Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/09/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Stellavolta has defrauded, stolen from, lied to, cheated, and misrepresented products to me. Theyre illegally withholding money owed to me from a shipping claim where I suffered a loss. Stellavoltas founder ***** lied/tricked me into believing that they were an IronRidge dealer getting products directly from *********. IronRidge denied Stellavoltas false representation fully. I would never have purchased from them if I knew they were not an Authorized IronRidge dealer.Stellavolta/***** offered me a sales price of approx. $1800 which I paid in full. ***** called me later on demanding an additional payment of approx. $44 and threatened to cancel my order if I didnt pay. I was forced to pay the extra money.The item was delivered in poor and damaged condition, badly packaged, and not in the original manufacturer packaging (Red Flag). I immediately reported the damage/condition to Stellavolta and after their intentional delays, Stellavolta finally committed to filing a shipping carrier claim on my behalf.Stellavolta filed our claim with carrier and they were sent claim approval and our claim payment over 3 months ago but they have been illegally and unethically keeping/steeling my claim proceeds despite my numerous requests to get my money and updates. They also tried to force/trick me into sending them back the product (At my crating cost) with no commitment to refund me the amount I paid. Stellavolta is using illegal, Dishonest, Unfair, and Deceptive Business Practices. They lied about the product, sent damaged/poor condition items, filed a carrier claim on my behalf but kept the claim proceeds owed to me, and they tried to get me to give them my product back with no commitment to refund any specific amount.Stellavolta needs to send me the claim proceeds owed to me that they're illegally withholding from me since November, 2023. I am also requesting an additional refund of $43.90 which they illegally forced me to pay them under threat of cancelling my order.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/13/2024

  Because the attached email communication is lengthy, I have provided an outline to highlight the important points. In short, Stellavolta approved the customers return and agreed to provide a refund upon receipt per our Terms of Service Damaged/Defective Products. Originally, the customer demanded a full refund allowing him to keep the solar rails for free which we denied, the customer then said it was okay for us to pick up the solar rails which we agreed to, then later changed his demand to refunding him half of the invoice allowing him to keep half of the solar rails for free, and refusing to return the solar rails for a refund.
  
  If a customer refuses to return a product they claim is damaged for a refund, even after we agreed to pay return freight and added a courtesy sum for packing materials, this is something that is outside of our control. At this point, it has been several months since the solar rails were delivered and is well past the 14-day freight return window. Because the customer did not contact us by the extended November 17th deadline, we presumed the customer decided to keep the solar rails in the condition received and this return request was closed.
  
  Stellavolta respectfully asks that this complaint be removed since we approved his return within a timely manner and even encouraged the customer to do so, but the customer repeatedly refused.
  
  
  ********: Order #***** for 18 solar rails
  
  10-18-23: Order #***** shipped via freight tractor truck
  
  10-23-23: Order #***** Delivered and received by ****** *******
  
  10-23-23:****** ******* emails us informing that he received his shipment with damage
  
  10-24-23:Stellavolta responds to the customers email regarding the shipment
  
  10-24-23 09:54:18 AM: ****** ******* to Stellavolta
  Customer Initial Demand
  (Paragraph 3)We would appreciate a replacement or refund on this order.
  The customers initial demand was to provide a full refund and allow him to keep the solar rails.Stellavolta would not agree to provide the customer with a full refund and allow him to keep the solar rails, or to send him replacements and allow him to keep the initial shipment of solar rails.
  
  10-24-23 04:48:52 PM: ****** ******* to Stellavolta
  Customer Agrees to Return the Solar Rails
  (Paragraph 12)You are free to come pick up the damaged items I was sent and simply refund me on this order to make things simple.
  
  10-31-23 03:44:06 PM: ****** ******* to Stellavolta
  All packaging was cut/removed to inspect the rails. All rails are loose.
  
  
  11-01-23 12:59 PM: Stellavolta to ****** *******
  Stellavolta accepts customer return
  We are making arrangements to have the rails picked up at your location. Please package the rails using the original pallet and restrap and shrink wrap for shipment.
  Stellavolta approves the customers return and makes arrangements to pick up the solar rails at the customers location and at our expense.
  
  11-03-23 10:14 AM: Stellavolta to ****** *******
  (Paragraph 1)Your return has been approved.
  Stellavolta reiterates the return approval.
  
