MAACS Uniforms` review: Bad service! 128

I have had almost the same experience with MAACS. I ordered two sets of ABU, boots, and all nametapes, badges, stripes, etc., from MAACS on 6 Aug 07. After countless e-mails requesting the status of this order, then cancellation and refund requests, I have yet to get a single response from MAACS. I am stationed overseas and am only using e-mail (addresses provided through their website) to contact them as I do not want to add international call charges to this problem. MAACS owes me $383.14 and I have yet to hear a word from them (outside of the two initial order/billing accepted e-mails). I have filed a fraud complaint with my credit card company and another complaint through the Maine BBB. I will also be filing a complaint with GSA, DOD, USAF, USA, and USMC as all of these government agencies have contracted with MAACS as an official supply point.

I honestly believe that the testimonials on their website are fake.

I ordered a set of ABU's from Maacs on Jul 7th 2007 and have yet to receive my uniforms or a refund. They will not answer emails or return phone calls. I spoke with them once around early September 2007 for a refund, and have not heard from them since. I have a formal case filed with the Better Business Bureau and hope this will get my $238.95 back. I will be filing a complaint on base also.

Same problem, I have called, emailed. Nothing! My card was charged 30 Oct 07, today I'm filling out a form with my Visa. There is a guy at my base that had a good testimonial, so I went ahead and ordered a set, now I'm negitive $109, and wasting time dealing with Visa. Sounds like a class action law suit.

All - there is a clear trend. My experience: almost six months ago, on 11 Aug 07, I purchased ABUs/etc. for a little over $350...then, nothing heard..nothing heard (multiple contact attempts--phone/e-mail)..then a couple promises of "soon" mixed in with lengthy periods of nothing heard. I finally cancelled my order on 7 Jan 08 and have yet to receive a refund or a response to my multiple inquiries regarding its whereabouts over the past almost 30 days. I'm headed to the legal office, GSA, etc., next and will inquire about collective action. I will try to e-mail you all, in case you are interested in that path.

I have had almost the same exact experience as all of you. I initially ordered 2 sets of ABU's and acessories on 27 Sep 07. During my long wait I sent several emails inquiring about the status of my order and was recieving responses back from MAACS up until about a month ago. Out of frustration, I finally cancelled my order last week and asked for my $298 dollars back. Since then, I have sent multiple emails and left several messages on their answersing service and cannot get a response from them. I'm going to give them until the end of the week and then file a complaint with the BBB and my credit card company as well as speak with base legal. Have any of you received any resolution since you last posted?

Wow, here I was thinking it was only me. I ordered my uniforms on 19 October 07, kept getting the run around and finally cancelled in December, two months after my initial order. It was always something, bad fabric, please be patient. Long story short, today is 13 Feb 08 and I still have not received my money. This week I will be filing complaints with the Federal Trade Commission for their false advertising- they have the gall to advertise in the military papers that they have the uniforms in stock, the title of the adevertisement is "WHY WAIT". I will also complain to the Maine Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau which the company appears to be a member of. Helen is the customer service representative I have been dealing with. My e-mails are now ignored and trying to get her on the phone is impossible. Now even leaving a message is impossible because her mail box is full. What a disaster this company has turned out to be. I will post the address to all of these agencies later this week when I file my complaint. I encourage others to do the same.

It appears I am having the same problem with my order that everyone else is. I placed an order the middle of November. After waiting for almost three months and getting the run around, I sent numerous emails requesting that my order be cancelled immediately. The customer service representative never replied back and my money was never refunded. I have called at least 15 times, but each time I am sent to a mailbox that is always full and not accepting any messages. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and emailed MAACS (since they won't pick up the phone) to let them know. I never got a response back. My guess is they hear this a lot and all complaints are falling on deaf ears. The only part of my order that finally arrived contained my rank (outdated a week later when I was promoted) and two hats... all of which are useless without the uniforms. I don't know how this company keeps getting away with this. I won't let this go and will be looking into legal action.

