I signed up for the 'free trial' of SlimVida and ColonFlow, which I took to mean a 14 day sample of the products which I could then order more of if I wanted to. I paid just £2.49 P P per product, and they arrived within a few days.
However, it was certainly not made clear anywhere on the manifest that unless I contacted the company within 14 days to say I was no longer interested, they would take £69.95 per product (so £139.90) from my account. (I gather from other plaintiffs that this information did appear in the smallprint, but that the company does all they can to delay the customer past this date to ensure they could collect the money). It certainly was not made clear on the confirmation email or email invoice I was sent for the trial 'offer'.
When I saw that this money had been deducted (taken from my account 17 days after placing the order, and spotted 27 days after placing it), I immediately called to demand my money back, saying they had not been clear in their terms and conditions, and has misrepresented the offer. As I was calling within 30 days of the order, they agreed to refund 50% (£69.95) - though in fact their website clearly states that you can return a product ordered if you contact them within 30 days if you are unhappy with it, and get a full refund.
However, on pursuing this line of argument with them, they stuck to their 14-day policy and said the 30-day refund offer did not apply to 'free' trials. I am unable to verify this, as I stupidly didn't keep the manifest, but the wording on their website is this:
"30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
If you are unsatisfied with any products for any reason, simply cancel your order by contacting our Customer Care department at 1-800-218-6106 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-218-6106 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Mon-Fri, 9:00am to 5:00pm PST) or email us at [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need jаvascript enabled to view it within 30 days of date of your order. Upon contacting Company and cancelling your order, you will be provided with a Return Merchandise Authorization (“RMA”) number. After canceling your order, you will have 7 days to return the unused portion of the Product, or if it is empty, just return the empty bottle (s) to our Company. You must write the RMA number on the return packaging in order to avoid being billed for the Product. Company will not refund or credit any shipping and handling charges for any Product that was shipped to you."
However, I have been unable to get an RMA (return of merchandise) number from them, and they have refused to refund the remaining £69.95, saying they have fulfilled their obligations and the matter is closed.
They clearly are a scam operation and work on the basis that people will not spot the catch in time and so cannot claim their money back (especially as the money is taken after the 14 day trial has expired). I am sure they are operating just inside the law and getting away with it.
Like your other plantiffs, I was also offered more 'free' products with similar conditions attached, which of course I refused. My bank told me to email them to confirm that they were in no way authorised to deduct any further monies, nor to send me any other offers or products, which the company has adhered to. Meanwhile, a colleague who is a solicitor has said that these companies do tend to have very careful wording which keeps them just inside the law, and it's of course not worth starting a legal battle (especially cross-borders) for £70.
However, I am adding this complaint to your list so that they may be reported, and other people may not make the same mistake.
Many thanks.
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