In late November we saw an advertisement on television for Avlimil, so we decided to take them up on their free sample. I called the number and ordered the sample and was only told I would be charged $4.50 for shipping and handling. I agreed and they then offered a sample of Rovicid for men for the same cost. I agreed to that also. Never once was I told I was being enrolled in any plan of any type. I would never agree to this for something of which I have no idea works or not.
About a week later, we received the Avlimil and a day later received an empty box in which the Rovicid was supposed to be shipped. I called the company and told them what had happened and they said they would send another shipment of Rovicid.in the meantime, my wife tried the Avlimil and after about 3-4 days she stopped taking it as she did not feel good after taking it.
Two weeks later we got the Rovicid and I gave it a try, but after 4 days I realized the queazy stomach I was experiencing was attributed to the Rovicid. At this point we figured this stuff just wasn't for us and stopped taking it altogether. Nothing big, some things just don't work for some people.
On January 17 I was checking my bank account and realized there were two debits in the amount of $35.00 and $66.00 that just didn't make any sense as we hadn't made any charges for those amounts. I immediately called the bank and after a quick search they were able to tell me that they had come from Avlimil and they even had the phone number. I was shocked because we hadn't ordered anything further from these people. Then began the dispute I am currently in with this company.
I immediately called Avlimil to inquire about this unauthorized charge. I was told by the first representative that by taking the sample, I had been enrolled in a "Managed Care Program". I told the rep that I had NEVER been told about this and that I wanted to be taken off the program and my money refunded because we didn't want this stuff and had not received anything for the money. She told me that this would not be possible as I had missed the period where I could be taken off without being charged and that she didn't have the power to refund my money. I informed her that I did not know this had to be cancelled as it was not explained I would be enrolled in a program where I would be charged. I then asked to speak to a supervisor, but she said there was not one availble until noon.
So I waited until noon and called back. Guess what? No supervisor at noon and this rep told me they didn't have them there on weekends and they would take my name and have a supervisor call me back within 72 hours. I didn't believe this as at every place I've ever worked there has been a supervisor on duty with the employees. Even giving a senior employee supervisor privleges in the absence of one is the standard.
I called back again and got the same run-around a couple of hours later.in the meantime I contacted my bank and they said the only thing I could do was "hot-card" my debit cards so they couldn't charge me again. Quite an inconvenience for something that wasn't my fault and had not authorized. So I waited until Monday and called back again. This time I spoke with another rep who said that a supervisor wasn't available as they were moving. Moving? I found that kind of odd. However, she did tell me that when she researched my account, she said that the person who sent the samples never explained that I was being enrolled in any "Managed Care Program" and that this should have been. Figured I had more leverage at this point.
So after 5 failed attempts to rectify this, no call from a supervisor and still out $101.00, I called yesterday-22 JAN. This is 6 days after my original attempt to get this taken care off. This time I was searching on on the web and found several of these same reports. I was even more shocked because now I knew that I wasn't the only one. So I called them again to give a last chance to take care of this. This time I actually got a supervisor, but he was of no use either. He kept saying that all the sales people are instructed to tell every customer about this program. I repeatedly told him this did not take place. The only thing he said he would do was forward this to the credit department to take care of it and I would hear something within 7-10 days. NO WAY!!!
It doesn't take this long to refund money. If a tiny business can do it in the wink of an eye, so can they. I even told him to type his comapny name into the web to see the amount of complaints against them, but he said he was too busy for this. Probably busy bilking other consumers out of money.
By this point, I had read several of these posts and took the advice to contact the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau to file a complaint, which I did.in fact, when I told the agent at the BBB that I wanted to file a complaint against a Cincinnati-based business, she said she already knew which one I was going to say before I said it-Warner Health Care!!! Even more shocked at his point, she told me there had been many complaints about them and more each day were coming in. So I filed the report and told her I had let them try to rectify it with no results. The agent told me that people who have ben filing complaints against them have been getting their money back, usually within 6 weeks or sooner. I trust the BBB more than I trust this company. It's nice to have an independent customer advocate who can help with matters such as this.
Today is Friday, 23 JAN and this supposed shipment has still not arrived. Avlimil still hasn't called me back to see how they can help and I have $101.00 missing from my account for something we didn't want nor do we have in our possesion.
If you are in the same boat as I am, you can try to get some satisfcation from these people, but I highly recommend that you contact the Cincinnati Area Better Business Bureau (since this is where they are located, actually Forest park, OH) at 513-421-3015. They are very understanding and can help you.in fact, Warner Health Care is listed with them as having an UN-SATISFACTORY rating. Not good for them.
Hope this helps someone out there in one way or another.
F.S.G.
Martinsburg, West Virginia
U.S.A.
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