Same here! When I found a set at Keesler AFB, I immediately canceled all but the nametapes. Several days later I got the nametapes in the mail. BUT NO REFUND. Now I'm pissed. Doesn't anyone here live near them in ME and can pay them a "visit". I suggest everyone immediately contact their base legal office and file a complaint. This is ridiculous!

We all have learned the hard way. The only items i have recieved from maacs was a rain tab rank and a set of abu pants. I cancelled a fleece jacket and it still got sent to me, i have also requested a refund and have not gotten one. I just filed a bbb complaint 3 days ago and have also filed a complaint with my credit card. Luckily i am going out to boston in july. Im gonna take a little extra time and swing by maacs and give allison a piece of my mind and get my money back.

For those of you contemplating complaints, here are the links. Please contact me by the end of March 08 (jocmap726@hotmail.com). I will be calling a former classmate of mine who is an attorney in Maine to see if he can file a claim in the Maine Courts. He is a National Guard JAG and is also involved in various local organizations. The more names I submit to him, the better case it will be. What this company is doing to service members is a complete disgrace, especially for a so called "minority owned and service connected disabled veteran small business". It amazes me that they advertise in the Air Force Times with the "Why Wait" caption! Here are the addresses to send your complaints:

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Maine Attorney General
Attorney General's Consumer
Information and Mediation Service
6 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333

http://www.maine.gov/ag/dynld/documents/Final_Consumer_Complaint_PDF.pdf

Better Business Bureau
BBB of Eastern MA, ME & VT
(Natick, MA)
235 West Central St, Suite 1
Natick, MA [protected]
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]
Email: info@bosbbb.org
Web: http://www.bosbbb.org

Air Force Times

Army Times Publishing Company
6883 Commercial Dr.
Springfield, Va. [protected] USA

Same problem here! They keep saying they are cutting checks this week and here I am a month later. I filed with the BBB and Maac response was they were going to cut a check Feb 15th. Whats todays date? Are they floating it to us in a bottle? I am ashamed that they bolster they are a Veteran run company... how sad. My husband placed his order in early August...no ABU by Nov and he was deploying in Dec to Iraq. He called and said do you have a date of delievery. They said no and that propper was behind. Well I totally understand if propper is behind... but when we request a refund in Nov we should have gotten no later than the end of Dec. The following emails are who I have been corresoponding with and if you try to call... well all of their mail boxes are full. Except if you call Allisons number and select the vendor option...she states dont leave a message here for a refund... only open mail box so I left a message. I agree that we should all write and complain to any and all offical offices until we get our refunds and they stop doing this to people.

Air Force Wife

Helen@maacs.com
Allison@maacs.com
christa@maacs.com

I've had the same issue. I ordered uniforms on 2/15, paid for them with my Visa, and still nothing. After no responses to any of my inquiries, both phone and email, I cancelled the order but have not recieved any response from MAACS. That said, I just got off the phone with my Visa company (Bank of America) and they are taking care of the issue. I'll have to wait a few weeks for the $747 to be credited back to my account but at least the protection of using my Visa for the purchase will protect me.

My email to the AF Times will go out today. I'm also going to contact my local JA to see if we can get the word out to folks on my base to stay away from MAACS. I've already passed this on to the 600 folks in my squadron.

Maacs strikes again! I order two sets of ABU's and boots in late October and here we are about to be April and nothing. I had to deal with that women Christa and for a little while I would get emails and they promised soon, soon, soon. I can't believe I failed for this stupid scam. I also talked to the BBB and found out this company is not even a member. All the BBB can do is put in a request for them to pay, not demand. I have to PCS to Korea in May and I would like to take care of this before I leave. I don't know about all of you but I don't have 430 dollars just laying around. If any one knows anyting that ACTUALLY works to get your money back please, please, please let me know!

