Hydroderm uses deceptive and false advertising online, promoting their product as trial samples for $3.95 shipping. Apparently, there is a very fine print "membership" caveat hidden somewhere in the online form process in signing up for the "free" samples.
I am a fairly alert consumer, and seldom order anything online. However, I saw nothing about the "membership" or hidden charges that could be incurred if the "samples" were not returned in thirty days.
The first inkling of this scam was the unauthorized charges to my credit card, which were not on the billing that month but after the thirty days. Otherwise, I could have cancelled right away.
Further, the scam included additional "shipments, " which were already charged and allegedly sent out in August but have taken three weeks to arrive.
I called immediately, and they have agreed to cancel the "membership" that I never saw or agreed to, but the representative was obviously experienced in stonewalling complaints about the deceit and scam advertising, claiming that the $100 for the two tiny sample bottles of alleged skin lotion could not be refunded, only exchanged for some other product if returned.
I had actually tossed one of these (the so-called eye serum) after the first week because it irritated my skin, and I have never had any sensitivity to ordinary skin products or lotions.
The hydroderm lotion also was no better than ordinary skin lotion from the drugstore, the $3 bottle with 16 oz.
Both the company's advertising and promotion are a scam, and the product claims are false. I will be glad to send their "free" samples back, but do not want to be charged an exorbitant, hidden price for the falsely advertised product.
I now see that I am hardly the only one who was deceived and who didn't see the fine print, which the Customer Service representative, "Angelie, " claimed was "clear" and upfront. It wasn't. I consider Hydroderm's advertising and deceptive charging tantamount to fraudulent credit card use and stealing.
Because I am concerned about such practices and see that many, many people have been scammed by this company and product, unless their management refunds the charges and changes its business practices, I intend to report my experience, along with the numerous other reports researched, to the State Attorney General, the State Corporation Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the relevant Consumer Protection Agencies.
Thank you for your assistance, both with my concern and with helping prevent such fraud.
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