"PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR BY NOT ORDERING FROM THIS SHADY BUSINESS!
With cold feet due to negative feedback on Ben's Outlet's business practices on practically every online forum that mentions their name (fatwallet, slickdeals, hardforum, anandtech to name a few), I decided to change my mind on the order I placed a couple of days ago for a 5870 video card (which many have received either DOA, used, refurbed, and SOMETIMES new as mentioned on their product page). I e-mailed customer service to cancel my order while the order showed as "Processing". I received an e-mail from "Michelle" thirteen minutes later stating that it's been processed and shipped(really?). Upon looking at the UPS website tracking and calling UPS, I discover that the item is still at the company's facility and has not been picked up yet. Ben's Outlet still insists that the item has shipped and because of that cannot modify the order. It appears clear that after e-mailing them my request to cancel that they manually processed the order and created a tracking number (not actually shipping the item) in order to prevent me from receiving a refund. They refuse to attempt to refund me back despite the card still being at their facility. It is a clear sign of unethical business practice. Order shows processing, I request cancellation, and voila, the item is suddenly processed and "shipped"(although all it was someone probably hitting the process button and generating a tracking number[and not actually shipping the item] as soon as I e-mailed. I would like my refund, as the package has NOT been shipped yet despite there being a tracking number generated. In my last e-mail from them, Michelle stated, "Continue to periodically check the status of your tracking number as
it is subject to change any day now". Any day now? Really? She just stated that it was shipped and UPS states that tracking information will be updated as soon as they have possession. The card I ordered is probably sitting on their shelf somewhere.

I'm in the process of filing a Paypal dispute

Edit:
Filing the dispute worked because shortly after filing it, I got my refund back. I think it's a fair assessment to state that it's a bit odd that an item sits at "Processing," then suddenly pops up as "Processed and shipped" just minutes after I e-mail them to cancel, suddenly preventing them from crediting back my payment. We can go through all the options of what could or couldn't have been the case. In the end, based on the sequence of events, the actions I took were appropiate. We can give every company the benefit of the doubt when it comes to a lot of things, but when it comes down to our money, we have to use good judgement to not get screwed over. "

"I ordered 35 electric toothbrushes for my grandchildren for Christmas. The ad showed pink, blue and green. It said I would receive a variety of colors. I received all pink. I also purchased a steamer that I could never get to work. I sent several emails. I finally got one back that said I would receive a label to return my purchase. I returned the brushes and the steamer. I then received a message from paypal that said I could get my refund for the steamer from them. There was nothing about the toothbrushes. I didn't have a password for paypal. I haven't used it for over ten years. I did everything they said to get the password and none of it worked. I just purchased a blue tooth that claimed a rebate. There was no rebate sent with it and I called the company and they said to get a rebate the purchase had to be at Targe. False advertisement plus no 100% customer satisfaction like they claim. What kind of company is this? When I add it all up they owe me over $135 plus tax. I still haven't given anything to my grandchildren for Christmas. I am still waiting for the toothbrushes. I email and email with no response. Really tired of this whole thing. Ready to get a lawyer to get my money back!"

"I ordered two 4-packs of solar lights. What a disappointing expericence. Two of the lights never worked and the other six are so dim that they are hard to see. "

"New = Used

Ordered an ATI Radeon 5870 video card for my computer. Ben's outlet advertisement clearly said "New". The one they sent me is definately USED. Scratched and the mounting bracket is bent.

Contacted them almost two weeks ago and they just got back to me with an RMA #. I'm going to ask for shipping but have the feeling I will be out $15.- to send back their used card.

Grrrr"

"I have ordered 2 items from Ben's thus far. The second, a reconditioned camera died when I tried to use it on a cruise. They refunded my money immediately after I emailed them for help, no muss no fuss. Fortunately I had another camera so it was only an inconvenience and their fast resolution was refreshing and unexpected. "

"Buyer be ware. My experience has been hit and miss. Cheap stuff at cheap prices. I bought 2 car chargers and one was DOA. They did refund my purchase and I'm going to try ordering a 3rd because the price was cheap enough and the shipping is free."

