1/5
posted Jun-20-2005
Buyer beware! This has been my worst experience of attempting to purchase a product I have ever made. The only way to describe the workings of this company is fraudulent. For the record:
On May 12th I submitted an online order for a Hitachi projection TV, a TV screen cleaning kit and S-video cable. According to the company's website the items would be shipping in 2-3 business days. Well, two weeks later the items were still shipping in 2-3 business days. Needless the say that my credit card was charged the day I submitted the order. Repeated calling of the company yielded only two things: comforting words and pushy requests to purchase extended warranties. Finally, after two weeks something happened. I received an email that my items had shipped by UPS. I thought I might be able to survive this purchase learning in the process to check out a company before I order (I had discovered resellerratings.com in the meantime). The email came on the 23rd, it was to arrive on the 31st. I made sure somebody was at the house and tracked the shipping via computer. To my horror it said "Item delivered" on the UPS website yet no TV was to be seen while a downpour took place outside. I pictured my TV sitting in the rain at the wrong address. Coming home I discovered a small package on the counter. Opening it I discovered the screen cleaning kit. The next morning I called Hype-Audio to be told that the TV had shipped separately with Team Air Express. The given website was incorrect but I found it anyway and was actually able to locate my TV. It was to arrive on the sixth. Remembering that I ordered an video cable as well I had the idea to check the small package again. At the bottom I found the missing cable. It was unpackaged, covered in dust and clearly not new. Then June 6th arrived and the TV actually made it. The excitement did not last long as I uncovered an 4.5" by 4" crack behind the protective screen. I reported the damage immediately to both the shipping company and Hype-Audio. The shipping company promised to send an inspector who stopped by on June 9th. On the same day I received an email from Hype-Audio stating "It is my distinct pleasure to inform you that item(s) in you order have shipped via Team Air." That's three days after I received the TV!
On June 8th Hyped-Audio send me an email that they initiated a claim with Team Air and promised a full refund. On June 10th I received an email from Hype-Audio that they needed a written repair estimate to satisfy their insurance company. Neither a dealer was specified nor who would cover the cost to get a written repair estimate. I sent in the requested estimate, wrote another email and have not heard anything since. At least, the shipping company will come by on June 21st to pick up the TV. So as of today I am five weeks without TV and out of $1496 with nothing to show for.
Judging from reviews from other customers of this site and the BBB this is not an individual mishap that occured but the way this company works.
Needless to say that I will never buy from this company again.
Update on 9/20: The shipping company indeed picked up the TV. Hype-Audio sent me phony emails asking for written insurance estimates. I faxed one but of course they never received it. The whole point is to drag it out as long as possible so they can hang on to the money. The credit card company reimbursed me but to my knowledge they are still trying to get their money back from Hype-Audio. I complained to the BBB and the AGs Office in New York. So far Hype-Audio has not responded to either one agency. This sort of tells you how little power the agencies have in dealing with black sheep like Hype-Audio.
As a lesson, verify the seller before you buy because you are on your own after the fact!
This review was modified by
thelazybee on September 20 2005 08:41:30 PM
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posted Jul-11-2009 
posted Jun-03-2005 
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"This was my first transaction with this company and I was very pleased. I was in need of two Lutron light switches and searched the web for it. The price offered was attractive and in combination with reasonable shipping charges the best. There were other companies that offered slightly lower prices but asked for ridiculous shipping charges. <br>The items purchased arrived quickly and well packed, I installed them today and they work without any issues.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Electrified_Discounters_Inc\/comment\/480621#comment480621","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Electrified_Discounters_Inc.jpg","store_name":"Electrified Discounters, Inc.","username":"thelazybee","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"Buyer beware! This has been my worst experience of attempting to purchase a product I have ever made. The only way to describe the workings of this company is fraudulent. For the record:<br>On May 12th I submitted an online order for a Hitachi projection TV, a TV screen cleaning kit and S-video cable. According to the company\u0027s website the items would be shipping in 2-3 business days. Well, two weeks later the items were still shipping in 2-3 business days. Needless the say that my credit card was charged the day I submitted the order. Repeated calling of the company yielded only two things: comforting words and pushy requests to purchase extended warranties. Finally, after two weeks something happened. I received an email that my items had shipped by UPS. I thought I might be able to survive this purchase learning in the process to check out a company before I order (I had discovered resellerratings.com in the meantime). The email came on the 23rd, it was to arrive on the 31st. I made sure somebody was at the house and tracked the shipping via computer. To my horror it said \u0022Item delivered\u0022 on the UPS website yet no TV was to be seen while a downpour took place outside. I pictured my TV sitting in the rain at the wrong address. Coming home I discovered a small package on the counter. Opening it I discovered the screen cleaning kit. The next morning I called Hype-Audio to be told that the TV had shipped separately with Team Air Express. The given website was incorrect but I found it anyway and was actually able to locate my TV. It was to arrive on the sixth. Remembering that I ordered an video cable as well I had the idea to check the small package again. At the bottom I found the missing cable. It was unpackaged, covered in dust and clearly not new. Then June 6th arrived and the TV actually made it. The excitement did not last long as I uncovered an 4.5\u0022 by 4\u0022 crack behind the protective screen. I reported the damage immediately to both the shipping company and Hype-Audio. The shipping company promised to send an inspector who stopped by on June 9th. On the same day I received an email from Hype-Audio stating \u0022It is my distinct pleasure to inform you that item(s) in you order have shipped via Team Air.\u0022 That\u0027s three days after I received the TV! <br>On June 8th Hyped-Audio send me an email that they initiated a claim with Team Air and promised a full refund. On June 10th I received an email from Hype-Audio that they needed a written repair estimate to satisfy their insurance company. Neither a dealer was specified nor who would cover the cost to get a written repair estimate. I sent in the requested estimate, wrote another email and have not heard anything since. At least, the shipping company will come by on June 21st to pick up the TV. So as of today I am five weeks without TV and out of $1496 with nothing to show for.<br>Judging from reviews from other customers of this site and the BBB this is not an individual mishap that occured but the way this company works.<br>Needless to say that I will never buy from this company again.<br>Update on 9\/20: The shipping company indeed picked up the TV. Hype-Audio sent me phony emails asking for written insurance estimates. I faxed one but of course they never received it. The whole point is to drag it out as long as possible so they can hang on to the money. The credit card company reimbursed me but to my knowledge they are still trying to get their money back from Hype-Audio. I complained to the BBB and the AGs Office in New York. So far Hype-Audio has not responded to either one agency. This sort of tells you how little power the agencies have in dealing with black sheep like Hype-Audio. <br>As a lesson, verify the seller before you buy because you are on your own after the fact!","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Hype_Audio\/comment\/210283#comment210283","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Hype_Audio.jpg","store_name":"Hype Audio [aka: PriceRitePhoto, Let\u0027s Go Digital, Ideal Audio\/Video, ...]","username":"thelazybee","rating":"1"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"Purchased monitor switches online. Very smooth transaction. Speedy delivery and good packaging.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Buy\/comment\/208155#comment208155","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Buy.jpg","store_name":"Buy.com","username":"thelazybee","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}
![Share](javascript:share_rating({"review_body":"Used this company for the first time due to the excellent price offering. While shipping time could have been a tick faster, the product was well packaged and works flawlessy. I was very satisfied with the transaction.","link":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/Memory_4_Less\/comment\/208154#comment208154","store_thumb":"http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/thumbnail\/Memory_4_Less.jpg","store_name":"Memory4Less.com","username":"thelazybee","rating":"5"}, "single");){kind=link}