In February when Intuit announced a new campaign to give away "free" credit card readers that attach to an iPhone. This seemed interesting to me so I filled in my info for their service so I could see how it worked. What it said was there was a small percentage taken from each payment processed through their merchant services. I "Should have read the fine print with the check if you agree with terms button" is the bottom line.
Upon completion of the application, I received an email stating my app had been submitted and would have an answer within 2 days via email approving or denying services. Well of course I was approved and notified I could claim my "free credit card reader".
I do nothing.
In June I notice a fee of 12.95 in my bank statement, only to find this same charge for the prior 4 months. Upon inquiring with my bank trying to determine where the charge was coming from, there was a phone number for a bank. Upon calling the number provided for the bank & having them run my name & soc security number, they determine that I am not a customer of theirs.
I dispute the charges with my bank stating they were not authorized and put a stop payment on the account.in September, I got a mailed response from my bank showing my "Innovative Merchant Solutions Application Agreement" with Intuit.
It said I agreed to the 12.95 fee per month & agreed to pay any bank fees associated with non payment.
So I make my next mistake and wait to contact Intuit, thinking the "stop payment" from the bank did the trick. I call in October to try and state my case and get a refund only to be informed that I couldn't get a refund AND that I was obligated to pay the bank fees from my bank putting a "stop payment" on the account. So if wouldn't have called to get a refund on the charges that I was disputing, they'd still be charging me 12.95 $30 per month! WHAT?
I stated my case to the Tier 1 rep telling him I never initiated service or claimed my free product. He offered to waive the 3 $30 fees, but I wanted all of my money back so he said I could talk to his supervisor and they may help or they may withdraw the offer put forward... So hang on.
I got transferred to the Tier 2 rep (or supposed floor manager) Sharlean. I argued my case stating again that I never initiated services or claimed the product. She said unfortunately you agreed to this and completely withdrew the offer put forward, just as the Tier 1 rep had forewarned me. Bewildered by her stance and seeking sincere human compassion and some real help, I asked how she could do refuse something previously offered? She again stated it was my agreement with the company and that if I didn't want the fees I should have responded to the letters sent to me. (I never received the letters since I had moved my business from that location & obviously didn't update my address or account information with a service that I was not using.) Sharlean informed that Intuit views it "like a club membership and once you've signed up for it, it's up to the user to utilize the membership, that it's not up to the gym to tell someone to work out or weather or not they use the membership". That's when my frustration got the better of me & I asked for another manager, got his info & hung up.
Total I have been charged 12.95 x 10 months 3 $30 fees, roughly $200, for nothing.
The agreement is predatory, was written that way, with finite intent.
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