So, I got took. On December 14 I recieved an acceptance letter from CCS, stating that I had been approved for $6500.00 in merchandise credit. As I have been looking to repair my credit with small credit cards, secured and unsecured, this sounded great.
I activated my card that day, and recieved an extra $2000.00 credit. So, I gave them my routing number and bank account number over the phone. I agreed to have the "welcome package" shipped to my home, which I assumed would contain a catalog of the merchandise I was going to be able to buy.
On December 29th, I realized that I had not recieved any merchandise catalog to review, and that I was going to be charged on the 30th, for $199.99. I decided to call the company, to explain that I would like to see the merchandise and prices before accepted thier offer, or paid any fees. This is where it gets interesting.
During my 44 minute phone call to CCS (I called from my cell phone), I first asked why I had not received any information on the merchandise they sold. It was explained to me that I would not be mailed anything until I was a verified member (which meant I had to pay first) and even after my account was debited it would still take anywhere from 10-21 days to recieve a catalog. When I explained my concerns about pricing being higher for people with bad credit, my rep "Fletcher" explained to me that pricing was set by the manufacturers. Around this same time is when I learned about the 30% security deposit I had to pay on each item before it was even ordered.
No longer interested at this point in the conversation, I asked to cancel. Fletcher stated that since I had activated my card on the 13th of December, my free activation period expired on the 28th. As I tried to remember if I had lost my mind, I rooted through my desk drawer to find my original paperwork. I argued that since I did not want thier services, and they had not charged me yet, I wanted to cancel. Fletcher explained to me that I had agreed over the phone when I activated my cards (which he noted again was recorded), about my free trial period.
What was I trying? Isn't a trial period about trying something? I hadn't even seen what I MIGHT be able to purchase!
As my desk digging continued, I asked to speak to a supervisor. I held for approximatly 4 minutes, with Fletcher periodically coming back on the line telling me that she was busy. (I wonder why!)
The third time he returned, I had a small surprise for him. I had found my original letter. Since he had REPEATEDLY told me that I only had a 14 day activation period, and that my call was being recorded, I read him my letter verbatim.
This is what it reads: " All transactions authorized on December 14" "You have a free activation period that started on December 14. Please review, blahblah. If you decide to deactivate your cards, then call out benefits and card services department before DECEMBER 29th, and we'll charge you nothing."
No kidding. He had made me believe that I had activated a day earlier, and that I only had 14 days and not 15. When I read this to him, he explained to me that I was still a premier member, and the 28th was BEFORE the 29th. Unbelievable.
When I finally got a supervisor on the line, (Shirley Glover) she explained that my $199.99 could not be refunded.
REFUNDED? I hadn't even been charged yet! What a crock.
Well, as I spoke to her, I typed CCS in my search engine, and "consumer complaints".com popped up. As well as an FTC statement.
I called my bank, and paid a $32.00 stop payment fee for any electronic transactions over 199.99. As I read on, I have decided to close my account, and reopen another.
I am prepared to spend as much time as necessary to nail these people. Can I sue for fraud???
Someone please help me nail these guys!
Penni
Annapolis, Maryland
U.S.A.
0 comments