"I recently purchased a Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi from idealav. Although it took a while for my order to be processed because of a stock issue, it was worth the wait to save a few hundred off MSRP. They never changed my account until the item shipped so my money wasn't held hostage. In fact they shipped the receiver the day after they charged me, and I got it the day after it shipped. All in all it took several phone calls to make it happen, but since they gave me a good price and didn't charge me until it was time, it was a good experience."

"Don't risk doing business with this company. Check the BBB...they are not doing business well. My company ordered a 19" LCD TV on 4/26. Today is 5/9 and we don't have our order. On 5/3 I called and was on hold for over a half hour so I hung up and sent an email inquiry to ask where the order was. The email reply did come that same day but all it said was "Dear Valued Customer: Your order has been processed and sent to the shipping department. It is scheduled to ship within 24-48 hours. Thank you." But we never got anything. Then, on 5/8 we got an email asking us to call. I called them 5/9 and was on hold for 20 minutes before someone answered. They didn't have the TV we asked for and offered a 20" at the same price. We were fed up so we just asked for a refund which we should (better) see in the 5-7 business days we were quoted. We will NEVER order from this company again. Poor service."

"Expect every dirty trick in the book from this merchant.

I placed an order for a Denon AVR-887 receiver. The first thing that happened is that they called me and tried to pressure me into buying some cables. I thought "that can be considered normal, with prices this low".

After receiving no word of my order (while it said "ships in 2-3 business days, and still does now), I called and was told that it would go out in the next two days or so.

On my next call after another few days, I was told it was released to shipping.

On my third call after another few days, I was starting to get antsy because I was about to move and this thing was ordered to be shipped to the address of my old apartment. I was told it was already released to shipping. I asked to have it canceled, because it might not arrive in time. I was told they could not do anything and that it was as good as shipped. They explained that I would have to pay a restocking fee after this stage. I decided to give it one last chance and conceded.

After receiving no word of it for another three days or so, on my fourth call, I was told that the unit was "entering their warehouse in three days"! At that point, there was no way in the world that it would make it to me in time after being shipped three days from then and I demanded that my order be canceled. The person on the phone accepted to cancel it. I asked for a cancellation number and was told there would be none, and that I would receive an e-mail instead. (That's the point where should have asked for the name of that rep, but I didn't...)

After not receiving any e-mail by the next day and their phones started always dropping me into a message about "unusual call volume" and asking me to call back some other time (not even a voice mail option!), I called my credit card company and disputed the charge. (Their number still does this to this day. Maybe it was near the end of an era with their phone accessibility, the first few times I got through.)

Just as I suspected, I received an e-mail four or five days after that with the tracking number for that order! Their phone numbers were still impenetrable. I wrote to their customer service e-mail address denouncing all responsibility for this shipment, but you can guess how responsive they were to e-mail...

The bottom line is, EXPECT THE WORST!... I had placed my order with this company before coming across the ratings here. (I felt the need to look for ratings after I started to become suspicious.) I never would have dealt with them if I saw their ratings first. Big mistake on my part."

"Dissatisfied
I bought a Samsung DLP 67 inch TV from these guys and a Westinghouse 42 inch. Very cunning salesperson. When i talked about getting a Samsung 67 inch 1080p DLP he gave me the price and put the order for the 720p. I thought i was getting a good deal as it was a few hundred dollars cheaper than what Costco was selling the newer version of this 1080p. When i did more research on the model number, i figured out that it was the 720p, so i called them back and tried to cancel my order. They were pretty quick to sell me the 1080p version at an increased price which was comparable to Costco, but still the older version. The sold me the extended warranty at a very inflated price. Things were still not great as they were trying to sell the stand for 300 dollars which was being offered by Costco with the purchase of the TV. After about 5 phone calls and discussion with the sales person, finally got them to agree on throwing in the stand with the TV. Finally felt as if everything was set. Then delivery time. First of all about 10 days after it was to be delivered. Then curbside delivery on a 3,000 dollar TV and a 1500 dollar TV and still paying about 200 dollars for delivery. Called them back and after about 8 phone calls had them agree to at least threshold delivery. Delivery man comes on Saturday. Drops TV off in driveway and tells me that is all he is required to do and shows me on his delivery slip 'Curbside delivery only" Lied to and when i called back to complain, told that the problem must have been with the delivery people and not them. Lastly was sent the wrong extended warranty and took almost 3 wks to get the replacement warranty. To top things off, my brother just bought the newer version from Costco for 700 dollars cheaper and will probably get a better deal on the same warranty online.
I would not purchase anything from these guys again. Almost seemed as if everytime i called, the same guy picked up the phone with different voices."

