Problems with HiFiSoundConnection - What to do?

[parkgirl]

Originally Posted by timmy_

Go wrong? They blocked my phone number so I'm unable to call. Then I had my dad call the next day to find out information, and they blocked his phone number after the call as well. Look, I've dealt with several different people as I do a lot of internet shopping, but I've never had anyone blatantly block my phone number from being able to contact them, and then swear they respond to "all e-mails within 4 hours", yet I've not received but one response for the 4 e-mails I've sent.

This just bites. How the heck can people actually do business in this mannor. Obviously they are just out to scam and don't care. That is pittaful.

[timmy_]

I had to file a dispute through my cc, but did eventually receive money back from the items missing from my original purchase. Then a couple days ago I received an email from HFSC asking me to leave a good review on this website so I could show everyone how easily my purchase was. Apparently this was a "canned" e-mail, or they are just extremely stupid thinking I'd do anything good for them after the hassles I went through just to get my money back.

[FairPractices?]

I have to agree with the previous negative comments about HiFi Sound Connection. I was astonished at how bad my experience was, but it was just that, MY EXPERIENCE. I know this website is for ratings and because of that I would have to give HiFi a 1/10, (they get 1 pt for lowest prices) but we all have to realize that there are several ways to protect yourself as an online buyer. First and foremost, GOOGLE IT!!! If your going to give someone $50 and you didnt bother to gather a little research about them, then well your gambling $50. I didn't bother researching and I am now in a bad situation because of it. C'est la vie. Secondly, don't use a bank card! Use a credit card, simply because you usually have between 30-60 days to dispute a charge, and you will have some extra help in receiving your money back should you do business with a bad company, such as in my opinion HiFi Sound. If you don't have a credit card, ask to use a family members and give them the cash. That brings us to the third little tip, dealers rely heavily on being in their suppliers good graces. Say for instance you buy an Alpine product from HiFi Sound, and feel that their is some shady business going on, contact Alpine and ask for assistance. Alpine wants customer loyalty just as much as any SMART business would and will have a pretty loud voice when they contact the dealer. Plus this gives you more info, because it just happened that the company that made my item informed me that there was absolutely no way that the item I ordered could be back-ordered. Lastly, if you've had enough and want a refund, send an e-mail to the company stating cancellation of your order and call the credit card agency to dispute the charge. Sometimes this will jump start the company to send your item, like it did with HiFi, but don't make the mistake of accepting the package when it arrives. REFUSE IT, and the company will be forced to accept the dispute under "no goods or services rendered to cardholder". This thread is mainly to warn potential HiFi customers of the very evident threat of serious aggravation and strange business practices that has been documented countless times on this forum, however I hope that in its entirety, that it may help all online buyers, from the newbies to the veterans. -FairPractices?

[Kevinj152]

If you have been ripped off by this company like myself and many others, you may be happy to know that one victim found the business' physical address. It is Sound Connection at 1270 North Robins ST, Nixa, MO, with a phone number of 417-725-7949.

THis number gets you around they're bull

[Raganman]

This company is a joke. Save yourself the head ache and look elsewhere. I ordered a $39.00 item that was sent to me a 10" instead of the 12" size I ordered. All they had to do was exchange it I would be happy but the rude no customer service person said tough sh#t. They have a return policy but read it closely. You can return anything except the 99% of the stuff they sell. A real con act here. Better Business Bureau should slap these guys around. In these tough times, scams and tricksters will not be tolerated. BUYERS BEWARE.

[import2slab]

I wish I would have read this before I purchased from them and left them positive feedback on ebay I actually got my product (2 amps and 2 subs) I had them installed at a car audio shop on Nov. 25 about a week or so after I got everything UPS but the amps went dead I email them and they give me my ra# to ship out they get it on Dec.3 I waited through the 2 week processing time stated on their site Dec.22 I get an email stating a replacement package would be sent out within a day or two it's January 12 and I still don't have anything, I can't dispute on Paypal because it's been too long, I've just filed through the BBB in MO I live in TX but I don't know what else to do but sit and wait, everything is good in the beginning with them but if you have to send something back you pretty much S.O.L.

[pinflap]

problem resolved

[Joepress]

I too am thinking of going out there and taking them to small claims court. They need to know this can't continue. They still owe me $50 dollars and will not return any email or calls. BBB took all the info but they could not contact them either. They are not members of the BBB but you can still file a complaint.

[DeffAudio]

I bought two amps and 7" headrest monitor kit from them. The amps I got were the wrong ones and the headrest kit was 9.2" instead of 7", not to mention the headrests were tan when I ordered black. Several emails and calls were never returned. It was a large hassle. This "company" is a joke. Unfortunately I made the error of using Paypal and they were no help whatsoever.

