"Pay retail before you do business with these guys. A total lack of professionalism and a non-existent customer service department. After months of trying to get action on a damaged item they have now lied to Amex regarding our communications and said I have only recently contacted them to state the item was not working. What a fraud. I have spoken to Louis who called to state the unpaid for goods needed to be returned. Wake up pal. That bwas four montrhs after I asked you to pick-up the damaged goods in the first place. And Alex, the conjgenial sales type who consistently leads you into believing they have a claims department that will contact you shortly. NOT. It does not exist and no-one will ever contact you. You will be paying for the phone calls month after month. Just give the toll free number a try It is ***-***-****. You will find it is busy 24/7.
Bottom line: Do business with anyone but Appliance Best Buys.com. "
"The delivered product was as promised but this supplier was difficult to get in contact with. On several days the phone would roll to a receptionist who's inbox was full and could not take messages. When the phone was answered the people were generally attentive but wouldn't get back to me as they stated. I had difficulty in coordinating shipping, and once again, difficulty in getting through to them. The product was what I wanted and they offered the best price, but the servicing of my order didn't go as well as it should have."
"Absolutely the worst experience my company has ever had. Customer service is non-existant."
"Horrible. Would not recommend. Unprofessional. Bought an Avanti Wine Refrigerator with a money order. Was told that we would get a call to set up delivery. Never did. My girlfriend called and spoke to Khalil. Khalil then attempted to friend my girlfriend on Facebook. Creepy and extremely unprofessional knowing that he has her name and our address and had to search through facebook to find her. Anyway, we were told that the wine cooler would be sent to appliance best buy and then delivered to us. When we didn't hear from them, we called them and were told that the wine cooler would be sent direct from Avanti. That never happened and we never received one phone call from them. We finally got a hold of them again where I was told by Louis that the wine cooler was sent to them and was damaged and they would be unable to obtain another one. By the way, We had to make all of these calls. They never called us to tell us it came damaged. The order was canceled. we did receive a refund check back which I was afraid wouldn't come due to the terrible experience but it did come and it did clear. We dealt with Louis, Alex, Ahmed and Khalil but I cannot express the unprofessional behavior of Khalil who spoke to my girlfriend in a condescending manner talking of cultural ideology in regard to Pakistani culture and religion which is utterly uncalled for in a business transaction. Not what you really want from your vendor either. It is a terrible company and would not recommend it to anyone. I also have never written a review of a company before but was compelled to do so due to the severe lack of professionalism and the invasion of privacy using a social network to contact my girlfriend. We also kept the facebook message from Khalil as proof."
"At the time I placed my order, your web site said you had 66 units of the type I wanted in stock and you accepted my order. Then, the next day, you cancelled my order, saying the unit was "no longer available." Your web site was apparently out of touch with reality and caused me further delay in obtaining an air conditioner for a room that is now up to 97 degrees and unusable. I have since obtained a unit from another vendor. "
"I ordered a Weber gas grill on line. It was quick easy, and substantially less expensive than any other vendor. When they notified me on line that the shipping estimate differed with the actual shipping cost by over 200%, I called and spoke to Alex, who was helpful and quite sympathetic. Alternate shipping was arranged at a lower cost. The grill arrived with its box intact without damage. i was very satisfied. i would recommend ApplianceBestBuys to anyone ."
"Responded to an add that said "Free Shipping". While placing the order, informed that an estimated shipping cost of $40 would be added. First business day after placing order, informed shipping would be $169 and was asked for further authorization. I asked the order to be cancelled and the firm promptly cancelled the order. However the firm had already placed a pre-auth on my card, and after two requests the firm has not faxed a release letter to my bank card company to release the $500+ preauth. My card company says without that letter, they will hold my funds for 30 days.
***Update***
It's now been 14 days since the order was cancelled. Bank Card company still doesn't show that this company has issued a release of the Pre-auth. After initial review and 3rd request I got this gem of a response from them.
"These funds were released days ago so complain to whoever you want. You have already left us a bad review so do as you please because we are not holding your funds. Furthermore, we have proof that funds were released and are ready to proceed with legal action should your libelous and deceitful review be published."
So I requested a copy of the release letter and the evidence that they referred to so I could take it up with my bank and got this response:
"Because of pending litigation based on your factually false and libelous review I have been instructed to cease further communication. I guess we will just let the lawyers figure this out."