"I would not purchase anything worth more than $100 from this place. All areas of their voice mail system disconect you. They couldn't deliver on their promise, after telling me for 4 days that I'd have the $3K Sony FX1 that I needed for an event shoot. I had to cancel my order when on the day I was to receive the order, thay let me know that they hadn't shipped it. Ywo weeks later, The charge has still not come off of my credit card.

They have good prices, if you like the runaround, being lied to, and going through a lot of frustration.
I kne better but took a chance. Huge mistake.
Trust your instincts. These guys are complete and utter ,orons who could care less about customer satisfaction.
Do yourself a favor and use OneCall for your larger purchases. I had a fantastic experience with them.
PR, San Diego."

"NEVER EVER BUY FROM IDEALAV.COM!! This sorry excuse for a store is one step above a western union wire to someone from ebay. I ordered a Pioneer AVIC-D2 in dash navigation unit. After 1,000 bucks and a week of waiting i received the item with no factory seal on the box and a button missing from the unit. IdealAV told me not only would they not swap the item but they would not accept the return on a defective item and we should lie to pioneer to get it fixed under warranty. They claimed they never saw the box but guarantee on their website that packages are brand new, factory sealed and inspected 100%. They also promise 100% customer satisfaction, but i am everything but. After disputing the purchase with the credit card company, you will need a winter coat in hell before i give this company another cent of my money. "

"Communication could be better (they didn't tell me when it shipped), but other than that, they handled everything ok. In particular, they didn't do any hard selling that I have experienced from other NY/NJ companies (granted, there wasn't much to push on the stuff I ordered, except some insurance.)
The website didn't allow me to log in to check the status, though.
"

"Avoid these people at all costs!!! IdealAV is the worst online store I have bought anything from. I Purchased a Sony TV from them on April 3rd. It has been 6 days and no email confirmation or phone call to let me know about my order. The website now says that the TV is out of stock. I called them today to try to cancel the order and they said they couldnt even thought they havent charged my credit card yet. I will make sure to contact my bank before they charge my account and try to rip me off."

"Ideal AV has very "shoddy" and fradulent business practices. Purchased a DVD recorder 12/19 (listed as "In Stock"). Company called us 12/26, said item was out of stock, wanted to sent a "replacement" item for only $50 more (found out later that other item was available on amazon.com for $100 less than Ideal AV cost). Said "yes" to replacement, then when found out what item was, called back 3 hours later to cancel. Was told that we couldn't cancel - item was ready to ship (on 12/26 when UPS was closed). Called and emailed multiple times - company refused to cancel. Item finally sent 12/29. We refused item. After many more phone calls and emails, we were finally given a partial refund (minus $119 for "restocking fees).
This company is a SHAM. Have notified the NY BBB and also the Attorney General. Whoever has had a similar bad experience, please take a few minutes and contact these agencies so these fradulent business practices will be stopped."

"i ordered a nikon coolpix 5900 from theis store online. two days later i called them to see if the product was shipped, having not seen a change in the status of my order on their website. they informed me that the order was cancelled because they were out of the product. i asked why it wasnt noted on their website they said "these things take time". asking why i didnt recieve any kind of notice either on their website or via email they replied "im sorry, but it was only placed two days ago, sometimes it takes a couple of days to process this". after i hung up with them, i was forced to search the internet again for what was apprently a very rare product. i recieved a generic email after my call informing me they were out of the product and it was cancelled, however their website still lists my order as "open" as it had from the begining."

"An email I had sent trying to get my money back from a cancelled order...

