Vimenpaq Theft Ring

[Lucas61]

Vimenpaq has a theft ring in Miami with collusion here in Santo Domingo, short-sightedly stealing money from their best clients. This is how it works:
I bought a Toshiba television from Best Buy via Amazon at the relatively low cost of RD$ 17,000. The television weighed 26 lbs. and with packaging 45 lbs. I knew that I was going to pay a hefty amount for shipping in addition to the La Aduana tax(es). I accepted that.

When the item appeared in my account in Miami, the cost was ~RD$ 8000. I then received an email that explained the possibility of damage and asked if I wanted re-packaging for two small add-on fees, 100 and 150 pesos. I said sure.

Then appears a new order in my account. The TV now weighs 95 lbs. and includes a 50 lb. wood box that I never agreed to or was informed of and the new cost that I must pay for my RD$ 17000 TV is THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS plus 10K for La Aduana = FORTY THOUSAND PESOS, and if I add the cost of the TV, FIFTY-SEVEN THOUSAND PESOS.

I then went to the head office with family members and spoke to management. The manager copied/pasted the part of my email where I said I agreed, then presented a fake email (also with copying/pasting) with no name or official Vimenpaq logo, that explained the RD$ 30,000 charge FOR THE BOX. The letter was fake.

So I will not pick up the television. I will lose 17K, La Aduana will lose 10K and Vimenpaq will lose 30K which they'll probably make up for when they steal again. And then somene in La Aduana will open the box and take the TV home.

I pay thousands of pesos to Vimenpaq monthly--10 to 15 packages per month--for 7 years. Stealing from your best clients is the essence of stupidity but a common M.O. here in the Dominican Republic and one of the dark sides of "Living in the D.R."

 

[CristoRey]

Vimenpaq has a theft ring in Miami with collusion here in Santo Domingo, short-sightedly stealing money from their best clients. This is how it works:
I bought a Toshiba television from Best Buy via Amazon at the relatively low cost of RD$ 17,000. The television weighed 26 lbs. and with packaging 45 lbs. I knew that I was going to pay a hefty amount for shipping in addition to the La Aduana tax(es). I accepted that.

When the item appeared in my account in Miami, the cost was ~RD$ 8000. I then received an email that explained the possibility of damage and asked if I wanted re-packaging for two small add-on fees, 100 and 150 pesos. I said sure.

Then appears a new order in my account. The TV now weighs 95 lbs. and includes a 50 lb. wood box that I never agreed to or was informed of and the new cost that I must pay for my RD$ 17000 TV is THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS plus 10K for La Aduana = FORTY THOUSAND PESOS, and if I add the cost of the TV, FIFTY-SEVEN THOUSAND PESOS.

I then went to the head office with family members and spoke to management. The manager copied/pasted the part of my email where I said I agreed, then presented a fake email (also with copying/pasting) with no name or official Vimenpaq logo, that explained the RD$ 30,000 charge FOR THE BOX. The letter was fake.

So I will not pick up the television. I will lose 17K, La Aduana will lose 10K and Vimenpaq will lose 30K which they'll probably make up for when they steal again. And then somene in La Aduana will open the box and take the TV home.

I pay thousands of pesos to Vimenpaq monthly--10 to 15 packages per month--for 7 years. Stealing from your best clients is the essence of stupidity but a common M.O. here in the Dominican Republic and one of the dark sides of "Living in the D.R."

Forgive me for asking such an obvious question but do they not sell televisions where you live?

 

[Lucas61]

Forgive me for asking such an obvious question but do they not sell televisions where you live?

No problem! Yes, they do. But this was a model in particular that I wanted. I accepted the price. I will now search to see if this exact model is available in Sto.Dom. If not, I'll buy something here. Why didn't I check before? This TV has superb reviews plus a significant price reduction to $279.00. And hindsight is 20/20!

 

[johne]

op Have you in some way confirmed your accusation with at least another source of input. I as bc that is a big piece of slander if it can be proven that you are wrong.
btw CR is correct as last month I walked into Price Smart and bought 44-45 inch name brand for a similar price. They took it out or the box. Plugged it in and wrote the certificate of guarantee on the spot.

 

[NanSanPedro]

op Have you in some way confirmed your accusation with at least another source of input. I as bc that is a big piece of slander if it can be proven that you are wrong.
btw CR is correct as last month I walked into Price Smart and bought 44-45 inch name brand for a similar price. They took it out or the box. Plugged it in and wrote the certificate of guarantee on the spot.

This is why I like PriceSmart, although Jumbo does the same.

 

[Lucas61]

OP: Thanks for the suggestions for PriceSmart and Jumbo. I didn't even know that Jumbo sold televisions--maybe one of the bigger Jumbos?
I do have a PriceSmart membership. Care do give me an example of a model and cost that you had success with? I think that the first thing I'm going to do is to find the exact model of the Toshiba that I've now lost. Could be Corripio and Garrido too. Sometimes PriceSmart prices are less; othertime not, but definitely worth checking.