I have had the same problem ! I ordered uniforms in early January and after many phone calls and emails nothing! This is unreal! I can't believe that they are getting away with this.

I'm a victim of MAACS fradulent practices. After waiting three months for my set of ABUs, I finally cancelled the order and requested a refund. That was two months ago, and all I get are "the check is in the mail" BS.

If we all filed a complaint, would that constitute a class-action lawsuit?

I'm furious with them and don't care if they get shut down. Bad businesses need to go away.

I have had the same problems as everyone else. Already filed complaint with FTC and Maine AG. "Just waiting for the refund..."

I AM ALLISON MACDONALD, THE OWNER OF MAACS, INC. I CAN BE REACHED DIRECTLY AT [protected] EXT 130.

I AM TERRIBLY SORRY FOR ANY ISSUES YOU HAVE HAD WITH MY COMPANY. I IMPLORE YOU THAT IF YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED EITHER YOUR UNIFORMS OR A REFUND FROM MY COMPANY THAT YOU CALL OR E-MAIL ME DIRECTLY.

WE HAVE HAD A HORRIBLE TIME GETTING IN ABUS FROM PROPPER EVER SINCE THEY WERE RELEASED IN AUGUST. HOWEVER, THAT IS NO EXCUSE FOR BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

AS THE OWNER, IT IS NOW MY ONLY MISSION TO FIX OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE PROBLEMS AND FILL OR REFUND ANY OUTSTANDING ORDERS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

ALLISON MACDONALD
OWNER, MAACS INC.

I am agreeing with all of you up there. I ordered two sets of ABU's back in August 2007. I ordered from them because they stated in stock, that was a lie. I have been going around and around with these people for 10 months. I finally got my ordered canceled Feb 04, 2008 and I was promised a full refund. Its now 3 months later and I still do not have my refund. I keep getting the check is in the mail. I have sent multiple emails and call about two-three times a week and they will not respond. I have filed two complaints with the BBB and they marked the first one satisfied and the second one they just ignored. I see that the owner is trying to make the company back on track and I wonder if I will now get my refund. I would not recommend utilizing their business to anyone that I know.

I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against MAACS. In November of 2007 I placed an order for ABUs. To date I have received nothing, they have ignored my emails and Allison MacDonald's mail box is constantly full so she cannot recieve new messages. In a nutshell, I want my $123.00 back IMMEDIATELY.

I ordered back in Janaury and went through the exact same thing. I finally called my credit card company to reclaim my money. A company should not charge you until they ship your items. While it is not illegal to do so, it is a poor and uncommon way to do business. I believe they are still taking orders and charging people to clean up the mess they got themselves in. With the number of BBB complaints and the way they run their business, it is a matter of time before they go under. My advice is call your credit card company and they will get your money back. Once Visa, Mastercard, etc. gets enough fraud complaints, they will drop service to the business. After that, they will be out of business. My advice to Allison is to stop taking orders for items she does not have when people are on back order for 6 months. However, she is probably in the Cayman Islands on the beach drinking Pina Coladas. Do not buy from MAACS!

Thanks,

Dave

Maacs is suppose to be a veteran run company, i am not sure that any veteran would treat their fellow troops this way. I ordered 6 months ago cancelled a week later and got no refund back... I am still waiting.

Trust me...it is not just an ABU problem with MACCS. I cancelled an order for an Army ECWCS Gen III fleece in December 2007 and as everyone on this board have gotten the run around about a refund. Talked to Allison and others on the phone but have gotten nowhere. I have filed a small claims action against MACCS and Allison McDonald and encourage others to do so as well. A company that touts veteran ownership and service should, in my opinion, attempt to resolve issues rather than duck them.

Good luck...

All,
Don't listen to the bogus story that Allison MacDonald gave on the posting above. I placed an order in Oct 07. I cancelled the order on 2 January and I still haven't received a refund. I filed a complaint with the BBB in Feb and MAACS told the BBB that they issued a check to me. Two weeks later, I called to check the status of my refund and Allison MacDonald tells me that my check is in the mail. As you probably already guessed, I never received a refund check. I am now pursuing legal action against MAACS. Has anyone else had success going the legal route?