"Good merchandise in general and good bargains. I received something I was not totally happy with and received quick refund. I highly recommend Ben's for outstanding customer service and great bargains. "

"I was pleased to find the great deals at Ben's Outlet and ordered a Polariod RF wireless keyboard and mouse for only 19.99 with free shipping! I placed the order on December 19th and about the 28th started wondering where it was. I received a confirmation of my order with a number, but never a notice that the order had shipped with a tracking number! So I checked my Paypal account and learned that Paypal had paid Bem's Outlet on the 19th, so I sent an email to customer service. Two days passed and no package and no email back from customer service, so I sent a critical email to customer service flaming them for 1) not replying to my inquiry concerning if they had shipped my order, and 2) not having a phone number on their website. An hour later, up comes the UPS man with my package from Ben's Outlet. The item looks new and works great. I don't mind that it took 11 days to get the item, but I was irritated that they did not email me shipping notice, that they don't return emails to customer service in a timely manner, and that they don't provide a phone number or physical address. Aside form the frustration, the product was a great deal, so I'll try them again. I see from reading the reviews, that customer service is a real on and off thing ...too bad. Chow"

"Everything I have purchased from Ben's Outlet has been in good condition and arrived in decent time. I had one issue with delivery and Ben's Outlet immediately refunded the total amount I paid for the item. I would recommend Ben's Outlet to anyone!
Shannon Lopez"

"I have ordered from this company about six times and now I am disappointed , I ordered a tablet from them on 11/22/2011 and when I recieved it there was a problem .So I returned it and this is the problem I get the run around , They received my item back on 12/9/11 and I havent received any thing back I asked for an exchanged . I email about twice week and I get a responce maybe once a week but no one can tell me whats going on with my order . I want my tablet not a refund because I like the site but there customer service department is SORRY and we should have a number we can call instead of only emails ,just waiting for my item and its now 12/28/2011 "

"I placed an order with Ben's Outlet on 12/18 and honestly was a little concerned with the amount of time my order would take to ship. So, I emailed their support team to express my concern. I was happy to see that they responded to my inquiry within a 24 hour period and assured me they would do their best to get the order out on time. Fast forward to only five business days later and I have already received my package in working condition and as advertised. I think the most important element with the smaller internet businesses is that there is someone there to communicate with when a customer has a question. The support guys at BO replied to both my emails in a timely manner (during the Christmas rush) and that alone gives the buyer a little peace of mind. Very good prices combined with prompt shipping means I will order from these guys again. Thanks!"

"Seem like decent folks - I ordered a video card; they sent me a video card. Might have been a little more securely packed, but I will know more when I install it.

I had occasion to contact them on their web form concerning a Paypal error, and they remedied it right away. Overall satisfied!"

"I am fully depressed with the purchase from bens outlet. And this is my first purchase from bens outlet. Ordered zonda Bluetooth headset and they sent scrap one. That is not working and used one, one side of head set is with full of scratches. Don't buy any thing from bens outlet. That is my sincere suggestion. I also bought this headset after saw lot of reviews. But all those reviews are fraud reviews."

"I order an HDMI cable from Ben's for $2.99, and I am completely satisfied with it! My friends were looking to buy HDMI cables and were ready to spend $12.00 for it, so I told them about Ben's Outlet and they too love what they ordered. Additionally, customer service was very helpful when i asked for help tracking me order. All in all, Bens Outlet your great!"

"So far I think that Ben's Outlet ROCKS! I have ordered several times, all items have arrived promptly and in good shape. One item had an issue (didn't work) and I contacted customer support via email and was told that I would be refunded for the entire item and I didn't even have to send it back. So assuming that the credit shows up on my credit card statement I will be thrilled! This is my biggest worry with buying online - what kind of hassle is it when you get a defective item.... So far, it couldn't possibly be easier or more worry free....."