Where NOT to buy!

RSamrow · Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 4 Location: fort worth, texas

I bought writer in August from Acculaw, Inc. in Davie, Florida. Writer was defective. Returned it. They sent replacement writer. Also defective. They refused to honor their one-year warranty, told me I was having a bad day & do NOT call back to do business with them again. Hung up on me. I am out a thousand bucks.[/img]

Depowife · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a small-claims lawsuit to me. Sorry you had that experience. Good luck.
_________________
Susan Perry Miller, CSR (TX), CCR (LA), CLR, CRR, RDR

idoqna · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

Suse,

Could that also be a Deceptive Trade Practice suit or threat? I would have an attorney write a strong letter. Pay the $50 for it and I think there should be action.
_________________
Stephanie McClure Lopez
Proud Momma of four bio children and three step-children

Depowife · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

IANAL, but I don't think DTPA or treble damages would apply here, just the actual damages.

It's a shame, though. Anyone not kissing every customer's /A*SZ in this economy is stupid. I've never done business with Acculaw before, but now I never will.
_________________
Susan Perry Miller, CSR (TX), CCR (LA), CLR, CRR, RDR

JaniceMc · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:39 pm Post subject:

Someone on here will probably tattle to Acculaw, and they may step in here for a little damage control, and maybe she can get some justice. I'm glad to see you came to post it here. I saw your post on the North Texas Yahoo group. Good luck. Hope you get some satisfaction from them.
_________________

Janice McMoran
CSR-TX, RDR, CRR, BCRP

aprylmontero · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:16 am Post subject:

R Samrow, exactly how was it defective, and what model writer was it?

I bought my student writer from them and I had no complaints. However, a friend of mine had problems and they eventually gave her her money back, but she was sort of a nut job so she didn't have a lot of credibility with me.

Before trashing a company in the industry you really need to provide more details.
_________________
____________________________

Cheers!

Apryl Montero

Greta Duckett · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:33 am Post subject:

I bought a writer from them in 2005, a Procat Flash, as a backup. Thank goodness I had another writer! I had to send it in for service several times, all under warranty. When I realized that the key contacts were breaking, one week after the warranty was up (of course!), I sent it back in. They replaced the key contact assembly and did not charge -- considered it warranty work since I had sent it in under the warranty prior.

I figure their refurbishing of writers is enough to get them back out the door and probably they don't replace what was wrong in the first place that caused someone to get rid of it in the first place.
_________________
Greta Duckett, AL CCR-12, RPR, CRR
ilovedigitalcat2@hotmail.com

Rhonda Breuwet, RMR, CRR · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:55 am Post subject:

I've never been big on buying used anything except maybe a good deal on gently worn clothes at a secondhand store. LOL When buying a car, yeah, I know you lose a lot once you drive it off the lot, but I'm pretty damn sure it's going to get me where I need to go. Same for my work equipment. It's too important for me to even take the chance that I'm buying someone else's piece of crap.
_________________
Rhonda Hall-Breuwet, RMR, CRR
813*956*8636
Tampa, FL

aprylmontero · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:53 am Post subject:

Rhonda, that's an excellent point. You definitely have to manage your expectations when it comes to buying used equipment. That's why I questioned exactly what the "defects" were.

I really liked Arielle's financial analysis on buying new, that is, figure out how many jobs you do in four years and break down the cost per job. It comes to something like $8 per job is going towards your new writer. That clinched it for me!
_________________
____________________________

Cheers!

Apryl Montero

LuvaQThorse · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 180 Location: State of Confusion

Sorry to hear of your delimma with your used writer. I'm from South Florida & somewhat familiar with the reputation of Desmond & Acculaw. It's not the greatest, although I haven't personally dealt with them other than a thousand years ago with I bought my Xscribe when they were a vendor. They have been in business for quite awhile, so they couldn't be too terrible. I would send Acculaw a link to this site so they can see how quickly the word will spread if you're not treated right.

I bought a used writer several years ago from the other large company down here in West Palm. They treated me well, but in retrospect the amount I paid was way more than I should have.

I bought a writer from a reporter on eBay after I spoke to her about it & felt comfortable. I got a good deal there on an 8000LX. I gave it away to a reporter friend in need when I bought my Mira. I do feel my Mira purchase was a wise investment. I cringe when the monthly payments are taken out of my account and count the months until it's paid off, but the investment for my career, I feel, is well worth it.

Cindy at Stenograph was very helpful when I bought my Mira. Perhaps they'd take your writer if you have no luck with Acculaw and help you with financing.

Good luck!
_________________
Michele

RSamrow · Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 4 Location: fort worth, texas

Not sure how this machine is defective. Looks like it is possible battery problem. Acculaw said they would fix it (before she got mad at me) but that it would be at MY expense. I asked what about warranty. She told me I am having bad day and hung up. I called to speak to supervisor or owner. Was told I am now harassing her and do not call back to do business with them again.
When I purchase anything used, I realize the risk I am taking. But I would think, and thought, that's what the company provides a warranty for. In other words, a little incentive to get you to buy from them. I was trying to get a back-up machine, hence the "used." I am hoping no one else is subjected to what I was, that is buying from a reputable company who sells other people's pieces of crap and then refuses to honor their advertized warranty.

aprylmontero · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:40 pm Post subject:

RSamrow, please explain "defective." How does the machine "not work" or what's the nature of the problem? You need to be a lot more specific about why you think it's "defective" or has a bad battery. Are you charging it up and the machine is not holding a charge or only holds a charge for a couple of hours? It may just need a new battery which probably wouldn't be under warranty.

Also, what model machine are you talking about? Some folks here might have some insight for you on specific models.
_________________
____________________________

Cheers!

Apryl Montero

Andrea Murphy · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject:

How's the saying go...there's two sides to every story and the truth is somewhere in between?

"I asked what about warranty. She told me I am having bad day and hung up. I called to speak to supervisor or owner. Was told I am now harassing her and do not call back to do business with them again. "

A whole lot of facts are missing here IMHO.
_________________
Andrea M. Murphy, RPR, CSR, CCR

JaniceMc · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

Guys, guys, I encouraged her to post this on here to warn others and possibly get some advice on how to get her situation resolved. I had no idea she would be treated this way by some of my family. She has been treated horribly by their customer service. Why are you automatically jumping to Acculaw's defense? I'm sure she may be wary of giving ALL the details because some people/companies happen to be sue happy.

Have you tried to speak to someone else beyond the lady who was so rude? Maybe SHE was the one having a bad day.
_________________

Janice McMoran
CSR-TX, RDR, CRR, BCRP

gregadelson · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject: acculaw

I just dealt with them. They got my old Stenoram II working for me, replaced the battery. The owner is a guy. I think his wife is a reporter.
she may have answered the phone. Ask to speak to the gentleman who
is the owner. Once you get that guy on the line, just ask him if he is going to honor the warranty. If he say no, tell him you are going to hire counsel in Florida to prosecute your case and talk to the A.G. about his fraulent service. Don't let anybody cheat you out of a thousand bucks.
First try to talk to the guy who does the repairs and owns the place. He wasn't the most impressive guy I've ever met. My regular guy was closed down at the time, Stray Cat, so I went to acculaw.
_________________
GREGORIO