No ink ever came from DotsPlus Imaging

[JiminElkGrove]

Just to let all forum members know, on August 10th I ordered 3 HP printer cartridges from DotsPlus Imaging. I had seen their ad in PC Magazine some time ago. Now, 4 weeks later no cartridges ever came. Repeated e-mails inquiring about my order are not answered, phone calls go to an ordinary answering machine and the calls are not returned. I am left to dispute the Visa charge with my bank as I have never received anything. The prices can not be beat . . . or so it would seem. There is no reference to them on the Reseller Ratings page. Never ordered from them before, never will again. Beware of DotsPlus Imaging. Jim

[John C. Dechon]

Write PC magazine and tell them they shouldn't advertixe for scam (thieves) companies...it hurts the magazine's image.

Maybe a letter from PC Mag to those bums will get some response, or at least get their ad pulled.

John D.

[JiminElkGrove]

I intend to do that John, and thanks for the suggestion. I have not seen an ad in PC Magazine for DotsPlus Imaging for several months so they may have gotten the message long ago or the company simply stopped advertising with them. Jim

[John C. Dechon]

Also make a report on DotsPLus to the BBB in their state.

Aside from suing them (would probably cost more than it's worth) or getting your credit card company to do a charge back, there isn't much else you can do.

I do think that VISA will be your best bet and the odds are in your favor they'll do a charge-back.

Good luck,

John D.

P.S. NEXT time, research the vendor: www.resellerrating.com as I hope you know! If they don't show up there, look for them at Yahoo Shoopping, BiZRate or PriceGrabber...even check out EBAY to see if he has any listing/rating there. If they aren't in any of those places, look for another vendor that IS and has a rating of some kind, or, let them know up front you'll do a review -- good or bad -- and so it's in their best interest that things go well...for BOTH of you. If they don't respond to that e-mail, then do not do business with them.

I have ordered from 15-20 online vendors over the last few years using the "Two Stop Shopping" method -- (1) www.pricewatch.com and (2) www.resellerratings.com -- and have had no rip-offs.

JD

EDIT: Sorry, you DID check them out on RR...my mistake. Still, in the future, look for them at those other places I named...

[JiminElkGrove]

Thanks again John. I have bought many things on line and this is my first bad experience. I will take all of your suggestions for my future purchases as the Internet is so full of information as well as things to buy. I appreciate your recommendations. As for Visa, one does not have to pay for services not rendered (In this case, no cartridges.) as that is their guarantee. If they have agreed to let someone use the Visa service (vendor), and I assume they did, one has no obligation to pay the vendor if no goods are delivered. The total amount here is about $66 so it is not a real big deal but Visa and I will work it out. Thanks again for your suggestions, I need to be a more savvy consumer. Jim

[John C. Dechon]

You're welcome...

I know that even researching vendors does not always guarantee a good experience EVERY time, but consider the alternative, right?

$66 would be a big deal to me...but everyone I know makes more money than I do anyway so it's all relative!

Good luck,

John D.

P.S. I hope you have researched REFILLING your cartridges, too...why buy new ones each time? Just do a search for "inkjet cartridge refills" and see all the sites that come up...some even have tutorials re: how to do it.

Yes, even the new Epson carts that have the "smart chip" on them to prevent refilling you can refill...with a $49 device to reprogram the chip!

The manufacturers try to stop us refilling carts and someone figures out a way to beat the manufacturer...I hope that continues!

Anyway, consider refilling.

JD

[JiminElkGrove]

Elite Rewards Visa, issued by MBNA credited the $65.80 to my account on Sept. 20. They made good on their online shopping guarantee. And to this day, I never got any cartridges or any reply to phone calls or e-mail from DotsPlus. Great customer service at MBNA Visa and I thank them. Jim

[PresterJohn]

looks like you got a nice break for once...