While on my AOL there was an ad. The ad stated FREE TRIAL and limited time only for shipping & handling of $2.00 only you would receive a 1 oz "FREE TRIAL SIZE" Dermatage skin product. It was so clear and simple, no room for misunderstanding... Also on this ad there was no small print or terms and conditions shown. I decided to give it a try and filled out my information and paid the $2.00 on my credit card. All I was agreeing to in this transaction was to bill my credit card $2.00 shipping and handling and to receive a FREE trial size of the product. It took quite a while and forgot I had ordered it with a hospital stay and then Christmas but it arrived. There was a small 1 oz FREE TRIAL SIZE of skin care AND A 1 oz size pump bottle that appeared empty and didn't pump. I thought maybe you were suppose to put the cream in one container into the pump, but there was no way to open it. There was no documentation, instructions, or even ad information to order if I liked the product in the box. I tried it a few days and it didn't appear to be any different than any face cream you get in the local department store, in fact it caused some redness on my face so I didn't use it and was about to throw the FREE sample away. Thank Goodness the same time I decided to check my credit card balance with Christmas purchases mounting and saw the $2.00 charges to Dermitage for the S&H. Then there was a second charge on the same date! It was for $99.95.! I thought this is a mistake and called my credit card Co. To appeal this error charge. They put through an appeal process but then said I should call the company. They acted like they may know something that I didn't! I called the 800 # to Dermitage and got a customer Service Rep and as I explained all I did was agree to and order a FREE Trial Sample, she responded "We don't give away anything FREE!". She said what I got I could use Free for 2 weeks, then if I don't return it, I get charged $99.95 for it!!! No one in their right mind would pay $100.00 for 1 oz. Of face cream that burned and turned your face red, that you can buy in a department store, 10 times the size bottle for $10.00! She said she would give me a Return Authorization Number and to package the FREE TRIAL UP AND SEND IT BACK TO THEM. I packed it up that very hour and ran to the post office and mailed it with delivery confirmation. I wanted my $100.00 back! I again talked to my credit card company and said I felt it was fraud. I did not knowingly authorize $100.00 to this company for anything. They said because I gave them my credit card for the FREE Trial S& H amount of $2.00 that it wasn't FRAUD. I'm waiting now to see what happens, sitting with red blotches from irritation it caused on my face, $100.00 still showing on my credit card, and all the stress and aggravation. This is clearly at least Deceptive Sales tactics. I consider myself reasonably intelligent and careful, but the method the ad appeared with their limited time pop up on AOL, then the form to fill out, all not showing any additional terms and conditions is clearly deceptive. I can track when they receive the Package back and see if they do indeed credit the charge. I want to complain to the BBB, but it appears many have already done that. I also will follow through with my credit card, although it's about the cooperation from Dermitage. I don't know what the recourse is, if indeed they do not credit my account. I thought in our State, and in most States, there were specific internet and consumer protection laws for things like this. If anyone has a happy ending from their experience with this deceptive practice, please let me know! I hope this company does the right thing. If someone truly didn't agree to spending $100.00 for a 1 ounce container that states FREE TRIAL, THEN THEY SHOULD BE refunded, ESPECIALLY IF A RETURN AUTHORIZATION WAS GIVEN AND THE ITEM WAS RETURNED. Issues: DECEPTIVE sales internet; dissatisfied with the product; product causing personal injury; return guarantees... I wonder if this Company will do the right thing?
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