Berman Investment Group ripoff, unauthorized credit card charges, ships unsolicited merchandise, fraudulent billing, doesn't return calls, voicemail only, no human contacts Newport Beach California *UPDATE. They send it to you "USPS Delivery Confirmation"
I ordered the "Free Book & Money Making CD" from their "igothere.com" website. About 10 days later I received it and "The Berman Differential Software Collection which I did not order nor is it mentioned anywhere in their offer.
Upon opening the package, there were 4 CD's that were individually poly wrapped in cardboard sleeves. An additional introductory CD (which is what I ordered) was in a paper sleeve and was not sealed. All the CD's packages are clearly marked on the bottom edge CD-ROM for Windows 95/98, Me, XP and therein lays the problem. All my computers are Macs running OS X and therefore the CD's are not compatible to run on the Mac. All the CD's are still in the original unopened packages.
I immediately called the toll free number to request a Return Authorization like the Return Policy stated. I followed the prompts on their automated attendant and when I reached Customer Service I spent about 20 minutes on ignore (hold). Then it switched me to their Voice Mail. I left my name, order number and phone number as directed and waited for a return phone call. And waited, and waited, and waited.
After 4 days, I called again and left the same message. Still no response. Then I started calling everyday for two weeks. Each time I called, I could not get a live person, only Voice Mail. I kept calling and leaving messages at different times during the business day figuring they have peak call volumes and maybe I could hit an off-peak time. It didn't matter what time I called; I always got Voice Mail after 15-20 minute on ignore (hold).
Finally, three weeks later, an Account Representative, Toby Wagner (800-674-8185) called. Not to give me my Return Authorization but to sell me more enhanced services. When I stated I had a Mac computer and couldn't use the software, he said too bad, should have bought a Windows computer. I asked him for a Return Authorization and he said he'd connect me with Customer Service. Before I could get the first word out to tell him to "wait I want to explain..." he was gone. Again, I got their Voice Mail and left the same information for the umpteenth time. Every time I called Toby, I'd get his Voice Mail and he won't return my calls either.
What good is their BOGUS "Return Policy" if they will not answer your calls nor return your calls. It's pure window dressing. I chased after them daily for two weeks, which I feel is sufficient effort on my part to resolve the dispute. To this day, I have not had one callback from them.
My only recourse at this time is to dispute the charges through my Credit Card Company because I can't get a return phone call from anyone at Berman Investments. After they reviewed my dispute, they told me to send the materials back "Certified Mail" with USPS. Upon receipt or refused delivery confirmation, they will credit the charges back to my account (which they did) and will take over the dispute. I'm sure they have more clout with them and they WILL get their calls returned.
Type in Berman Investments at GOOGLE and see all the bad news posted by many customers. Next time, before I order anything off the web, I've learned to do the research here first.
My advice: DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT!
Everything I did, I kept a paper trail of. If you call a Toll Free Number, do it from your cell phone or Vonage (or similar) because you have web accessible call reports that not only show the call but length of time of the call as well. Same with USPS "Track and Confirm" reports.
I saved everything in PDF and was able to forward all the supporting documents along with my dispute. The more they have, the easier it is to win.
0 comments