I was called about receiving a free $40 Visa gift card from an online survey I took. I should've known it was too good to be true. The guy on the phone gave this nice spiel and then at the end said, now all I need is your credit card number. You'll have 30 days to call and cancel if you decide you don't want to be in this program. It's only $19.99/month. We'll also be sending you a genuine blue topaz ring from Holsted Jewelers for only the shipping and handling price of $6.99. I was like, "Whoah, whoah, slow down, what?" Somehow I couldn't get out of this, I'm not even sure what the hell I signed up for. That was my mistake. But I tried to get him to not send me the ring. I said I didn't want it several times. And I he said he'd send it to me for free, no shipping and handling cost at all. So I said fine.
Jan 17th of this year, I was charged the $6.99 shipping and handling fee he said I wasn't going to be charged, and then I got the ring. You have 10 days to call in to place an order. They sent a letter with the ring saying how nice the ring is, etc. On the top right hand corner they have an advertisement: "Save 25% NOW! Order two or more items from the enclosed flyer and save 25%... Regularly $49.99... Becomes $37." I open up the letter to read further, and this is where they get you, and you have no idea it was even coming:
"You have no obligation to buy anything, now or in the future, but if you wish to preview upcoming jewelry from the collection, there is nothing you need to do. One new piece will be sent to you every four to six weeks. For each selection you decide to receive, the credit card account you provided to receive your introductory jewelry will be automatically charged $49.99 plus $6.99 shipping and handling, plus applicable taxes upon shipment. If you are not totally satisfied with any item your receive, simply return it for a replacement or full refund of the purchase price, excluding shipping and handling charges. If you wish to skip a shipment but receive the next shipment, or wish to cancel your examination privileges altogether, just call the phone number provided on this form. You're always in complete control."
So I called the number provided. A lady answered asked to verify my name and address. I told her I wanted to cancel all future shipments and charges, I wanted everything canceled. She said "ok, you'll be sent the matching blue topaz earrings in the mail soon." I said, "Earrings? No, I don't want them." Never once on the previous phone call with the man who sold me the ring, or on the letter they sent with the ring, does it say anything about matching earrings. She said, "Ok, but before we do that, we can send you a blue sapphire bracelet, originally $100 for only $13.99, no S & H fees"... She kept blabbering and I kept saying no, I don't want anything. She kept asking 'Are you sure?' Yes! Before she hung up I said, so I won't get charged anything to my credit card account and I'm not going to get sent anything in the mail and I don't have to send the blue topaz ring back? She said "that is correct". I better not get charged anything for that ring or anything else. After reading everyone else's accounts on here, I realized we all had the same problem. I should probably cancel my debit account so they don't charge me just in case.
Absolute scam!
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