  11-10-23 11:42:04 AM ****** ******* to Stellavolta
  Customer 2nd Demand and Refusal to Return the Solar Rails
  (Paragraph 16)At this point I am not willing to accept less than half of what I paid while keeping the rails as an immediate settlement to this dispute. If I get to keep the rails and you refund half my money then I will consider this dispute settled.
  Customer revises his demand, demanding that he be refunded half of his order and be allowed to keep the rails. Considering the customers statements as to the quality of materials and how much he would be financially harmed by keeping them, Stellavolta would not agree to provide the customer with a 50% refund and allow him to keep the solar rails, however, we did approve his return for a refund upon receipt.
  
  11-10-23 1:11 PM Stellavolta to ****** *******
  Return Window Deadline
  We ask that you call us by Friday, November 17th, so that we can make arrangements to have the rails picked up at your location.
  Stellavolta asks the customer to call us so that we can make arrangements to pick up the solar rails.
  
  11-10-23 3:02:15 PM ****** ******* to Stellavolta
  Customer 2nd Demand Repeated
  (Paragraph 7)As mentioned I will accept half of what I paid to move on from this if I am refunded this amount is within 1 business day.
  Customer Refused to Return the Solar Rails a 2nd Time
  (Paragraph 8)I will not agree to now return the rails as returning the rails was never part of your promise and agreement to me.
  Customer again refuses to return the solar rails claiming that was not agreed to. Receiving a refund is contingent upon returning materials and is stated in our Terms of Service Damaged/Defective Products.
  
  11-13-23 2:24 PM Stellavolta to ****** ******* Packing Materials
  Because the customer has expressly and urgently stated his concerns over the quality of the solar rails he received, Stellavolta encourages the customer to return the materials and in addition to providing a refund and sending our own freight carrier to pick up the solar rails, we will also pay for stretch wrap and straps to help repackage the shipment.
  
  11-16-23 6:30:22 AM ****** ******* to Stellavolta
  Customer Initial Demand Repeated
  (Paragraph 9)I initially asked you to simply replace or refund the damaged rails.
  Customers Refuses to Return the Solar Rails a 3rd Time
  (Paragraph 11)I have already told you that I do not have the physical ability to lift,repackage, or move these damaged rails from exactly where your carrier dropped them. I will remind you again that I have never agreed to lift, repackage, or help reship damaged rails to you so I am under no legal or contractual obligation to do so.
  In Paragraph 11 he says that he is unable to move the solar rails, however, in his October 31 email, he says that all packaging was cut and all rails are loose. Since these are conflicting statements and we cannot be certain what the condition of the solar rails are, if the solar rails are in fact exactly where the carrier dropped them, then they can more easily be picked up by freight carrier.
  
  This was the final communication we received from the customer and we awaited his call until the return window deadline of November 17, 2023 (which is 16 days after we informed the customer that we wished to make arrangements to pick up the solar rails). We did not receive another communication again from the customer, so we presumed that the customer decided to keep the solar rails in their condition received and the return was closed.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/15/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  
  
  Setllavolta is being very dishonest as a company and rather than telling the truth they are trying to cover up for their illegal actions by using false, distorted and doctored representations of the actual facts of this matter. Moving beyond the false narrative they submitted, They intentionally refuse to answer my main complaints and simply fill their response with irrelevant misrepresentations of the facts that does nothing to answer the matters reported. Why don't they address the claim fraud report? Why dont they attach a copy of the claim approval letter they got from Southeastern Freight that proves that they committed claim fraud, and then they stole my claim proceeds? They did not address the matter of their owner ***** illegally forcing me under threat to pay additional money to them after I had already paid in full. They have not addressed their owner ***** lying to me misrepresenting themselves an Iron Ridge Dealer when they were not. Theyre an Unauthorized seller. They cheated me out of a 25-year Warranty by tricking me into purchasing goods that they were not Authorized by the manufacturer to sell while lying to me representing that they were a dealer. All ****** ***** has done here was attempt to mislead, misdirect, and attempt to coverup for the illegal actions they have taken and false representations made. Theft is wrong and this company is wrong for steeling from both me and the carrier. StellaVolta and its owner ***** misrepresented this product, took my payment in full, later illegally forced me to pay them more under threat, I got damaged items but they stole the carrier claim proceeds belonging to me, and rather than simply apologize, and release the stolen money which would have ended this matter they proceed to attempt to mislead this case. I dont know how a company can be this comfortable with violating consumer rights, refusing to abide by the law, and refusing to simply correct their wrongs which would have avoided any complaints. I dont wish this experience on anybody.

