Complaint Review: CP Direct - Scottsdale Arizona

Dear RipOffReports: Why are CP Direct's Distributors still being allowed to sell LONGitude on eBay Auctions to this day? This money goes right back in these crooks pockets sans taxes! Simply run a search and you will surely be appalled too. I'm shocked that the FBI didn't notice. I wouldn't put anything past these people. The nerve!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!! Chuck

The following is a complaint I found dated 1/19/1999 about the Consolis & Passafiume mismanaging yet another company and bilking more money from innocent people while blantantly disregarding the 1996 injunction. These people are AMAZING!!!! And trust me, that's not good in this case...

At this point I have but one question,
EXACTLY HOW LONG WILL THESE 'PEOPLE' ALLOWED TO CONTINUE WITH THIS ILLEGAL NONSENSE? Isn't it about time they learn a new trade like making license plates??

(Okay, that was two questions.)

Chuck

http://www.sptimes.com/News/11999/
Action/It_pays_to_do_your_ho.html



****************************

It pays to do your homework
By NANCY PARADIS

St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 1999

-----------------------

On March 23 I joined Computer Shack of Scottsdale, Ariz., submitting a check for $74.95. The agreement was that all new members got a trial period and if you decided that the club was not for you, to call its membership cancellation department and simply ask to cancel.

After about two months, I called to cancel my membership and was told it would be taken care of. When I didn't receive any response for several months, I called again and was told that refund checks were being sent out on Aug. 6. When I didn't receive anything in August, I called again in September and was assured that the check was coming soon.

On Sept. 30, I sent a fax to Andrew Roth, the president. I never received an answer and the phone is always busy.

I would appreciate any help you can give me in this matter. P. Calvin Maybury

Response: We never received a response from the company either, although our second letter, sent certified, return-receipt requested, was received on Dec. 16.

After receiving a copy of the Scottsdale, Ariz., Better Business Bureau report, we were not surprised.

The Better Business Bureau opened its file on this company in September 1995. Its report states that the company, also doing business as Insider's Computer World and CD-ROM of the Month Club, did not provide the bureau with basic information regarding the nature of its business and the background of its operators. Out-of-state inquirers have reported to the bureau that the company advertises in various magazines. To those who respond, the company offers, by means of a recorded message, a charter membership and $500 worth of "free" items for $39.95 to $70. Consumers are directed by the message to send checks or money orders or call a separate number for credit card payments.

The BBB report questions the value of the $500 gifts, one of which is the same charter membership offered for $40 to $48 but valued at $200.

While the report lists Andrew Roth as the president, it also states it believes the president to be Edward McNeil. A "legal affidavit and zero mark-up guarantee" that is sent to consumers is signed by him and claims this program can save charter members 50 to 90 percent on brand name computers and software, etc. It also states the company has 250,000 members.

The Better Business Bureau has received numerous complaints alleging delayed or non-delivery of the membership packet and merchandise, poor customer service and, as in your case, failure to refund. One caller told the bureau that the company threatened to report credit card chargebacks to credit reporting bureaus to damage the credit of complaining callers. The bureau has also received complaints that the company is issuing refund checks on a closed account.

The company has responded to a number of complaints, according to the report, but many more remain unanswered or unsettled. The company has an unsatisfactory record with the bureau due to a pattern of questionable business practices and failure to repond to customer complaints.

As a final note, the report states that on Oct. 21, 1998, the Arizona attorney general's office filed a complaint for injunctive and other relief to settle charges that Vincent Passafiume, Michael Consoli and Geraldine Consoli violated the assurance of discontinuance they had entered into on June 24, 1996, permanently enjoining them from deceptive acts of practices in the conduct of trade or commerce in the state of Arizona.

Based on all of the above, the Better Business Bureau advises extreme caution. We do, too.

We're sorry that we were not able to help you get your refund. But we are glad of the opportunity to remind readers that it pays to check out unfamiliar companies with their areas' Better Business Bureaus. We are confident that had you seen this report before signing up, you would not have joined Computer Shack.

Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write: Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, (800) 333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request for Action. Names will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

The following is a complaint I found dated 1/19/1999 about the Consolis & Passafiume mismanaging yet another company and bilking more money from innocent people while blantantly disregarding the 1996 injunction. These people are AMAZING!!!! And trust me, that's not good in this case...

At this point I have but one question,
EXACTLY HOW LONG WILL THESE 'PEOPLE' ALLOWED TO CONTINUE WITH THIS ILLEGAL NONSENSE? Isn't it about time they learn a new trade like making license plates??

(Okay, that was two questions.)

Chuck

http://www.sptimes.com/News/11999/
Action/It_pays_to_do_your_ho.html



****************************

It pays to do your homework
By NANCY PARADIS

St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 1999

-----------------------

On March 23 I joined Computer Shack of Scottsdale, Ariz., submitting a check for $74.95. The agreement was that all new members got a trial period and if you decided that the club was not for you, to call its membership cancellation department and simply ask to cancel.

After about two months, I called to cancel my membership and was told it would be taken care of. When I didn't receive any response for several months, I called again and was told that refund checks were being sent out on Aug. 6. When I didn't receive anything in August, I called again in September and was assured that the check was coming soon.

On Sept. 30, I sent a fax to Andrew Roth, the president. I never received an answer and the phone is always busy.

I would appreciate any help you can give me in this matter. P. Calvin Maybury

Response: We never received a response from the company either, although our second letter, sent certified, return-receipt requested, was received on Dec. 16.

After receiving a copy of the Scottsdale, Ariz., Better Business Bureau report, we were not surprised.