 

[CristoRey]

OP: Thanks for the suggestions for PriceSmart and Jumbo. I didn't even know that Jumbo sold televisions--maybe one of the bigger Jumbos?
I do have a PriceSmart membership. Care do give me an example of a model and cost that you had success with? I think that the first thing I'm going to do is to find the exact model of the Toshiba that I've now lost. Could be Corripio and Garrido too. Sometimes PriceSmart prices are less; othertime not, but definitely worth checking.

I've sent dozens of packages down here over the years with EPS.
Anything over the $200 USD maximum duty free allowance I always
buy local. Stores like Solo A .10, Casa Cuesta, Ikea, Aliss, Ochoa (Super Store Av. Imbert)
Plaza Llama and PriceSmart are all good options.

 

[josh2203]

I've sent dozens of packages down here over the years with EPS.
Anything over the $200 USD maximum duty free allowance I always
buy local. Stores like Solo A .10, Casa Cuesta, Ikea, Aliss, Ochoa (Super Store Av. Imbert)
Plaza Llama and PriceSmart are all good options.

This has been my recipe to success as well. It has been discussed on this forum whether or not is it smart to order larger appliances/electronics with a courier or a mudanza and based on my 15 years of being involved with the country, I prefer sourcing big things locally. People say that no DR companies respect warranty. That has also not been my experience, we've had 2 things from Corripio fixed under warranty, and a large tv set fully refunded by Sirena under warranty.

As for the OP not knowing that Jumbo sells tv sets, I was not aware that there are Jumbo stores so small that they would not sell tv's. At least in POP, the selection is huge. Corripio in POP is not very good, it's way too small. We did buy a very good Whirlpool washing machine from there 6 years ago, still going strong...

 

[JD Jones]

This is why I like PriceSmart, although Jumbo does the same.

A word of caution about Jumbo and some of the other stores. Most people do not know or realize that Televisions have model years.

I've seen TV's with last years model number and even some from 2 years ago in Jumbo.

Not the end of the world, of course. You're still getting a new never used Flat Screen, but there's a reason you're getting a good deal on some of them.

I got a great deal on my Samsung because I showed them it was 2 years old. The clerk and the dept. manager both recognized I knew what I was talking about, but the manager told me it was only the second time somebody mentioned it.

These days, checking model number years is really simple to do.

Another thing, look into scratch and dent sales. I bought my GE under/over washer dryer at a substantial discount at RadioCentro because it was a floor model. The guy said it was scratched, but I still haven't found it.

I got it for 45K when they were selling new for 65K.

Spend some time and shop around

 

[Uzin]

I don't know if this is called theft, maybe more like a scam, they did not give all the information about repackaging, only said it cost 100+150, well in fact a lot more...

But using a large wooden box that weigh a ton would cost a lot to make and then transport, and adueña tax is not their responsibility, so you more like conned than rubbed...! I know it doesn't help, but it's a little different...

Thanks for the info, hopefully word gets around so others don't fall into the same trap...

 

[Lucas61]

I've sent dozens of packages down here over the years with EPS.
Anything over the $200 USD maximum duty free allowance I always
buy local. Stores like Solo A .10, Casa Cuesta, Ikea, Aliss, Ochoa (Super Store Av. Imbert)
Plaza Llama and PriceSmart are all good options.

Thanks for this. I will note EPS as a possible alternative courier service. I need clarification on "Solo A. 10" -- Is that one or two stores? I googled and came up with nothing. I was not aware of Aliss and Ochoa Super Store, so I am adding those to my list!

 

[Lucas61]

This has been my recipe to success as well. It has been discussed on this forum whether or not is it smart to order larger appliances/electronics with a courier or a mudanza and based on my 15 years of being involved with the country, I prefer sourcing big things locally. People say that no DR companies respect warranty. That has also not been my experience, we've had 2 things from Corripio fixed under warranty, and a large tv set fully refunded by Sirena under warranty.

As for the OP not knowing that Jumbo sells tv sets, I was not aware that there are Jumbo stores so small that they would not sell tv's. At least in POP, the selection is huge. Corripio in POP is not very good, it's way too small. We did buy a very good Whirlpool washing machine from there 6 years ago, still going strong...

