Complain about a product or service

BlueHippo Funding

So what does BlueHippo do? Its Web site says it "helps consumers purchase and finace the products they want and need, inidependent of their credit history." As far as we can tell, it sells plasma TVs, computers and other merchandise through a pay-in-advance credit plan.

To be blunt, it sells stuff to people with bad credit. Its Web site states that customers pay $99 down and make 13 weeks (that's weeks, not months) worth of payments. After that, the merchandise is sent to them and the payments continue until the purchase is finally paid off.

Is this a good deal? Who knows? It's very hard to know what the real cost of the merchandise is, as it's not very clearly disclosed. If it's like most such schemes, the products are priced at full retail and then some, and the fees and interest rates aren't immediately apparent.

On its Web site on March 17, BlueHippo was offering a desktop computer for $99 down and $39.99 per week. It's not immediately apparent how long the payments last but it's quite likely most consumers could find a similar computer for a lot less if they saved their money and paid cash.

But don't take our word for it. Here are some of the BlueHippo customers we've heard from ...

Linda of Kaysville, UT October 13, 2009

I signed up for BlueHippo on August on 2008, BlueHippo did an automatic withdrawl on my checking account every two weeks in the amount of 69.98, BlueHippo never sent me my computer with I paid to day the total amount of 1,679.52. I only wanted to supply the commputer for my children so that they would be able to do school and homework. This has financially made it a struggle for me since I am a single mother with two children.

diana of dallas, TX October 11, 2009

I Ordered a computer from Blur hippo. I was told that it would arrive in three weeks. They were not honest as to the fact that the laptop had to be paid in full before it would be shipped. After that I cancelled my account, and I was given a credit of 124.00 that I to spend on their products.I chose to order a mp3 player..I have not received it. I was told it took 5 days to process the order and it was Sept, 24th when I placed the order and as of Oct 11th it has not yet arrived, the order has not even been processed. After calling customer service, I was told by the rep that he couldn't help me. I needed to call back later. Also after my account was closed they are still charging my bank account.

BARBARA of BOYNTON BEACH, FL October 7, 2009

I ordered a Brother printer/scanner/copier on prior to 5/3/09. I had to send a money order for the shipping costs and had a credit with them as I cancelled my order for a computer. It took them 1 month to cash the money order, which is what I was told had to clear before they placed my order. So on June 10th, according to customer service, the m/o was cleared & the order was placed. It is now 10/7/09 and I still do not have my order. When I call customer service, they will not give me a supervisor to speak with.

On August 14, 2009, customer service told me that my order has been escalated to a supervisor and would have my order by 8/28/09. They also stated that the product that I ordered was on back order. I have called every week since then. Again, I am not permitted to speak to a supervisor, customer service is rude and have hung up on me when I insisted on speaking to someone else. I was basically told I would get the same answer from anyone I spoke to. I have not received my product and was trying to start a business. I've had to go to Office Depot for copying, faxing (instead of scanning) and printing. I'm out 153.38 and am totally frustrated and has stressed me out.

CHRISTINE of moon township, PA October 5, 2009

i applied for a computer thru blue hippo,whose finance co is coast to coast.i called them back to cancel,sent them every thing they asked for,i have called for 5 weeks i mean everday mon thru fri at first she vera said i would have my 200.00 in 2to 3 days!then it went down to 160.00 more lies everyday.they sent me papers in mail,to sign,i threw them out,i told them,i can't afford them.due to my medical condition.i just called kathy at coast to coast fin,after just talking to her thursday,she said it would be in my bank friday.lie!now she did not rember who i was said she would check and get back to me.they lie.they also overdrew my account200.00 plus 173.00 in nsf fees.i have tried to contact michael dell,dell corp,blue hippo,to no ressponces.i am a very mentally sick person.

Gloria of Fayetteville, NC October 1, 2009

At first i made payments of375.00on the computer.SoI changed my mind and wanted my money back so they told me i could'nt get bak but icould buy somthing else.So i purchesed a TV in June and have'nt seen it or no money,and when you talk to them they treat you so nasty,i am disabled

Cesilia of CENTREVILLE, VA September 29, 2009

I purchese a Pharos Pocket GPS Navigator and they said to send in my money for my shipment I did. Then said to wait 2-3day for money to be posted and then said wait 6-8weeks. I waited and now there telling me to wait for 10-15day.they say they don't have a manager that i could of spoken to. not even coprate office.

Megan of Milpitas, CA September 28, 2009

I opened an acct w/Blue Hippo back in 2004, and was advised after setting up my acct that weekly installments of 25 would be deducted from my checking account; also that 3 months worth of payments was required prior to my receiving shipment of my computer. After 3 months, I never recieved any shipment, contact Blue Hippo customer service and was advised that during the 3 months, 1 of my payments was returned insufficient, and for that purpose, shipment of my computer would be delayed for appx 2 more months, and that every payment must be sufficient during that time to avoid any further possible delay. I disputed with them and advised their records were incorrect and must be an error of some sort on their side.

