I purchased four costume jewelry items from Jewelry Television in September. I bought the items under a "free shipping" promotion which the merchant runs quite often, usually on a weekend. Their shipping charges are normally $4.99 for the first item and $2.99 for each additional item. I will use one item as an example of how this works. This item was $29.99. I entered the code and the total charged was $29.99. But what was odd was that the order on the computer screen was broken down as $25.00 for the item and $4.99 for shipping. I thought it was odd but went ahead anyway.
I received the item and decided to return it. Of course, I had to pay for return shipping (just about every home shopping company will make you pay for return shipping unless the item was defective). I received a credit on my credit card. However, the amount was for $25.00, not for $29.99, which was the real cost of the item.
I think what this company did was deceptive and possibly illegal. I am filing a complaint with my state's attorney general as well as the FTC. Nowhere on their website do they disclose that they will charge you a "back ended" shipping charge if you return the item.
I know of no other shopping channel that does this, and I do a lot of TV shopping. HSN will refund outgoing shipping charges. I believe QVC does this as well. ShopNBC does not refund outgoing shipping charges, but this is disclosed. Also, when they have a free shipping promotion, the outgoing shipping really is FREE. They do not charge a back ended shipping charge if you return the item.
I leave it to the viewer to decide whether this channel is even worth watching. The hosts are like "amateur hour" and they play a lot of "pricing games". Watch the other channels and you will see how much more professional and polished the other shopping channels are.
0 comments