On June 24 I had placed an order for a Pioneer 1014tx A/V receiver. I had verified my address on July 6. Two days later on the eighth my credit card was charged. As of Tuesday July 26 I had still not received my shipment. Despite numerous calls I had made throughout July to locate my purchase I was unable to becuase your customer service department had informed me that it was "on the way". I was told this every time I had called. When I called on the 26th I was informed that the item I had ordered was on back order. I had been told for three weeks that "my purchase was on the way" when in reality it was on back order and nowhere even close to being on the way. Your website had also listed that you do have it in stock which was a complete lie when I had placed my order. Conveniently the receiver I had ordered is now removed from the list of products offered on your website. Last Wednesday, July 27, I had cancelled my order (609531) , and was told that I would receive my $364.88 back by the end of the week. That did not happen. I then called back the following Monday, August 1, and was told that "I should have gotten it back and that I would definitely have it by the end of the day Monday or mid day Tuesday." That did not happen. As of Tuesday evening I had still not received my money. I then called back yet again Wednesday afternoon only to be told that this process takes 4 to 7 days. Wednesday was the seventh day. I did not get my money once again. Thursday August 4, day 8, I was on hold with your customer service department for the second time that day as I had called once earlier only to be told that the computer system shows "that my cancellation was on schedule to be processed today or tomorrow and that my order would be printed out and taken to the billing department right away and rushed through." This was cooincidently the same exact thing that I was told on Monday, and the Wednesday before that. Monday August 8, day 12, I had called only to be told the same thing yet again; and only to receive the same result: NO MONEY. Thursday August 11, day 15, now over double the original "4 to 7 days" it takes to complete this transaction I have called again only to be told the same thing. That the transaction will be pushed through by the end of the day. Somehow I don't believe that. I have called PNC bank and I am currently waiting for paperwork on its way in the mail to file a dispute against Ideal Audio Video in order to get my money back. If I do not have my money or if the transaction is not in the works by the time I get the paperwork I will file the dispute against your company. After the dispute is filed this matter will then be between Ideal Audio Video and PNC Bank. My efforts thus far have been persistant yet fruitless. I am done wasting my time trying to get my money back on my own. I do not understand what it is about this process that takes so long to replace my payment. I do not understand why I have been told nothing but lies thus far. I do not understand why I keep getting told that I will get my money back when time and time again I do NOT get it back. I do not understand what kind of business it is that you are running but developing this type of customer relations cannot be good for sales. This entire fiasco has inclined me to never order from your website again. Ideal AV seems to be very quick about receiving peoples money but very hesitant about giving it back. By the way there isn't much that is ideal about this process. If I do not have my money back by the time I receive the paperwork for the dispute I will file it and let PNC Bank handle this ordeal from here on out. I have made numerous online purchases before and have never run into any problems like this with any company large or small. All that has happened since I placed my order was that I was lied to constantly and consistantly. I require that you email me in return to inform me what is being done about this matter."

"I would buy from this place again. They offer very good pricing and honor the pricing offer made the date you order. Although they like to push the extended warranty ..I find that most conventional stores do the same. I ordered 5/20/05. Rec'd order confirmation to my email that day. Phone call from them within 3 days (for the pitch on the extended warranty I'm sure). I was notified that item shipped 5/31 via UPS ground and I was able to track it with the tracking # provided. Shipment rec'd 6/6 (approx 2 wks from order date). They were professional and honest and I'd buy from them again."

"Absolutely the worst internet experience of my whole LIFE. Ordered a 34" TV over the internet on Sat., 11/20/04 when they were CLOSED. Nevertheless, they managed to CHARGE my credit card that same day. The following Tuesday, still no info about shipping, availability, etc. Unable to reach them via phone. In response to my email, they said order had been "routed for shipment" (but not actually shipped). No answer to my request for further info. They advised me via email that I could not cancel the order without paying round trip shipping + a 15% restocking charge. That was it for me. I cancelled anyway and had my credit card issuer take back the charge to my account. My guess is that they were looking for a source to buy it with my money, while I was held "captive". AVOID AT ALL COSTS."