Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **7/29: Problem resolved!**

In May, my deadbeat plumber went to Blackman and used my credit card number to buy a boiler for our gas conversion (I wanted the airline miles and insisted he use my credit card). My credit card was charged $2400. A month and a half later, when he still hadn't started the work, we fired him and hired a new plumber. The boiler has been sitting at the Blackman warehouse for over two months now.

The new plumber wants to start work this week. Blackman will not release the boiler to him, or even to me, without a copy of the receipt for the boiler. I have my credit card statement showing that my card was charged by them for $2400, but they say it's not good enough. My first plumber will not answer my phone calls because he doesn't want to give me my deposit back.

So I paid in full, the boiler is sitting there waiting to be picked up, and I can't get it. Suing the first plumber would be too time-consuming and expensive (the deposit was only $500) so I don't see going that route. Any ideas????

Update 7/29: Problem resolved! I went down to Blackman in person, and they took one look at my 9-month-pregnant belly and heard my sob story about how my contractor ran away with my deposit, and were immediately helpful. They got me to a supervisor and he was able to track the boiler through my address. I'm getting it delivered on Monday!

Message edited 7/29/2011 4:02:38 PM.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

That is ridiculous! I would go down there and cause bloody hell and possibly even go with a police escort! it's on YOUR card!

if they don't wanna do that, then I'd dispute the charge with the credit card company and mark it as unauthorized use of my card! eff them!

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Call your CC company and dispute the charge. That's that simple! You paid, they say they have it. Make sure you have all the reference # and everything stating that they know about the order, etc.... before calling the CC.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Okay, so I guess I should head down to Blackman in person and speak to a manager first, with a copy of my credit card statement.

If that doesn't work, can I call the cc company and dispute the charge, even though it was over 2 months ago and the boiler WAS purchased, sent from the factory, and is sitting there? I've never disputed a charge before.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

When you go to blackman tell them that 1) you will file a complaint and 2) that you are willing to go to court over it.

If you have any friends that are lawyers see if they will draft a letter for you.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Thank you all for your advice. I'll go there in person tomorrow and see what I can do. I think I'll also call National Grid and see if they have an order # or some paperwork they can send me; maybe they have a copy of the purchase order since I bought it through their 50% off incentive program.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Call you card company too - b.c I think you only have something like 45 days from purchase to dispute the charges. You could always dispute the charge and then go down and argue with them - if they give it to you - then you can turn around and tell the card company to put the charge though that you are canceling the dispute.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

You should call your cc company and see if they can get you a copy of the receipt. Someone had to have SIGNED for it when they charged it! I do this all the time with Amex because I frequently lose receipts for my expenses. Try that!

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

call up your CC company and cancel it ... buy a new one!

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

when you're done dealing with blackman call the department of consumer affairs and make a complaint against the plumber.

my husband deals with blackman all the time and they have some very strict policies but I'm sure you can get a manager to understand the situation in person.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Thanks again for all the advice. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing here and $2400 is a lot of money! I can't afford to lose it. That's a good idea about calling the cc company for a copy of the receipt; I'll try them and I'll try National Grid and hope that one of them has something I can use.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

tell Blackman that they have a bigger problem! They ran YOUR credit card without asking for ID from the person using it. They made a fraudulent transaction! Maybe that will wise them up and they will release it!

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought

Okay, so I called the cc and they can't help me with a receipt - it was put through as a debit card transaction.

However, they ARE able to put through a claim as "Merchandise Not Received" and I can get my full purchase price back in my account very quickly, if I want. There is no time limit on this - I was worried b/c the purchase was made 2 and a half months ago.

So now that I know this, I'll march my pathetic-looking 9-months-pregnant self down to Blackman and tell them that if I don't get the boiler, they'll owe $2400 to Chase.

Oh, and I called National Grid too, and they referred me to a supervisor. I left a message for her at noon and am still waiting for a call back. I hope that since I bought the boiler through their 50% off program, THEY paid the other 50% and will have some paperwork documenting the whole thing. Fingers crossed...

Thank you again for all your help and advice. I'll keep you posted!

Message edited 7/28/2011 1:22:49 PM.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **Update - spoke to cc company**

Glad to hear you can get your boiler back. Maybe can you purchase one elsewhere?

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **Update - spoke to cc company**

Posted by DavaDay

Okay, so I called the cc and they can't help me with a receipt - it was put through as a debit card transaction.

However, they ARE able to put through a claim as "Merchandise Not Received" and I can get my full purchase price back in my account very quickly, if I want. There is no time limit on this - I was worried b/c the purchase was made 2 and a half months ago.

So now that I know this, I'll march my pathetic-looking 9-months-pregnant self down to Blackman and tell them that if I don't get the boiler, they'll owe $2400 to Chase.

Oh, and I called National Grid too, and they referred me to a supervisor. I left a message for her at noon and am still waiting for a call back. I hope that since I bought the boiler through their 50% off program, THEY paid the other 50% and will have some paperwork documenting the whole thing. Fingers crossed...

Thank you again for all your help and advice. I'll keep you posted!

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **Update - spoke to cc company**

I'm sure I signed a purchase order for it. But it was a visa debit card, not a credit card. so visa is saying they don't have any more paperwork on it than I do.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **Update - spoke to cc company**

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **7/29: Problem resolved!**

bump for update.

I didn't realize I'd be able to resolve this so quickly by just going down there. The woman I spoke to on the phone was just an unhelpful witch; everyone I met there was kind. It took an extra 5 minutes for them to locate the boiler under my address and date purchased. The lady on the phone obviously just didn't feel like doing that. Whatever. Finally, after 7 months, I think our gas conversion might start next week!

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **7/29: Problem resolved!**

yay!!!!

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **7/29: Problem resolved!**

Just wanted to add - thanks again to everyone for your suggestions. I'm lucky that it was easily resolved but along the way I did learn a lot about fighting cc charges, dealing with people in person instead of on the phone, etc. And it was because of your suggestions and comments.

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **7/29: Problem resolved!**

Im glad it got resolved!!

Re: Can't take possession of the boiler I bought **7/29: Problem resolved!**

Good for you!