Sears, North Conway, NH - purchased washing machine - billing problems resulted

# 7 for July 14, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on July 13, 2003:

From:

RE: Sears, North Conway, NH - purchased washing machine - billing problems resulted

store #10 03053 - north conway, new hampshire 03860

bought a sears washer for a rental property 11/21/OO with billing one year later. mid october called for a statement as we were leaving maine for the winter. told there was no statement yet. 12/01 received a "SECOND" statement with a late fee - no original statement. called and was told one would be sent immediately and to disregard the late fee. 01/02 and 02/02 statements with late fees.

called and rep apologized saying no one had sent out the statement but if i should pay her [give my checking account # she would void late fees and send statement. gave # for business account (rental properties). received a statement with credit and $0.00 balance. then received statement with a re-charge of amount owed. [checking account # was correct and no one could explain reversal]..

no statement sent to me. numerous phone calls but no one had access to my account and could not send original statement [needed for irs/investment property]. finally spoke to d. crisp who was immediatly able to find my fileand find the original statement. this was 09/02. she instructed me to send a check for the amount on the statement - $409.99 and she apologized for the " misunderstanding"??? and assured me it was not the way SEARS usually treated their customers and said she would send the statement out the following day and there would be no late charges. she again apologized on behalf of sears.

i sent the check, i received the statement about 5 days later and the billing for late charges began all over again. no one i write to will answer my letters. i receive computer-generated forms asking me to call an 800 number. i've written over and over again to say i refuse to speak to anyone on the phone as they are not responsible for any statements they make. my washer cost $399.99. the finance charges are $446.75.