Ordering from unknown internet companies

[Grits]

Honestly. First the koobface virus, now I find bogus charges for an online training program on my credit card statement. After some investigation, I found that when I ordered some online supplements in August, I got signed up (without my knowledge) for the training program for $29.95 a month.

It billed under one name the first month, then switched to another name. I caught it when it billed two consecutive months under the same name. (I know, not careful enough checking my statements.)

I called and after MUCH argument and threatening to take it further, the charges were reversed, and I have confirmation numbers. I'll be sure to check to make sure they really do get taken off my bill. They keep trying to make you feel stupid because you didn't see the "clear statements that you were agreeing to try the training program." No, I don't think so. I found a forum with a lot of identical complaints about the same company.

I also e-mailed the original supplement company to let them know that their affiliation with this unethical program was surely costing them business.

My lessons learned: Do not buy from an unknown internet company just because they have the cheapest price. (2.) Check credit card statement more carefully.

[Biciclista]

TRAINING PROGRAM? wow, what were they training you for? I'm glad you got it cleared up.

[Grits]

TRAINING PROGRAM? wow, what were they training you for? I'm glad you got it cleared up.

Some kind of personal fitness training. I never actually went on the website to find out for sure!

[Bike Chick]

I had the same thing happen when I went online to get my "free" credit report. I unknowingly signed up for a $30/month membership for them to alert me everytime someone checks my credit. It took me 3 months to notice and question it on my credit card bill. That was several years ago and I've smartened up since then. Live and learn. I refer to this as "tuition"---the price you pay for making a silly mistake.

[Grits]

Ok. This is just me venting to save my family and friends from having to listen to it. You might want to just stop right here and go on to the next thread. I'll get past it, but it just makes me so mad when the company tries to put any of the responsibility back on me!

I e-mailed the mail order company I ordered the supplements from (GotBody.com, btw) to let them know that I was quite displeased that an order to them resulted in my unknowing membership in an ongoing program that cost $29.95 a month, and that any revenue they were receiving from this partnership was surely not worth it.

I received an e-mail back today which, while full of apology and statements about their concern about customer service, contained the statement:
That said, when you got enrolled, the offer was right next to the submit order button.

Oh really? And I happened to miss it how? Full of curiosity, I actually went to the website and went through the order process to that point. Sure enough, there by the submit button was an ADVERTISEMENT. If I had bothered to read it, which I didn't because I was just trying to order a product and pay the people for it, I would have seen "when members SIGN UP for the Fit Factory offer..." I would have then thought that I actually had to sign up for this program with some type of active participation on my part. But NO, I would have then had to read the fine print above the ad box and UNCHECKED the box in order to opt out of this. And even then, it was certainly not clear that after the free trial I would start being billed monthly without me having to proactively opt out.

This is such a scam! The e-mail said that the "offer" must not be clear enough, and they would work on that when they update the website. Well, any company that requires their customers to use such vigilance when placing an order just to avoid unwanted charges is not going to get much repeat business.

And I don't want their 10% off a future order. Please, like I'd order from
them again.

I feel a little better now. Thanks TE for the space.