On March I received a telemarketing call from "Jennifer" with a magazine subscription service which would combine my magazine subscriptions and let me change them when or if I got tired of certain magazines. I asked to see the paperwork before I was charged.
I was sent the paperwork by COMMUNITY READING CLUB OF FORT LAUDERDALE (CRC) and they were trying to charge me for my magazine subscriptions which I had already paid in advance, some of them for three years. So I sent them back their own Recision Policy form which stated that I was canceling the transaction without any penalty or obligation. It also stated that I would be refunded within thirty (30) days All payments already made.
I sent this form back the same day I received it to the address on the form (Educational Readers Service, 216 Cherry Road, Syracuse, NY 13219) by Certified Mail. I received the letter back stamped return to sender, unclaimed, unable to forward. I had also received my credit card statement showing that CRC had charged $99.90.
I finally tracked down a telephone number, 877-424-1430, and spoke with someone named "Alana". I faxed her copies of the certified mail and the signed form canceling the order and requesting a refund. Alana verified that she received the fax. Alana stated that she would check it out with her manager. After calling Alana a couple of more times I was transferred to Chris at extension #228. I have spoken to Chris at least 2 dozen times between 7-20-06 thru 9-20-06. Twice I have been told that it has been returned and was even given a confirmation number (it cannot be found now?).
On 10-27-06 I called and was told that Chris was not handling this anymore but was transferred to Andre at ext #228. He said his last name is Miller (I have been misled so much by these people that this might or might not be true). I explained the problem to Andre and faxed him 5 pages containing a copy of the certified letter, the signed Recision letter and a copy of the initial credit card statement.
Andre verified that he received the fax. I contacted Andre on 11-08-06 and he told me that Chris told him that the money had been returned back in May, June or July but to give him a week and he would further research the issue. I called back in a week and Andre told me to give him until the beginning of the New Year to further research the issue.
I still keep getting statements from the credit card with late charges. I have contacted the credit card company and they stated that they have not received anything from CRC. This was a new card and the only charge that it had on it was CRC. The credit card company also told me that if I pay the charges, now up to over $350, that I have accepted the charge and they will not return the late charges and it will go on my record.
I have sent the credit card company a dispute letter but have not heard anything from it yet. I have also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against CRC and they wrote me to state that they have contacted CRC by letter and will be following up with phone. I will also be filing a complaint against CRC with the Federal Trade Commission as well as contacting the National Fraud Information Center (NFIC).
My advice to you is that if you are contacted by anyone from CRC just do yourself a favor and hang up in their FACE!
Michael
Indio, California
U.S.A.
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