Internet Fraud Alert - www.portablecomputer.com - Page 3

c11488 · 10-09-2005, 09:11 PM

I just got a letter Saturday from Roseville PD. The DA was able to secure returning the laptops to us. We're supposed to send in a prepaid mailing label and they will mail it back in the boxes we sent it in.

For more information contact Elaine Karsten (see info above).

whughdizzy · 10-10-2005, 09:11 AM

I spoke with the DA, Ed Jones (530-889-7000) on Friday. The case number is 62049140. They are working at pre-trial settlement which includes restitution. They have preliminary financials which includes his house and he has 3 weeks to come up with a plan or it goes to trial. Elaine Karlson emailed saying that she needs everyone to make arrangements to have them send back the laptops to owners.

mw111111 · 10-10-2005, 11:51 AM

finally starting to sound like crime doesnt pay.
good work. Big thanks to Roseville PD.

mw111111 · 10-10-2005, 11:57 AM

nice info c11488 and whughdizzy
thanks for keeping us informed.

wildthingathome · 10-11-2005, 08:08 PM

my northgate arrived friday exactly as it had left....untouched,lol,but i sent a fedex prepaid voucher when i overnighted elaine all of my correspondence with (in my opinion) that liar.im still out my $245 plus shipping both ways plus cell phone calls not to mention the extreme aggravation i have been put thru !someone email me please with updates as they arrive.and i'm wondering if we accept our money back does that let him off the hook?also,anyone know of a legitimate laptop repair service that can fix the dc inverter board and onboard modem??

DonFL · 10-13-2005, 06:15 AM

Join the club...I got burned too...only good thing is it appears he never even touched the computers...I had fears of having a box of parts shipped back to me. And I was getting e-mails telling me they were waiting on parts, burning in (he's the only computer tech I know who burns in a repaired computer for days on end..)

The audacity amazes me...I even got a call from some woman around Labor Day, telling me their server was down (when, in actuality it had been confiscated..) and they were still in business, not to worry, etc. I should have known when I first sent the computer to him and he didn't take credit cards..only checks..

At this point, his main phone number just hangs up..his cell was disconnected long ago. But I did get my share of middle of the night messages left for him..maybe it woke him up more than once...but a guy like this, probably has no problem sleeping.

I am not sure if I am going to file in small claims or not...gut says, with the distance, it will be a pain. Probably going to let the DA follow thru, see what kind of restitution comes of it, and than is it. I have another little surprise for him at the end of the year, totally legal, but it may not have any effect if we can put him out of business completely. And yea, I assume any restitution we accept will likely end any further action.

Speaking of...Elaine at the PD also mentioned filing a complaint witht the CA state agency that regulates electronics repair..not sure if that info is posted in this string or not...if not, I'll dig it up and post it.

mw111111 · 10-13-2005, 12:15 PM

DONFL, glad to hear you got your computer back. I am still waiting on mine since he never gave me an RMA # (repair #) anyways.
I did post the info about BEAR
Bureau of electronic and appliance repair.
They have since sent me a letter. I misplaced the letter. But what it said was that the matter is now under investigation and they are looking into it. I wish I could find it so I could post it on this site. but that is basically what it said.
Do not try to attempt to contact the BBB in Sacramento. It will be a big waste of time. I am surprised that BBB even exists. They sent be a letter also stating they tried contacting Portablecomputer.com and havent had any success. Since they were unable to contact him their is nothing further they can do at this time. hahahhaahaha
So I would recommend sending a letter to BEAR. dont know what could come of it but maybe something.

IS IT LEGAL TO PUT HIM ON A JUNK MAIL LIST. hahahhahahahha

mw111111 · 10-13-2005, 12:25 PM

Repair places. I dont know of any right off hand but what I can suggest is if you know what is wrong with your computer. for instance my computer has a cracked screen. I had located another screen on ebay for around $100.
just an idea good luck.

DonFL · 10-13-2005, 12:25 PM

At least you got a reply from the BBB...but yea, they are pretty useless...

Yea, luckily, Elaine at Roseville PD confirmed they had mine..so should see it soon..(and still need to find someone to fix the PCMCIA slot issue I have..)..

As I think about this whole situation, it is even more laughable that he advertised component level repair, rather than just system board swaps...

As far as EOY plan, will share if it comes to fruition...but can't say anything for now..

cjva · 10-13-2005, 11:52 PM

WF got me too! I sent him the laptop (2-month old Gateway) on 7/7 with an LCD problem (was dropped by hotel bellboy in my carry on bag, screen got damaged, vertical white strips on, still in process of settling with the hotel's insurance company). Went to local repair shop, quoted me new screen at about $600. WF would get it done for $200. Well, cheapo me, I fell into his trap. UPSed on 7/7, and then the run-arounds started. This, that, always delays, the screen had to go to LG, this, that, blah blah. We all know the story. Finally I got fed up in Augusta nd I asked him to mail it back (I was not that much concrened about refund than about getting my laptop back, as it was the only thing from where I worked). He generated a VALID!!! UPS number but never shipped. Then he stopped responding phone calls, then his phone went off, his website went down, etc. I was about to contact Roseville police and DA on my own, when I came accross this forum.

I am glad things are going as they are going, and I hope my computer has bein seized form his premises and I can get it back. Has anyone had asituation where the police would say they don't have his computer? Had everyone's computer been located? I am just keen on getting the laptop back, (refund would be good, too) but i just want the whole thing to end and make my own arrangements, even if that means paying $600 for a new screen or getting outside monitor.