the BIGGEST ripoff of all time....

I am a systems administrator for an office of 75 pcs. I just spoke to a female employee who was asking me questions on pcs and what to buy and not buy.

Then, she really got me flamed. She told me about the deal she just happened to get into. She just purchased 2 (TWO) 486DX computers, mouse, keyboard, monitor, computer.....for $250 a month for 48 months! No software cds, or disks, only the business' copy of Windows 95 installed, registered to that business...not her. They sold her two $50 computers and pirated windows. Then, they also had a contract signed to agree to pay $60 a week or $250 a month, and any changes or install of new hardware was to be done by them, at additional charges. No adding of software, scanners, printers, anything....unless told to them. I told her about how much she was getting ripped off (tactfully) and told her she needs to talk to the BBB and get ALL her money back, and get him shut down for piracy, infringement, misrepresentation, fraud, and being stupid.

I told her she could go to Gateway and get a 600-700 mhz fully loaded with registered software and printer/scanner/the works for probably a lease of $49 a month! She was enven more mad after I told her that. So, I told her just now to give those guys a call and to relay my number and info if they had any problems with what she has to tell them.

I told her I wouldnt even pay $60 a week for 20 of those POS's!!!!!! I am so steamed right now....


Anyone got input to this? Or what she should do?

This deal also included no tech support, no support, no warranties other than 90 days.



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Do one thing everyday that scares you!

WOW....what a ripoff. we SELL (not lease) better used computes for less than that

Holy Sh*t Mike,

WOW!! I still can not believe it. I have heard of ripoffs before, but this takes the cake and eats the damn thing too. I believe that you have it right in what she should do. However, she should try to be careful because this place might pick up shop and move if she is too agressive. Howevere, agressive is what she may need ot be. She might need your technical know how to back her up if she confronts them. They might try to use some tech jargon to try to throw her off guard, then they can play here when she is on the defensive. This is a tough one to call. This would have to be a kind of play it by ear situation. Telling them that she will bring in the BBB, Microsoft (because don't they have a web site or a phone number just for reporting piracy of MS products?), the local cops, and I think that software piracy is a federal offense. I could be wrong, but in the event that I am right, threaten to call in the FBI. Good luck on this one Mike, and let us know how this ones pans out.

WTF!!??

Man stuff like that get's to me. I think the # to MS piracy line is 800-R-U-LEGIT

$250 X 48????

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Cannot find REALITY.SYS. Universe halted

Paint your old laptop!

GULP....
start->run->calc->250*48=12000!!!!!!!!

that may be the single largest ripoff ihave heard, but how about this one:
a computer shop in my town got a large storefront, sold puters without windows licenses, sold p166 as pentium 3's, sold MS office SBE for $329(pre-loaded,no disks) and disappeared over night. did i mention all the long term service contracts he sold?
I think the woman who bought the 486 puters can get the deal squashed via the windows pre-loading, by the way. Screw the bbb, call the FBI

I'd like to know the name of this company. They deserve to be fined so heavily that they can no longer afford to operate. And I think I know just how to do that.

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There is no Spoon!

For real Mike???

Ditto to MAYHEM, that is just not right!

Can you say RRIIIIPPPPP OOOFFFFFFF?

I give away 486's, sell used Pentiums complete w/monitor, multimedia, etc. for $300.

I have actually heard of this before. The company justified by saying the had proprietary software and hardware in them. I looked at one and all I saw was Autocad and a 14.4 USR modem.

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Bill Gates? I never heard of him. Is he famous or something?

I've heard of wonderful "deals" like that and have seen the businesses go down quickly when they get nabbed.

Someone calls Microsoft on 'em, and before they can say "Holly lawsuit, Batman!" a FEDERAL Marshall walks up to the place of business, padlocks the doors, tells everybody to vacate the premesis, and court summons are SENT. The business goes to court and gets caught up in so many legal fees that the company folds before the case is even finished if not even heard in court.

Who do you think will win the legal wait with all the court fees - Microsoft or Joe Business, Inc.?

I can't STAND it when people get taken for a ride like that - gives the industry a bad name and all the people who work in retail a tough time getting a customer to trust them.

https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2000/09/1.gif

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CUSTOMER.EXE cannot find file BRAIN.DLL - program will continue to talk anyway

[This message has been edited by klenath (edited September 01, 2000).]

OH Man that is baaaaaaddddd!!!!, I could buy a car with that amount of money, 12,000 bucks for 2 486s
Oh my I feel for the poor girl, I am in the midst of pricing out some sytems for people and I like to be honest, I wonder how thes "fly by mights " sleep at might
Ya call the FBI and Microsoft

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Format c:( I'm givin er all she's got cap'in !!! )

I am not sure, but they are off telephone road in houston, tx. Pristine or Prestige Computers, something like that. I am going to find out today whether or not she called that store or not last night. SO I will keep you posted. Thanks, guys and I appreciate any and all feedback you have on this matter.

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Do one thing everyday that scares you!

