How to remove retailer's hold on my money?

[dug]

I ordered a laptop computer from MPsuperstore.com. They sent me a note asking me to call them back, and it turned out they just wanted to get me to buy a different computer. They lied on the phone and said the computer I wanted was in stock but it wasn't. I cancelled the order (I should have checked this website first) and a guy at the retailer told me he'd refund the money immediately (I didn't even know they already had charged me), but I still cannot get to the money in my checking account. The bank says the money is on hold and that only the retailer can remove the hold. I've contacted the retailer and the bank numerous times and keep getting the run around.
What can I do??? Because right now there is nothing stopping this retailer from taking $2000 from me. Not to mention I can't get the computer from a more reputable dealer while waiting and hoping that this gets resolved.

[FreakyOCR]

I feel for you bud... call the police... it's mail Fraud and it's a Federal Offence.... once the cops get on their back your money should arrive in no time. IMO (in my opinion) You didn't use a credit card? If you did call the CC company and get them on their back as well.... nothing is worse than having $2000 float around... you will likely get it back though...

Bad time to say it, but

WELCOME TO RESELLER RATINGS/TECHIMO!!!!

[MegalosSkylaki]

Dug ,

Check to see if there is a Bait and Switch law in your State and write to the state Attorney General.

Any dealings with them should have been in writing , Certified Mail--Return Receipt on the letter. Start now.

Wrote to the Vendor's State AG.

Risk is that the money has been swallowed in comissions etc. or the Store knows it's going under (Bankruptcy). The CC Co has to put the burden on the Vender to show that thay substantially performed. If not, take back your money on the next Transaction and credit your card. Actually, credit it regardless.CC: copies of letters to AG to the CC.

Put the CC on the spot by Certified mail--return receipt.

The key is to show due diligence on your part and the CC has not;
so make reference to prior communications in all letters.

Good luck.

CERTIFIEDDOOOOG

[dug]

Yeah, FreakyOCR, my credit card only has a $1500 limit so I couldn't use it. I've since found out that Visa has zero-liability for debit cards, too, but the bank has to report it or something. Also, this website below suggests that "Visa policy requires merchant holds last no more than 72 hours after the final transaction takes place" but I couldn't confirm that anywhere else.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/...sp?prodtype=cc

I've already reported them to the Better Business Bureau of New York and the Department of Consumer Affairs. I was also upset because CNET (www.shopper.com) gave MPsuperstore.com their highest rating (3 stars), and MPsuperstore.com violates many of the criteria CNET supposedly uses to give their highest rating.

[CERuppel]

I am here for you. Have you tried the feds (interstate bank fraud)? Or try the telecommunications angle (you ordered on line, right?). Might be worth it just to see the fed sieze one of the big corps computers...

Best wishes

[dug]

Well the bank finally released the hold after a week. I'm about to go withdraw my money.
I still reported MPsuperstore to the BBB and NY department of consumer affairs, and I'm going to report them to the FTC as well:
https://rn.ftc.gov/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
because even regardless of refunding my money or not they broke other laws such as selling stuff they don't have in stock and saying it is in stock, bait and switch, and false advertising on their website.

I reported CNET (www.shopper.com) to the California department of consumer affairs because their retailer rating system is bogus. They gave MPsuperstore and USaveGelt their highest retail rating without actually validating any of the criteria they supposedly use to give a 3 star rating.

[Germ]

sic 'em!

[Russ]

Well the bank finally released the hold after a week.

dug,

That length of time is actually normal. Even if the merchant released the funds the day they said, it takes about five business days to wind it's way through the system.

Russ, NCNE

[MegalosSkylaki]

I had a an RMA with UBID.

Six weeks ago.

Three telephone calls ago + another hour last nite talking to a supervior who first tried to blame me for their failure to connect the scan of the return with a credit to my account. ("we would have caught it eventually".)

Hah ! Given the three prior phone calls in 6 weeks, kinda of sounds they're counting on people assuming the RMA will be credited.

Last nite Supe promised he had posted the credit.

Hmmm...should I believe UBID the fourth time around?

What about people who work 60 hrs. a week. Are they goin' to spend the time on the phone following up ?

MORal of story: Check your RMA's to see if they have been actually credited. Especially with UBID.

DOOOG