A sales representative by the name of "Jannie" called and said that she would like to introduce their company to us by sending us some business cards, a catalog and a complementary gift.
They called again a few days later to confirm our address and then at the end of the conversation said that they would also like to send a product for a small fee to cover their shipping costs. Little did I know until we received an invoice that that nominal fee would come to just under $500.
They sent us close to 300 off brand highlighters at $1.59 each. $1.59 doesn't sound like much, but they gave me the impression that they were only sending a few dozen and $1.59 wasn't per dozen but was for each one. I can order a dozen name brand highlighters for 45 cents each.
I called CompuServ immediately and the operator told me that no one was available but that she would have someone call me back. The next day, I called again and was told that no one would be in the office later that afternoon. Doesn't sound like good customer service to me! And this was all to promote their company! When I said that I had called the prior day, she changed her tune and said that she would get the person who was trying to return my call. When my call was answered, she had the same voice as the operator!
I explained that we did not order these supplies and if we did, it was certainly under false pretenses. I was then pressured that my conversation with them was recorded and that I did indeed agree to have them sent to us. When I again objected and refused to pay, they demanded to talk to someone else like a supervisor to make me feel threatened. It was only after I told them that I had researched their company after receiving this "scam" order and was aware of other complaints and evidence that this was a scam that she tried to negotiate a price for the supplies to match what I would have paid from my supplier.
I again refused as I did not want anything to do with this company. It was only then that she then gave me a return authorization number to return the shipment. Of course, they were not willing to pay the shipping charges for the return but I just want nothing to do with them.
Beware of "gift horse scams" like this one. I plan on reporting this to the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau. Unfortunately, they must have those who end up paying for the rip-off products to keep doing it. Don't let it be you!
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