Complain about a product or service

BlueHippo Funding

So what does BlueHippo do? Its Web site says it "helps consumers purchase and finace the products they want and need, inidependent of their credit history." As far as we can tell, it sells plasma TVs, computers and other merchandise through a pay-in-advance credit plan.

To be blunt, it sells stuff to people with bad credit. Its Web site states that customers pay $99 down and make 13 weeks (that's weeks, not months) worth of payments. After that, the merchandise is sent to them and the payments continue until the purchase is finally paid off.

Is this a good deal? Who knows? It's very hard to know what the real cost of the merchandise is, as it's not very clearly disclosed. If it's like most such schemes, the products are priced at full retail and then some, and the fees and interest rates aren't immediately apparent.

On its Web site on March 17, BlueHippo was offering a desktop computer for $99 down and $39.99 per week. It's not immediately apparent how long the payments last but it's quite likely most consumers could find a similar computer for a lot less if they saved their money and paid cash.

But don't take our word for it. Here are some of the BlueHippo customers we've heard from ...

Earl of Orlando, FL September 25, 2009

I had originally ordered a computer and was having payments being taken out of my checking account. I came across articles about Blue Hippo not making good on their deals so I got scared and decided not to go thru with the computer financing and try to get my money back. Blue Hippo's Customer service reps advised me that I could not get my money refunded but I was able to put my money towards another item they sold. I chose a 22" ViewSonic widescreen LCD HDTV/DVD and paid 449.70 dolars for it as of the 22nd of June and as of yet I have not been able to get them to deliver it or give me a definite delivery date. I was originally told it would take 3-4 weeks for delivery. after 4 weeks I cotact the customer service to check and see if I had missed my delivery instructiona and was then told it would take any where from 6-8 weeks for delivery. After 8 weeks from payment I contacted customer service and was told that. my order had been prcessed and I should receive my delivery instructions in 2-3 weeks. That deadline expired 2 weeks ago.

Last week when I called I was told that my ordered was being handled by a senior customer service rep who informed me that I would be infrormed of the delivery date as soon as they had it in their system. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told I was talking to one. I asked where the shipment was originating from and he could not tell me. I asked if he could put a trace on it and he said that it was not possible to do so. I asked if I may contact their souce and see if I may be able to get the order shipped out and he said he would not have that information until it was in the system. He then proceeded to advase me that I keep on asking the same question different ways and I informed him that in the service I worked in a Traffic Management Office and I know how to trace shipments and it seems that they did not have any information helpful for doing so. I asked him if anyone everr really did business with them again after being given such treatment? He did not answer that question, but advised me that I would be infromed as to when my shipment was to be delivered to me.

Golderina of Englewood, NJ September 24, 2009

I ordered a dell computer on July 23, 2009. They told me if i needed my computer sooner than the thirteen weeks that i could make one lump sum payment equallying or more than the total amount of the thirteen weeks. I made the lump sum payment of 623 on august 7, 2009. they told me that my order is being processed and my computer will be delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. I made numerous calls starting the end of the fourth week on september 8, 2009. They told me they are awaiting the tracking number for my shipment. I waited another week and called on the 14th of september and they reported that they are still awaitng a tracking number. Furious of the waiting I called everyday since then it is now the 24th of september and they still telling me they are awaiting a tracking number from the manufacturer which is dell.

Neesha of Yukon, OK September 24, 2009

I made all my payments to this company and has never recieved my laptop. Now when I try to call and check about the shipping date and you cannot get through to anyone. I would like to have my 1500.00 dollars back or my laptop that i was promised after my payment plan was met. I kept my agreement, but this company has not. I have been waiting on this laptop now for year. I need help.

Thomas of Lakewood, CO September 22, 2009

I had called the company called Blue Hippo to question about their computers - laptops and Tv's! The company had ask me if I have an open checking account,I answered yes so they asked for the routing number and account number for my bank, then they asked me for a voided check number. So I had told them, I am not giving the authorization to take any amount out of my account! That I will write out a check for the sum of 99.00 Dollars when I recieve the contract and if I approve of the contract. Instude of getting a contract they had already withdrawn the amount of 99.00 Dollars out of my checking account with out my approval the same day that I had called about the information on the computers. It has cost me 105.00 Dollars in insufficient funds that the amount of the 99.00 Dollars was not in my account when Blue Hippo had withdrawn the 99.00 Dollars out of my account. I had only 64.28 in my account at the time that they had the withdrawal! They are refusing to return the deposit of 99.00 Dollars to me. They say that I have in house credit but theres nothing inhouse that is under 300.00 Dollars. So they make it where you have to spend more money to them ! As far as I'm concerned this is FRAUD ! ! All I want is 205.00 Dollars what they have cost me in everything I had to pay out to cover what was not authorized !