   
  Regards,
  
  
   

  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/06/2024

  In our response, Stellavolta did not make an offer that the consumer could reject. This is because the customer rejected our offer for a full refund upon return of the items purchased within an approved return window and as per the Terms and Conditions agreed to upon purchase.

  However, in the interest of closing this case, we agree to reopen the offer of a $350.00 credit toward his Order #***** on the condition that the customer agrees to withdraw his complaint and also agrees not to post any negative reviews, comments, complaints, blogs, etc. on any platform, publication, article, social media, etc. This offer will remain open for 5 business days - the end of business March 13, 2024.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/14/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  
  
  Stellavolta is intentionally deflecting from and refusing to answer the actual complaint points of what they did. Stellavolta is only offering $350 in exchange for silencing this complaint and the facts of what they did. They are falsifying statements. They Never offered me a full refund at any point. I initially requested a refund after receiving structurally damaged products from them but Stellavolta ignored/denied my request and instead stated that they would file a shipping carrier claim on my behalf. They later tried to get the product back from me, while keeping all my money, while keeping the shipping damage claim proceeds, and with no offer to give me a full refund.
  
  Complaint #1 Stellavolta's owner *****, misrepresented their company as being ********* dealers which they were not. This cheated me out of getting a product that came directly from an authorized dealer which was a major factor in my purchase decision. This misrepresentation cheated me out of a 25 year product warranty. They have not offered me any compensation for this falsification which has permanently affected the product.
  
  Complaint #2 Despite me already fully paying for my order Stellavolta's owner ***** later illegally Forced me to pay them additional money against my will under threat of cancelling my order.
  
  Complaint #3 I received structurally damaged products from Stellavolta. This was confirmed by the product manufacturer. Stellavolta claimed that they would submit a shipping carrier claim on my behalf to compensate me for damages to the product but then they kept the claim proceeds to themselves.

  I now have a damaged product that I paid them approx $1800 for. Using threats to cancel my order, They tried to get almost $100 additional dollars more from me but agreed to take approx. $44 instead which I paid against my will so I could receive my order that was already preciously paid for in full. Stellavolta has now gamed the shipping carrier claim process and kept damage claim proceeds that they do not have a right to.
  

  These are major consumer rights violations and the company does not take that seriously.
  
  Regards,
  
  
   

  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/18/2024

  This is not an offer. The customer has refused to return the materials and detailed his reasons for the rejection in writing. He has also rejected all credit offers and the customer's demands are outside the Terms and Conditions of the sale.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/02/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  
  
  Stellavolta is being dishonest and unethical. Stellavolta has Never offered me a full refund for the structurally damaged items I received from them. The only offer they have made within this case was to attempt to bribe me to withdraw this BBB case and to attempt to bribe me to not make further complaints about what they did to me, in exchange for them giving me $350. A bribe is not a fair offer. The purpose of the BBB case is to ensure fairness in business/consumer resolutions and Stellavolta attempting to bribe me to withdraw my BBB complaint is extremely harmful to the purpose of the BBB case process. 

   Stellavolta has intentionally and continuously refused to cooperate with this case by refusing to answer the main complaints made.

  #1 Stellavoltas owner ***** lied to me tricking me into believing they were Ironridge dealers. Ironridge stated that Stellavolta was not one of their dealers and that Stellavolta was purchasing their product from a third party. Stellavolta therefore sold me a third-party item while lying to me stating that they get it from the manufacturer. This deception harmed me. It cheated me out of a Brand New item from an authorized dealer (which they were not) and It cheated me out of a 25 year manufacturer warranty.

  #2 Stellavoltas owner ***** illegally Forced me to pay them additional money against my will after my order was already paid in full under threat of cancelling/not shipping my order.

  #3 I received defective items with structural damages. Stellavolta agreed to file a shipping claim for me and were supposed to give me the claim proceeds but instead they kept it for themselves leaving me with no compensation for the structural damages to a product I spent approx.$1800 for.

