P.C. Richard & Son

P.C. Richard & Son • Oops, Wrong Model • Lowest Price Guarantee • Extended Warranty • "No Payments, No Interest" • Delivery & Set-Up • Returns/Refunds

Every city has a retailer like P.C. Richard & Son, "The Appliance, Electronics, Computer Giant." Many have an interesting story behind them. P.C. Richard is no exception. It was established as a hardware store in 1909 by Peter Christi��n Richard ("P.C."), an immigrant from Holland, who came to America in 1889 at age of 18.

Now, many air conditioners, washing machines and gadgets later, the humble hardware store has grown to 42 stores in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey.

Despite all the platitudes and BIG BOLD CLAIMS! on its Web site, the P.C. Richard of today has pretty sharp elbows and skates a fine line, like most mass marketers. It may often have the lowest prices but as the complaints in this section show, consumers need to be sure they get the model they order, that they understand the terms and think twice about that extended warranty.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints:

Slavek of Matawan, NJ March 21, 2009

Slavek of Matawan NJ (03/21/09)
On sunday march 15th i find ad in star ledger. PC RICHARD AND SON MARCH MARK DOWN, on computer section i find notebook hp pavilion 14.1``, 250 Gb hard drive, pentium processor for only 299. I call ask my friend to stop in the store and check its this thru. Hi go to the store ask salesmen for this notebook, salesmen said yes we haved, my friend call me and said ok, i1m waiting for you.

I drive 55 miles to this store. After i coming with money i sad to salesmen yo give me this notebook to register, now hi said this is mistake this notebook price is 549, for 299 they got small mini notebooks 8`` monitor, and send me to store menager, this guy said that was print error, i ask why your salesman said to my friend yes we haved, hi said how you come to the store you can buy something else maybe....., i ask him for payback for my gas and time to came to this location, and he said ok police can help you payback if you need.

Charles of Forest Hills, NY March 15, 2009

Charles of Forest Hills NY (03/15/09)
On 1/29/09 I ordered a TV totaling 661.02  after waiting for 3 weeks for the TV I changed my mined and went into the store on 2/25/09 to get a full refund. I was told by one of the stores managers that their policy was that because I paid 600.00 in cash that a check would be mailed to me in 3 business days. In the second week of March I called the store I originally went to because I never received my refund check, I found out later that the check was cut on March 4th and that I should receive it any day.

Then on March 11th I called the company complaining that I still haven't received my refund and was told by a rep that the check was cut on March 9th, not on March 4th and that I should have it by Friday March 13th. It has been 20 days since I sought out a refund for a purchase of an item I never got and have been told various stories by store management and store personal. This mater has left me no choice to seek a complaint with the BBB and any further action if necessary.

I'm out 600.00

Daniel of Northport, NY March 13, 2009

Daniel of Northport NY (03/13/09)
I've been a PC Richard customer for over 30 years, usually experiencing at least acceptable service. I recently made a 20,000+ appliance purchase for a major home renovation. The merchandise was delivered on 2/24/09. It has been inside my house waiting, standing undisturbed, for my contractor to prepare the kitchen for installation. It was ready this Monday (3/9/09). When they were ready to install the built in Kitchen Aide refrigerator, they noticed that 2 wheels on the bottom of the unit were missing. There appeared to be no trauma to the unit (like bent or broken metal), just no wheels.

I called the store and the first response was that this is how the unit is supposed to be. Unbelievable!! Not until we called Kitchen Aide directly did we confirm (the obvious) that 4 wheels should be on the unit. I insisted on the unit being replaced. PC said they had to send a service man to inspect the unit first. That took 2 more days.

Finally today (3/12/09), the service comes to the house and immediately says This unit has to go back. He also wrote on the service ticket: fridge missing wheels on right side; unit damaged. So I thought we would have a replacement soon. When he calls in to his supervisor, he reports that the wheels have been broken (not missing) and the unit has been damaged due to mishandling on my end. Again- the unit had not been moved since delivery. So we have 2 misleading reports from the service man and I still have a damaged 4850 (plus service contract) refrigerator.

At every turn, the response from company representatives (at the store and at Customer Service) have been, I can't do anything for you, and would just try to push me off to another person. I finally called the Customer Help (spoke to Chris), who said he would look into it. I have had no reassurance, no encouragement that this will be resolved, just people telling me that someone else will have to help me.

All I want is a new, replacement unit. Right now, I am out 4850 for the fridge, plus 399.99 for a service contract. I am SO frustrated. This was a 20,000+ purchase by a long time customer. PLEASE HELP!!

Theresa of New York, NY March 10, 2009

Theresa of New York NY (03/10/09)
Hello I purchase a CDX-GT630UI sony car radio from a store in manhattan, and had it installed in brooklyn on Altantic Ave. I contacted the store and spoken with rob who intstalled the radio, and told him that the radio may have a malfunction, because it is blinking, and the sound volume was low when it's turn up high. He told me just bring it in, and he will exchange it, just make sure that i bring the box and receipt. When i got there, he just adjust the connector w/ a pen and said if i have a problem again just bring it back he just adjust it again i ask why not change as you said. he just said the same thing.

Now once again am having the same problem, this time i spoken with the store manager Tony, who was really rude telling me listen you didn't bye it here, your 20 days is expired if you had something wrong with it you should had brought back then. the only thing that i can tell bring it in and i have my guy look at it, but you wont be getting another one that the best i can do for you. I dont think that anyone who is a manager should be rude to a customer, i thought they are there to help.

I have been a pc richard customer for years, and this is really disappointing.

Francine of West Point, VA January 8, 2009

Francine of West Point VA (01/08/09)
Purchased computer cooling fan from online website. Product is defective and does not work. Requested via online to have merchandise returned per their policy on Dec. 31 and have received no response to date.

Out the cost of merchandise of 29.99.

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