I was reading a news article on Yahoo and noticed a disguised ad for a way to get white teeth. The ad had the appearance of a consumer digest article and featured a testimonial from "emily" who had found a "great" offer for a free trial of two different tooth whitening products that "worked great together". As a bonus, she offered discount codes for cheap shipping. After signing up for the first offer, I noticed the terms and conditions. This was only by luck because the website is full of "free trial" statements, however it does not detail the subscription fees until you get to the payment page. At this point, your eye is drawn away from the terms and conditions box (and conveniently, the website does not require a terms and conditions acknowledgement before placing the order).
Here are the offer details:
Offer Details: When you place your order today with DazzleSmile, you will automatically become a part of our elite customer club. Your active credit card will only be billed $4.95 for the shipping of your 14-day day trial. While you continue to whiten your with DazzleSmile, your active credit card will be billed the low member price of only 79.95 per month for every month. (Shipped as a fresh, 3 month supply every 90 days.) And remember, theres never any obligation you can cancel your membership at any time by calling 888-948-5508. Additionally, for your fourteen-day and twenty-eight day trials to World Club Fitness and Weight Loss Resources you will be charged $6.95 and $8.95 a month thereafter (shows as "VH ACCESS" and "HEALTHMEMBER") should you choose not to cancel. Charges for bonuses are non-refundable, but subscription can be cancelled and future charges stopped at any time. To cancel, call toll-free 866-407-3685 for World Club Fitness and 866-417-6059 for Weight Loss Resources. Orders outside of US pay an additional $9.95 for shipping. No obligation, CANCEL ANYTIME!
So, long story short, after a livechat on their website, I was able to get the dazzlesmile cancelled before being charged anything, however I will have to call the other two companie in the morning and see how that goes...
Here is a copy of my livechat so you can see how difficult it is to cancel this "satisfaction guaranteed" "free trial offer" that can be "cancelled at anytime":
Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with *
*: Hello and welcome to DazzleSmile. I'll be your live operator today. May I know, whom am I chatting with?
Me: Hello, I just placed the "free trial" order only to realize I was signing up for not one, but three different monthly subscription services. I would like to cancel all three
*: Could you please provide me with your full name, email address and postal/zip code, so that I can pull up your details?
Me: *; *; *
*: Please allow me few moments, while I locate your transaction.
Me: thank you!
*: You have been removed from the auto ship program and you will not be receiving any further shipments. As per the Terms and Conditions you agreed to before placing your order, your card will be charged the discounted rate of $79.95 for the first shipment of Dazzle Smile Teeth Whitening after the completion of the trial period. Your cancellation # is *. When you subscribed to our services, you were automatically enrolled with World Club Fitness and Weight Loss Resources. And, you have to cancel their services as well, if you won't wish to be charged. Please call 866-407-3685 to cancel your World Club Fitness. (Shows on statement as VH ACCESS) Marie: And, please call 866-417-6059 to cancel Weight Loss Resources (Shows on statement as HEALTHMEMBER). They are available 6 AM - 7 PM MST (Monday to Friday Only).
Me: thank you, I want to make sure I understand, is my credit card going to be charged anything for the dazzlesmile?
*: The shipment which you will receive is a full month supply with a 14-day trial period. If you choose not to return your package before the end of the trial period, you're charged just $79.95 (a 25% savings) for the package.
Me: I would like to cancel the 14 day free trial, I do not want the shipment
me: it has not been shipped yet because the order was placed less than 10 minutes ago, the website says it can be cancelled at any time. I would like it to be cancelled before it is shipped
*: I would like to inform you that your shipment has already been processed and you will receive it within few business days.
Me: is there a shipping confirmation number?
*: I request you to please contact us within 1 or 2 business days as shipping carrier has not updated the tracking information yet.
Me: okay, I would like you to know that this is my formal request to have this order cancelled. It has not been shipped yet because it is Sunday. I'm instructing my credit card company not to accept any charges from your company and if I receive this item in the mail, I will be forwarding the text of this chat to the BBB and the Oklahoma Attorney General
*: Just a moment please.
*: Ok, We have gone ahead and cancelled your order and you will not be receiving any shipments or charges from us and your credit card has been removed from our auto ship system.
Me: thank you *, is there a confirmation number for this?
*: The order cancellation number is *
me: thank you!
P.S... For any defenders of this company, if your terms and conditions were so obvious, why do you feel it necessary to have a link on your website explaining how you comply with government standards in advertising? If the terms and conditions were so obvious, it wouldn't be necessary to have this.
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