The Better Business Bureau opened its file on this company in September 1995. Its report states that the company, also doing business as Insider's Computer World and CD-ROM of the Month Club, did not provide the bureau with basic information regarding the nature of its business and the background of its operators. Out-of-state inquirers have reported to the bureau that the company advertises in various magazines. To those who respond, the company offers, by means of a recorded message, a charter membership and $500 worth of "free" items for $39.95 to $70. Consumers are directed by the message to send checks or money orders or call a separate number for credit card payments.

The BBB report questions the value of the $500 gifts, one of which is the same charter membership offered for $40 to $48 but valued at $200.

While the report lists Andrew Roth as the president, it also states it believes the president to be Edward McNeil. A "legal affidavit and zero mark-up guarantee" that is sent to consumers is signed by him and claims this program can save charter members 50 to 90 percent on brand name computers and software, etc. It also states the company has 250,000 members.

The Better Business Bureau has received numerous complaints alleging delayed or non-delivery of the membership packet and merchandise, poor customer service and, as in your case, failure to refund. One caller told the bureau that the company threatened to report credit card chargebacks to credit reporting bureaus to damage the credit of complaining callers. The bureau has also received complaints that the company is issuing refund checks on a closed account.

The company has responded to a number of complaints, according to the report, but many more remain unanswered or unsettled. The company has an unsatisfactory record with the bureau due to a pattern of questionable business practices and failure to repond to customer complaints.

As a final note, the report states that on Oct. 21, 1998, the Arizona attorney general's office filed a complaint for injunctive and other relief to settle charges that Vincent Passafiume, Michael Consoli and Geraldine Consoli violated the assurance of discontinuance they had entered into on June 24, 1996, permanently enjoining them from deceptive acts of practices in the conduct of trade or commerce in the state of Arizona.

Based on all of the above, the Better Business Bureau advises extreme caution. We do, too.

We're sorry that we were not able to help you get your refund. But we are glad of the opportunity to remind readers that it pays to check out unfamiliar companies with their areas' Better Business Bureaus. We are confident that had you seen this report before signing up, you would not have joined Computer Shack.

Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write: Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, (800) 333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request for Action. Names will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

The following is a complaint I found dated 1/19/1999 about the Consolis & Passafiume mismanaging yet another company and bilking more money from innocent people while blantantly disregarding the 1996 injunction. These people are AMAZING!!!! And trust me, that's not good in this case...

At this point I have but one question,
EXACTLY HOW LONG WILL THESE 'PEOPLE' ALLOWED TO CONTINUE WITH THIS ILLEGAL NONSENSE? Isn't it about time they learn a new trade like making license plates??

(Okay, that was two questions.)

Chuck

http://www.sptimes.com/News/11999/
Action/It_pays_to_do_your_ho.html



****************************

It pays to do your homework
By NANCY PARADIS

St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 1999

-----------------------

On March 23 I joined Computer Shack of Scottsdale, Ariz., submitting a check for $74.95. The agreement was that all new members got a trial period and if you decided that the club was not for you, to call its membership cancellation department and simply ask to cancel.

After about two months, I called to cancel my membership and was told it would be taken care of. When I didn't receive any response for several months, I called again and was told that refund checks were being sent out on Aug. 6. When I didn't receive anything in August, I called again in September and was assured that the check was coming soon.

On Sept. 30, I sent a fax to Andrew Roth, the president. I never received an answer and the phone is always busy.

I would appreciate any help you can give me in this matter. P. Calvin Maybury

Response: We never received a response from the company either, although our second letter, sent certified, return-receipt requested, was received on Dec. 16.

After receiving a copy of the Scottsdale, Ariz., Better Business Bureau report, we were not surprised.

The Better Business Bureau opened its file on this company in September 1995. Its report states that the company, also doing business as Insider's Computer World and CD-ROM of the Month Club, did not provide the bureau with basic information regarding the nature of its business and the background of its operators. Out-of-state inquirers have reported to the bureau that the company advertises in various magazines. To those who respond, the company offers, by means of a recorded message, a charter membership and $500 worth of "free" items for $39.95 to $70. Consumers are directed by the message to send checks or money orders or call a separate number for credit card payments.

The BBB report questions the value of the $500 gifts, one of which is the same charter membership offered for $40 to $48 but valued at $200.

While the report lists Andrew Roth as the president, it also states it believes the president to be Edward McNeil. A "legal affidavit and zero mark-up guarantee" that is sent to consumers is signed by him and claims this program can save charter members 50 to 90 percent on brand name computers and software, etc. It also states the company has 250,000 members.

The Better Business Bureau has received numerous complaints alleging delayed or non-delivery of the membership packet and merchandise, poor customer service and, as in your case, failure to refund. One caller told the bureau that the company threatened to report credit card chargebacks to credit reporting bureaus to damage the credit of complaining callers. The bureau has also received complaints that the company is issuing refund checks on a closed account.

The company has responded to a number of complaints, according to the report, but many more remain unanswered or unsettled. The company has an unsatisfactory record with the bureau due to a pattern of questionable business practices and failure to repond to customer complaints.

As a final note, the report states that on Oct. 21, 1998, the Arizona attorney general's office filed a complaint for injunctive and other relief to settle charges that Vincent Passafiume, Michael Consoli and Geraldine Consoli violated the assurance of discontinuance they had entered into on June 24, 1996, permanently enjoining them from deceptive acts of practices in the conduct of trade or commerce in the state of Arizona.

Based on all of the above, the Better Business Bureau advises extreme caution. We do, too.

We're sorry that we were not able to help you get your refund. But we are glad of the opportunity to remind readers that it pays to check out unfamiliar companies with their areas' Better Business Bureaus. We are confident that had you seen this report before signing up, you would not have joined Computer Shack.

Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write: Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, (800) 333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request for Action. Names will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.