCF sent a Computer. Not a Dell Computer that they said was ordered. They sent me an HP Computer. They said it was an upgrade from what I ordered, The computer is programed with Windows XP, CEC aka GCF said it is Windows Vista, needless to say the Computer is not able to be registered for the 3 year warranty, the numbers on the tower can not be identified to match the installed program's on the Computer. Even though I deducted $500.00 from my Arbitration Claim which includes Punitive damage's, Because CEC aka GCF has false advertisement. I regret trusting them to send a legitimate computer. Beware of the many Lie's.

When a Lawyer here in California looked at CEC's agreement he said small claims may have me go to Arbitration First since it was stated in the agreement. I have another Problem now Robert. CEC has not responed to the Arbitration they have 30 days from Dec 1st. But now they have shipped an HP computer and did not tell me untill the day it arrived at my door. I think they are tring to avoid my Arbitration Case.

When a Lawyer here in California looked at CEC's agreement he said small claims may have me go to Arbitration First since it was stated in the agreement. I have another Problem now Robert. CEC has not responed to the Arbitration they have 30 days from Dec 1st. But now they have shipped an HP computer and did not tell me untill the day it arrived at my door. I think they are tring to avoid my Arbitration Case.

When a Lawyer here in California looked at CEC's agreement he said small claims may have me go to Arbitration First since it was stated in the agreement. I have another Problem now Robert. CEC has not responed to the Arbitration they have 30 days from Dec 1st. But now they have shipped an HP computer and did not tell me untill the day it arrived at my door. I think they are tring to avoid my Arbitration Case.

When a Lawyer here in California looked at CEC's agreement he said small claims may have me go to Arbitration First since it was stated in the agreement. I have another Problem now Robert. CEC has not responed to the Arbitration they have 30 days from Dec 1st. But now they have shipped an HP computer and did not tell me untill the day it arrived at my door. I think they are tring to avoid my Arbitration Case.

I listed a few, but have filed with all that you have mentioned even in California. Now this company has shipped to me a cheap HP Business Computer with out my knowledge, Becky Thomas from CEC calls me the day it arrived 12/22. They have not responed to the Arbitration Claim now they just want to send a computer that is worth $499.00 with the monitor, even less for them because they ordered 100 or more of them. After I the trouble I have been through. In the agreement we are charged $150.00 shipping, this cost CEC a total of $31.33 to ship 2 items.

""The company pay's its own fee's and your's if you win, Small Claims Court would have to be filed in VA. If Arbitration Fail's you can then go to small claims. The arbitration fee is only $19.00 for this claim amount"" In that case, why bother? I would file in small claims court to have it judicated. Oh, and the filing fee for small claims court here is $14. Why pay $19 to these folks? The AUTHOR of this report may file in the small claims court where the AUTHOR RESIDES-Mango Florida. IF there is something that supercedes that, kindly post it here so all may know. Also, many states do NOT allow mandatory arbitration and any contract clause that stipulates mandatory arbitration is considered unconscionable, thus unenforceable. This may be so in Florida. The author of this report has options OTHER than arbitration. File a claim in small claims court. File a complaint with the FTC. File a complaint with the Attorney General in the state where the author resides. File a complaint with the Attorney General in the state where CEC resides. I still think you're shilling for the Arbitration Forum.

The company pay's its own fee's and your's if you win, Small Claims Court would have to be filed in VA. If Arbitration Fail's you can then go to small claims. The arbitration fee is only $19.00 for this claim amount.

Why not sue them in small claims court? That's what I would do here in NY. I would avoid arbitration at all costs if possible-guess who pays their arbitration fee?

Write a complaint To: Fairfax County Consumer Affairs 1200 Goverment Center Parkway Suite 433 Fairfax, VA. 22035 File a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/cmplanding.shtm Get a complaint form for the Attorney General here: http://www.oag.state.va.us/CONSUMER/CONSUMER_FRAUD/Consumer_complaints.html#Complaints_about_Virginia_Business Office of the Attorney General 900 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23219 This will help stop this company. To try and get your money back you must file a case on line with the Arbitration Forum: http://www.adrforum.com National Arbitration Forum P.O. Box 50191 Minneapolis, MN 55405-0191 You will need a copy of your Layaway agreement which shows the arbitration forum that they are named as contacts for claims against CEC.

Write a complaint To: Fairfax County Consumer Affairs 1200 Goverment Center Parkway Suite 433 Fairfax, VA. 22035 File a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/cmplanding.shtm Get a complaint form for the Attorney General here: http://www.oag.state.va.us/CONSUMER/CONSUMER_FRAUD/Consumer_complaints.html#Complaints_about_Virginia_Business Office of the Attorney General 900 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23219 This will help stop this company. To try and get your money back you must file a case on line with the Arbitration Forum: http://www.adrforum.com National Arbitration Forum P.O. Box 50191 Minneapolis, MN 55405-0191 You will need a copy of your Layaway agreement which shows the arbitration forum that they are named as contacts for claims against CEC.

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