Does anyone have Allison's home address and personal phone number?

I agree with everyone here...MAACS is a fraud! I placed an order in Dec 07 and never received my order so I canceled it in Jan 08. It's been over three months since I canceled my order and MAACS said (Linda Card) a refund check would be issued, and yet I've received no refund. I've had extreme difficulty contacting the MAACS staff since January 08 regarding my order cancelation and refund. The MAACS finance office has give me nothing but "a check will be issued soon". I've received no confirmation number and no refund..."a check soon" could mean a month, year, or possibly never. At this stage MAACS customer support is grossly negligent and I'm extremely dissatisfied with MAACS.

When will my refund be issued? I don't understand how MAACS can take credit cards for an order and then not be able refund an order to a credit card. Instead I'm left waiting for a check that never seems to be coming. I've never experience such poor customer service in my life!

I encourage everyone to stay away from MAACS and to file legal action against them if you've already stepped into their web of lies. I'm definitely filing every complaint I can against MAACS...BBB, Chamber of Com, AF Times, even possibly some small claims action with a buddy of mine in the same boat.

All,
The good news is that you used your credit card. Call your credit company and tell them what happened. They will refund your money with no problem. MAACS can contest it, but they have to show evidence. Even if they do that, you still will be favored by your credit card company.

David

SAME THING here...anyone interested in a "joint" lawsuit? I'd like to be able to take them down completely...FRAUD! STAY AWAY! Placed my order 7 Nov 07, had to cancel 15 Jan due to pending TDY...they confirmed my canceling of the order, but still have not received a refund, and now I'm outside of my credit card company's 90day window. Maybe a trip to Maine is warranted?

E-mail your story to these addresses ASAP. They are at FOXNEWS. This is news ready story. All military people getting ripped of by a GSA company during Military Awareness Month to the tune of $50K in all: americasnewsroom@foxnews.com; colonelscorner@foxnews.com; colonelscorner@foxnews.com

I have personal affiliation with this company and the employees tried very hard to make right with this huge problem! We were all very stressed everyday that we could not help you the owners have spent your money and some should take this to the next step your money is gone. So are all the people that tried to help we were all service members also they are blaming all the employees for this mess and It was not them, Allison Macdonald and Andy Macdonald drive hummers, BMW, live in huge house with a six bay garage, 82, 000 outdoor kitchen etc...
IRS should be notified also be they are fixing the books I CAN SPEAK FOR MY SELF AND ALL THE EMPLOYEES THAT OWNERS ARE DOING THIS TO YOU NOT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE. CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE RETIRED MILITARY OR HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE ACTIVE AND ARE HURT BY THIS ALSO

I agree with the above person. The employees seeemed to be very empathetic. But that doesn't matter, because we are hosed. I am enlisting a lawyer and goign after MAACS even it cost my 10 tiems as much as I am out...this is simply wrong.

All, I have a Lawyer in the ME area who is checking into all this. Please click my link and let me know if you want to keep abreast of what is happening. Or maybe join in. Let others affected know that we are going to organize against MAACS. I'll compile an E-mail list to keep us all on the same page.

Once again the American military taking a hit by a business. I too ordered from this company, never received an e-mail stating that my order was on back order. After finding out it was on backorder i waited until my sizes showed up at the BX. I asked for a refund and got bounced around until Allison told me that a check was going out...almost 3 months ago.

I complained to the BBB, and got an offer back from Allison for a discount price, but I just wanted my money. I complained to the Maine Attorney Generals Office and was told two weeks ago that a check was going to be sent. Still Waiting.

I implore all of you that have been had by this company to go to the State of Maine Attorney Generals office becuase they do have quite a rap sheet, as does the BBB. Tell your troops not to buy here, I made the mistake and dont want my Airmen getting the same treatment.