I heard something simular back in '93 or so.
(486 was king, and 586 soon to be called Pentium was comming)

A customer came in asking if we had some software on 5.25", and we did, a few bargain items. They had just purchased a 286/10 with a CGA monitor and 20MB hard drive from Radio Shack for $2199.99

Caveat Emptor...

This lady is truly unfortunate, but sometimes I wonder if some people get what they deserve for being stupid.

$250 * 48mo = $12,000 What was she thinking!?! or was she?

The funny thing is, did she learn her lesson, or will she just go out and do the same thing when she buys her next car?

She needs your critical thinking skills on this one. Read over her warranty...can she return for any reason. Read the contract...can she quit it?

Forget about the BBB. A corperate shill.

This is a case of fraud. Coach her on how to talk...the saleman told me it was a modern computer, a multimedia computer, a gaming computer, whatever; she must specifically indicate SOMETHING that was fraudulent. We know it was fraud. But be creative and precise, and lie if necessary. You might help her compose some notes so she could refresh her memory on this issue.

Has she tried to return it? If they refuse, contact the state Attorney General. This is a $12000 case of fraud. She should be extremely nice with the shop, anything stupid she writes or says will be used to discredit her. But if they are intractible she should send them a registered letter saying that they misrepresented the tyope of computer they sold her and that she has contacted the AG and will press her case if they don't work to resolve it.

Did i mention to remain civil?

Finally, an informational picket outside the shop might work well. That will be in my next post if you need more help.

PS. Thanks so very much to the little wanker who made me register.

I had a lady in today who gave me her life story (why do customers think we're bartenders?) telling me how she never used a computer in highschool, or in university because it was back in the 70s blah blah blah 10 minute verbal diareah.
Then, she gets close to the point and says that her friend who she's staying with signed them up for this free seminar about making money off the web. BLah blah blah I start feeling like I need to get Pampers for her mouth... Then, she gets a bit closer to the point and says that the guy running the seminar would take $1995 Canadian and set up a web page for you, and you'd pay $45/month for servicing, and you get paid $0.30/hit on your webpage...so, she wrote him a cheque.
Then, she said that she started thinking about it and thought that she could probably buy a computer with that money instead of giving it to this con-artist. I said, "Um...yeah..." So, I show her our price sheets. I don't work on commission, so if a customer wants to buy a computer, I try to work out a price for a system that they'll use. She immediately points out at the most expensive one and says, "I want this one."
*SUCKER*
I sighed, and told her that that one was more meant for heavy gamers who would be playing some really high-end games and a woman in her 50s (I didn't point out her age) probably wouldn't use all the stuff that one had and she may be better to go for the $1500 model rather than the $2300 model.
Some people...

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***the Beast
- Fate drove me here...then told me to get out of the car...

you know if she cant return it and there is some sort of waranty we can have fun with this since there are enough of use here who know things she can alter on the computer to constaly bring it in saying it is broke until she gets all her money refunded

If not a case of fraud a decent case could be made for price gouging. Many states have laws as well regarding a 30 day return policy etc., If none of this works, have her call a local TV station, most large cities have a station that will have some sort of "Investagative Reporter" who will go out and try to have this situation straightened out. Also, if the situation doesn't get taken care of, it is a nice bit of very bad publicity.

Quote:

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Originally posted by MarcV:
She needs your critical thinking skills on this one. Read over her warranty...can she return for any reason. Read the contract...can she quit it?

Forget about the BBB. A corperate shill.

This is a case of fraud. Coach her on how to talk...the saleman told me it was a modern computer, a multimedia computer, a gaming computer, whatever; she must specifically indicate SOMETHING that was fraudulent. We know it was fraud. But be creative and precise, and lie if necessary. You might help her compose some notes so she could refresh her memory on this issue.

Has she tried to return it? If they refuse, contact the state Attorney General. This is a $12000 case of fraud. She should be extremely nice with the shop, anything stupid she writes or says will be used to discredit her. But if they are intractible she should send them a registered letter saying that they misrepresented the tyope of computer they sold her and that she has contacted the AG and will press her case if they don't work to resolve it.

Did i mention to remain civil?

Finally, an informational picket outside the shop might work well. That will be in my next post if you need more help.

PS. Thanks so very much to the little wanker who made me register.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

I thought I would add my .02

Do not go directly to any TV station. Go directly to County Court house and file in small claims court to place an injunction from selling anything and/or any withdrawals from any accounts listed for the business (and or persons name).

She may have to talk to the District Attorney to have him/her file the necessary paperwork.
MOST DA's have a VERY SMALL sense of humor when a business uses deceitful tactics
to misrepresent the value of merchandise or services.

This is a "clear cut" case of misdirection, possibly bait and switch. You do not specify what the sales pitch was. However, I have seen something very similar at the "flea" grade local computer store in our area.

The pitch was originally for a 450 K6 . The "dealer" told the customer that for $200 more they would let the customer have a 486 AMD. The customer was "lead" to believe that the 486 was faster since it had a higher number processor. The customer (now my customer) paid $1400 for just the bare case with 1.2 Gig hd, 1 mb vid, generic audio, 24x cdrom (best part of the package!), cheesy 2" tall speakers, ((Oh yes and a 3.5"floppy).

