Complaint Review: Spook Tech - Jacksonville Florida

I am a licensed private investigator in New York State and I am well acquainted with Spook Tech in Jacksonville, Florida, as listed on your website. In October of 2004, I found this company on the internet and ordered a pen cam and a used pocket DVR from them. When I placed my order, I spoke with a Mr. Kelly who stated he would give me a used DVR, with a one year warrantee and a pocket pen cam for $684.00. I won't even go into all of the problems I had associated with this purchase, which should have told me something about this company from the very start.

Nevertheless, I did receive my order in the mail and attempted to use the equipment, which would not turn on. I looked through the packaging in an attempt to find a user's manual and could only find a quick start up guide. This guide was useless and provided no trouble shooting information as you would normally find with electronic equipment purchases of this nature. I continued looking through the packaging and further realized there was no mention of a one year warrantee, as agreed by Mr. Kelly.

At this point, I was very upset and called Spook Teck and left a short message on an answering machine detailing my problem and frustration. I asked for someone to contact me immediately and never received a return call.

After spending the next hour attempting to operate the equipment, I finally removed the battery, cleaned the contacts and the DVR had power. My next problem was there was no date and time displayed and this was required on the investigation, which I was planning to use the equipment on. To make matters worse, the quick start guide didn't even cover programing the date and time. After making several attempts to set the date and time, I made another unanswered call to Spook Tech and left another message.

The following day, having not received a response from Spook Teck (within 24 hours), I packaged up their equipment, including a letter and returned everything to them. Any reputable company concerned with customer satisfaction would have immediately responded, but not Spook Tech. What does that tell you about customer satisifaction?

The next month, when I received my credit card statement the $684.00 charge was still on my statement. I then disputed the purchase with my credit card company and they contacted Spook Tech. To make a long story short, Spook Tech argued I signed an all sales final contract when I made the purchase. Spook Tech further stated to my credit card company in a letter dated November 28, 2006, as we suspected, after his initial use, he decided to return the product. They further stated, his order has been received and is unopened as Mr. Crippen refuses to return our phone calls. Under the circumstances, my credit card company refused to support me.

Now, let's take a look at this situation, Spook Tech has their equipment and my money (since October, 2006). Spook Tech alleges they have my equipment, which they claim is unopened and I refuse to return their calls. They also claim, after my initial use, I decided to return the product. These are some really stupid statements!!

What makes them feel I used this equipment if the equipment remains unopened in the box? Wouldn't you think they would want to inspect the equipment after receiving it to ensure it was operational and express some concern regarding my dissatisfaction with their business and product? Last, but not least, why would I refuse to return their phone calls. They have their product and my money! For the record, this company has never even returned my initial call left on their answering machine when I received their equipment and experienced problems from day one. I have also sent them several registered letters and they have never responded by mail, or phone.

I have reported this company to the Better Business Bureau and currently, the New York State Attorney General's Office is looking into this, as well. As a retired police officer and current private investigator and insurance adjuster, I am a member of many state and national organizations. I can assure anyone reading this, I will do everything in my power to expose this company for their deceptive business practices and criminal activity. They very well deserve a listing on your website. I will not stop, until I get my money back. Keep up the good work in exposing rip off artists like this.

George

Cooperstown, New York

U.S.A.