Joined May 2013
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Forum Thread
Be wary of VIP Outlet (vipoutlet.com)
May 3, 2016 at
04:25 AM
in
Review
Thread Details
Last Edited by iIIusive May 3, 2016 at 06:01 AM
Hey, guys. A while back, someone posted about a New 3DS deal from a new store called VIP Outlet, and there's been a few other topics related to the site that have posters with a decent amount of feedback/posts saying they had no trouble using them.
Anyway, I saw that the New 3DS listed above went back up on their site a few days ago and decided to take a chance on it (using a temporary virtual card number, of course), but my order was literally cancelled within a few seconds of placing it. I didn't think it was a big deal at the time, especially since the 3DS listing in question completely disappeared from their site after I tried ordering it, but I was checking my credit card account this morning and noticed that they still charged me for it. I don't doubt that I'll have no trouble getting it overturned, but it's still a minor hassle and obviously doesn't speak well for the trustworthiness of their site.
If anyone else notices a good-looking deal from them posted on here, be wary (if the fact that it's a new site didn't set off any warning bells already!). Here are screenshots of my cancellation email (note the date) and the charge that showed up on my credit card a few days later, if anyone would like proof of what I'm claiming:
Anyway, I saw that the New 3DS listed above went back up on their site a few days ago and decided to take a chance on it (using a temporary virtual card number, of course), but my order was literally cancelled within a few seconds of placing it. I didn't think it was a big deal at the time, especially since the 3DS listing in question completely disappeared from their site after I tried ordering it, but I was checking my credit card account this morning and noticed that they still charged me for it. I don't doubt that I'll have no trouble getting it overturned, but it's still a minor hassle and obviously doesn't speak well for the trustworthiness of their site.
If anyone else notices a good-looking deal from them posted on here, be wary (if the fact that it's a new site didn't set off any warning bells already!). Here are screenshots of my cancellation email (note the date) and the charge that showed up on my credit card a few days later, if anyone would like proof of what I'm claiming:
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I ordered a second Apple watch to take advantage of the deal. Soon, I received both watches and both were grade B rather than grade A. I told them about it but they refuse to do an even exchange or discount the watch that I already received. We've been going in circles and the only option they give is to return it. This company does not understand that they messed up and they're so incredibly unwilling to correct their mistake.
The thing more puzzling to me is their prices can vary wildly. One day they'll have item X for $40. A few days later they'll have it for $80, both same classified "Grade A" condition. In one case I bought the widget at $40 and it had nothing wrong (to account for a lower value price).
Some items in Grade A even cost a lot more than the regular new/retail sale prices elsewhere. Makes little sense, I'm not talking about very large or heavy items that would cost a lot to freight-rate ship opposed to the normal UPS/etc route truck.
Anyway I feel bad for those of you who had bad experiences, but I've encountered nothing that would deter me from shopping there again, but this is very largely due to their offering free return shipping and the 90 day warranty. The down side is that 90 days is all you get, instead of the longer warranty many items have if sold at full retail from authorized distributors. Make sure you're happy with what you receive.
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tldr
Made a late night, impulsive, expensive purchase on a laptop I probably didn't need
Bad reviews worried me all weekend
Got the laptop on time and in better condition than thought
DO NOT BUY FROM VIPOUTLET.COM!
The main factor that you should consider here is that VIPOUTLET.COM is OWNED by the same company that OWNS DirectLiquidation, the company name that encompasses both of these entities is GO TRG, which an electronics recycling company.
20200 W Dixie Highway Suite 1005
Aventura, FL 33180
United States
They try to push their main company "Go TRG" as this Business Solutions & SaaS
for Multi-Channel Sales and Supply Chain outfit but basically they help the bigger named companies get rid of their store returns and defective items.
Essentially their business is to take the best store returns and sell them on VIPOUTLET.com -- remember they are buying back these used customer returns or defective items at pennies on the dollar and reselling it for at least a 600% profit margin. Yes this is normal in this industry. They also do not take paypal or any forms of payment other than debit or credit card directly on their site. On top of this, they claim to use AmazonPay, yet upon contacting amazon the company is not registered for AmazonPay (yet another red flag as there might be another business entity set up for these payments).
I ordered an item on 8/27 and have yet to see it delivered. I've got on their chat, which gives me the same information recycled over and over again; that I need to give it 3 days and then they will process a refund. A reminder to this is that my purchase dates is 8/27 and if I wait until 9/7 that is already 13 days out of my 30 day return policy. My item was scheduled to be delivered on 9/4 and now there is no scheduled delivery date. When I called customer service here is my experience thus far:
1.) Called their number listed here: https://vipoutlet.com/contact/ around 7:30 PM on 8/28 and I got the out of office voicemail yet they are supposed to be open until 9PM EST.
2) Called again, as my order tracking was showing no movement, was told that I just had to wait for 3 days after the potential missed delivery for them to provide a refund, mind you they claim there is no way to resend an item as "Their system is automated". I asked to speak to a supervisor and was immediately told "They were all in a meeting" and "There was no clue as to when they would be out". I was placed on hold and eventually just hung up.
3). Called again and was told that my order was delayed by the shipper and I had to wait until the delivery was missed and then give them a call back immediately to process a refund, the chat person told me the same thing (but as stated above, their policies seem to differ)
4). Called again, this time was the worst. I called and got a woman named Ken or something with a Filipino accent whom seemed to be working from home, as you heard a child crying in the background. This woman took my order info and then stated that I would be put on hold, the entire time (she didn't put me on hold or at least forgot to) she was typing away on a keyboard and laughing in the background -- it seemed like she took her headphone off or put the phone down as I kept asking for an update and received nothing. Finally i hung up, called back and got the same woman whom I asked why did she ignore me and she literally stated "It wasn't me", so I hung up again and called for a 4th time hoping to reach another rep and before I even said anything the same woman answered and said, "I checked your order tracking an the shipment is delayed, can you wait another few days".
I'm still waiting for a package, next step is to chargeback and then make sure that NEGATIVE REVIEWS ARE PLASTERED ABOUT THIS COMPANY ALL OVER.
They will take your money and then not provide anything after the purchase!
.... and I just checked my account and the order says cancelled. Yet I never received any cancellation email or notice. It also says in their F&Q that they do not charge your card until the order ships. Well that's a lie as my order never shipped yet they took they money out of my account. Says it can take up to 3 days for refund to re-appear ... it's been 4 I purchased using Amazon payments on VIPoutlet website and when I try to file a A-Z Claim on amazon It won't let me I get this error "You cannot file an A-to-z Guarantee claim at this time. " I would recommend anyone to not use this website, it's sad that slickdeals let's this garbage be posted.
A day later I get another email, this time saying they had received my info. Later that day I get another fraud department concern email and they said the order was canceled and the card had been refunded. I checked their site, and the TV was not listed- where did it go? I also checked AMEX, and guess what- still "pending".
In addition to this post, since I'm retired & have time on my hands, I'll leave negative reviews wherever possible. Since they are a Florida company and I'm a Florida resident, so I'm going to go one step further and file a consumer complaint for fraud with the Attorney General. AFAIK, this was a phishing scheme to get a copy of a credit card and state ID.
UPDATE 11/27/19: After posting a negative review, I got an email from the parent company The Recon Group Inc. They claimed the TV did not meet their standards for sale, and they could not find an equivalent model, so the transaction had been canceled. This changing of the story gives credibility that they are engaged in fraudulent activity. I have transmitted a complaint to the Florida Attorney General.
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