This company is more concerned about silencing my bad review through intimidation than they are about resolving the customer service issue which is still outstanding. Guess I'll have to wait till the PreAuth expires in another 15 days.
AVOID THIS MERCHANT.
Update 08/04/2010.
Although the company cancelled the transaction as my original review noted. The company did not send the Bank Card company a Release letter to release the Pre-Auth Transaction. The BankCard Company won't release the funds until either they get that release letter or 30 days has passed. Because even though they cancelled the transaction until that Pre-Auth is released, the company could theoretically file another transaction against the original PreAuth.
The company may not have understood that in the beginning, but I've explained it with all 4 of my requests to send the Release of PreAuth letter.
Notice they didn't post a Release of PreAuth letter. They posted a canceled transaction which is not the same thing.
Here's an excerpt from my first letter:
"Re: cancelled order 518114
I need you to send a release letter to the my card issuer to release these funds. Otherwise the pre-auth hold that was issued is going to tie up my funds for 30 days.
Please fax the letter to 1-800-XXX-XXXX.
Address to: XXXXXXXXXX Bank
The card issuer says the release letter needs the following information:
Company Letter Head
My Name: XXXXXXX
Account #XXXXX
Last 4 digits of card number: XXXX
The approval code
Date & Amount of Transaction
And something to the effect of: "Please release the following Pre-Authorization for the account of XXXXX XXXXXXX. We will not be collecting funds on the following transaction.
I would appreciate that very much."
No Letter was forthcoming.
Here's an excerpt from my 5th email to this company on July 22:
"I think maybe you don't understand. Cancelling the transaction does not release the funds. The bank is sitting on the funds for 30 days until the Pre-Auth runs out, unless they get a letter from you authorizing them to cancel the Pre-Auth.
Send me a copy of the Pre-Auth release letter you sent to the bank, and I'll start asking the bank why they haven't responded to it and released the funds.
Your firm has been non-responsive to my requests until today, that non-response is the primary reason why you got a negative internet review. I've had over $500 unavailable to me for 10 days now for having tried to do business with you."
AND STILL NO LETTER. JUST THREATS OF LEGAL ACTION! They didn't even send me a copy of the cancelled transaction. But they posted it on here to try to discredit me. Read my initial review carefully, it says they cancelled the transaction promptly. That has never been the problem. It's getting the Pre-Auth transaction canceled and the bank won't do that without the letter this company won't take the minute it takes to write and fax.
Most retailers have a standard letter for this already prepared and ready to go when requested.
"
"So far I would give them an F for customer service/communication. I placed my order on 6/27 and received a conformation email shortly after. I sent an email 3 business days after placing my order asking for a status and I never received a response. I called the next day and was told it was already shipped and tracking information would be sent via email. I waited two days and nothing. I called again asking for a status, was put on hold and after 10 minutes I was disconnected. I called again and got Louis who told me the order hadn’t shipped yet but would within the next couple of days. My credit card has been charged even though their policy says - We never charge your credit card until your item is shipped. It’s been 8 business days since I placed my order, my card was changed after 5 business days and I have no idea when I’ll get the product. I wouldn’t purchase from them again.
*** UPDATE *** Just got an email saying "order cancelled". Trying to call and all I get is a busy signal like every other time I call. Just talked to them and it was cancelled because of the review I wrote. They don't want to do business with me. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NON EXISTANT. AVOID THIS FLY BY NIGHT MERCHANT!!!!!!
***** Update ***** They have all of my contact information so it shouldn't be difficult for law enforcement to find me. As stated earlier Louis told me they don't want my business because of the bad review. Why would a thief have merchandise sent to the address of the credit card holder? Why would a thief continually contact them asking for a status? Why would a thief write a bad review? Why would they send the thief the refund notification? I should have done my homework. Their overall satisfaction rating is 2.5 out of 10 for a reason. AVOID THIS MERCAHNT
From: Andrea
Date: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 2:15 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: ApplianceBestBuys.com Customer Refund Notification
Size: 6 KB
REFUND CONFIRMATION
Order Information
Merchant: ApplianceBestBuys.com
Description: This order is considered fraud
Invoice Number: 517981
One last thing. If you saw fraud on your credit card would you contact each merchant and tell them to cancel the transaction? Do you really think a merchant would cancel a transaction because the cardholder called and told them the card was stolen? The merchant doesn't have any idea who is on the other end and they don't have the information to verify the identity of who is calling. That is why you contact your bank when your card is stolen.