Ieshia of Bloomfield , NJ September 21, 2009

Well I called bluehippo back in April of this year to purchase a laptop dell computer. I was informed that it was basically a layaway I paid 38 for 13 weeks. After the layaway deposit was completed and then the finacing would start July 21. Three to four weeks after that date i will recieve my computer. I still haven't recieved the product yet, when i call i'm giving a different excuse just today I was told 2-3 weeks after the 16th of this month. The contract states no refund only store credit but it makes no since to me to try & get anything else from them when they haven't honor the 1st obligation. With that bein said i want a full refund I do not believe they will send the product I have even been hung up on. Please honor my request & help me in resolving this matter I thank you in advance.

Crystal of irmo, SC September 14, 2009

I paid into the Blue Hippo business for a computer and upon reading the fine print once the contract came, I did not like the final terms. They told me that the 371.00 that I had paid thus far would not be refunded, but that I could have store credit to purchase items. I agreed and made my first request for a DVD/VCR player back in June. I paid the additional shipping and handling with a money order. I have yet to receive the item. I have called on numerous occasions. They say that there is no tracking number and no way to contact the shipping company which this Sammy, guesses is UPS. I have waited 3 months and they will not refund my money, nor or they allowing me to get the merchandise in a timely manner. I have asked to speak with someone who can make decisions and they hung up the phone on me. He did tell me that no one higher in the business can be talked to via the phone. I have sent emails to the company but noone responds.

I don't think I am being unreasonable to ask now for all of my money to be returned. They have not made good on the order and they are rude when I want to speak with someone that may be able to make a difference for me. What am I to do as a consumer? I followed their requests and still I am out of money and merchandise.

.Tammie of Whitinsville, MA September 14, 2009

I called and ordered. They said first I would be charged 99.00 non-refundable if I cancelled but, payments are 36.97? around that a mth. I would receive the merchandise immediately. I was desperate due to Dell and ongoing next complaint. I then received the papers and called back and I saw that I wasn't getting merchandise right away and living on SSDI you don't take out 47.99 a week. Owning a home in civil suity you just don't do weekly things you have to do monthly.

So I called immediately I called on 7/23/ I spoke with a man who said I did agree. My bank had called that is how I found out as I have Id theft and they know I wouldn't take 47.99 weekly out of my account. So I never sent in there paperwork either. They wanted voided check also. But, paperwork was never sent in. The man had me listen to a email with me telling him it was okay but, my bank said that the number I gave him was not my number at all I gave him last 5 digits and they put all 0000 in front of it. So

I called again and got a woman I have never spoke to woman. Very rudely she said OH I remeber you, you called for paperwork. I told her I got paperwork in 2 or 3 days and never sent it in and it is not my account number but, she said no you have to keep it. So It cost me money to finally put stop payment on it. They lied and they never got my signature or my check. They took out 99.00 and 47.99 4 times. Which bounced checks on me.

Alan of Murrieta, CA September 11, 2009

In short I paid for a computer in full over a year ago and my order has never been filled. When I called to ask what the hold up was they would tell they would look into it for me and to call back in 10-15 days. The last time I called they told me that they would not be able to fill my order and gave me another number to call and all you get is an answering machine in which they never return your calls either. These folks need to be in prison along with Benard Madoff. this computer cost alot of money and for them to tell me that the money credited to them is no longer good makes no sense. the computer has been paid for in full for over a year. I don;t know where else to turn.

merline of miami, FL September 8, 2009

i order a laptop from blue hippo in nov 07. the contract said i will make 5o payment of 39.99. after payment in full i will receive e free gifts and 999 back in my account. they nener say nothing about filling a rebate form. so i ve done andi receive the gifts but they wont put the money back in my account.

Kimberly of Richland, IA September 7, 2009

I placed an order on 04/16/09 for a computer, Blue Hippo debited my bank account for 99.00 (processing fee) on 4/18/09. Following more research I called and cancelled the order on 4/20/09. Was told by Lisa, senior account specialist that my 99.00 would be refunded within 45 days because I had cancelled within 7 days. To date my money has not been refunded. I have called them on 9 different occasions and been told "it's being processed, give us a little more time". I filed a complaint with the BBB and Blue Hippo refused the complaint.

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