The Berkeley Premium Neutraceuticals marketing program is deceptive and fraudelent. An inducement, "30 Day Free Sample" is offered on television and over the internet. Once you respond you are required to agree to paying a shipping and handling fee to receive your "free" sample. Once you agree to the free sample terms you are dunned to agree to a companion additional 60 day supply because the "full effect" of the product takes 90 days. A large price is asked for this additional supply. When you refuse you are offered other products and finally a subscription to one of their publications.
At this time you are frustrated and irritable as you responded to a free offer and you are continually bombarded with add-ons and alternatives.
The Customer Service Rep then returns to the additional supply offered at the beginning and drops the price considerably.
At this point you are more than irritable and restate that you are only interested in the free sample AND that you are only authorizing the $4.00 shipping and handling charge to receive the "Free Sample" offered.
Enrollment in their follow-on mailing of the additional 60 day supply is a condition of receiving the initial "free 30 day sample". They will mention this at some stage in the run-around but this, and the timing of the statement is all part of the scam.
It takes time for delivery of the free sample and, once received if you do not try and decide promptly - your 26 day notice to cancel period expires. You only realize this when your credit-card is billed $69.90 one month later.
You have to cancel the declined enrollment promptly but nothing is done to facilitate this.
The point is this. If you are offered an inducement for free and once you respond find that conditions are placed on you to cancel, you need to be very careful to respond that you are only authorizing the Shipping & Handling fee - the $4.00. Otherwise, you are a victim of a very cleverly crafted "Bait & Switch" scam and your money is gone.
The customer service reps are schooled in working this on marks such as the general public.
If the rep will not ship you your free sample without your consenting to the supply-by-mail follow on of "60 Days additional for $69.90 then they are not a reputable company and you need to tell them "cancel the transaction" and get a cancellation confirmation number.
The product is a Male enhancement product and the thinking is that you will not make a fuss because you will be embarrassed to complain.
The Web page for this company is http://www.berkeleysupplements.com.
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