Complain about a product or service

VikingComputers.Net

It sounds like things aren't going well at Viking. Orders are being filled late, incorrectly or not at all and consumers, like those below, report that their calls and emails aren't being answered.

At the very least, Viking may be violating federal rules regarding mail order purchases. If this happens to you, you should file an electronic complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and immediately notify your credit card company both by phone and in writing.

It would also be a good idea to contact the Texas Attorney General. The address is:

Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
512-463-2070

Matthew of Fort Collins CO writes (11/5/01):
I made an order from their website on Sunday Oct. 21, 2001. On their website was listed an "AMD Athlon XP 1800 (Socket A)" which is what I needed so I ordered it. I received an email confirming the order. On Oct. 24, 2001 the correct amount of $224.90 was charged to my debit card. However, when I received my order, it was not what I had ordered.

I tried to contact vikingcomputers.net by phone, and email but could not contact them. I know of others with the same problem. No one I have talked to has been able to contact the company about their orders. All that I want is to get my money back and be able to warn others of this company.

Obviously, I am out $224.90 that I cannot get back right away. I am also forced to order the same product from a different company because I don't feel that I will get my correct order from vikingcomputers.net.

Paul of Amherst MA writes (11/5/01):
On 10/22/2001, I ordered a computer CPU from Viking Computers, who I learned also goes by the name ANHMicro.com. It was an AMD AthlonXP 1600+ and it cost $124.95, $133.90 including shipping. The company charged my Discover card the same day, but they waited until 10/25 to ship.

On 11/1/2001 I received a package from ANHMicro.com. The package did not contain what I ordered - instead it contained a cheap computer fan and mouse. Not wanting to jump to conclusions, I tried both calling and e-mailing Viking Computers. The phones would just ring, and my e-mails went unanswered. I then found others who had the exact same experience with this company, around the same time as me. I disputed the charge on my credit card and I ordered the part I needed from another company. Viking continues to be unresponsive and more people are reporting receiving junk from them every day.

I am not sure how much of the charge I'm liable for, but I am guessing it's the standard $50 for unauthorized credit card charges. I have lost time by having to deal with this issue at work, and I didn't receive the part I needed on time.

Elizabeth of Harrisburg IL (11/5/01):
On 10/17/01 I placed an order with Viking Computers out of Dallas, TX. The order number was 13287 for a total of $337.80. The order was for a motherboard and a radeon. The website indicated all orders placed before 3 PM would be mailed the same day. On 10/21 I received an email from UPS they had been instructed to pick deliver a package to us and it would be delivered on 10/24. On 10/26 I sent an email to Viking Computers as I had not received the items as of yet and looking at the UPS tracking system on the internet it looked as if it had not been picked up.

Paul should not be liable for anything. The $50 minimum applies to unauthorized use, not a disputed purchase.

I received an email stating they would respond within 24 hours and to call 972-245-8148 if it was urgent. Upon trying to call that number I discovered it had been disconnected. Finally on 10/30 we received the shipment. The shipment contained a pair of computer speakers and 4 different types of computer fans. I did a search on the internet and the items I received total less than $60. By the time UPS had dropped off the items it was late in the day. I tried the numbers on their website but no one answered. I tried off and on the next day with no luck. I have tried daily since then to reach them but I feel I am probably wasting my time and energy.

The website (www.vikingcomputers.net) has several numbers listed however they all go unanswered. I have contacted my bank about getting the money credited back into my checking account. I used my Visa Debit Card.

Bad news. Since Elizabeth used her debit card, she doesn't have the protection she would have had with a regular credit card.

Charles of St. Petersburg FL (11/5/01):
I placed an order with Viking computers.net for some computer parts (a motherboard, CPU, CPU fan, and RAM). The website specified that all supplies ordered would be shipped the next business day, so after recieving their confirmation of the order (which specified the correct parts ordered) and not receiving the parts after 10 days I decided to contact the company by phone. I attempted to reach them at 4 different numbers. I received no answer at 3 numbers and 1 number that was disconnected, the 2 fax numbers listed also rang without answer.

At this point I contacted my credit card company to see if the merchandise had been charged to the account, which it had. I then attempted to contact the company via the listed email address. Upon sending the email, I received an autoresponder saying that I would be contacted within 24 hours with an answer for my concern, the next evening still no response so after attempting the phone numbers again, as well as the additional phone number listed in the autoresponse (also disconnected), I sent a second email cancelling my order and asking for a response as well as a credit to my charge card. 4 days later I finally received a package (4 days is the length of time UPS said would be the maximum it would take for a shipment from Texas). In the package I recieved no invoice, but I did recieve a CPU cooling fan and the correct RAM. However, I also recieved the wrong motherboard, and no CPU.

I have again attempted to contact the company via the 3 phone numbers that are connected (all no answer), as well as 2 others that I have found for the company (1 no answer and 1 disconnected). I have also emailed them again recieving autoresponders yet again. Now I have computer parts that are incorrect and am still missing one piece (CPU), but when I followed the links on their web site to find out about returning merchandise, I find that they say no merchandise can be returned without a RMA number, which I must obtain by calling a number which is disconnected (4th disconnected number).

I have disputed the charges with my credit card company, filed a complaint with the BBB of Dallas, and now with Consumer Affairs, but need some further information as to what I should do next. I would appreciate any assistance you can give at this point.

Charles has done all he can do. He should not return the parts until the credit card company makes a decision on the dispute.

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