BBB issued an alert today
about a Cleveland
business that sells and repairs televisions and has racked up scores of
consumer complaints.
“I paid $250 for a DLP 56
inch TV around early April. The TV was supposed to be delivered the next day.
It’s May 5th over a month later and I still don’t have a TV. I have been
calling the guy almost everyday since the first missed date. Everyday he tells
me another lie; "the TV is being delivered now, it’s on the truck, I had
to order new parts, I’m dropping it off when I leave work...." The guy is
a habitual liar!!....I just want my TV or my money back. What do I do?”
“In December 2010, (we)
paid $720 to purchase 3: 40"flat-screen refurbished televisions…(they)
were to be delivered within the next 7 days. The televisions were not delivered
then and to date have not been delivered. The first delivery delay was,
according to Carl, the owner, (because) he had put the TV's on the truck for
delivery but failed to put the remotes with them. Each week or few days since
then when we've called to check on delivery he has had an excuse”.
These examples are typical
of the more than 60 complaints on file at BBB about Northeast Electronics
(Northeast). This Cleveland
business has a long history in BBB files of complaints from consumers who have
paid in advance for televisions or for repairs only to receive empty promises
of delivery dates, refunds and repaired merchandise.
Many consumers report the
business makes repeated promises to deliver their items, but doesn’t follow
through. One consumer told BBB he paid $214 for repairs to his 42"
flat screen TV. He was promised same day delivery and, after several delays, he
paid an unannounced visit to Northeast’s location. Even though the owner
had said the TV was fixed and ready to be delivered, the consumer saw his TV on
the floor of the shop still not repaired. Several months later, he still does
not have his TV.
Northeast has a BBB rating
of “F” and is located at 5746 Broadway Avenue in Cleveland – a location
formerly host to Century TV which ceased operations in 2004 leaving dozens of
unanswered consumer complaints.
The address is not the
only thing Northeast and Century TV have in common. Ohio Secretary of State records
list Carl Chuppa III as President of Century TV and the Statutory Agent for
Northeast.
Northeast has not
responded to consumer complaints brought to its attention by BBB. BBB has
alerted the Ohio Attorney General.