TheTVMegaStore

Review: I was hoping to address this issue on my own – I’ve tried very hard to do that but it has been a futile effort with the business and looking for assistance in this matter. The core timeline surrounding the central issue is detailed below but in a nutshell – I purchased a TV from The TV Megastore (1/**/ 2012 – order # [redacted]) and turns out they sold me a refurbished TV as new. ALL INDICATIONS ARE SELLING REFURBISHED TV’S AS NEW IS THEIR STANDARD BUSINESS PRACTICE. The only way I would have found out about this is if there was a repair that was beyond a certified technician’s ability to fix. As you will see below, that is what happened. The technician determined the failure required a replacement from the manufacturer (Sharp). When they called to schedule replacement, I was told they would be sending me a refurbished TV to replace the refurbished TV I currently had. When I called TV Megastore to complain about their deception, I was told to arrange shipment of a new TV from Sharp and TV Megastore would pay the difference. from the time I was told they would reimburse me for the cost difference on 4/**/ 2013 up until the day I quit trying (6/*/ 2013), I logged 61 phone calls to the TV Megastore trying to get the $345 THAT THEY PROMISED ME and they owe me for the TV – to no avail. Here is my abbreviated recap: 4/*/ 2013 – TV failed to turn on 4/*/ 2013 – called TV Megastore to report issue TV Megastore notified Sharp for onsite repair - Issue logged as case #[redacted] with Sharp 4/**/ 2013 – technician onsite – TV was functioning normally but failed again the following day. 4/**/ 2013 – technician returned and determined backlight had failed and will require factory service. I was told Sharp would be sending me a new (replacement) TV. 4/**/ 2013 – Sharp called to tell me I would be receiving a REFURBISHED TV. I questioned this and then became apparent the TV Megastore had sold me a refurbished TV as if it were new! 4/**/ 2013 – I sent Email to TV Megastore to complain about their deception and wanted my money refunded. 4/**/ 2013 – Spoke with [redacted] at TV Megastore and per his instructions, I was to call Sharp to arrange shipment of a NEW TV in exchange for the refurbished model I had AND THEY WOULD PAY THE DIFFERENCE. At this point, I was in a holding pattern until [redacted] or someone at TV Megastore called Sharp to pay the $506 difference so I could get my TV exchanged. I lost count of the phone calls I made to TV Megastore but they were numerous. 05/**/ 2013 – Spoke with [redacted] who said he was having all kinds of issues reaching Sharp to take care of this and asked me to call Sharp, pay the difference and he would cut me a check. I asked if he was sure he could cut me a check for this amount and he responded as follows: “Yes, I will cut you a check – I want to see this issue resolved.” With consideration for TV Megastore’s track record with me so far, I was very reluctant to do this… 05/**/ 2013 – Received a call from Sharp – They had a model LC-60LE857U they would exchange with a reduced price of $345 so I agreed to this and charged that amount to my credit card. 05/**/ 2013 – Received a receipt from Sharp for the exchange amount and forwarded this on to the TV Megastore without delay to speed up reimbursement. THIS IS WHERE THE BIG RUNAROUND STARTED TRYING TO GET REIMBURSED!! 05/**/ 2013 – Spoke to [redacted] and stated as follows: “I was working at the time I first ordered my TV in 2012 but I’m currently unemployed and cannot afford this $345 bill. I desperately need this money refunded to me – this is a matter of survival!” [redacted] said he would cut me a check and to call him back by end of day for a tracking number. I called back and he said my check was sent regular mail so no tracking number. THE CHECK NEVER ARRIVED! 05/**/ 2013 – My new TV was delivered and the broken TV was hauled away. 05/**/ 2013 – [redacted] told me again a check would be sent out and to call for a tracking number. When I called back there was no tracking number and the check never did arrive. 05/**/ 2013 – This is the last day I was able to reach [redacted] and he reiterated the check was on its way and I told him again how bad I needed that to pay the bill. He promised to send me a tracking number and that never happened… also the check never arrived. 06/**/ 2013 – Tried again to reach [redacted] several times but only got the answering machine. I left a message that I had not received my check and to please call me but I did not receive a call back. My documentation is extensive on this issue I’ve had with TV Megastore and happy to provide all the details you want / need in hopes of finding a resolution. The following is stated at the store’s website at [redacted], : We can effectively manage all of your support needs via email. We are dedicated to making sure you are as satisfied with us as possible and guarantee a response within a 24 hour time frame. From my experience, the above statement is blatantly false. When there was no response to numerous Emails I sent and then called for follow-up, I was told my messages were not received. The second sentence in the above stated promise about being “dedicated to making sure you are as satisfied as possible” as good as this sounds, is also a woefully inaccurate representation of the company’s goal. Thank you in advance for anything you can do on my behalf. I have stacks of additional details so please get back to me if needed.Desired Settlement: The business gave me their word I would be reimbursed $345 to cover TV replacement that was due to the fact they sold me a refurbished TV as new. They readily agreed I would receive this amount in compensation and told me repeatedly the check was in the mail but I never received the check because they never set it.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by TheTVMegaStore regarding complaint ID [redacted].

THE BUSINESS HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINT

The business has not responded to my complaint and really doesn’t surprise me. I sincerely hope anyone considering placing an order with this business will see my complaint to heed my warning. Thetvmegastore.com and gadgetave.com make a practice of selling refurbished electronics as if they were new. This fact is rarely discovered by the customer but it is a fact. If you have already purchased a TV or other piece of equipment from this business, I urge you to call the manufacturer – Sharp or Samsung or whoever that is and provide them with your serial number. They will then be able to confirm what is stated in this complaint.

I have no respect for a dishonest business. Thetvmegastore.com and gadgetave.com have a pattern of lies, and unfulfilled promises to try and convince you they will take care of you as a customer. Don’t believe them. Do your research as there are many complaints online similar to my own – some have lost thousands of dollars dealing with these people.

Sincerely,