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[jabee99]

I live in Ohio. I ordered a computer from the Video Computer Store in PA.They have an infomercial on television but I ordered the computer from their website. I have had many problems with this company but I will stick to the warranty issues. This computer had a one year in home warranty and I also paid $99. to extend the warranty for two more years. I received the computer in May 2000.
Six weeks after I received the computer it locked up and was unusable. Between June 2000 and November 2000 I called them nine times to have this computer repaired. Each time I was told that they had no record of any previous calls. Finally in November they sent me a return merchandise authorization and I sent the computer back to have it repaired. They sent it back in December and it still
does not work. I have been leaving voicemails and I am getting no response. Can a company send you junk merchandise and then just ignore your request for warranty service until the warranty runs out? Does a company have a legal obligation to honor a warranty? They are obviously going to choose to continue to give me the run around. Should I hire an attorney?

 

[JETX]

Short answer to your question....
Yes, a merchant can try to get away with anything that the buyer let's them, and Yes, the warranty does give you specific legal rights.

However, the real question becomes as you have seen, can you viably do anything to enforce the warranty? Regretfully, the answer to this one is more difficult. You can sue them (in their home jurisdiction), this is not practical on a 'long-distance' purchase. You can 'shame' them into compliance (BBB complaint, start a complaint website, contact their local Chamber of Commerce, contact the consumer division of their state attorney, etc.).

My question to you: Did you use a credit card to purchase this item??

If so, the credit card company MIGHT be able to help you (I say might because it depends entirely on the timing (usually within 90 days of credit billing), and your ability to coerce them into helping you). Send the credit card company a 'dispute letter' (Certified RRR) stating the details of your problem. Make sure that they know that you have made 'good-faith' effort to contact the merchant and to resolve this dispute. The credit card company may require that you return the entire computer before they will credit the amount to your card. However, based on your report, that should not be a problem.

If you made payment by check or money order, you do not have the protection of the credit card and are probably out your money with little or no chance of recovery.

 

[jabee99]

Thank You!! I will contact my credit card company.