Complaint Review: JoesAV.com - New Jersey

First let me say this place (Joe’s AV) is a total scam. Bait and switch scam to be precise. Here’s how it works: They advertise ridiculously low prices on their website. Then the buyer will receive an email asking them to call and confirm the order. The email states something along the lines that the reason for this confirmation is because it’s a "large value purchase". When the buyer calls, he/she will sit on hold for a long time before the call is answered. When the call is finally answered and if answered by a female and you inform her that you are responding to the email for verification, she knows to transfer you to one of the gentlemen on staff. These are the sales guys who try and upsell you. They will tell you that the TV you ordered is some inferior model or has an inferior display panel or is an Asian model, etc……. then they try to sell you a different model or actually sometimes the same model for almost the same price that any major reputable brick and mortar such as BestBuy sells it for. If you agree to the upsell, you’re good to go (except for the fact that manufacturers will usually not honor the warranty because Joe’s AV is not a reputable and authorized reseller of their product). This is the case with any Sony, Samsung, or LG TV. If you don’t agree to the upsell, your order will indefinitely remain in limbo and you will never receive your tv.

Here is an example of the text on their website for the tv I ordered which is a Sony XBR75X940E for $2,499.00

"This product is the original Sony as sold in stores or listed on the manufacturer's website. Purchasing this product from Joe's ensures you get the original product that any major retailer sells without the hassle."

Yes you read that correct. It states the "original product that any major retailer sells".

When I originally placed my order back on Aug 14, 2017, I called first to confirm they had it in stock, they confirmed that they did have it in stock and told me that I would receive it in 12-14 days. When I hadn’t received it by end of August, I called and was then told it would be end of September. In the meantime I had made several semi-anonymous calls to them inquiring about this TV on their website and asking if they had it in stock. Every time I was told that it was in stock and ready for immediate shipment.

September comes and goes and still no TV and no communication. Again I called and was given the ole "End of the October" story.

So now October has come and gone and still no TV and still no word. Nov 6, 2017 I call and again inquire about this TV on their website. I actually first spoke to a lady who claimed her name was "Erlene" however seemed hesitant to give me her name. She stated the TV was in stock. Then I gave her my order number and asked why I haven’t received it. She then stated that the TV is coming from Asia and it must be "held up in customs". I then brought her attention to the fact that she had just stated it was in stock. She had no real answer and said she would contact their broker and find out where it is and get back to me. I’ve been told this before so I had no reason to believe her.

A few minutes later I called back and spoke to a gentleman who said his name was Pierre (I suspect fake name because he hesitated too). I again first asked the gentleman about this particular TV on their website and whether or not it is in stock. He said YES. I asked if it was ready for immediate shipment. Again I was told YES. Then I hit him with the question of why my TV hasn’t shipped in 3 months. He asked for my order number and I gladly provided it to him. He then said "it’s coming on a boat and it takes time". I told him I worked in the shipping industry in the Port of Long Beach for 20 years and understand the ins and outs of the shipping industry and no ship takes 3 months to anywhere in the world. At this point I can hear the lady I spoke to earlier talking to him in the background. He then said to me "Didn’t you just call a few minutes ago?, Why don’t you just wait instead of trying to catch us in a lie?". I told him I did in fact catch him in a lie and that I am very familiar with this scam that he’s playing. He said that he never lied. I reminded him that he just stated that the TV was in stock. He said "Yes, it’s in stock in Asia". I told him that he also said that it’s ready for immediate shipment. His reply was "Yes, immediate shipment from Asia". At this point I was almost rolling on the floor laughing at his replies.

Anyhow, I don’t expect I will ever receive this TV. Also I am not sure if it’s related or not but after placing this order back in August I noticed a HUGE increase in solicitation calls on my cell phone as well as tons of unsolicited emails. Again, I can’t be sure that this is related to the order however the timing is spot on.

In closing I must point out one last interesting fact. It seems that Joe’s AV has a ton of good reviews on this site. However, if you look closely at the users who left these reviews, you will notice some interesting characteristics.

First: You’ll notice that almost 100% of these positive reviews are from people who haven’t actually received their order. This is because the Joe’s AV website has a pop up at the end of the order checkout process asking you to write a positive review. I suspect many people just do it because they are so happy thinking that they are getting a bargain.

Second: If you click on the user name of the supposed user who left the review, you will find that they have only written one review ever and that review was for Joe’s AV. Hmmmmm!!

Third: You will also notice that any bad review they get is immediately buried by dozens of positive reviews within the same day or next day. This I believe is because Joe’s AV has people with dozens if not hundreds of fake accounts to immediately write dozens of good reviews to push the bad ones down to the bottom of the list or several pages back and increase the rating.

Fourth: I believe that Joe’s AV and East Coast Tv’s are affiliated. I base this on several factors as well as their WHOIS search on their domains are through the same provider as well as the fact that much of the language on their website is identical. Their shopping cart, checkout process, receipts, and email confirmations are also identical. East Coast Tv’s also practices the same deceptions and are specifically excluded from many manufacturer’s warranty program.

If you still want to order from these people thinking you’ll actually receive that great deal, it’s up to you. Just be warned!

(update) Please look at their BBB rating below

bbb.org/phoenix/business-reviews/home-electronics/joe-s-av-in-scottsdale-az-1000038222

Also note that they claim they are located in Scottsdale, AZ.

They are actually out of New Jersey. More deception!!