They denied my dispute and denied trying to research if in fact there may have been an error, and advised per the records it appears 1 payment was returned insufficient and pretty much I had no choice or option but to accept my shipment being delayed further out than advised when I set up my account. After being advised such I just let it go, continued allowing them to deduct the weekly installments required from my checking account, because I wanted really wanted the computer and at the time felt was the only and easiest way for me to finally receive a computer of my own.

As time past, and Blue Hippo still recieving monies from my acct, I contacted Customer Srvc again, to inquire status of my computer being shipped, and given nothing more than the run around and never a straight answer. I was even advised of the same initial error they claim occurred, and told shipment would be delayed further. I argued and disputed with them until I was unable to any longer. I was spoken to rudely, by several representative, and each request to speak with a supervisor, manager, or higher representative than Customer Service, was denied...during my dispute..I was hung up on,

when I asked to be provided an address and phone number for their Corporate Department, I was told it wasnt possible, and any complaints were to be submitted on the Blue Hippo website Contact area. When submitted my complaint, I was contacted by Customer Service, only to be rudely spoken to some more, and advised my complaint was invalid. I tried and tried to find some resolution and with hopes of being told my computer was being shipped out for me to receive, and Blue Hippo still receiving monies from my account.

Finally after appx 6 months I decided, enough was enough, I never received my product, and Blue Hippo had recieved slightly over 800.00 from me. So I contacted them and advised I wanted to cancel my account, and be refunded the monies deducted from my account. Blue Hippo advised, that was not an available option. So I contacted my bank "Valley Credit Union" and requested they stop payments from being deducted by Blue Hippo, of which they did indeed. I contacted Blue Hippo to advise them that I did, and told them I wanted to be refunded, since I never recieved any product from them at all. That is when I was advised of the so called No Refund Policy, and told my only option was to reinstate my account and until the full price of the computer was paid which was appx 1750.00.

I tried everything in my power at that time, to dispute, write letters, and continuously call to fight for what was mine and was right at the time. However nothing I did or pursued resulted in a resolution...I pretty much gave up all hope, for I had nothing and no one else to turn to, and pretty much accept the fact that I had just been ripped off for an amount of money that was meaningful, and hurt me emotionally, being I was a single mother of a 2yr old son, with bills, of which the amount of money they pretty much stole from me....

So by now, appx 5yrs later, I am still in pursuit of being refunded, and have been doing research online, only to find that a Class Action Suit had been filed against Blue Hippo with several others pending, I feel my prayers have finally been answered and believe I will finally receive the money I am owed..appx 800...and will be contacting Blue Hippo tomorrow to recieve definite information for my own records, since I really dont have any after 5yrs, but should be able to request my Checking Account Info from back then, as well...

Earl of Orlando, FL September 25, 2009

I had originally ordered a computer and was having payments being taken out of my checking account. I came across articles about Blue Hippo not making good on their deals so I got scared and decided not to go thru with the computer financing and try to get my money back. Blue Hippo's Customer service reps advised me that I could not get my money refunded but I was able to put my money towards another item they sold. I chose a 22" ViewSonic widescreen LCD HDTV/DVD and paid 449.70 dolars for it as of the 22nd of June and as of yet I have not been able to get them to deliver it or give me a definite delivery date. I was originally told it would take 3-4 weeks for delivery. after 4 weeks I cotact the customer service to check and see if I had missed my delivery instructiona and was then told it would take any where from 6-8 weeks for delivery. After 8 weeks from payment I contacted customer service and was told that. my order had been prcessed and I should receive my delivery instructions in 2-3 weeks. That deadline expired 2 weeks ago.

Last week when I called I was told that my ordered was being handled by a senior customer service rep who informed me that I would be infrormed of the delivery date as soon as they had it in their system. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told I was talking to one. I asked where the shipment was originating from and he could not tell me. I asked if he could put a trace on it and he said that it was not possible to do so. I asked if I may contact their souce and see if I may be able to get the order shipped out and he said he would not have that information until it was in the system. He then proceeded to advase me that I keep on asking the same question different ways and I informed him that in the service I worked in a Traffic Management Office and I know how to trace shipments and it seems that they did not have any information helpful for doing so. I asked him if anyone everr really did business with them again after being given such treatment? He did not answer that question, but advised me that I would be infromed as to when my shipment was to be delivered to me.

Golderina of Englewood, NJ September 24, 2009

I ordered a dell computer on July 23, 2009. They told me if i needed my computer sooner than the thirteen weeks that i could make one lump sum payment equallying or more than the total amount of the thirteen weeks. I made the lump sum payment of 623 on august 7, 2009. they told me that my order is being processed and my computer will be delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. I made numerous calls starting the end of the fourth week on september 8, 2009. They told me they are awaiting the tracking number for my shipment. I waited another week and called on the 14th of september and they reported that they are still awaitng a tracking number. Furious of the waiting I called everyday since then it is now the 24th of september and they still telling me they are awaiting a tracking number from the manufacturer which is dell.

Neesha of Yukon, OK September 24, 2009

I made all my payments to this company and has never recieved my laptop. Now when I try to call and check about the shipping date and you cannot get through to anyone. I would like to have my 1500.00 dollars back or my laptop that i was promised after my payment plan was met. I kept my agreement, but this company has not. I have been waiting on this laptop now for year. I need help.

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