Help Me Hank: Waiting Game

Twenty-one-year-old David Wessell's had all those firsts, then the post office delivered his next.

David Wessell
"I got a letter in the mail, offering credit."

So he signed up for his first credit card, it was through a computer company.

David Wessell
"So I said, ‘OK.’"

And then made his first big purchase.

David Wessell
"We had been talking for a while about getting a computer for the house.

David thought all he had to do next was wait.

David Wessell
"Twenty days, three to four weeks -- no problem."

David even made the first payment. But when the second bill arrived there was still no computer.

David Wessell
"As I'm making payments I'm wondering, ‘Am I going to get it today?’"

Instead this letter came in the mail. Its message: "experiencing a delay" and postponed delivery for a one month.

David Wessell
"I told them this is your last chance."

But two months later David was still left with empty desk space.

David Wessell
"This is absurd."

His mom was suspicious.

Mindy Kosch
"This was just too weird."

She called to cancel the order, but got a surprising warning instead.

Mindy Kosch
"If you cancel, you're going to end up putting a mark against his credit."

David then realized, mother knows best.

David Wessell
"My mom says, ‘You know what, I'm going to call Hank.’"

We knew in this case, David shouldn't be paying for a product he didn't have. The Department of Consumer Affairs confirmed it.

Beth Lindstrom, MA Office of Consumer Affairs
"That's not allowed under federal regulation."

David never agreed to wait five months for his computer and officials told us, no agreement, no charge.

Beth Lindstrom, MA Office of Consumer Affairs
"They can be charged for an item that has not been shipped as long as there's an agreed upon date when they expect shipment."

We called the company to remind them of the law. And soon after, the post office delivered again.

David Wessell
"A check."

Besides a refund, he also got a letter of apology and a bill saying payment due -- zero.

David Wessell
"Your credit will not be affected. You have a zero balance."

And look how David used that money, to buy his first computer somewhere else.

David Wessell
"I'm happy."

You should know there are special rules when you've opened an individual line of credit with a specific company.