Complaint Review: Singer Lazer Storm Vacuum - Los Angeles California

Ted G (and all affected), I posted the earlier report from Cary, NC and have a (hopefully) significant update to this matter. While it is too early to claim victory or presume success, I believe my wife and I finally have some hopeful resolution to this growing consumer concern. I dont want to "jinx" myself, but here's what happened in yet another attempt to contact Lazerstorm shortly after I posted. We (again) dialed the customer service number (800-711-8357) using the option for billing/shipping cost inquiries and persevered the wait. We stayed on line for approximately 45 minutes, and beleive it or not, we eventually did get through to a LIVE customer service rep named Amelia. She requested name/phone number/zip code information to pull up our order, and was very pleasant. I stated very clearly (and enumerated per below) that the intent of my call was to: 1) express my total disatisfaction with the way the product worked once we received it, 2)Express my dissatisfaction with the automated ordering process being misleading and not providing a total charge incurred nor a reference/tracking provision, 3) express my dissatisfaction in receiving more product than requested, 4) express my dissatisfaction with being charged for product and shipping and warranties for the additional products not requested, and 5) to request and arrange for return of their product(s) at THEIR EXPENSE with a total reimbursement of the $393.70 that was charged to our credit card. Here's what Amelia stated she would expedite, and claimed was documented within her system regarding our order: 1) She has allegedly arranged for Fed_Ex to do a "pick up" order to our house AT THEIR EXPENSE to facilitate returning the products we received (4 vacuums in one box + steamer in another smaller box) 2) Upon their receipt of the returned products, Laserstorm is to process the crediting of our credit card for the charged $393.70 LESS $37.00 for the original shipment of product (which was acceptable to me by this time - the cost of learning?LOL) 3) She advised me that I could track the Fed Ex pick-up / return order status via Fed-Ex's tracking system and tracking number information which is to be provided at pick-up (which they are to call us to arrange) 4) She advised me that once Fed-Ex reports their completion of shipping obligations, that I can track the refund/credit to our credit card via their customer Service Number using the ORDER REF # that was on the invoice we received with their product(s) and that their database or system would reflect the agreement and conversation I had with her. I anticipate we will know within 2-3 days if this in fact is going per our agreement when Fed-Ex contacts us, and I will wait with dire anticipation to see how quickly the financial piece occurs once I find Fed-Ex has completed their obligation. Again - too early to tell, but it seems we have gotten further towards a resolution than any other post I have seen on this website. I did advise the rep that I already had drafted a letter or appeal to our state's Attorney General, and was on the brink of contacting our local news channel's customer advocacy reporter who actually puts issues like this on television and champions their requests to completion. I do not know if this bought me anything, but I felt they should know. In later discussion, I asked the rep who she worked for, and she stated that the former Lazerstorm is apparently now called "Winstorm". Hummm? The ol' shell game? Anyway, we seem to have something in process that up to now I seemed unobtainable, and I pray that they meet their commitments 100%. I hope you (and everyone affected) might get at least some initial results as we did, but I think the bigger lesson here is as consumer's we need to educate ourselves and our families to detecting the tale signs of problematic financial transactions such as 1) avoid automated ordering systems, 2) dont authorize or finalize transactions when the total charges to be incurred are not clearly stated or outlined, 3) dont authorize or finalize transactions that dont clearly state return policies or action to be taken when the product does not meet advertised performance expectations, and perhaps 4) dont pursue products that cannot be viewed or tested in person at a retail chain even though you might actually purchase them cheaper on-line. Just my thoughts. I wish you and everyone else (for that matter - me too!) eventual resolution to the posted matter we share regarding this product, it's advertising, and ordering process. We should be proud however that at least we are or have pursued customer satisfaction - I shudder to think how many people simply "ate it" and how much money was put into the hands of a product supplier that perhaps was not earned or warranted. what do they call it; the 10% rule?? Best hopes and regards to all,