"Let me start out by saying that these guys are flat out scammers and should be avoided at all costs. Trying to work with these clowns is an exercise in frustration. They should be shut down immediately!

Now the details:
On 2/15/2012 I ordered what was advertised as "Brand New" an ATI Radeon 5870 2 GB graphics card (see it here: http://bensoutlet.com/products/ati-2gb ). Soon after though I became wary of them, largely in part due to problems others have had with this retailer and even this very same item that I also ordered. Let me tell you that the problems others have had are absolutely true. I had those exact same problems!!

After not seeing any status update other than "processing" for over a week I emailed their customer service re: the status of my order. Their customer "service" must get tons of these inquiries because all I ever received were pre-scripted emails from "Judith", "Elsie" or "Nicole" stating that they were sorry to hear that I had not yet received my package, and that they were a little backed up. They also stated that in order to enhance my experience with Ben's Outlet, they had been working to upgrade their warehouse which caused minor delays in shipment. They also told me they hoped to have my item shipped shortly. From other reviews on this site I see that this has been going on for months.

After several emails of this I insisted that they cancel my order, at which point I IMMEDIATELY received an email with a shipping NOTIFICATION (note: a "notification" not an actual shipping notice). I did not receive an actual shipping notice until TWO MORE DAYS!! It appears that Bens Outlet has a policy of not issuing refunds as much as possible. Also, when I did send earlier requests to cancel my order I received a response stating that within a few minutes of placing an order they can generally stop and cancel it but that my order had already begun processing and at this stage they were unable to stop it.

So let me get this straight... they cannot cancel the order upon request, they cannot ship the order in a timely manner, and when you insist that the order be cancelled they send a shipping notice, and may decide to ship it to you 2 days later. Oh! Wait! But there is more!! Keep reading!!

I did receive the order 2 more days later on 3/1/2012. But this was not the end of my problems in dealing with these goofballs! As I mentioned this is a computer video graphics card. It is made to run SIX monitors so it is big and heavy. These schmucks sent me, and others, these cards in a little bubble wrap, a plain brown cardboard box, and a shipping envelope. The card arrived with its mounting bracket bent. Also, it showed signs of being used: the screws on the card showed signs of wear (most likely refurbished) and the case of the card has scratches and other marks as if to indicate it was "approved" to be used again. I am also very familiar with these cards because I already have one. I bought one new from an "Eggselent" online retailer 2 years ago and that card is in much better condition than the "Brand new" card I received recently from BO.

Keep in mind that before I received the card I emailed Bens Outlet more than once to ask if this was used, refurbished, or an engineer reference card. They always responded that it was "Brand new"!! To confirm my suspicions I emailed AMD (the manufacturer) with the part # & serial # to inquire if the card was recorded as refurbished, used, or an engineer reference card. I was somewhat (but not really) shocked when I received a response from AMD stating that the video card I have was an engineering sample that was manufactured by AMD but never meant for resale. This basically means it has no warranty and performance is best scenario. Basically best scenario means that the card may perform up to spec however engineering samples are given to partners and dealers etc. and are in the early stages of product development which means some components and modifications etc that may end up on the final retail version are sometimes missing from these samples which may or may not affect performance. There is unfortunately no way to verify how this particular dealer has obtained this sample but they do have the right to do as they please with these samples once the product has seen a retail release. Crossfire and any other features that are offered on the same retail version of that card by the same manufacturer should be supported however if this product is not performing to those specs they advised me to contact the dealer I purchased the card from for information on any warranty they have provided me with my purchase. There is NO WAY I even tried this card because I may create a new host of problems by putting this into my system.

So they finally sent me a card, and despite my many inquiries they lied through their teeth every step of the way!!

As it stands now I did receive a pre-paid shipping label from them to send this POS back. However, I spoke to a representative at PayPal to inform them that they should make an effort to no longer allow BO to use PayPal's services. I also have filed complaints with the FTC, BBB, and Attorney Generals' Office because it is clear that BO is committing FRAUD! They need to be shut down!! A refund is pending through PayPal because I simply do not trust BO to provide a full refund. They said previously that they would provide a $10 (woohoo!) refund from my shipping taking so long, but I have not seen that $10 either. Again, promises offered with no follow through!

In short, avoid these clowns. They will promise anything they can to get a sale out of you, then withold the item as long as possible. The items they sell are USED advertised as NEW. Do yourself a favor and move on.




"

"UNBELIEVABLE!

These people are scam artists. I ordered two Netbooks on 2/18/12 and the money was withdrawn from my bank account on 2/20/12. TO DATE, I HAVEN'T RECEIVED MY NETBOOKS!!! I have contacted Ben's Outlet more than a dozen times, always met with excuses about shipping IF THEY EVEN EMAIL BACK!! I have contacted the BBB about them, Ben's Outlet refuses to acknowledge the BBB's request for information! Can you believe that?? I just disputed the entire transaction in PayPal, hoping to get my money back.

As with the previous reviewer below me, they created a shipping label to make it APPEAR as though they had shipped the computers, but there is no information available. I contacted UPS and they said that "due to the shipping that Ben's Outlet has chosen, updated information is unavailable to UPS. Please contact the shipper for additional, detailed information." Only Ben's Outlet won't email me back AND there's no phone number to call them!

I've threatened legal action, and they wouldn't even respond.

SAVE YOUR MONEY, TIME & SANITY - STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!!!!!"

"Ordered various items on the 21st of Feb. TWO WEEKS later (1 March), I FINALLY get a UPS confirmation but when I check the tracking, UPS just said that they received the shipping label order. It's now the 4th and UPS STILL SHOWS they haven't received shipment. Unbelievable. I've emailed their customer support. I just hope they're more responsive than their shipping department."

"I got the best price for these 2GB SDHD Class 4 Memory Cards. They may be small but they are quite handy. I use them to back up important numbers and apps on my phone."

"I love this company. very cheap. would buy anything I need."

"Very good value and fast shipping!!"

"I always monitor their prices and sale items and they have some of the best items at very competitive prices! Could be better shipping but You kinda can't complain for the price I guess"

"Great prices, and this order shipped pretty quick. I will order from them again. "

"It's actually a pretty sweet place. The deals are great, the shipping is fast (and free!). You can't really go wrong here."

"I got a refurbished external hardrive for half of what a new one would cost - great deal. Ben's outlet customer service promptly responds to customer inquiries and fixes issues. I will definitely return when I see something interesting on their site. "

"LOVE this site .... one of my multiple orders"

"Love the Prices. And als they have such great customer service. Would order again and again."

"GREAT SERVICE AND SHIPPING!"

"Fast as always! Love the great deals and unbelievable bargains! Will continue to shop with them for the years to come!"

"I ordered a camera from Ben's Outlet. I also got a lantern. They shipped separately. I was very impressed with the camera and for the price. The lantern was a bit cheaply made and I might not have bought it for the price I did if I had known. But if it works well I won't care too much for camping. "