Complaint Review: Tree House Marketing Turley-Thompson TMG Marketing Group - Provo Utah

I purchased the Ring Stop Product from this company. They said I would have a 30 day trial of the product from the purchase date. If I decided to keep the product they would charge my account $229.00 which would appear on my account after 37 days after the purchase date(their words).

I returned the product immediately after the trial period. They charged my account the $229.00 the same day they received the returned, unused portion of the product. That's right, they charged my account the day they received the return. And this was after I had even called them to notify them I was returning the shipment.

I called their customer service representative to ask for a refund. I was refused. I asked to talk to this rep's supervisor and spoke to Christian Anderson. She stated that I did not return the product within the company's stated return policy of 37 days and therefore was not entitled to the refund. I told her I wasn't told of this policy. She said it was on the tape recording made during the purchase transaction.

I asked her to play the tape. She did and guess what? It did NOT say I had to return the product within 37 days. It said I would have 30 days to try the product and if I decided to keep it then the charge would appear on my account after 37 days. Nowhere did the tape recording say, nor was I told, I would have to return the product in 37 days.

And just so you know, the product was received by them just 10 days after the trial period ended. Seems pretty reasonable to me considering that I mailed the unused portion back to them immediately after the trial period ended and you allow for transit and weekends.

It doesn't get any simpler than this - she said I was told what the return policy was and then when she heard the evidence that I was not told she still REFUSED to refund the money. Even their own recording verified what I was telling them they still refused to refund my money.

So I talk with Brett Showgren, the Customer Service Manager. He stated their policy was clear about the returns and I stated I was not told. I kept asking him to listen to the tape. He said he knows what was on the tape. I said let's listen to it together. He kept refusing.

Finally, I told him that if the tape said that I had to return it within 37 days, I would apologize for my complaint and withdraw my request for a refund. He made me commit to this action. I told him I would commit to it if he would also commit to refunding my money if the tape did not say anything about the product being returned in 37 days. He listened to the tape and ADMITTED that I was not told that I had to return the product within 37 days. He said I should have been told, it was in the script, but in my case, I wasn't told. So I asked him when I would get my refund.

Brett Showgren is a liar. He reneged on his committment. He said that even though I wasn't told I had to have the product returned within 37 days, they implied it and I should have inferred it. I said you can't make a case out of implications and inferences. Plus, I reminded him of his committment based on those 8 simple words of "The Product Must Be Returned in 37 Days." He acknowledged that he made that committment, and that those words were not spoken to me, but that he still wasn't going to refund my money.

He said the best he could do was talk to the owner. But he went on to say, that he would tell the owner that a refund shouldn't be made. This is AFTER the guy promised he would refund the money.

This company's web site says "Quality and Integrity in Marketing." Ladies and gentlemen, this company has NO idea about Quality and Integrity. They are about deception, fine print and mincing words so they can TAKE your money. And worst of all, they are outright liars - i.e. Brett Showgren. The guy makes a promise and then immediately reneges when he is proven wrong.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY!!!! And if you were unfortunate enough to have gotten taken by this company, file a dispute with your credit card company to get your money back. Act fast and have your facts. There are numerous incidents on this web site and also with the Better Business Bureau to substantiate your claims and to verify this company's bad business practices. You can and will get your money back if you file a bona fide dispute.

But the best thing is - don't do business with this company, period!!! Eventually we can put them out of business and they won't continue to harm consumers.

Dave

Savannah, Georgia
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Treehouse Marketing

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish you file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 # , and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/comptroller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com

[email protected]

badbusinessbureau.com

www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.

Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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...by consumers, for consumers

CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!