Oh, for sure, buy here whenever possible and avoid La Aduana like the plague. Maybe I could have done better if I did my research here on a TV before ordering that Toshiba from the U.S. However, with excellent reviews for a 55" and a low cost of $279.00, I thought why not? I was willing to pay the extra costs of shipping and customs. In fact, if Vimenpaq did not engage in this fraud--I asked them to subtract the humongous fees for the 50 POUND BOX, and they refused. If they would subtract those fees I would pay. But there are many items that do not exist in the D.R. that I must pass through customs. For example, in the near future I will buy a used lens for a Fujifilm X-T2, around $350.00. Fujifilm cameras and lenses do not exist in the D.R.--I have researched. One thing is for sure, no way in hell will I ever order $200 + from Vimenpaq. I do have DOMEX. Maybe them. FYI, for everything < $200.00 at Vimenpaq the operation is as smooths as glass: a. a great UI on my online account, b. great customer service at Sambil--the employee knows me by name and knows my account number. If I email him with a problem, he takes care of it right away and I also have his WhatsApp number. My speculation is that the corruption starts at a higher level.

 

[Lucas61]

I don't know if this is called theft, maybe more like a scam, they did not give all the information about repackaging, only said it cost 100+150, well in fact a lot more...

But using a large wooden box that weigh a ton would cost a lot to make and then transport, and adueña tax is not their responsibility, so you more like conned than rubbed...! I know it doesn't help, but it's a little different...

Thanks for the info, hopefully word gets around so others don't fall into the same trap...

A scam that steals your money is theft, no? In Spanish they use the English word, "Scammers." Yeah, they left out the most important information when they made the offer. If they had told me that I'd be paying about FIFTEEN THOUSAND for an extra box, no way in hell would I or anyone else agree. And the letter they showed me that spelled that out was a fake.

 

[Lucas61]

A word of caution about Jumbo and some of the other stores. Most people do not know or realize that Televisions have model years.

I've seen TV's with last years model number and even some from 2 years ago in Jumbo.

Not the end of the world, of course. You're still getting a new never used Flat Screen, but there's a reason you're getting a good deal on some of them.

I got a great deal on my Samsung because I showed them it was 2 years old. The clerk and the dept. manager both recognized I knew what I was talking about, but the manager told me it was only the second time somebody mentioned it.

These days, checking model number years is really simple to do.

Another thing, look into scratch and dent sales. I bought my GE under/over washer dryer at a substantial discount at RadioCentro because it was a floor model. The guy said it was scratched, but I still haven't found it.

I got it for 45K when they were selling new for 65K.

Spend some time and shop around

You make a VERY IMPORTANT point. Let's say I investigate and write names and model numbers of some TV's that I'm interested in. I ignore any staff comments. I go home and do research on the internet. Oftentimes, prices are low because the models are outdated or have flaws. Any purchase here MUST MATCH an excellent review before any purchase decision.

 

[Lucas61]

Hey, old-timers! June 23, 1953 -- On Monday I turned 72! You can see from my handle, Lucas61, that I joined DR1 eleven years ago . . . walking with a cane now.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Hey, old-timers! June 23, 1953 -- On Monday I turned 72! You can see from my handle, Lucas61, that I joined DR1 eleven years ago . . . walking with a cane now.

Why the cane? What's wrong?

Happy belated bday! I'm not very far behind you, hence the question.

 

[josh2203]

A scam that steals your money is theft, no? In Spanish they use the English word, "Scammers." Yeah, they left out the most important information when they made the offer. If they had told me that I'd be paying about FIFTEEN THOUSAND for an extra box, no way in hell would I or anyone else agree. And the letter they showed me that spelled that out was a fake.

As kindly pointed out above by another poster, did you have any evidence/proof of these fees in a written form? Anything you could share, without personal information being visible obviously, or via PM?

 

[windeguy]

When I try to import anything that could be problematic. I ask for a firm fixed price quote.
Big screen TVs have always been problematic going back to the day when I imported a Panasonic Plasma TV, and that was quite a while ago.

Firm, fixed price quote. Saves the hassle.

BTW: Amazon free direct shipping has worked well for me for my first 2 shipments. So far so good on that. No TVs yet...

 

[josh2203]

When I try to import anything that could be problematic. I ask for a firm fixed price quote.
Big screen TVs have always been problematic going back to the day when I imported a Panasonic Plasma TV, and that was quite a while ago.

Firm, fixed price quote. Saves the hassle.

As far as I could see, this was not the issue, but rather this:

"I then received an email that explained the possibility of damage and asked if I wanted re-packaging for two small add-on fees, 100 and 150 pesos. I said sure.

Then appears a new order in my account. The TV now weighs 95 lbs. and includes a 50 lb. wood box that I never agreed to or was informed of and the new cost that I must pay for my RD$ 17000 TV is THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS plus 10K for La Aduana = FORTY THOUSAND PESOS, and if I add the cost of the TV, FIFTY-SEVEN THOUSAND PESOS."

So as I understand it, they claimed the packaging was damaged in Miami and wanted to charge extra and then things apparently went south... For this reason the OP was asked for screenshots or anything with the fees and claims showing.

 

[CristoRey]

I need clarification on "Solo A. 10" -- Is that one or two stores?

It's one store. Several locations across the country. Our local store is downtown. (Google Maps)
Calle Duarte 17, Santiago de los Caballeros 51000