  If Stellavolta was genuine, honest, and sincere they would refund me in the amount of the insurance claim proceeds which belong to me and they would refund me the additional amounts they illegally forced me to pay under threat which I never owed them. If Stellavolta simply refunds me the insurance claim proceeds that they owe me, and refunds me the additional amounts they illegally forced me to pay under threat, with no strings or bribes attached, then I would happily accept that refund. 
  
  
   

  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/05/2024

  This is not an offer. The customer has refused to return the materials and detailed his reasons for the rejection in writing. He has also rejected all credit offers and the customer's demands are outside the Terms and Conditions of the sale.
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/26/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.

  As previously detailed, Stellavolta and its owner ***** committed illegal acts. They scammed me, they have acted illegally and they have failed to respond to all the main points of my complaint.

  Stellavolta misrepresented that they were an Ironridge dealer which they are not as confirmed by Ironridge. This cheated me out of a warranty etc.

  Stellavolta's owner ***** forced me to pay him additional money after I had already paid for my order in full.

  Stellavolta had damaged goods delivered to my home. They promised that they would file a shipping claim on my behalf but they fraudulently kept the claim proceeds.

  Stellavolta has acted very unethically and illegally.

  
  Regards,
  
  
   

  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/01/2024

  This is not an offer. The customer has refused to return the materials and detailed his reasons for the rejection in writing. He has also rejected all credit offers and the customer's demands are outside the Terms and Conditions of the sale.
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/10/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On June 15th I ordered 18 ******** Solar Panels from STELLAVOLTA. - Receipt attached.
  
  These panels were delivered and set up and everything seemed fine. At the first frost I noticed certain squares on the panel were melting the frost where as most of the panel was still frozen.
  This points directly to a manufacturing defect called HOT SPOTS.
  These are very dangerous and have been known to melt and burn panels and there has been cases of houses being burnt down. In the solar business, everyone knows about hotspots.
  Over a short time they will derrate the panels and potentially fail and worse, could burn up.
  StellaVolta did contact the ***** ******* who they bought the panels from for a warranty claim but the company has not responded and appears to have stopped trading in the USA.
  I feel, especially as these 25yr warrantied panels were defective from the begining, that StellaVolta should refund me, their customer, and chase the warranty claim for their own loss.
  Almost all of the panels are affected.
  I have photos which I will attach to my claim if possible.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/15/2024

  Hello,

  This claim is invalid because the customer agreed to the terms and conditions in our store which provide a 14 day return window for items that ship freight. "We accept exchanges and returns for unopened items or damaged/defective products within 30 days of receipt of shipment (14 days for large ticket items or items that ship freight)." The customer did not bring to our attention concerns with his product until October 31, 2023, or 138 days after his June 15, 2023 purchase date.

  Stellavolta Terms & Conditions
  *********************************************

  Moreover, the customer has not provided sufficient evidence that the product is defective. Often times, the problem results from user error. On the contrary, the customer's images show a textbook example of why solar panels should be kept clear of debris and how solar panels can be damaged if not cleaned (see attached image).

  Sincerely,

  Frank ******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/15/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  This letter is to inform you that Stellavolta has carried out to my satisfaction the resolution it proposed for my complaint, filed on 1/9/2024 and assigned ID *********
  
  
  
  Regards,
  

  ***** *****
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/12/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Terrible company DO NOT BUY anything from them. Product descriptions lack sufficeint information and important need to know information is burried. They want me to pay $220 to return the useless item for a refund. Can not stress this enough buy from a different seller. Bunch of crooks. Return policy does not match the site they are selling on and they refuse to give a proper refund..

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/17/2023

  We approved the customer request to return the product for a full refund.  We did explain to them that it was an exception since our listing did specify that this was SOLAR application only, which is what is also provided to us by the manufacturer, and they opened the item, which our return policy states we do not accept since this is a electronic and sensitive item.  The customer has shipped the unwanted unit back to us and as soon as it is received next week, they will have receive a full refund.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/23/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  This letter is to inform you that Stellavolta has carried out to my satisfaction the resolution it proposed for my complaint, filed on 2/12/2023 and assigned ID ********.
  
  
  
  Regards,