Fuquay Computer Center

We visited a local business, Fuquay Computer Center as we believe strongly in supporting small business in our community. Our first visit to the store. There were no previous reviews good or bad on Angie's List. We were purchasing a computer for my 13 year old grandson in Florida. The sales person (called himself the store manager) showed us a "factory refurbished" Lenova computer. He had an answer for everything when we asked questions. Mistaking that for knowledge, it was actually "sales technique". Computer had went dead and had to be plugged in to show features, he stated it was from sitting on the shelf. He told us everything the computer had and what it could do, just needed to load, charge, etc. We purchased the computer with a service contract on all parts and labor on our credit card and were asked to sign the receipt, we came back later that day so it could be cleaned up and charged as he understood it was a gift. His words, "ready to ship" when we picked it up. We left with the computer. When we got home we turned the computer on before packing it up, it turned off and when dead within seconds. We charged for the six hours. Attempted to turn it on and it was dead. We returned to the store the next day. We wanted to return computer and get a refund on our card. Because it was a gift being sent to Florida, we were not comfortable about it not working and that we had just purchased it. The manager who talks over you while you are trying to explain what happened, immediately starts making accusations that the power cord must have been tripped over because it was lose. We told him that did not happen, he states, "well I don't know what could be wrong, it was fine before ( which we could not know because it did not run before without power cord) It has all new and updated parts, factory refurbished". He takes it in the back and comes back all jolly, the problem was now just that the battery latch had opened and that it is working fine. I asked about the lose power cord he mentioned and he said, oh that is fine. I expressed deep concern as giving this as a gift and that it continue to work. The Manager assured me that was the problem. We returned home with the computer. The next day we took computer out of bag again and thought we better double check again. Turned the computer on and within seconds it shut down and went dead. That was enough. Returned to the store but it was closed on Sunday. On Monday morning, as soon as they opened, I walked in with the computer. Told the same manager that the computer was not working, we wanted to return the computer and have our credit card credited. The product was not as promised and had I made the mistake of sending it to Florida, my grandson would not have been able to use it, the first or second time He said let me put a new battery in. He did. He kept saying, see it is working. I kept saying, we purchased the product, it is nothing but problems and that it did not appear to be factory refurbished but maybe in house (at their store) refurbished. It was not used by us, as it did not work or stay on long enough to begin with. He continued to talk over me and tell me it is working and that I have to take the computer. He would not refund the money, store policy. Called his "district manager", but I could not speak with him. I called my husband which the manager made the mistake of calling me (his wife) a liar. My husband was at work and the manager starting talking and would not stop allowing my husband to talk. I took back the phone, my husband and I agreed to take the store credit and get our credit card company involved. The store has video which was great, every one of our visits were recorded, all promises of what the computer was and did, and most importantly, the behavior of the "manager". I recorded the experiences on my phone as well. We have filed a dispute with these charges with our credit card company and will be taking all appropriate actions, basically having immediately returned product as it was not what was promised. I attempted to reach the "district manager" with the name I was given, Alex Smith. I never received a returned call and was told by the manager of their other store, Jason, that Alex Smith was not the district manager. Jason did take my name and number. Jason was going to see what he could do. His solution was to come to the other store in Apex and get a computer from him with our store credit and talk . Our experience with this business so far was that we were being handled, bullied and basically the attitude, our rules we can do what we want. This was the WORST sales/service experience I have ever encountered. This is a dishonest, evasive, dishonorable business. I do not want anyone else to experience what we did. There are no signs posted that say "sales are final". Very, very, very small print at the bottom of your sales/warranty receipt that states in store credit, which you would assume would not apply to a product that never works at all. No guarantee of anything. If we lose the $320.00, it will not be without me informing everyone in a constructive manner to expose this company's shady practices. BUYER BEWARE. Keeping in mind, a "company policy" like this basically says, we will say or do whatever we have to, or want to in order to sell but our business practices and products are so poor and dishonest, that we must put something in fine print in order to not guarantee our product and get your money. Makes you wonder why that was stated at the bottom of receipt, instead of words such as 100% satisfaction, 7 day return policy for full refund. Less than 24 hour return of product should surely be good business practice.