Over 16 months ago, I was contacted by a telemarketer (which I usually hang up on - wish I had this time). I was told that they were referred to me by Visa and I had a chance to win a million dollars. If I didn't win the grad prize, I automatically get a diamond watch with my order. What a fool I am. They catch was that I had to sign up for on magazine, and they would send me 5 more for free. They said it would cost me $46 quarterly. Of course, after his very persuasive sales speech, I accepted the offer.
A month later I received the bill for the $46 and paid it immediately, only to get another bill a month later. At that time, very frustrated, I called their customer service line. I told the lady that I didn't want the magazines anymore, it just wasn't worth the money. But I couldn't cancel it was past the "Cancellation date". When I told her that the man had said I was to pay $46 quarterly, she denied it and claimed that they tape all their calls and that he wouldn't say that. She hung up.
I didn't pay the bill that month and had a collection agency calling my by the end of the month. She said I owed them $400 and it was due immediately or else they would send me to the DA's office and prosecute me. Hesitantly, I paid it in two payments, making me virtually broke for that month. When I paid the second half of the bill, I imfored Americas Choice Readers to cancel my subscription. This time they were more willing, and I got confirmation that it had been cancelled.
This week, I received a phone call saying I owe $600. They left a voicemail with their telephone number, but when you call it's a busy tone. Then again, today, I get a call saying it is being sent to the DA's office and I need to call them immediately. Yet again, budy tone. How do they expect me to pay this off, if they can't even get a message machine or someone to answer their phone?!
This is ridiculous and really frustrating. I can't afford to pay for all this so called "past-due" bills, and at the same time, I don't have time to call around trying to get ahold of these people. Can they really send this to the DA's office, even though they are the one's ripping me off?
Oh, and by the way... I didn't win the grand prize... Nor did I ever get the watch.
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