I was prepared to pay the full balance due on my credit card which should have been $117.08. Upon receipt of my credit card statement the balance had increased by $219.95.
Upon checking the transactions on the statement I noticed I was being charged this $219.95 by AP9*GalleriaUSA. I had no recollection of the charge nor did I recognize the company charging me this amount.
I proceeded to call the telephone number for the company which is 1-800-411-8104. It became very obvious to me during my conversation with the person at this number that I was being given a "run around".
I was very calm and courteous and explained that I had no recollection of nor record of purchasing anything from AP9*GalleriaUSA and would appreciate it if they would refresh my memory. The only information I could get from the party i was talking to was that it was a charge for membership in some sort of deal where I would receive a packet where I would be receiving discounts when I made purchases at various businesses.
I continued to question the party explaining that I would never pay $219.95 to get some kind of coupon booklet or other in order to get a 10% or 20% discount. I insisted that they tell me just what exactly did I buy that cost that much money. The party continued to say it was a membership fee.
It took me quite a long time to INSIST that I speak with a supervisor. I was told there was no need to speak with a supervisor because he could give me any information I needed. I kept insisting. Finally I was turned over to a woman named TANIA whose ID number is 14487.
Tania gave me another run around explaining to me that there was no further information they could give me. I insisted that someone should be able to tell me what I purchased from them for such a large charge. According to Tania she said the GalleriaUSA only received payment from my credit card people but had nothing else to do with it. She finally said I could get more information from TRI-STAR PRODUCTS, INC. I said, "okay, please give me their telephone number. Believe it or not she said they did not have that company's telephone number.
I went on to the internet for www.Tri-Starproducts.com and the page came up informing me that the website was being updated and try again another time. HELLO???
Upon further checking of my credit card statement I noticed the prefix AP9* in two other places. They were listed as AP9* S&H MBR. Both had the same telephone number 1-800-211-9749. I had the very same experience with the people at this number. I also learned that they were planning to charge my credit card $295.00 for what they called my years membership fee for being a member so that I could get the same kind of coupon books for discounts.
I told them I was completely flabergasted by the things they were telling me and that in no way should they charge my credit card with that amount of money. I told them about the GalleriaUSA who was charging me over $200 for the same thing they were talking about. The party on the other end said he knew nothing about GalleriaUSA.
Again, I insisted on speaking to a supervisor. It took me a long time to convince the party on the other end that I wanted to speak to a supervisor and he kept insisting it wasn't necessary. Finally after about 15 minutes of arguing with him he put me on hold and another voice came back asking to help me saying he was the supervisor. Needless to say, I recognized the voice as the person I was speaking to originally.
I continued to question him and said, "are you telling me that your company has NOTHING TO DO WITH GALLERIAUSA? To which he said, "No, I didn't say that. That is another department. So I told him I thought they were a bunch of scam artists and I had better not have anything charged to my credit card other wise I would take steps to have a lawyer investigate." To that the party on the other end said, "I really don't appreciate you threatening me."... To which I replied, "I understand that this conversation is being recorded for what you called "training purposes" and if that is true you had better watch what you are saying because I did not threaten you, I threatened that the company will be investigated. Now, if you are the company then you will be investigated."
I have contacted my credit card people and am sending them a form to dispute the charge. I have been assured by GalleriaUSA that they will issue a credit and I have been assured by AP9*S&H membership that they have cancelled and will not charge me the $295 they were planning to charge in October. I will monitor my credit card statements very carefully from now on.
I know this has been a very long report but I am truly frurious that a group of "so called" companies who are all working together were planning to get over $500 from my between September and October. I am grateful for your organization who will expose these theives.
I was unable to check off the company (APR*GalleriaUSA) from your company list inasmuch as the name was not listed. However, I have read a few reports about that company on your consumer complaintss. That is what prompted me to send in a report on the same company.
Many thanks.
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