Man buys computers, but computers never arrive

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Teacher Karl Marttz says he was taught an expensive lesson after trusting Sebastian Alverius, owner of his own Manhattan-based computer wholesale company, Alverius and Co.

"My computer was dying on me, I needed something quick," Marttz said.

The full-time father to a special needs son works two jobs to support his family.

He was working the nightshift managing a local hotel when Karl thought he struck gold.

Alverius, a long stay guest, offered to get him two Apple computers for below cost.

"I said, 'No come on, it's too good to be true,' he goes 'No, I can do that for you,'" Marttz said.

The deal was made back in September.

Karl paid $1,400 in cash but the Apples never arrived.

"What was the excuse?" Nina Pineda asked.

"That they couldn't get it at the wholesale dealership," Marttz said.

After months of waiting, Karl demanded a refund, and got a check for $1,400 but the bank told him it was no good.

"She looks at it, she scans it, and she goes, 'My suggestion don't deposit it,'" Marttz said.

"No funds to cover it?" Pineda asked.

"Exactly," Marttz said.

Karl says then the businessman gave him $50 and offered to pay back the balance in monthly installments.

"I thought that was a joke. I said, 'You own a company, why do you have to go through a payment plan if I paid you in full without even looking?'" Marttz said.

"In cash," Pineda said.

"Exactly," Marttz said.

After getting another hundred, he took Alverius to court, but he didn't show up for the hearing.

Our research showed Alverius recently launched a new company and made a hefty donation to a local charity.

7 On Your Side went looking for answers at his home and his office, soon after he contacted us for his side of the story.

"How can you make a $10,000 donation to a charity and not pay the kid," Pineda asked.

"He is being paid," Alverius said.

"Since we got involved," Pineda said.

"It was being taken care of when you got involved," Alverius said.

Alverius cited health issue and business problems for not paying Karl.

"I apologize for putting him through this," Alverius said.

The instructor got his full refund.

"I'm really happy that 7 was on my side and took a chance with me," Marttz said.

He got $1,400 to finally buy his new MacBook Pro and continue studying and teaching.

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