In January, I received a call from a Heather identifying herself as being with CETS. Heather informed me that I could receive a new PC as a test marketing gimmick, for $284.90.
I initially agreed, but afterwards had second thoughts. I called that same day and cancelled, and was given a cancellation number. They also gave me a 1800phone number for Olympus phonecards.
A full month later, two charges came out of my account. The first was for Olympus telecommunications for 50 dollars. Upon calling them at the 1-800 number CETS had given me the month before, I discovered that CETS had authorized the withdrawal despite my cancellation. They apologized, said they'd withdrawn using CETS's services for numerous complaints such as mine. They promptly refunded my money.
The second charge was for the 284.90, and was listed as CETSSS on my bank statement. I called them (they have ridiculously long hold times), and spoke to an operator, who asked me to fax a copy of my bank statement with the charge on it to someone named "Arne" and that the amount would be credited to my account within 24-72 hours. I did so, and about 2 weeks later and with no credit to my account, I called again.
This time the story was that I'd get the money within 30 days from when I'd originally faxed the report. When I replied that this was unacceptable, and despite threatening legal action through my bank, the operator smugly told me to "go ahead and sue us" since "federal law and the Better Business Bureau's on our side." When I asked to speak to the mysterious "Arne" I was told he was at a meeting 3 hours away, and would not be in.
I'm getting the distinct impression that my chain is being yanked, and that they're hoping to just wait me out and keep the nearly $300.
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