Internet's first get-out-of-debt community - 135,000 members

Ok...I've had the week from heck, and last night was the LAST straw.

I've been selling on Ebay for quite some time, and recently came across an ad for a software that would allow me to cut some of the expenses out when it comes to the fees charged by Ebay and Paypal. So, I ordered the DVD, paying only shipping & handling for it.

Now, I consider myself a very careful person when it comes to my credit card numbers (well, in this case, a debit card, not attached to my bank account, thank goodness). I researched this offer very carefully, looked through it over and over for any "fine print" that might indicate a catch of some sort - you know the saying - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Well...

One week after I received my dvd (which I haven't even had time to look at), I came home last night to work on my Ebay listings...only to find that I couldn't pay for an item I had bought on Ebay. My card was declined! I thought "ok - what the heck! This is only a $9 item!" I knew I had much more than that available on the card. I checked on the website for my card provider...and lo and behold, there was a $59.95 charge to my card yesterday that I didn't initiate! After some research, I found out that the company that issued the dvd for the software I was interested in had charged me. I called them immediately, and really b*tched someone out. I was advised that since my "trial period" had expired, I was charged for the software. I asked WHAT trial period - there was nothing indicated in the advertisement, or anywhere on any of the dvd packaging, or on the dvd itself (I watched it twice, looking for the "trial period" info after I was charged).

They agreed to reverse the charges "immediately", since, in their words, I "had not been informed of the terms and conditions". Now "immediately" in their books means 7-14 days. Nice.

Just a word to the wise...be VERY careful what you buy with your credit/debit card - you never know when some fly by night company that appears to be genuine will hit you with fraudulent charges. You can never be too careful with those numbers. Even the most careful person can get scammed.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 10:15 am Subject:

Doesnt that just suck? All kinds of people are out to scam arent they!

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 10:15 am Subject: been there

Will yor card holder reverse it if you complain. Or is it paypal. I had an awful time with paypal in the same situation. I was billed for something that was not explained in the "terms" and wound up with a cart full of groceries and no way to pay for them. Paypal said they won't reverse the charges unless the merchant agrees. In other words the crook has to agree to give back the money. I really have sympathy for you SueBeeHoney

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 10:58 am Subject:

I had the same thing happen to me. I ordered a CD for selling on ebay and was charged $49.95 because my "trial period" had ended. Now, when anything says free, I don't get it if I have to put a debit or credit card number.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:18 am Subject:

If it sounds too bood to be true, it is.

I NEVER pay for anything with a credit card unless I am in person. If someone on eBay will not accept a money order, then you need to turn in another direction. M/O are just like cash. If they will only accept a credit card, be prepared for possible fraudulent charges.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:39 am Subject:

tali - sounds like the same scam I was hit with. There was NO trial period mentioned anywhere on this package or the dvd, or on the ad I bought it from. I'll never do that again.

I only use a prepaid debit card, so it is not attached to my bank account or anything like that - and I have a debit card for my paypal account. I pay for everything from Ebay via paypal. Those are the only two "credit"-type cards I have.

Frogpatch - the company is reversing the charges. I called them today, and they told me the charges would be reversed and the money put back on my card. I wanted to be sure they weren't going to try and send me a check, which would take forever.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 2:24 pm Subject:

Sue,glad you got your money back.There are actually better protection with a credit card for this,but I understand anyone not giving that info on ebay.Good luck and make sure you report the incident to ebay's fraud center so they are aware of it.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 3:31 pm Subject:

Thanks, Cajun - I would report it to Ebay, but this company is not related to Ebay in any way - they send out dvd's promoting their software which allows you to host your own photos, etc. instead of using Ebay's services to do that, thus avoiding the fees involved...however, they don't tell you they're going to hit you with $59.95 for a "trial" of their software.

Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 6:46 am Subject:

Wow, Sue. I totally sympathize. Is there any way this company could be reported to the BBB for deceptive advertising? That is a total scam.

Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 5:31 pm Subject:

I plan on doing that, kscornell - I'm SO ticked off at them. It was really funny how the backed off so quickly and offered to immediately refund my money. That says to me that they KNOW they're in the wrong.

Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 8:06 pm Subject:

Yeah, definately a sleaze fest here!! Go get em!!

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 4:16 am Subject:

Sue got to the following two sites and file on them please:
www.ftc.gov
www.ic3.gov
Hopefully with these complaints the company will either change their policies or be fined for unfair trade practices.

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 4:25 am Subject:

Suebee - you might also want to file a complaint with you web browser provider regarding this company. They advertise on it and the provider should know about this.

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 5:36 am Subject:

Thanks to everyone for the helpful tips - it was kind of a toss-up - who was I more ticked off at - myself, for falling for this ruse, or the company that did it?

As of this morning, the money's not back on my card yet. I'll bet they wait until day 13 of the 14 days allowed to put it back.

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:07 pm Subject:

Just an update - I got my money back on my card on day 14 of their "7-10, might be 14 days" (per the phone conversation I had with them). I'm glad to get my money back (can't afford losing $60 in one week like that!) and am chalking this one up to a lesson learned.

On a good note, since I have been disputing things on my credit reports left and right, my scores have started going up - just the other day, I received a pre-approved credit card offer in the mail - the first one of those I've seen in YEARS. Granted, it's not a great card, it's got a high annual fee, etc., but it's an indication that my scores are going up enough to trigger an offer - a good thing!

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:10 pm Subject:

Yeah! Good for you! I am so glad that your credit scores are looking up.

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