AVOID THIS MERCHANT. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED
DON'T BUY FROM THEM. READ THIS - http://reviews.pricegrabber.com/appliance-best-buys/r/6794/
***** UPDATE **** BBB has been contacted:
Your complaint has been received and routed to the following BBB:
BBB of Metropolitan New York (New York, NY) 30 East 33rd Street 12th Floor New York, NY 10016
Phone: ***-***-****
Fax: ***-***-****
Email: ****@****
Web: www.newyork.bbb.org
Please contact the BBB directly if you have questions about your complaint.
***** Hey Appliance Best Buys - Since one of us is lying why don't you share the UPS tracking number to prove your point? It's funny that when I called and asked for the tracking number I was told it still hadn't shipped even though you charged my card. That's why I reported you to the BBB.
READ THESE REVIEWS BEFORE BUYING - http://shopping.yahoo.com/merchantrating/?mid=15349
"
"i have ordered from this company many times. the first time i ordered a air conditioner now im oredering a tv , blu-ray and a soround sound sytsem. they have great prices , overall great customer service , and my order was delivered in 3 days. overall it is a great company and they customer service staff was very helpful especially alex who assisted me on my purchases. i would recommend this company to all my friends."
"(0)Eventually, everything worked out fine regarding the order and the product I received. But the experience was somewhat uncomfortable during the process.
(1)Very slow customer service for this particular order. No reply to my e-mail inquiry. Customer service asked me to wait for "a few days" because the order is in progress. Practically no communication from the vendor to me about the delay in the shipment (It took a total of 14 days for the shipment after my order was placed.)
(3)The order status on the page was not updated at all. Therefore it made me feel uncomfortable.
(4)I was about the give up on the order because nothing had happened since they took the money from the credit I used to pay them. But to give them due credit, finally another call to the customer service department (the gentleman was very efficient and polite) resolved all the issue because the product was shipped and on its way to my house that day.
If the vendor can upgrade the on-line order status to reflect the timely status of the order will greatly improve the customer experience. "
"Lousy Business Etiquette
I ordered a video monitor, which showed availability to ship (qty = 1). I never received confirmation e-mail, etc. So I called couple days later to make sure they received order. I spoke with "LEWIS" on the phone. He confirmed they received the order, but kept insisting that their "policy" was to process within 72 hours. I don't care what the policy is, it would be nice to receive some sort of confirmation... Instead of apologizing, etc., Lewis told me that he'd be happy to cancel my order. I asked if he were really in a position to make that call (i.e., CEO perhaps?) -- you guys must be doing REALLY well to just cancel orders when someone suggests you should confirm online orders. I told him, NO, I'd just like to know what's happening... Next day I received an e-mail: "we've cancelled your order. distributor no longer carries that product." -- yeah, right.
Don't Buy from this Vendor."
"DO not do business with them> I never received the product and the refused to refund my money. I have had to file a complaint with the BBB."
"ordered 6 washers and dryers for a hotel client.
needed rush delivery and got all 6 pieces. one was damaged but the customer understood and a replacement was there the next day.
great company - will buy much more from them in the future."
"I searched the web for a HDTV tuner. I found the model I was looking for, and after checking ratings I placed an order with appliancebestbuys.com.
The order process was straight forward, but I was unable to speak with anyone at the customer service number to find out if my item was in stock.
Two days after placing my order, I received and email canceling my order because the item was not in stock.
I would have preferred to determine the availability of the item prior to wasting my time placing an order.
I was never able to reach anyone at customer service by phone. I did not try email.
My card was never charged."
"we ordered a sony kdl52xbr5 on july 6th. we received the unit in great condition and very quickly. yes they called us to confirm the order and asked us if we need any of the accessories. at first we said no thinking they were just tryingto up sell us. when we tryed to connect the tv however we realized we did need the hdmi cable. we wound up calling robert back at appliancebestbuys and asking him to send the hdmi cables. it actually worked out for us because the same cables that we bought for 59.95 were in best buy for 89.95!! we saved over a thousand dollars 1000.00 on the tv and even saved 30.00 on the cable. we were so happy with robert, we even bought the tv screen cleaning kit and a wallmount. btw, still cheaper than best buy."