BBB issues warning about online store with F rating, reportedly selling defective phone accessories

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Sep 23, 2019 11:03 AM CDT

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers about an online store that is reportedly selling cell phone accessories that don't work.

The BBB says people buying items from POWR Co. are having trouble getting the items to work and returning defective items.

The company, which uses a UPS store in Oconomowoc as an address has an F rating, the BBB's lowest possible rating. Most of the complaints involve wireless chargers with customers saying they've lost between $40-$165 apiece. Complainants say they can't reach customer service after multiple attempts and the company purposely does not respond in order to get past the 30-day return period on its website.

Since January, the company has received 43 complaints from shoppers all over the world, however, no complaints have been reported from Wisconsin.

The company has not responded to any complaints filed through the BBB.

To file a complaint with the BBB, please click here.

The BBB is also reminding shoppers to remember the following when buying online:

Research before you buy. Check out a company’s profile first at bbb.org to see the company’s BBB rating, complaint history, customer reviews and more.
Look for contact information. Search the company’s website for a physical address, phone number and email address so you’ll be able to reach the company later if there is a problem. If the website doesn’t have any contact information, you may want to choose a different company.
Pay by credit card. If you pay by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. If the product arrives defective, or doesn’t arrive at all, you can dispute the charge on your credit card and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor investigates them.
Check out the terms of the deal, like refund policies and delivery dates. Can you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied? If you return it, who pays the shipping costs or restocking fees, and when you will get your order? A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule requires sellers to ship items as promised or within 30 days after the order date if no specific date is promised. Many sites offer tracking options, so you can see exactly where your purchase is and estimate when you’ll get it.
Keep detailed records. Print or save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and the emails you send and receive from the seller. Read your credit card statements as you receive them; be on the lookout for charges that you don’t recognize.