[maxazor]

This post is to warn anyone to NEVER buy from HifiSoundconnnection.com EVER!! Here's my story,

6 Months ago, I purchased a Stinger SPV44 battery from Hifi SoundConnection on ebay stores. The battery came, and after 3 monthes of use, no longer held a charge.

9/09/08 - Put in my first request for a Return (RA #)

9/17/08 - Sent e-mail AGAIN to get a RA # since the first attept I had no response
9/17/08 - I got an email staying I would get a RA# on 9/18. (Not sure why they needed to wait a day!!)

9/19/08 - Sent another letter asking why I haven't gotten my RA #
9/19/08 - They finally send me my RA #

10/01/08 - First package is sent by USPS priority mail. It is returned to me on 10/20/08 becasue it needed more postage, which was the postmasters fault.

11/19/08 - I sent out another email informing sales@hifisoundconnection.com that my RA# may have expired and I need a new one. (I was still well within the 1 year warrenty)

11/21/08 - I get an email stating "Hello,
I have re-activated the RA number and it can now be used."

11/22/08 Item was shipped ground via USPS with tracking
0308 2040 0000 3550 2907
Log of USPS shows: Acceptance, November 22, 2008, 2:32 pm, MONTCLAIR, NJ 07042
Arrival at Unit, December 12, 2008, 6:43 am, BROOKLINE, MO 65619 Notice Left, December 12, 2008, 7:47 am, BROOKLINE, MO 65619 Delivered, December 29, 2008, 9:32 am, BROOKLINE, MO 65619

12/29/08 - I check the tracking # and noticed it hasn't been accepting, I write this email.

[i]I shipped this battery back to you last month and have yet to hear if it was recieved.
I checked the tracking # and it returned:
Label/Receipt Number: 0308 2040 0000 3550 2907
Status: Notice Left
We attempted to deliver your item at 7:47 AM on December 12, 2008 in BROOKLINE, MO 65619 and a notice was left. It can be redelivered or picked up at the Post Office. If the item is unclaimed, it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

Please let me know if you recieved this item.
12/30/08 - I receive an email from HiFi Sound stating:
Hello,
I do show it was received and we are now just processing the return.

I assumed everything was good from here....UNTIL

01/09/09 - I get home to stare at my ORIGINAL PACKAGING of the battery the exact red taping in tact. Shows me that they NEVER processed my account and they NEVER OPENED the package.
Delivered, January 09, 2009, 1:14 pm, MONTCLAIR, NJ 07042

01/10/09 - Sent email to inform HiFiSoundconnection that they needed to contact me and fix this issue or I would file a complaint with Ebay against there store. Here's the orginal email.

Dear HiFiSoundconnection,
My name is Joshua Baptiste. I recently shipped a Stinger SPV44 Battery back to you for warrenty replacement using Your RA# is 91819831. Today I returned home and my ORIGINAL package was returned to my door UNOPENED. It was marked as refused. I would like to know EXACTLY why my return was refused. I had correspondence with one of your support team where they wrote to me in my response of asking the status of my return.

On Tue, Dec 30, 2008 at 9:41 AM, HiFiSoundconnection <sales@hifisoundconnection.com> wrote:

Hello,
I do show it was received and we are now just processing the return.

I would like to know how this is possible if you NEVER OPENED my package. I will expect a response in 48 hours or I will open a case with Ebay against your store.

Thank you,
Joshua Baptiste
01/12/09 - I recieve this communication from "Ben"
Hello,
We will be sending out your replacement battery today.
Your customer service representative
Ben

1/23/09 - I still have not recieved my replacement and I send out another email for a tracking # follow its expected arrival.

1/26/09 - Still no response from customer service, I decided to CALL them at there support line. SUCCESS (or so I thought) I'm actually talking to "Ben"

Come to find out, they NEVER sent me a replacement, and they want me to ship out the package AGAIN. (I paid $45 shipping with insurance and tracking) I started to ask Ben why he told me that he already shipped my replacement and that was indeed a lie. (my voice was calm and level trying to make my case the entire time.) and I got HUNG UP ON! Knowing that he's hung up on me I called back. Surpisingly I reached "Ben" again. I said "Ben, this is Josh, why did you hang up on me." Again I was hung up on!

Sorry for the rant, but if I can save just 1 person from having to deal what I've been dealing with over the past few months it will be worth the trouble. It amazes me that they are actually companies like this out there. I will be posting this up on a few other forums, consumerist.com, ebay forums, etc. They are my new enemy and I will use the web to hopefully make them realize that although I am one person, they are primary a web-based company and we deserve to have the same customer service of Brick & Mortar shops.