Over two years ago, in June I received a promotional phone call from CRC Fitzgerald offering me a free trip to several locations like cancun, mazatlan, las vegas and such for the purchase of a magazine subscription. I was told that I would be getting 6 magazines for around 33 dollars a month and that I could cancel anytime. I was also told that if I could not handle the 33 a month, I could call them and they would "work with me." After a few months I called them to cancel the account since my finances were bad. They told me that I could not cancel the account because I agree to pay for 60 months. He said he could cancel this account if I paid the balance which was something like 660.00. I was outraged and asked him for a copy of the contract which I supposedly signed agreeing to such a rip-off. He said that he had a recording of my order and in that recording I clearly agreed to 60 months of the subscriptions. At that time I felt I had no way out of it and didn't pursue the cancellation. I was offered to pay 11 dollars a month if 33 was too much for me. I turns out that when I agreed to that, I added to my account and therefore now I was going to have to pay for this subcription longer.
Eventually, the magazines stop coming regularly. It was very hard to keep up with how many I was supposed to get since none of them had a specific date for delivery.in time, the company would send me notices saying that the publishers were not willing to extend my subscription for 60 months and I needed to choose another magazine. I would ignore them and eventually I would start getting magazines that I would never read.
Later, I realized that CRC was double charging my credit card. One amount showed up as 33 and the other as 11. When I tried to call them, all I got was a voicemail. I left endless messages and no one ever called me back and the charges continued.
As you can see, it's been a long time and like another consumer stated, after a few months of struggling, I figured I didn't have a way out. I just had to deal with it.
But I got tired of the double charges and the magazines coming and coming. Whenever I would call and leave a message saying that I hadn't received certain magazines for a few weeks, they would all magically arrive within a few days. The problem is that trying to squeeze 6-8 magazines into my small mail box only amounted to useless product that was damaged and ripped.
I am beyond tired of this rip-off company. They continously ignore my calls and their customer service is non-existent when I finally get a person on the line.
I eventually called my credit card company and asked them to not pay these two bills because they were unauthorized. I went on to explain in brief, the extent of my problem with CRC. Since my credit card company doesn't pay them, I get calls about 2 or 3 times a month, sometimes more, billing me for the outstanding balance. They threaten me with negative credit reporting when I refuse to pay.
Today, I called CRC and guess what??? They answered the phone. So I start to tell this guy to cancel my account and he straight out says no he can't do that. I started to mention to him that I haven't received the product consistently or in good shape and she goes on to say that I'm a liar. Of course, I'm beyond angry now. I tell him to produce the so called "contract" I am bound to and he said sure. He plays the recording where I agree to the subscriptions and the payments.in the end he says, "we'd like you to stick with us for 60 months." I told him that was not a binding contract and he knew it. The law states that when you bind someone to a contract you must give them a copy in writing, he didn't do that. Noteworthy is that, this same person, Scott Wilson (supposed name) was the person on the recording. "Is this a one man show?"
In any case, I asked for his supervisor he said he was the supervisor and I said I want to speak to someone at his corporate office and he said this was the corporate office I was calling. So then I say I want to speak to his company president and he says to me, "I am the company president." I said, "So does this mean you are running your business from home or your garage and that is why no one ever answers the phone?" He said that was none of my business. What gall!
Needless to say, I let him know I would be reporting him to the BBB and to the consumer fraud protection league. I told him I would be seeking legal counsel and he said, "Don't threaten me lady!" I said absolutely I will not threaten you, make sure you record this so it doesn't surprise you when you get slapped with either a lawsuit, fine or the revocation of your so-called business license." Then he hung up on me.
I was fuming with anger.
These people are rip-offs and they (or he) should be stopped immediately. I would love to know how many more people have been scammed by this person/entity. Imagine the class action lawsuit, if that is at all a possibility?
I learned my lesson real well. I will never agree to any type of solicitation from anyone ever again! Please beware!
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