Consumer Electronics Depot

mazzster · 02-10-2006, 10:30 AM

Has anyone had any dealings with these guys? They are based in Miami, and as with many of the other threads on this page were selling (and still are supposedly selling) Apple iPods.

I placed an order back in June 05, and after talking to the main guy Elio Mella on the phone several times (every time I called someone picked up), I checked on BBB, and although they didn't have a long history, it showed they were a registered business (part of Advanced Recovery Systems), decided they were kosher & wired money to him as agreed.

I received one phone call 2 weeks later advising half my order was on its way (which I never received, then saw them advertising as available stock), and have heard nothing since. In the meantime they have ignored me, the Miami Consumer Services Dept, and now the BBB.

A letter from a lawyer back in October did provoke a response that they were hurt about my complaint blabla rubbish, and guaranteeing delivery before Xmas or a full refund. Neither of these happened, and again they are back to ignoring me. I am reluctant to use legal action, partly as it's hugely expensive, but also as I'm already lots of cash down, don't wanna throw more money in with no guarantee I'll get anything back!

Anyone had any dealings with this company? Any recommendations on what to do now?

nomaxim · 02-11-2006, 06:17 AM

Do you have a link to the site, a google search brings up a couple of pages.

mazzster · 02-11-2006, 06:52 AM

This is their new website (for CED II) which I think has only been up a short while, I only found out about this site through a US contact who e-mailed posing as a new customer.

http://www.electronicsdepot.citymaker.com/home.html

They used to post regularly on b2b tradeholding.

Lol, just noticed they're now Alibaba Trustpass members, I don't think Trustpass proves anything except there is a real address.

nomaxim · 02-11-2006, 01:08 PM

Umm, I'm afraid I don't see why you would have 'wired' money to this company.

From:BBB.org

Quote:

Original Business
Start Date:
1/1/2003
Local Business
Start Date: 1/1/2004
Principal: Carmen Melba, President
Local Phone Number: (786) 293-7300
Fax Number: (800) 859-7025
Membership Status: This company is not a member.
TOB Classification: Electronic Equipment & Supliers-Service/Repair

Quote:

Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to unanswered complaint(s).

Quote:

This company is in an industry that may require licensing, bonding or registration in order to lawfully do business. The Bureau encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

Quote:

The Bureau has requested basic information from this company. The Bureau has not received a response. Without this information, the Bureau may not have current information concerning such things as the company's management or its nature of business

First off they are not a member of the BBB, and second they have a history of NOT responeding.

And what do you mean by 'wired money'?

mazzster · 02-11-2006, 01:54 PM

I mean sent money by wire transfer (ie straight into their bank account). Yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I was already aware it wasn't the best decision I ever made.

The only complaint they have not responded to on BBB is mine, but I hadn't even heard of the better business bureau until way after I'd sent money.

Any help/suggestions as to what to do now?

nomaxim · 02-11-2006, 05:38 PM

If you already have a lawyer then follow thru with that. Make sure you have any e-mails, bill-of-sale, and such. Since you wired cash, you'll have to prove that it wasn't a loan or donation, they could claim that in court. It's your word against his.
You can also contact the Florida Attorney Generals office and the local Miami Police (Maybe even tha Miami-Dade Sheriffs Dept.). Again you'll need all of the above. You could also try you're local police, the FTC (Federal Trade Commision), and the USPS, if anything travelled thru the mail.

mazzster · 02-13-2006, 03:21 PM

If anyone knows a US lawyer who would be willing to take this case, on a "no win, no fee" basis (sadly mine won't perhaps because he realises then he'd actually have to do some work to earn his fee!), then please give me their contact details. I have all that you have mentionned above. I have a letter from them a few months back saying how they would deliver before Xmas or refund in full, so there's no way they could plausibly suddenly change their story & pretend it was a donation!

In the meantime, anyone who wants to do me a favour & is registered on eBay, please send a message to eBay username ohms714 asking them to deliver 100 x 512Mb Shuffles & 100 x 1Gb Shuffles to Chris Maslin as agreed back in June! If you're not registered on eBay, then e-mail them via the contact details from their website as above.

I'm not giving up!!!

megaipod · 02-20-2006, 05:12 PM

Mazzster i'm in the same boat as you. They owe me money as well. It's been 5 months since i bought nanos from them. Instead of Elio Mella, i was dealing with a Jennifer Mella.

I complained with the BBB, FTC, and even the cheif of police. You want to team up and take them down?

mazzster · 02-21-2006, 09:59 AM

Hi, yeah, that'd be good.

I recently contacted the police about it too, gonna give them a call in a couple of weeks to check progress.

I'd like to take legal action if I knew of a lawyer who would take it on as a no win no fee case, which I wouldn't have thought they'd mind doing as it seems fairly set in stone.

The BBB only has 2 complaints showing as raised against them, one of which was resolved a while back, the other is mine (I think). Make sure you follow up with your complaint to them.

Let me know how you get on.

Chris

mazzster · 02-21-2006, 10:01 AM

May be worth you also seeing:

http://www.thewholesaleforums.co.uk/...3583#post33583

a similar website to this that got a bit more response.