I read an article that a lady in my community had discovered a tooth whitening program (I know now she's not a real person). The idea was to use 2 whitening agents rather than one and - the hook was - "it's free". All you had to do was sign up for a free offer, pay the nominal shipping fee and you'd be thrilled with your new smile. Well, not exactly. First you register with the company (Advanced Wellness Research) and give them your credit card number so they can bill the $6.99 shipping charges. The little trial packet came but before the 14 day waiting period is up (and I could cancel), my credit card was charged about $79.00 and I received a full sized shipment of whitener. Two weeks later - I'm billed again and here comes another shipment. Each time the credit card is billed, I'm also hit with an "International Fee" which amounts to 10% of the charge. Now I discover by not canceling (which I tried to do) in a timely manner, I've been subscribed to a service that provides a regular delivery of whitener. As a special service to me, ship whitener every month, until I cancel.
The credit card company is working with me - but so far the charges and the whitener keep coming.
I gave up on calling these people. Their customer non-service department has long waits, it is staffed with people who A. Barely speak English and are frustratingly difficult to understand and B. Will not let you speak to a supervisor. But it doesn't matter what they tell you anyway - the company is not going to abide by anything that's promised - unless they're made to - they're making money and that's the name of the game.
It makes me mad that I was so gullible and now I'm most likely in for months of watching my credit card statements like a hawk, endless amounts of time on the telephone, telling my story to 10 different people at the credit card company, etc., etc., etc. All the time wondering what else these lovely people have done with my credit card number!!
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