Ultima smile? I think NOT! Ultima RIP OFF? ABSOLUTELY!
I knew better but I was going on vacation and in a good mood. So I signed up for a 'freebie' on-line - something I typically do NOT do. About 3 weeks ago I entered my name, address and email address in response to a pop up for Ultima smile and pretty much forgot all about it until the sample came in the mail. Been busy and have not tried product yet.
Fast forward to yesterday. I received two identically wrapped packages in the mail. My 9 year old daughter tried to open one but it was wrapped pretty tight so she gave it to me. To my horror the package contained 2 PORN DVDs! Assuming I was charged for these videos I checked my bank online and sure enough, there were charges for videos. Per the wrapper, the videos were from VV DIRECT, 28340 Avenue Crocker Unit 101, Valencia, CA, 91355. Also on wrapper it lists DIRECTVIVID website.
Besides the video charges there were bunch of other strange charges. The charge that got my attention was one from Ultimasmile for $135. First thing this morning I called Ultimasmile for an explanation and to reverse this $135 charge. They told me that when I signed up for the free sample I agreed to their terms and conditions which stated that I was on an auto-ship program and after 10 days they would send their product to me. The $135 was for the first shipment which was shipped "yesterday" (yeah... Sure it was) and I had to return it. Of the $135, they would credit me $85 if/when they received the product back. They would keep the other $50 because there was a restocking fee due to "Federal Regulations" they must comply to.
Basically the rep told me they had to destroy the product. Bottom line I would be out $50 for returning a product that I never ordered in the first place!!! She told me that if I was dissatisfied that I should contact my lawyer.
Believe it or not, it gets worse. She went on to tell me that signing up for the "freebie" I had checked a box agreeing to let that Ultima Smile automatically enroll me in a direct marketing program where I would receive merchandise from other companies. I had 10 days from ordering my "free" sample, to cancel this program. Since I was not aware of this marketing program (and did not receive any email informing me of my potential/evenutal enrollment), I obviously did not cancel the marketing program.
That is why I was receiving unsolicited packages and charges on my credit card. (For the record I absolutley did NOT check a box stating I was just fine with some auto ship/direct marketing program. I ABSOLUTELY despise that type of program). The rep continued to say that it was due to my negligence that I was enrolled in this program. I questioned how they could possibly charge me $135 and how they could provide my credit card number to other companies when I NEVER gave it to them in the first place. She insisted that I must have entered my credit card number (which I absolutely KNOW I did not do).
Needless to say I was very upset and became a little nasty. She got nastier and repeated that I needed to contact my attorney and all but hung up on me. I insisted that she put me through to a supervisor which she did. Of course it was someones voice mail. I left a message but its unlikely they will return my call. I am absolutley LIVID because this Ultima Smile company must have obtained my credit card off my laptop. That is the ONLY way they could have gotten it. DO NOT do business this company.
I had 3 separate charges for videos (2 at 9.99 and 1 at 29.99). Two of the charges had the acronym GGW in the transaction description and a toll free phone number which I also called this morning. GGW is the acronym for "Girls Gone Wild". That rep told me that I had placed an internet order for the videos. From reading usacomplaints.com last night. It appears GGW and VV DIRECT aka DIRECTVIVID are associated with one another.
I also had a charge from Scholastic Book Company. That rep I spoke to was very nice and refunded my money immediately, no questions asked. She said Scholastic received an online order with my information. They had the email on file that the order was placed with. It was not my email.
Anyhow, this is a total nightmare from the porn vidoes which I now have to return to these charges for merchandise that I have not yet received but have been charged for (Scholastic books, some cookbook, another video of some sort, & who knows what else). I spent a couple hours on hold with these various companies, and with my bank cancelling my credit card and filing a fraud claim.
Adding insult to injury, I will now have to spend my time and money to ship back this merchandise on my dime! It is completely unethical for a company to do steal my credit card from my laptop when I requested a "free" sample. Then turn around and provide it to a slew of other companies, at least one of which sent PORN company that sent DVDs to my home and charged me $50! RIP OFF. Thinking I must be a total idiot I combed my email for some trace of this fiasco, but there was nothing. Not a a single email stating I requested a free sample, that I signed up for this Direct Marketing (dis-) service. Or from any of the companies. I have been sick to my stomach about all day.
I hope by posting this horrendous embarrassing experience I can prevent someone else from making the same mistake I did.
PS I am checking the box I do not want a attorney to contact me as I have done with "freebies".
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