Michael
Baltimore,#2Consumer Suggestion
Sat, June 30, 2007
This story is amazing but believable. You are in Sandy Spring and you take the laptop to LAPTOPREADY.COM for repair. There probably aren't many IT shops in that area, true. But there are small companies that perform services that you need locally and do the work locally (check the MD Pennysaver). This case is interesting to say the least. The thing that makes this company shaky at best is that its name ends with .COM (remember the fall of the dot-com companies several years ago?). This coupled with the fact that you are dealing with guys named 'Hernando Hue' (wanna take bets as to whether he has a Green Card?). You mention that they have several telephone numbers, company names and their shop is in Florida. A peek at their website states that they have 4 U.S. locations. What's weird here is that there are 2 locations north; the Olney store and one in Virginia; within an hour's drive. Then there are 2 in Flordia; both of them fairly close in proximity to each other. Then there are several cities listed with no further information. This company doesn't only sound like a scam, it sounds illegal!!! Having a website makes them no cleaner -- anyone can hire a geeky person to create websites! You also mention that when you called their Washington number, they were caught off-guard. This is probably true. I'm willing to bet that all their phones ring at the same location! You state that they sent the PC to Florida. This may sound funny, but do you really know that they sent the PC to Florida? I'm willing to bet that it remained at the local location the whole time!!! You're right, they are liars!!! As for your refund, that one is easy. Don't call them -- call your bank. I've been there and done that with bogus charges. Many CC companies have money-back satisfaction guarantees. I would also call the MD Comptroller's office (wanna bet that they aren't licensed or paying taxes?). They would love to hear from you!!! Also, 'put a bug' in your county executive's ear as well. With Mongomery County being of the wealthiest counties in the state, I am certain that they would frown on such Vermon as this company preying on its residents. There you have it, all the Ammo that you need. Now GO GET EM'!!! And again, surf the Pennysaver. It will stop your headaches.