Computer store owner under investigation, again

An update on a story we covered starting nearly two years ago. You may remember Seaside Computers in Surfside and the bad business practices they were accused of performing.

Seaside Computers and its owner Robert Hussey were accused of not providing merchandise, not providing refunds, where warranted and more.

We worked with Hussey and dozens of victims to resolve their complaints. Hussey was charged with 6 counts of violating the computer crime act and sentenced to one year probation.

In January he started a new corporation under his wife’s name and changed the store name to Computer Outlet. The Better Business Bureau said the complaints started again, the same kind of complaints as before.

Customers told the BBB they either didn't receive their merchandise or waited for weeks and weeks for refunds. The BBB said a few complaints were answered initially by Hussey, but that stopped.

“The complaints aren't being answered now and unfortunately we're having a lot of people from out of town who are coming in,” said Kathy Graham of the Better Business Bureau in Conway. “They're paying their money and they're being told we'll ship the computer out to you in 2 or 3 days and these people are getting nothing."

Hussey said he resolved seven of the eight BBB complaints with the customers. Graham said her records don't reflect that.

Debra Kopelic of Murrells Inlet said she received a refund after weeks of problems and waiting, the day we interviewed her. She claimed the computer she received wasn't what she ordered. “We took the computer back,” said Kopelic. “I paid cash for the computer and I asked for cash back and he said he couldn't give it to me and he'd have to mail it to me in a check. He said he had to get a hold of his accountant and I said call your accountant now, get him to bring a check over here."

Hussey said providing cash isn't always possible and he is still managing past financial issues from the previous owner.

Hussey provided a statement in response the recent claims against his business. The following is his complete statement.

“We have received some complaints due to the confusion of the prior business that I operated, which as you all know was Seaside Computers and Computer Inferno.

Seaside Computers and Computer Inferno were two businesses that I did not start but took over from a previous owner. As you and the Solicitors office are very well aware of there were hundreds of complaints prior to me taking over those [the] businesses.

Do to those problems and issues that unfortunately continued, I did plead guilty in early January and have been on probation and been paying restitution to people from as far back as 2005, although I did not take over until well after 2005.

I was a first time business owner who got in way over my head, personally people will tell you I am not a bad person and I am not trying to deliberately continue getting any complaints.

I have made it a point to try to minimize any issue as quickly as possible, people are issued refunds as quick as possible and people are given what they are sold. Some things at times do become delayed because of outside issues which is unfortunate.

I constantly do the best I can and if anyone has any issue I am more than willing to amicably resolve their problem as quick and efficiently as possible.”

15th Circuit Solicitor Greg Hembree said Tuesday in light of the complaints made to the BBB, his office will open a new investigation.

Hussey was also sued by Microsoft Corporation for illegally copying the company's software. The judgement was for more than a million dollars.