Buying On the Internet - 4 Wheel Supply Inc. Takes Money Doesn't Send Product



Buying On the Internet - 4 Wheel Supply Inc. Takes Money Doesn't Send Product Posted Tuesday, July 21, 2009 by Jane Driggs I order things on the Internet quite frequently. I think the convenience of having that package delivered is sure beats driving to three or four stores to find what I want. For instance, I went to an outdoor concert last week and after sitting for two hours on the ground, we decided that we needed those short camp chairs – the ones that are about 9” off the ground. Sounds like an easy thing to find – but three stores later we hadn’t found anything we liked or imagined. We went home and I surfed the Internet and, lo and behold (in under five minutes) – the chairs we wanted were available online. The company also has store delivery, so I can have them delivered to the store and pay for my gas versus shipping charges to my door if I like(the company is only a couple miles away). And, the company has an “A” rating with the BBB. However, for many consumers ordering things over the Internet, their experience turns out to be very costly. Consumers of 4 Wheel Supply, Inc., out of Eagle Mountain, Utah, have experienced this pain. The company sells accessories and parts for trucks. The costs involved are between $130 and $350. Consumers report to the BBB that they have ordered items and never received them. Some consumers state that they are contacting their credit card company to dispute the charges and get their money back; others paid with a debit card – so they are unable to get a refund without 4 Wheel Supply, Inc. issuing it. The Federal Trade Commission does have a rule that applies to these complaints—the Mail Order Rule. This rule, which applies to Internet transactions, requires that a company that states they can ship an item in a certain time frame, do so, and if there is no time frame stated it should be shipped within 30 days. I think some consumers would think 30 days is too long, but if it is back ordered or drop-shipped from another company, that time might be necessary. The BBB constantly warns consumers to check out companies before purchasing with them. So, the next time you want to order something online – go to www.bbb.org first!

Posted Tuesday, July 21, 2009

by Jane Driggs

I order things on the Internet quite frequently. I think the convenience of having that package delivered is sure beats driving to three or four stores to find what I want. For instance, I went to an outdoor concert last week and after sitting for two hours on the ground, we decided that we needed those short camp chairs – the ones that are about 9” off the ground. Sounds like an easy thing to find – but three stores later we hadn’t found anything we liked or imagined.

We went home and I surfed the Internet and, lo and behold (in under five minutes) – the chairs we wanted were available online. The company also has store delivery, so I can have them delivered to the store and pay for my gas versus shipping charges to my door if I like(the company is only a couple miles away). And, the company has an “A” rating with the BBB.

However, for many consumers ordering things over the Internet, their experience turns out to be very costly. Consumers of 4 Wheel Supply, Inc., out of Eagle Mountain, Utah, have experienced this pain. The company sells accessories and parts for trucks. The costs involved are between $130 and $350. Consumers report to the BBB that they have ordered items and never received them.

Some consumers state that they are contacting their credit card company to dispute the charges and get their money back; others paid with a debit card – so they are unable to get a refund without 4 Wheel Supply, Inc. issuing it.

The Federal Trade Commission does have a rule that applies to these complaints—the Mail Order Rule. This rule, which applies to Internet transactions, requires that a company that states they can ship an item in a certain time frame, do so, and if there is no time frame stated it should be shipped within 30 days. I think some consumers would think 30 days is too long, but if it is back ordered or drop-shipped from another company, that time might be necessary.

The BBB constantly warns consumers to check out companies before purchasing with them. So, the next time you want to order something online – go to www.bbb.org first!