UPDATE: Since my earlier post, I have received a complete refund. I appreciate the efforts of MagnaFlow, particularly a supervisor there named Mike. I am still not sure I understand what is going on here, but I warn buyers to be aware that if it turns out that you are sent the wrong part from Hottexhaust, you will not get a full refund unless you are prepared to sue.
In this instance, I am an attorney, so I have unlimited resources at my disposal should I feel a party is engaged in fraud, but not every online shopper has the ability to fight for their rights. I had already contacted the BBB and was prepared to contact all relevant agencies since this was an international matter, as Hottexhaust is headquartered in Canada.
In short, subpoenas will be issued in a case like this during the initial "discovery" stage of litigation, wherein all communication between the respective parties - emails, texts, etc. - will be demanded. This, in order to determine if the parties are telling the truth regarding their innocence, or if they are colluding.
In my case, Hottexhaust refused to issue a full refund because they claimed that MagnaFlow was charging them a restocking fee. Mind you, this was not $40 or $50 reasonable restocking fee, this was $209.40 that Hottexhaust was refusing to refund. This even though all of the information I provided, when completing the online order was 100% accurate.
When I contacted MagnaFlow directly about this, they denied that they were charging a restocking fee. But even after I informed Chris at Hottexhaust of this fact, he still claimed that this money was going to MagnaFlow, and not that he was unjustly deducting this money for personal gain.
Therefore, somebody is lying.
Thankfully, after many more calls and emails, I have received a full refund. However, MagnaFlow is claiming that, even though the credit to my card came through Hottexhaust, it is MagnaFlow that is actually reimbursing Hottexhaust for the $209.40 out of their own pocket. MagnaFlow claims that they never deducted a restocking fee but, in order to maintain good customer relations, they are willing to pay this amount themselves.
I will now update my complaint with the BBB with this new information.
Again, I do not know if this is an organized scheme to defraud customers wherein the parties are fully aware that the wrong part may be shipped and where they know the return process will allow them to deduct money for a profit, but I do know that I will never make another purchase with Hottexhaust.
Buyers beware! read more