I was defrauded and sold stolen goods by Circuit City(CC) in North Bergen, NJ where they sold me a Hewlett Packard(HP) laptop that I opened at home and found its contents was a completely different model laptop than that which I paid for. The model in the box was physically damaged as well as an older (2 years), and different model. I repackaged the item and tried to rectify the situation with the store and was denied the return.

I later found out, through direct contact with HP that the merchandise I received was previously registered and REPORTED STOLEN by the previous owner. I unsuccessfully disputed the charge and my final rejection came through today. Now I plan on exploring my legal options and would appreciate any advice as to where to begin.

To recap: I bought a new HP laptop from the CC located in NB, NJ and, upon opening its contents noticed some damage on the case so I repackaged the laptop to return it to the store for replacement. A store employee, upon inspecting the laptop, determined that beyond being damaged that the laptop I was trying to exchange was a completely different model than that I purchased and that they could not accept the return. Of course I was both flabbergasted and irate over the situation and had the store provide me a record of the incident and returned home with the 'packaged' laptop upon which I called CC customer service department. The cust service person opened up a service ticket and instructed me to speak to the Operations Manager who would be in the next day. I was left with a complaint number and the next day

I called Anna the Ops Manager from the store with my situation and she again rejected my exchange and was told to contact HP over the incident. I then reported the above scenario to HP and gave them identifying information on the laptop I was supposed to receive (marked on the box) and that which was packaged (bottom of the laptop) and they opened a ticket.

A few days later I was told by HP that they could not provide any more help and/or details because the 'packaged' laptop had been reported as STOLEN from the previous registered owner yet no police report was ever sent to HP. Since that time I had disputed my charge through AMEX twice, initiated a BBB complaint, and spoke to CC executive staff and they continue to deny any wrongdoing. This is absurd, criminal (at minimal negligent) behavior because the previous owner of the laptop that they sold me as new was registered about a year earlier as Daniel Hernandez from North Bergen.

I purchased a laptop from Circuit City store in east palo alto today. When I opened the box after getting home, I found one of the back cover at the bottom of the laptop was not installed properly, the plastic cover was tilted open with one screw on one edge. Plus the LCD monitor does not have the protection sheet on the surface. So the unit is defective and does not look like a brand new one. So I went back to return the unit, only to find out that there is no way to return it. They want to charge me 15% restocking fee even though they sold me a defective unit in the first place. The store people was very rude, they just point me to the rules printed on the back of the receipt, which says that I can not return it for a full refund because he box was opened. I mean, come on, how can I find if the unit is defective if I don't open the box? I argued with them but they simply couldn't care less. The only other option for me was to swap it to another unit of the same model.

Does anyone have the similar experience? It sounds so unfair to customers. I mean, why cant I return a defective unit for a full refund after only two hours of purchasing it? If they don't allow people to open it before making payment, and then charge 15% once the box is opened and defective is found, is this the same as robbery?

My husband bought a demo laptop after which he was informed the password and screensaver had to be changed and should only be a few min. the firedog guy was told and said he had to certify it and it would take at least an hour at which point he went to assist someone else. He was the only one there. Husband left and returned approx 30-45 min later to find him assisting someone else and not working on the purchase. We told him to remove the screensaver and password and we would take care of everything else. The manager informed me that this was only placed on the floor for sale today and they had not had time to fix it prior to the sale. I do not think the computer should have been placed for sale before being ready or we should have been informed of the situation prior to purchase.

I just wanted to let you know that I am extremely disappointed with Circuit City. I bought a sharp LCD TV seven months ago, recommended by your seller. The picture went away completely after seven months. "Luckly", I had a warranty. They told me that it would take 2 weeks to be repaired. Shouldn't I get a new one??? What kind of service is that? Shouldn't they tell me that the warranty would not get me a new TV set but it would instead be sent to repair? I'm talking about a 7 month old TV that broke and then I'll have to stay without it for two weeks?? I've called the manager and he gave me attitude. I will never buy at or recommend Circuit City again.

The store is in Manhattan at 80th and Broadway 3680.

What the *** circuit city?! I have been waiting for 8 *** months and you *** lose my *** laptop?! What the ***! I want my frickin laptop now find it *** it! It has been gone for 8 *** months now and I keep calling to check up on it and all you *** keep saying is "no it's not back but we're looking for it." it appears to me that you little *** are *** with my patience and that you *** are doing a *** job at your job and you fucktards should be sued.