This distasteful scam is an entrapment device.By entrapment I mean that you are led into the website one page at a time as you apply for the U-Fix-It paint product, not knowing that it is all set up so that you can't back out of it. I suspect that it's very illegal. If not, it certainly should be as it's morally repugnant.
The first trap is page one of the ad. You will notice two statements at the top of the page: "Do you want U-Fix-It with the free vac?"; "Do you want U-Fix-It without free vac.?" Obviously, most people would select the free vac. But what customers don't know are two things: one is that by selecting the vac. You can't back out of the decision, and two, the vac. Isn't free at all. It's $12.95 shipping on top of the cost for shipping for the paint fix ($9.95). So shipping costs for the paint fix and vac. Are almost $23.00!!!
The second trap is page 2. You fill in your address, e-mail, credit card info. Etc., but notice they still haven't discussed the shop vac. Yet, other than the question on the front page. But they haven't ask you to "submit" your info. As is the purchase procedure in 99.999% of web purchase protocols so you assume the shop vac. Will be next as you move along. And you click to page three.
Page three is the nail in your coffin. You've kissed your money goodbye whether you like it or not by moving off page two which you cannot go back to. On page three you'll be asked how many shop vacs. You want. They already have a one in the check box which you cannot get rid of. When I saw the outrageous price tag for shipping on the vac. I was annoyed and wanted out altogether. I loathe ripoffs and con games. But I couldn't back out!!! They've got you hooked. But I didn't know that at the time.
When I couldn't go back to page two to erase my personal info. I disgutedly red-xed out of the website. Since I hadn't "submitted" my product purchase information I assumed it was a dead deal. I was wrong. The thieves tagged me for a $32.50 bill for those two tubes of paint and a probably useless shop vac. They simply suckered me into the site and nailed me. They are as dishonest as any thief and should be removed from TV and the net. I was shocked that Billy Mize (Mays?) was a thief.
And don't hope to contact them by e-mail. There is no "contact us" section on the front page which should have been a warning sign to me in the first place.
Another trap on the first page is the $10.00 rebate coupon. Who wouldn't send that in after being ripped off for $32.00. Read the fine print at the bottom of the first page. You'll find that if you send in the coupon that "authorizes" them to withdraw $14.95 per month from your account. And if you don't make a phone call to cancel your "membership" you'll be billed $14.95 each month!!!
The nerve-racking base in all of this is that if these racketeers steal your money without your permission once what's to stop them from doing it again, after all, they've got your credit card number now - thanks to good ol' Billy.
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