The problem is almost identical to:
http://usacomplaints.com/reports/ripoff158642.htm
Except I got charged $431.76 for the 4 vacuum cleaners I also DIDN'T order. Johnnie K. On the weblink above got a "good" deal (ie: was ripped off less) at $371.67! ;-)
Also v. Similar to:
http://usacomplaints.com/reports/ripoff158746.htm
Xochilt here got scammed worse at $502.83 for the 4 vacuum cleaners he also didn't order.
An unnamed company drone (though probably Sarah Robert, unless THAT'S an alias) responded to Johnnie K. And Xochilt above, and no doubt to others that I haven't the time or patience to hunt down:
"*About your billing order, you have purchased the B1G1 free offer and AGREED to get the second set and deluxe upgrade with it which comes with the steamer."
The fact that multiple people, including me, of course, have this problem with the 4 vacuum cleaners received, but NOT ordered, (and which are rubbish cheap crap), instead of 2, and that said unnamed company drone needs to repeat this pre-programmed pat response, indicates very strongly that this scheme is deliberately set up as a scam.
I called up (1 800 709 2216, from the TV ad.) immediately after making the order on 10/4/05, to clarify all the options that had been offered (such as the extra LIFETIME filter option at $20). I spoke to a girl called NIARKA, who wouldn't give a last name, no wonder, but originates from the Dominican Republic (or may be still is there - as in save a buck and outsource to screw the American worker!!!), though may be she lied and was actually in India?!?
I confirmed with her (or thought I had) what I'd calculated with the options I chose, the bill would be $156.85 = $119.85 bits and pieces plus $37.00 total shipping. As above I found out today (10/13/05) that my credit card had been charged $431.67 by these thieves.
After an interminable time on a different 'phone no. Provided to me by my CC company: 1-800 711 8357, I was informed by another company drone at the other end, VICKY (again, no last name, but on ext. 133) that I could ship the rubbish back at MY expense, or they could instigate an "Issue Call Tag", in which they would arrange shipping and refund when they had received the "goods" (a misnomer) back.
The Issue Call Tag would take 6 - 8 weeks, which I found unacceptable. I'm not keen for a bunch of crooked thieves to sit on the interest from my $431.67 (and no doubt many other similar amounts) for that period of time. Not that I'd trust them to make the refund anyway; if they have very many to make, which seems likely, I figure they could well do a moonlight flit instead.
Similarly, if I shipped back at my expense, Vicki DID say they would refund the shipping charges. As with the much delayed refund mentioned under the Issue Call Tag option, I trust this refund promise about as far as I can throw with one finger their 48lb box of 4 lightweight vacuum "cleaners". I therefore also found this DIKTAT unacceptable. "DIKTAT" because I was told these were the ONLY two options available to me. Little do they know.
Anyway the call to Vicki 1-800 711 8357, ext. 133, got cut off shortly after I asked to speak to her manager.
But before that happened I suggested that THEY send Fed-Ex, at THEIR expense, toute suite to pick the rubbish up (although I didn't use those words right then concerning their "product"), and they could get immediate confirmation from Fed-Ex that it had been picked up, and at the right weight, and cancel the (fraudulent) charge immediately, or at least within a day or two.
It seems certain, pardon the French, that they're a bunch of effin' crooks, and unnamed company drone knows they are, and is very probably one of them.
I only became aware TODAY of the fraud against me and multiple frauds against others that a simple Google "sarah robert" instantly reveals, and immediately got my CC company to instigate Billing Dipute proceedings.
Anyway, here's my complaint I sent off to the FCC today (some of the above is a repetition of some of this):
Explain Your Problem:
Almost identical to: http://usacomplaints.com/reports/ripoff158642.htm
Except I got charged $431.76 for the 4 vacuum cleaners I also did NOT order. Johnnie K. On the website got a "good" deal (ie: was ripped off less) at $371.67! ;-)
Also v. Similar to:
http://usacomplaints.com/reports/ripoff158746.htm
Xochilt here got scammed worse at $502.83.
Further Notes, on your other form questions:
1."Did You File a Dispute with the Credit Bureau?"Answered "No" but there wasn't an option for "Not Yet".
Did You File a Dispute with the Credit Bureau More Than 45 Days Ago?
Again answered "No", but did get AA Citi Mastercard to initate a Billing Dispute today (I didn't have a problem 45 days ago).
There might be a problem with my CC company, in that they indicated that it's routine that a supplier would expect their goods back before inititiating a refund.
The upshot of that would be that a "company" that I'm certain is crooked would end up holding both their "goods" and my money at the same time.
Under those circumstances, and notwithstanding my own rare stupidity at not checking out "lazerstorm" on the Internet before placing the order (but Singer's a good and ancient name, right?), I would obviously much rather be certain that when a complete refund is confirmed by the CC company, that the bunch of jokers at the "other end" can make whatever arrangements they want, at THEIR expense, to have their rubbish picked up.
You see, and as the Internet has revealed to me just today, they have a record, quite a long one it seems, of crooked dealings, whereas I absolutely affirm that I do not.
But, anyway, I'm glad I did the Google now, as I would think the CC company might change their minds, and certainly be more sympathetic when I report my findings from this and other websites.
I'm annoyed about this, first time I've been ripped off as far as I remember, and am loath to mince words, use such phrases as "dubious business practices" and the like. They know they're dubious, and that makes them crooks.
In fact, I'm so annoyed, not helped by the interminable wait times on their various Customer "Service" lines, and then the vacuous (sic) responses if you do manage to eventually talk to a live drone, things that others have complained about too, that I'm inclined to dig my heels in and take it to the hilt.
What would that mean? No return until a full refund is in place. Return to be arranged and paid for entirely by these jokers. If not, well, who do I prefer? Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, Judge Mathis, Judge Hatchett, Judge Alex, Judge Larry Joe? Although I'm NOT a great admirer of justice in Texas, I like Judge Larry's style on "Texas Justice" (http://www.texasjusticetv.com/). And if things go that far what would it be reasonable to sue for?
Let's see.
The original amount ripped off, of course.interest on that amount to begin accruing tomorrow - at the maximum CC company rate. Storage charges until they pick up (at their expense) their quadruplet pieces of junk, also to begin accruing tomorrow. Time and trouble. Punitive damages. I may think of others.
Of course class action would be an easier way to go. Roberts & Roberts anyone?
Oh, yea, and before any respondent from the Singer Lazer Scam Co. Is inclined to unzip their pants and roll their lawyers out; please desist, else you might get done for figurative indecent exposure.
In fact you needn't bother replying to this. I've seen where you're coming from, and I'll tear you to shreds. Figuratively speaking, again, of course.
My gratitude will go out to anyone who can come up with the personal telephone/fax no/E-Mail, street address, etc, etc, of this alleged Sarah Robert person.
Reference: usacomplaints. Coms search on "lazer" (150 Entries Found):
http://usacomplaints.com/results.Asp? Q1=ALL&q2=&q3=&q4=&q5=lazer&q6=&q7=&SearchType=0&Entry=16&DateRange=6&hasPhoto=
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