I was sitting in my dorm doing homework when there was a knock at my door. A young blonde woman named Suzanne Miller came to my door selling magazines. Originally, I was not going to purchase anything, but she kept on mentioning that she was the magazines as a contest through FRS Naples. I have done things like this in the past for school-related activities, so I sympathized with her. Usually people can be just rude and not care when it comes to situations such as these.
Before I signed up for ANYTHING, I asked her if I was able to cancel it if I so wished This girl had proceeded to tell me that as soon as the order got processed, I could track the receipt number on the FRS website and cancel it and then she would still get her points for selling the magazines that would aid her in the contest. She did also mention that I could mail the receipts in, however she had suggested since I am the type of person that uses the computer a lot, it would just be easier to do it that way. I figured it was a win-win situation; I would be able to cancel my order and help someone out at the same time while this woman was able to get just a little bit ahead in sales. After all, I was not obligated to keep the subscription (to EGM Magazine) so if I were to cancel, it would be pretty easy correct?
Then, she took the receipt which I have enclosed and made a scratch-print of my information. She then had to call the information in and I had to get on the phone with her boss to verify that it was indeed my credit card and that it was not stolen. After this was done, she left and I continued my homework,
My troubles started on the February 24th, ten days after the purchase was made, I was finally able to track my order through their website (http://www.frsnaples.com). Well, I was able to track my order, but there was not an option available on the website to cancel my order at all. With the way the website was built, it couldn't even have the capabilities to do something like that. I tried to navigate through the website to see if I was wrong, but still, there was no option. I started to get very upset at this point, because I was under the impression that I could cancel the order on the website.
Then, I tried to see if I could get a hold of anyone via email, using the [email protected]. Using my YAHOO account, I immediately go a failure to deliver notice. I tried again, for I may have types in the address incorrectly. Again, I received a notice. I repeatedly checked and sent the same message I had typed up, but I still kept receiving the same thing. I had also tried using my GOOGLE, and HOTMAIL accounts and the same thing kept happening. At this point, I was thinking to myself
A) The link was badB) The address was not correctC) Perhaps their servers were down or…D) There may be something very fishy going on
It was at this point that I tried to get a hold of someone at customer service. When I called customer service DIRECTLY the first time, I got a pre-recorded message that said because of phone malfunctions, customer service can only happen through mail, email, or fax.
Well, I couldn't mail in the receipt at this point, because the saleswoman failed to mention or recognize the 3 day cancellation rule by mail and since I could not contact someone by mail, I was HOPING that I would be able to at LEAST leave a message for someone!
This time, I tried using the company directory over the phone. Low and behold, I was able to get a hold of customer service using THAT method! So much for phone malfunctions, eh? I ended up getting a hold of someone named Katie McLaughlin (I think that is how it is correctly spelled).
I began to explain my situation and ask what I should do when she RUDELY said with a slight sigh in her voice, I'm just going to transfer you to customer service. She did not even take time to listen to me nor did she seem to even care that a customer needed assistance. The first time I got through and began to explain my situation, I got hung up on.
As furious as I was, I tried again using the company directory and tried a different line extension (#104) that linked me directly to customer service. He said the only thing he could do was report it to the saleswoman's manager as long as I had a letter by me sent in. Then, he proceeded to tell me that FRS couldn't legally cancel because by policy, it was past the due date.
This made me very angry. Not only was I lied to and duped, but I got treated unfairly. I was told that I could cancel something online, but ended up having to go through all of that trouble just to find out that the time to cancel was passed the due date. Either this saleswoman was not properly trained or she simply was part of a scam. Considering the simple layout of the website, the failure to contact someone, and the loophole I had to pull to get around the automatic phone message (which I later found out there could not have been phone malfunctions if I was able to get through to someone), there had to be something very fishy going on.
I find it completely unfair to the customer that they still have to pay for a magazine subscription if some woman couldn't do her job correctly, have to go through all of that trouble, and only to find out the girl could only get reprimanded?
Another interesting tidbit I found out too, I did some research over the internet and found out some very interesting things. FRS came up on multiple fraud websites such as http://usacomplaints.com and also that helped document people in similar situations like mine where they either were lied to, had contact issues, and didn't even get their magazines.
With all of that being said, this is why I am filing a fraud report with Wells Fargo. I appreciate all the help I have received in getting this process started. I sincerely hope that this can get resolved soon and that no one should have to go through the same thing that I did again.
*Another thing too, on my dorms, it clearly states on a sticker that no solicitors are allowed inside. How she got in is beyond me...
JupiterBakersfield, California
U.S.A.
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