alphacaraudio

[chris_ph2]

thought i'd move this topic across to general chat because although it's regarding an audio retailer, it's not an ice related question

i'm getting very concerned and need some advice

has anyone bought from www.alphacaraudio.co.uk before? opinions?

i bought a head unit from them on april 19th and it still hasn't arrived yet. i've tried phoning them on several occasions; it just rings and rings. messaged them through the website about a week ago and still no reply

getting really hacked off now. i've spent a lot of money and still have no music

tempting to pay them a visit but they're about 40 miles away and would probably be a waste of time

what should i do?

cheers, chris

[andrew0510]

Police

[Tom_Crx]

How long did they say delivery takes?

[chris_ph2]

Today 11:06
andrew0510 Police

would rather it didn't come to that. thought about just telling my bank then i can just get my money back and buy elsewhere. maybe have a nip in the police station tonight and see what they say

Today 12:14
Tom_Crx How long did they say delivery takes?

Thank you for your order.Total Shipping Cost: £ 10.00 The Total cost of the Order is: £147.89 This e-mail is confirmation that we have received it at Alpha Car Audio. Your order will be processed through our payment system and will be dispatched as soon as possible. Should there be any delay, our Customer Services team will contact you.
If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us on 01204366306 (Mon- Fri 10.00 - 6.30, Sat 10.30 till 6.30).

no mention of delivery time but you'd expect it to arrive within 19 days! :n:

[Mark51]

how did you pay?

[chris_ph2]

halifax visa debit card

just had someone make phone top-ups from my account the other week and got reimbursed within 24 hours so hopefully get my money back again

[chris_ph2]

Have purchased from their before. IIRC there email stated isnt the correct one, its @aol.com or something similar. Best to give them a ring again, I usually got an answer (within working hours obv)

Hope this helps

Shout at me if still no luck with email addy and ill dig it out

messaged them at this address a couple of days ago and still no reply. effing criminals

will have a nip to the police station after work

[chris_ph2]

just updating this

police said it was a trading standards issue. bank said i wasn't covered because i'd paid on debit card. trading standards said i had to allow them 30days and send a written letter, giving them a week to send the item or refund the money

i sent a letter recorded delivery. never heard anything back. so that's no reply on phone, email, website message or letter

i then researched some more and discovered a little known 'visa debit chargeback scheme' that most bank employees are unaware of. so i went back to the bank and she knew nothing about it. i pushed though and she put a fraud claim in against alphacaraudio. said they'd try to get in touch with them and the process can take up to 3 months! made weekly trips for updates and i was rebated the full amount within 3 weeks :y:

so i ordered the same headunit off caraudiodirect about 2pm on a thursday and it arrived on the friday morning. so i'm happy. 2nd time i've had great service from caraudiodirect. highly reccommend them

cheers, chris

[Lozza_vtr]

Well i ordered from these yesterday, not knowing at the time they might be a bit of a scam.

The money came out of my account today, so i thought i would send them a email to ask for rough delivery date.

Got a email back saying that it has been posted today and it should be with me by 3pm tomorrow.

So finger crossed i will get my headunit.

[claff]

Let us know if it arrives

good to hear you got all your money back though, what alpha did to you is disgraceful and tbh if something like that happened to me id want to make them suffer.

[smiith]

why didnt you just go and see them? 40 miles is surely worth the trip to find out whats going on..

[dazzle]

least u got it sorted now fella

[Lozza_vtr]

Well it arrived at 11am this morning, was starting to think that i done the wrong thing, very happy with the headunit. :y:

http://myph.us/pics/1936_31072009025.jpg

[Damien91]

Glad it came through!

[kenny]

*awaits it doesnt work thread* lol

glad it came thru :y:

[chris_ph2]

why didnt you just go and see them? 40 miles is surely worth the trip to find out whats going on..

i thought that yeah but what are you gonna do when you get there? get aggressive and probably worsen the situation. they're not gonna suddenly give you the goods or the money. it'll just be for the boss to deal with and he's "busy at the minute" or whatever. plus if you take anything you're as bad as them and end up in trouble yourself. plus it could just be an empty looking property all boarded up or anything, then you've wasted your time

best to do it by the book as far as you can. tends to get the required results

i did actually google the address, found out what shop was next door, got their number and rang them. just to try and see if alphacaraudio were still operating and for any other info. he said he didn't know though

31st July 2009 14:25
Lozza_vtr Well it arrived at 11am this morning, was starting to think that i done the wrong thing, very happy with the headunit.

glad it arrived mate. having a read round there are quite a few happy customers but also a lot of unhappy customers who have never received their items or a refund. someone said they just have random stock and send whatever they have in and ignore what they haven't. i know for sure i won't be dealing with them again and i reccommend you don't either! despite receiving your headunit this time

i'll be using caraudiodirect and caraudiosecurity from now on. or at least have a good read round the internet before buying from anywhere else