End result!! Business Records seized, accounts frozen, many customers were notified of the problem and were given "appropriate refunds" (unfortunatly only a few were given the option of a complete refund-- to much time had passed).

That business shut down. Then the former owner opened a new store a couple of miles away with a Whole new look under his wife's name. (nedless to say they have not done very well).

Just my .02

(I am NOT a lawyer just expressing what I would do based on past knowledge and experience).

Garfeild_Cat

You think that is bad:????
Some guy charged a lady $389 for a semi-colon in this BB. The 486's were a bargin, compared to that.

The customers needs to be partly to blame. Did she talk to someone before signing the contract? even my wife thought this deal was looking fishy from the start and she does not understand computers. I never buy a car without research or talking to my car buddy.

I would hire a lawyer to get out of the contact if they donot give a full refund!

Well, geniuses, I am the one who worked for a store owner to charge the lady $389 for a semicolon. That was not my fault, so read more of the BB, people...

As for THIS TOPIC, this lady contacted Microsoft and they are investigating as we read this...Furthermore, the FBI Called her and they are investigating as well. The store took back her computers, and the FBI and Microsoft will be shutting them down and confiscating all their equipment. She has a few suits filed now for fraud, infrindgment on her consumer rights or sumthin like that and misrepresentation, damage to her credit (for not making payments anymore after I talked to her about stopping checks and payments that have been made now)


SO, she may have to not work at my company anymore!

Hmmmmm....I wonder if she will rememeber me in her settlement.... https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2000/09/1.gif j/k



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Do one thing everyday that scares you!

That was you???........Gee........

Biggest rip-off of all time..... Let me think for a few minutes.

Biggest ripoff of all time must have been when Service911 bought Windrivers just to sell onto another company!!!!! Shafted Scott and all the users of the site good & proper.
B4 anyone says it I do not mean Scott selling Windrivers for a huge amount of cash (which I don't think he got but he could have been on vacation for a long time which would make reference to no updates on the site https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2000/09/1.gif https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2000/09/1.gif).

Scotty....... PLEASE BUY BACK THE WINDRIVERS OWNERSHIP......... https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2004/08/1.gif

BTW Scott, I may be getting a RAQ3 server soon with 8gb of space avail if you might be interested......

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why are our jobs so interesting??????

For a different ' angle ' on life visit my NEW homepage @ The Carpers Lodge - The UK's No.1 Non-Commercial / Independant Carp Angling Website

The biggest ripoff ever is this company that charges like $10 a month for Internet service that totally sucks. Busy signals, software lockups, lost/incompatible emails. Their cd's multiply in your mailbox faster than bunny rabbits. I think their called LOA or OLA or maybe ALO, I don't remember.

yeah i know the service, its name is something like that. and don't they have a 20 something dollar payment option that has "unlimited" access except it kicks you off every half hour?

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I was going to be a procrastinator, I just never got around to it.

I have given away to needy users far better PC's that what was mentioned - some came from large organisations and from friends - this is the best use for old computers

I have trashed computers in that catagory! Thats a really bad scam, but that doesn't make this woman very smart either.

But lets talk about the $400.00 rebate scam,
still going by a few internet services. I think its My Stupid Network, or something like that?

So that you can pay back twice that much over three years, while there are several free services available!!

Unfortunatley I see it all the time some elderly person or even a notso old person who was just sold a great system brings it in to our shop and lo and behold you find out that they just spent $500 on a ten to fifteen year old system that is beyond obsolete.

It is sad to think that people like this give the rest of us as techs such a bad name.

There was a similar deal around here with one of those Rent-to-own outfits I heard about. The software and everything was registered to them and they sold 486 pc's for $35 a week for a year. I don't know if they are still selling them, but they should be shut down too.

Agree with the $400 rebate rip-off.. Pay $700 over 3 years to get $400 today, and some crappy ISP.

A Clone shop in Dallas called ADAM isn't any better. They had a $99 computer reciently. Cel-366 32/3.2GB 24xDVD (AFTER $400 rebate) This was like a week ago too.

Or Fry's Ink cartrages. about 1/2 are refilled.

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Jon Hutto

That's quite a ripoff. I have one to share too. I bought a Diamond MX400.

That's it. If you haven't bought one, you probabaly don't understand how bad that is. https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2000/04/1.gif

=-iateyourcat-=

ATT. I pay for my wife's sister to have an ISP since their e-mail and chat are much cheaper than the 5 hours a week of long distance they used to consume. Three months ago her area code changed and she got a message to select a new number from a list. The only choices she saw were for Alabama so that's what she selected. Her next month's long distance bill was $300. Every net connection had become a long distance call. Her ISP was ATT Worldnet and her long distance carrier was ATT. Thinking she might get a break, she spent hours winding her way though voice mail with no luck.

We know what she did was stupid. We work with the crazy select your choice from the scroll bar all the time, but she doesn't. One must wonder how often this has happened and if it was by design or an accident.

BTW, she eventually refused to pay the bill, notified South Central Bell of her problem and change of LD carriers. It was fine by SCB. They apparently have no love for mother.