Their "new" customer service system is an absolute joke! I am on my fith ticket now without any resolution on my refund. Im like everyone else, I was told I had a check coming then Allison tells me that she doesnt even have a record of it. Talk about going backwards. I have an email trail where not 1 but 2 employees have told me that my order was cancelled long ago. I was also recently told that my size is still on backorder so thats more of an reason to give me my money back! I have gone to my bank, gone through VISA, sent a complaint through the BBB, sent a complaint to FTC, and now my next step is to my state attorney general. These people are NOT running off with my money!

Maine Attoney General Consumer Protection link. Look on the right hand side and file your complaint. I also suggest posting with your state if applicable.

http://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/index.shtml

Add my name to the list of people who have been taken by these thieves. The ticket system is totally bogus... they are deleting any ticket asking for a refund. This company should be ASHAMED of themselves for STEALING money from hardworking Airmen who defend our Nation. I will gladly take part in a lawsuit against this company. I filed with the Maine Attorney General, my credit card company and also sent an e-mail to Propper that they need to drop MAACS as a distributor.

I have also been ripped off by this company. I order my ABUs in August 2007 because my size was not on back order. I received my boots a month later but no uniforms. I waited until Dec 07 and then asked for a refund. I was told my refund will be processed and I was even given an invoice showing my refund.

Well a month goes by and I still didn't have a refund I try to call and send an emails but I don't get any replies. I filed a complaint with the BBB and all of the sudden I get an email stating I will be mailed a check for my refund. Shortly after MAACs replies to the BBB stating the same thing.

By March 08 I still didn't get a refund so I email Helen again and she told me the same bs about checks going out on Fridays. Its now May 21, 2008 and I have yet to receive anything from this company.

The guys with the Lawyers, let organize and see if we can get a lawyer to ligate all of our cases. I think we will fall short of the required amount for a class action law suit, but I may be wrong. We should be entitled to our money plus interest, which I think is 9% for Maine. We should also be able to get lawyer and court cost thrown in there. I am also wonder if anyone knows who we need to talk to in order to get their GSA contract revoked.

Personally I don't think MAACS is taking any of this seriously and they are probably hoping we will all just forget about the money they owe us. It also seems criminal to be to intentionally defraud us of our money. Maybe that is another avenue we should look into.

I have to say that I'm astounded by the sheer volume of complaints here. I, too, am a victim of this company, having ordered an item from them on 02NOV2007. Rather than reiterating the same problem as everyone else already has, I would simply like to add this: I went to the Propper web site, http://www.propper.com, with the intention of registering a complaint against this so-called distributor. While on the Propper web site, I found they offer sales of their products directly. I've placed an order (in-stock indicated) and, hopefully, will receive it in a timely manner. This MAY be an option for those who need/want to acquire this stuff.

bill.

Add me to the list . . . $155 of mine they've had since Jan and still no response or refund. I'll try getting my money back through the bank after the Memorial Day weekend.

Guys,
I filed a complaint with the Attorney General in Maine from their website and I was sent a form to fill out because they need a signature with my complaint. Not sure if this is standard practice of if they are hopefully planning to do something about this company. If you would like for me to forward you a copy of the form so you can file your own complaint, let me know your email addy. I will send it from my work email so you know its some what safe.

Fitz

Actually no need to send the form to you here is the link to it.

http://www.maine.gov/ag/dynld/documents/Final_Consumer_Complaint_PDF.pdf

Fitz

MAACS got me also! I ordered ABU's in Jan 08 and got the run-around. I finally told them to cancel my order. I was offered ABUs at cost and told them no, I just wanted my money back. It has been weeks and no refund. It's pretty disgusting how a company can get away with this. I plan on filling multiple complaints also.

This is something that needs to be elevated as far as possible. The fact that military (we) have been taken advantage of is outright despicable. Even worst, the fact that they continue to do it to others.