I too fell for the advertising of this company for a so called "FREE" trial offer. You were suppose to get a 30 day trial for the cost of shipping and handing for only (1.95). My Credit Card was billed $42.85 the same day as order. The following day I called the customer care line many times only to be told and I quote "due to the popularity of their products, wait times were 45 -50 minutes." (Which I find utterly ridiculous for any business)
I finally stayed on the line for over 60 minutes as I can verify with my cellular bill. When I finally reach a customer service rep, I explained the problem and told them I felt their advertising tactics were deceptive, as the comsumer should have the right to choose which products they wanted to order. I went back to look at the order form and there are 2 boxes pre-checked that gives them the right to bill you for 2 unwanted products (hoodia gum and hoodia water) One is 29.99 and the other is 9.99. I told them that I would like to cancel the order all together since I have had so many problems reaching a customer care rep. I also looked online at various other sites that had many many complaints about this company reguarding the same issues. Customer service and billing procedures were the main 2 complaints. I was told I could not cancel. I would have to wait til I received the products and return them for credit. Then I would have to call back or use their automated cancelling sytem which is very very vague. I then asked for a postage paid return envelope or a return authorization number to be able track the return. Again I was told I would have to pay return postage, get my own tracking number and be charged a 15% restocking fee. I then asked to speak to a supervisor. A gentleman by the name of Brett got on the line with a very BIG attitude. He was shouting at me, telling me I was trying to SCAM them, (this was a red flag) and it was my fault. His scenero was I was just like the person that does not look both ways before crossing the road, gets hit, and then blames the driver of the car! As I was getting nowhere with him, I asked for the name and address of someone higher up than he to write a formal complaint to the company. I quoted the name of the General Manager listed upon the BBB website. He told me he never heard of this person! (another red flag) I then asked him for his badge number, he stated and I quote, " I don't have a badge number but I can make a number up if that would make you feel better!" I said what would make me feel better is to get a favorable result to this problem and just for the record, I am going to record the rest of this conversation. He then said I did not have his permission to tape his conversation and hung up on me. These Tactics are deceptive and Downright RUDE! I feel the ole frustration scam is going on here. They try to frustate the customer by the long hold times, the return practices, and the arrogant attitudes of their customer care reps. I have already contacted my credit card company and disputed the charge, hopefully to prevent future charges as alleged by many other consumers still waiting on a refund.
Please check into this company! $42.85 may not sound like alot of money to some but who knows how many people have already been scammed and frustrated to the point of not persuing action. I will be glad to furnish you with copies of my cell phone bill to prove the wait times and forward other complaints from other consumers. I only wanted what I ordered and my card credited for the unwanted products. But after the conversations I had with not one but two (2) customer service representatives, I feel I have to take action by filing this complaint with the BBB. I will also be researching other ways to file complaints against this company such as the FTC, etc... If I am repeatly charged (since they now have the credit card number), I will be forced into speaking to an attorney to see if a class action law suit is warranted and if others are willing to get ON BOARD. From the complaints I have read online, this should be a easy task. It is such a disgrace that People would stoop to this kind of business practices merely out of GREED!!! I wonder how they can sleep at night!!!
0 comments