From: "Noon-Air" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers misc.consumers.house alt.hvac alt.support.asthma
Subject: Re: Buyer Beware - FilterExpress
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 21:22:50 -0600


"MarkF786"  wrote in message 
news:1109645251.990690.202640@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>I wanted to share my experience dealing with a company Filter Express
> (www.filterexpress.com) and the company they use for distributing their
> product, Progressive Distribution (www.prodist.com or orderlink.com).
>
> I purchased a two-pack of Holmes brand humidifier filters from
> FilterExpress but what I received in the mail was FitRite generic-brand
> filters instead.  I tried repeatedly to contact the company via their
> customer support email address but received no response.  I then
> contacted them via telephone and tried to rectify the situation with
> customer service.  After nearly an hour on hold, and speaking with
> various representatives, they stated that they ship whatever brand of
> filters they have regardless of what brand you order, and that they
> have a no return policy.  Also, they refused to refund me the
> difference in price because they did not sell two-packs of FitRite
> brand filters and thus could not calculate the difference in price,
> though oddly enough they insisted I was sent what I ordered which was a
> two-pack.  In common parlance, the sales practice is commonly referred
> to as "bait and switch".  On a side note, afterwards I stopped by
> my local Target store and found the brand-name filters for a cheaper
> price than the poor-quality filters sent to me.
>
> I filed a dispute with my credit card company and continue to try
> getting a refund from the company.  During the process of the dispute,
> I found that FilterExpress uses Progressive Distribution to handle
> their transactions.  Through emailing both companies, and calling the
> companies again, I finally received an email stating they would refund
> my money, AND the return shipping costs.  This I received in writing.
> I returned the filters and awaited the refund.
>
> At first I did receive a refund for the filters, but not for the
> shipping costs (or for the smokeless ashtray that they sent me and
> billed me for which I did not order).  I continued to pursue the issue
> through email, sending them all documentation, copies of the receipt,
> their original email promising the refund, etc.  They replied that I
> had to call them to fix the issue.  After spending several hours on the
> phone with them and innumerable emails, I was not ready to sacrifice
> another night of talking to them on the phone to try getting my money
> back.
>
> I finally sent them one last email, copying all email addresses at the
> companies I could find.  They apologized for the problem and promised
> to refund me my shipping costs.  Weeks went by and they never refunded
> the money as promised.
>
> In a nutshell, to me they seem to be companies whose business model is
> to deceive their customers through a "bait and switch", and then
> make it so difficult and arduous to receive a refund, that most
> customers will give up pursuing the issue and take the loss of money.
> I've finally given up and have lost money for products (the filters
> and ashtray) which I didn't order.
>
> Buyer beware if you ever decide to deal with either of these companies.

There is a reason that I tell folks to call their local, *competent*, 
licensed, insured, professionally trained, HVAC technician for service, 
repairs, replacement, and accessories for their heating and cooling systems. 
You can pay for top quality service, top quality equipment, and top quality 
installation......or you can try to get it cheap....its your choice.

-- 

Steve @ Noon-Air Heating & A/C
Noon-Air@comcast.net

Why can't Mr Fork and
Ms Electrical Outlet just get along?