Video Professor ripoff false advertising, surprise charges Lakewood Colorado
Same as everyone else, I saw the commercials on TV and the Web and ordered the free CD. I later found a charge for $59.95 on my credit card and was dumbfounded.
Unfortunately, since I had had surgery soon after I placed the order, and was not up and around at the time, the credit card bill was paid by my husband, who did not question the charge. When I checked the bills a month later I flipped. I had not even opened the package yet. Since I had been ill I had not been using my computer and didn't think there was any rush as the ad had said nothing about any other CDs or charges except the free offer.
I checked the website again and there is no notice of any other CDs being sent or other charges except the free CD (and the $6.95 shipping and handling fee). I called and got a very sarcastic person on the phone who finally gave me a return #, and told me to be patient as it would take several months for a refund.
I returned the package and there has been no credit on my charge card and I have not been able to reach anyone by phone. I get a message that the line is busy and hold on, but no one ever picks up the line. So now they have my money AND the CDs! I'm sure it may be too late by now to get my money back, but I would like to see what can be done to prevent others from experienceing the same fraud.
Vicki
Toms river, New Jersey
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
John
Flint,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Dispute this charge with your card company - NOW!!!!
#2Consumer Suggestion
Tue, August 19, 2003
You have a minimum of 60 days after you receive the bill to dispute this charge with your credit card company. Note its 60 days after you receive the bill, not 60 days from the date of the charge. Make sure you do it in writing and indicate that you did not authorize this amount to be charged to your card and are requesting a chargeback to Video Professor. As an extra precaution it never hurts to send it Certified, Return Reciept Requested. It cost a few bucks but letters sent that way usually get a little more attention and you have proof you sent it and it was received. Credit Card providers usually won't give you a hassle disputing this type of charge since it wasn't done with the physical card and they don't have your signiture. Plus companies that have a know track record of making bougus charges usually get little sympathy from the banks for chargebacks.