I placed an order online, which totaled $59, with the Edible Arrangement Gardena franchise on May 2. The delivery date was scheduled for May 6 and my bank account was debited $60.17 on May 3. On May 3 I immediately contacted the Gardena Edible Arrangement franchise, through their websites email, requesting an explanation for the additional charge. I never received a response. I contacted the store on May 6 at approx. 2:30 PST to inquire about the additional charge. I was told by the employee, a young lady, that it was a special charge. I asked the employee what kind of special charge was I being charged for and why was it not charged at the time I placed the order. She could not give me a valid answer for the unauthorized charge and became defensive. I had forgot her name and asked her to give it to me again and she refused. I asked to speak with the manager and was told he was not in. I was able to get his name, Armen, and was told he would be in the next morning. My husband decided to call the franchise and a young lady answered the phone. He asked for her name and she said it was Jessica. He then asked for the managers name and she gave the name; Armen. We contacted the corporate office and I gave my complaint to an agent. I was told that I would receive a call from the manager of the Gardena franchise the next day. I was also told by the agent that if I was not satisfied with the outcome to contact them again and my complaint would be escalated to the next level.
As of May 11, I had not received a phone call from anyone regarding the unauthorized charge and there has been no credit to my account from Edible Arrangements. I contacted the Edible Arrangement Corporate office on May 11, and as I expected my May 6, complaint could not be found so I submitted another one with an agent named Diana. Diana told me I would hear from the Gardena franchise within 24 to 48 hours and she would hand carry my complaint to her supervisor. My husband contacted the Gardena franchise on May 11, and was able to talk to Armen. Armen said he was not the manager, but he would make sure that the unauthorized charge would be credited back to our account. I decided to go to my bank on May 12 and file a complaint so my bank could dispute the unauthorized charge.
Since I had not heard from Edible Arrangements, On May 18 I contacted the corporate office again. I was finally able to make some progress with an agent named Erin. Erin located my May 11, complaint and contacted the Gardena franchise while I was holding on the phone. Erin realized that something was not right with the franchise and said she was going to immediately report the franchise because she noticed in the records that Armen is noted as a primary on the franchise which means he has to be an owner. I think my complaint was being expedited by Erin because I mentioned that I would be contacting the BBB and the IRS because I know the franchise is probably scamming other customers. I could not understand why it is so difficult for the franchise to return the unauthorized $1.17 to my account. At approximately 3:35 P.M. PST May 18 I received a call from the Gardena, California Edible Arrangement franchise requesting my debit card number. I told them I would not be giving them my debit card number and they need to credit the money back to my account the same way it was taken out. My concern is that there are probably other customers who are being overcharged and not questioning the charge. $1.17 may seem minute, but if at least 1000 customers are being charged the same amount or more, it is a large sum of money that is not being taxed. The Gardena California Edible Arrangement franchise needs to be investigated.
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