"Ordered a camera from these people in August 2003to my son's US address and it was delivered quickly with as I thought good service, we collected the camers in September and were very pleased so we ordered a second for delivery to my sons US address at the end of Seprember on the web site from the UK. The company delivered the incorrect one at twice the price and charged our credit card with in higher amount. We asked for an exchange and they siad they would send the correct one and credit the difference. Correct camera sent after one months wait and only a partial credit received - they would not respond on the email and every time we rang them they were not available or they just disconnected us. We were ringing from the UK so it was costing us a lot of money. I placed the dispute with the credit card company who at first gave a credit then took it back as Protek told them that they had acted correctly - I am still trying to resolve the matter. "

"I ordered a printer. I was told that it was in stock and would ship immediately. My credit card was charged immediately. The printer didn't show up as promised. I called and cancelled the order. They never credited the card. Their telephone numbers are disconnected and they do not respond to email. They website is still operating."

"My girlfriend and I were looking to purchase a 42" plasma. We decided on the Phillips 42" HDTV (product number ending in ...9954) and found the very attractive price of $3699 with no tax and only $150 shipping at Protekdirect.com.

WOW - what a mistake this was. I had previously read on this website and others that this company has very pushy tactics to sell extended warranties and accessories - as well as people saying that after they politely refused these items their items were suddenly "out of stock" when they were previously told otherwise! Despite this info available to me we decided to place the order anyways.

We spoke to "STAN JOHNSON" and I advised him I was recording the phone call on my cell phone (new feature on the nextel i730) to ensure that I get satisfactory service and products. I told him what I had heard about their company and he reassured me there would be no pressure to buy options I didn't need. I asked, "so this product IS New and sealed in the manufacturers packaging correct?" "Yes it is" then asked, "it is in stock right? Because I have heard of your tactics" "Yes, it is in stock."

Order was placed - and we were told it would ship and arrive in 7-10 days.

5 days pass - we receive a call on our answering machine from a "Cynthia" saying, "We see you *TRIED* to place an order for a 42" plasma TV... please call us back at 1-800..."

I called today and got Jeremy - then Cynthia. Cynthia tells me the product is "OUT OF STOCK" and will not be available for ordering until the END OF JANUARY AT THE EARLIEST!!! I explained that I was warned about this type of tactic/activity from their company and asked why I was previously told by "STAN JOHNSON" that the product WAS IN STOCK? She tried to sweet talk me and tell me, "Well we have a 72 hour processing period after the order is placed... blah, blah, blah." I told Cynthia that if they want to continue to do business that they should get a REAL-TIME database that shows the level of stock and reserves the product for the customer once it is marked as being sold to them.

Luckily my girlfriend and I didn't order from this company. We can't imagine what the return service would be like if we should have a problem. It was very difficult getting ahold of them in the first place.

Word to the wise.... Don't be lured by the devils low prices. With other people talking about them removing the manufacturer UPC codes from the boxes, and the "Sudden OUT-OF-STOCK" syndrome - you should most definetely STAY AWAY!


"

"They lied to me about having a digital camera in stock...later they lied to me when they told the camera had been shipped...a week later I find it was never in stock and never shipped."

"Excellent service. Had to telephone to confirm order and give 3 numbers from back of credit card. Salesman only asked if I had any questions about the camera. Order was upgraded to 2nd day shipping, at not additional cost. Package arrived on expected date, brand new, un-opened, and safely packaged, UPC's intact. "

"CAUTION!!!! I purchased Microsoft Office Business 2003 edition from this company with the impression it was the Retail version. I called and specifically asked and I was told that it was brand new, same as you would get from any retail store. What I received was an OEM version which can only be used on a single PC. Neither their sales department nor their web site states this is an OEM copy. I requested to return the product and I am now told that I will have to pay 20% restocking fee. Their customer service is unhelpful, unfriendly, unprofessional and uninformed. They are a total waste of time and money. I will NEVER buy from this company!"

"I ordered an NEC flat-panel LCD for $446.94 (including shipping) on 10Oct03, and I rec'd an e-mail confirmation to that effect. When I contacted Protek today (20Oct03) because I hadn't received my order, Protek's Customer Service Manager (Jeremy) informed me that this particular model (NEC LCD1869NX-BK) was discontinued and offered to "take one" in another color from another customer's order; however, instead of the original price, it would be $499 plus shipping. Beware of these folks."

"- Professional Staff on the phone
- Received merchandise rapidy (in 1 day)
- Upgraded my shipping order
- Excellent Price
- Original sealed packaging"

"after order was placed, took more than 2 weeks to receive. After it was received, it was the wrong printer. When I called they first told me it was what I ordered. Luckily I saved the email confirmation indicating what I ordered. Then I was asked if I wanted to exchange it. I told them they sent me the wrong printer, I wanted the right one. They would not pay for return shipping on the error they created but offered me a free USB cable instead. Noe I have to pay for shipping and wait again until they send me the printer I ordered in the first place. Customer service is not a priority with this company."

