Last February one of our work computers died after just a couple of years, so 3 of us went together to CompUsa to purchase a new computer. I bought a $1449.99 Sony Viao computer. The salesman, William, pushed CompUSA’s “technical assurance plan” on us.

He assured us that CompUsa would either come out to our place and fix the computer or, if we preferred not to wait, we could walk in with the computer for a replacement, or credit towards a new one. We were at first incredulous and asked “Are you sure?” He insisted that the TAP plan was a replacement plan.

After our experience with the previous computer, it sounded like a great deal, so we were happy to pay the additional $349.99 to guarantee us having a working computer at all times.

Well, 14 months have passed since then. Today, the Sony Vaio just died. We tried to reload Windows, but even with Sony’s help, we were unable to. The three of us who took the computer in tonight were all witnesses to William’s pushing the “replacement plan” on us last year. Well, guess what? The CompUSA sales manager told us that it is a repair plan, NOT a replacement plan. He insisted to us that there is no way that a CompUSA employee would tell a customer that it is a replacement plan when it is only a repair plan.

William was not there to confront. We told the manager that ALL THREE OF US were there when we purchased the computer. WE ALL HEARD William telling us that it was a replacement plan. I had even asked William “So, if someone buys a computer and comes in right before the plan expires, they can just walk out with a new computer?” He had said “we don’t encourage it, but yes; we would have to honor that as part of the replacement plan.” ALL THREE OF US HEARD IT!!! But tonight, the manager refused to budge.

A year later, after paying $349.99 for a false “replacement plan”, I am sitting here in my office lacking a computer. The CompUSA people are unable to tell me when my computer will be ready. I just can’t believe this!

By the way, another customer was there going through the same ordeal at the same time we were there. He also claimed to have been sold a “replacement plan” which turned out to be a “repair plan.”

I yelled that there should be a class action lawsuit against such deception. This other customer gave me his number.

I am furious. This is a disgrace. CompUSA is unethical. This should also be illegal. Is something being done about this?

I would gladly join in a class action lawsuit.

Chris Nord, chrisnord@earthlink.net