In September of I purchased Stopzilla for $39.99, with the promise of a $30 rebate. The rebate check never arrived. Stopzilla itself seemed to be causing a LOT of crashes and other problems for my computer, to the point where some tech guys ultimately told me to trash the computer and buy another one (which, after trying everything else, I did).
In February of I received an email saying the Stopzilla rebates were delayed but I should expect mine soon.
In August of I contacted Stopzilla because I realized I'd never received my rebate. I also informed them that I absolutely did NOT want my account to be automatically renewed. I got a response from "Nick W" saying he could send out my rebate if I called him directly (he did not address the automatic renewal). Unfortunately, real life happened, so I didn't contact Stopzilla again until September.
On September 24, I saw on my online banking that Stopzilla had billed me $49.95 for a renewal. I wrote several emails and also called their number. After several attempts, I was told that the $49.95 would be refunded (hopefully, it actually will) but regarding the $30 rebate, they'd have to have a supervisor contact me in a couple hours (it was early afternoon at the time). I verified my email and phone number and waited. No one called.
This evening, I called Stopzilla again. I spoke with "Ryan" who said that the rebate was no longer available. All he could normally do was give me a discount on a renewal but since I had canceled my account, I was out of luck. To quote, "There's nothing I can do."
Conclusion: even if the $49.95 actually is refunded (I'll take a leap of faith and assume that it will be), I'm still out $30 for a service I only used once or twice because it crashed my computer.
After some research, it looks like the Stopzilla business model is as follows: sell a substandard virus removal tool that some say is actually a virus itself, by offering a substantial rebate. Don't actually send out the rebate checks. If people cancel their account, renew it anyway on the chance that they won't check their online banking and notice. Then, if people complain, apologize and give them their money as though it were some innocent mistake and not the internet equivalent of the Ford Pinto strategy.
I've thought it over and assuming that the $49.95 is actually refunded to my bank account, I'm not really willing to file a lawsuit over the missing $30 rebate. However, I definitely WOULD be interested in a class action lawsuit, even if I break even, on sheer principle.
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