"I placed my online order on February 14th. I telephoned as their website encourages, to get a reduced shipping rate. The phone call resulted in me agreeing to buy certain accessories at a significantly reduced rate, in addition to the original camcorder I ordered. The order was to be shipped 3 day service. The merchandise did not arrive. I called again and was told the order went out that morning. Twice this happened. Then I was told they couldn't really ship the order because they couldn't get full authorization on my credit card but thay had succeeded in getting half the amount charged on my credit card. After I contacted the bank, then contacted Protekdirect, they succeeded in putting the full amount in on my charge and told me the order would go out right away/next day service. Today (next day) the package arrived UPS but seemed quite light. Before accepting, I opened and it was mostly filled with stirofoam but had the added accessories but no camcorder. The full amount has been charged to my credit account, the inventory sheet in the box listed all the accesories with a total cost to me equal to the accessorie's full price, not the reduced price agreed to by me as an add on to the camcorder purchase and no camera. These people are shady and in fact could be criminals. The online order track they have for my account shows the merchandise has been shipped and transaction complete. No explanation of anything even though they say they will email when the order goes out I have nothing!"

"This was the worst purchasing experience I have ever had over the internet. The product was ordered with three-day priority shipping -- and was listed as "in-stock -- yet, it took three weeks to receive the order. The memory card, which I ordered with the digital camera, did not arrive for an additional week. I could not use the camera without the memory card.

Now, my camera is does not work. Apparantly, I was sold a "lemon." I do not want to send the camera to Protekdirect.com to get fixed -- it might take a year to get fixed.

Be very weary of doing business with this company."

"This company is fraud comapany.
Do not buy any product from this company.

About one month ago I ordered two batteries from this company.
But they sent me just one.
To make matters worse, they chraged two batteries' price before shipping all.
I sent them about 20 E mails but they didn't repond to me.
I called so many times but I couldn't talk to them.
So I called again and I canceled.
But they didn't pay back to me so far.
I think it's fraud.
I will report them to LA PD.
Please don't trust them.
They are liars.
Remember!
If you buy anything from this company, then you will lose your money just like me."

"WARNING DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY!
non existant customer service

I tried to return a wide angle lens and this is the response I got. I gave them back the lens the 1/8/03 according to usps.

1. "There was a mistake and things were busy it will be in your account within 3 days." (1/10/03)
2. "We had a billing software update so we had to fix the system it should be in your account within a day." (1/13/03)
3. "We've Found your return order and will process it immediatly." (1/15/03)
4. "It was supposed to be done yesterday but it will be done today." (1/27/03)

Everytime I called I was put on hold for 5 minutes at least sometimes 10 and I was hung up on twice.

Protekdirect says they are bizrate & c/net certified but they are not. Thats false advertising. Now im also wondering if my camera was used."

"They had the best price for a FujiFilm Finepix 3800 off pricegrabber.com (best overall outta shopper.com, and pricewatch), so I ordered the camera on the monday the 13th. They apparently upgraded me to overnight shipping (cool!), but it took them until the next week, tuesday the 21st to ship it out.

Their website explicitly states the 24-72 hour processing, and gives a time table of when you should get your order based on which shipping method. I should have received it no later than friday, but they didn't meet their 72 hour processing time limit (common, does it REALLY take that long to process anyways).

Also another thing that doesn't seem to make sense, is that they have to call you up AFTER you order, to ask you the 3 digit code on the back of your credit card. When I spoke with "Vince Russo" about it, he said it's to avoid credit card fraud. Ok, so why even order online to begin with if you're just going to have to call them up again anyways. That was pointless.

Overall, I got the product (UPC was still on, unlike some others unfortuneatly experienced) today, which it probably would've arrived by if it was sent by ground, so I'm not that upset, but they SHOULD abide by their time tables and standards they have listed on their website."

"DON'T USE PROTEC! They lie! Completely dishonest!

Ordered a battery 11 days ago, they said it would ship last monday 3 day express. Never mentioned that it was out of stock, in fact said it was in stock. Called again and was told it was being shipped that day. Called today to force them to give me a tracking number. Now the story is that it is on backorder from the manufacturer. When I told them to cancel the order, they tried to distract me and promise me upgraded shipping (which I had already been promised). She didn't seem to want to hear the words "Please cancel my order" . I had to say them 4 times! Then she was slow and confused about what her name and extension are. Now I get the joy of seeing if they give me a credit on my card anytime soon (they charged me the day I placed the order!). All for saving a few bucks! Next time I will have to remind myself what my time is worth!
"