Berkeley Nutraceuticals - Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals - Lifekey I was another victim of the Avlimil scam Cincinnati Ohio
I saw the commercial for Avlimil and contacted the company to receive my "free 30-day" sample. I went on the website and it offered me a chance to join its Managed Care Direct program and I checked the "no... continue with order" box and was directed to the screen which explained to me that I would be charged $4.95 for shipping & handling. I entered my credit card number and received confirmation.
A few days later I received my Avlimil & tried it. It tasted awful and made me sick to my stomach. I quit using it after 3 days.... disappointed that I had wasted $5.
About a month later, there was a charge on my credit card for $35 for a shipment of Avlimil! I was outraged! I called the company and a "customer service rep" (I use the term VERY loosely because I got anything but customer service) named Jairon told me that I had signed up for this Managed Care Program and that I was being billed for the Avlimil they had shipped to me--but I never got any more Avlimil!!! I told him that I did not agree to any more shipments and I hadn't received any more product... and that I wanted a credit on my credit card for the charge. He told me that it was clearly on the website and "just because I did not take the time to read & understand the information" that it wasn't their (Berkeley's) fault.
I told him that I wanted a refund for the $35 that I had been charged... especially since I never received anything! He said he showed they shipped something out & gave a date. I told him I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING!! I demanded he credit my account!! He said there was nothing he could do and that I wasn't entitled to a credit! I was livid!!
I told him that I would be contacting my attorney and asked him for the name & address of who they should contact. He quickly said "Oh, you want to write a correspondence?" I said, "Whatever it takes!" I got an address and told him to be sure that he cancelled any "program" that they had me on immediately and that I better not have any more charges on my account!
I then went to the Better Business Bureau's website and filed a complaint against them, stating everything that had happened. I received a confirmation from the BBB the next day and within about 3 days I received a report from the BBB where they had contacted Berkely and Berkeley's response was THEY WERE ISSUING A CREDIT! I laughed out loud & did a little "happy dance!!" Thank goodness for the Better Business Bureau!!
I STRONGLY urge you to contact the BBB if you have been scammed by Berkely Nutraceuticals, Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, or Lifekey!! I have read WAY too many reports of people being scammed and they have not done anything but contact the company and be shot down. Contact the Better Business Bureau!!
Rhonda
Greenbrier, Tennessee
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Lifekey
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!
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Rhonda
Greenbrier,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
you are the first person at Berkley that has even APPEARED to care one iota about any consumer problems
#7Author of original report
Mon, July 05, 2004
A great big "thank you" to "Jeff" who responded to the Berkeley employee "Steve"'s remark about us "doofuses" and his "Sorry about that idiot." Jeff, you are the first person at Berkley that has even APPEARED to care one iota about any consumer problems that we have experienced! I O honestly believe that there MAY be some folks at Berkley that sincerely do care about customers and their problems/concerns and are interested in more than just making sales quotas! Again, Jeff, thank you!!!
Jeff
Cincinati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Sorry About That Idiot
#7UPDATE Employee
Thu, July 01, 2004
It would appear that "Steve" works in Customer Care and is upset by the calls that he has to handle day in and day out.
Truth is, it does say in many places that you are going into a Managed Care Direct (MCD) plan. That is the one that ships out new product to you on a regular basis. Now wether or not that explained to you correctly, I do not know.
Now, I have an issue with the fcat that they do not issue refunds.
That is why I am here to help.
We have two options to try and get some or all of your money back.
First, Make sure you have called Customer Care and canceled the account. Beware with agents like "Steve" though. They will try to make you several offers. If you take ANY of them, you WILL still be on a plan, and you WILL be charged aditionally. Keep saying no.
Now you can choose to either call your doctor or your credit card company.
If you call yout doctor, have them type up a letter stating that you were not able to take the product due to medical concerns. Cliam that there was an alergic reaction to some of the ingredients. There are serveral in the product, so it is not far fetched.
Or, you can call your credit card company and dispute the charges. If it was a check card, and it has a visa or master card logo, you are still afforded the same protections as a credit card for all charges.
Either way, you should be able to get some or all of your money back.
Hope this helps.
P.S. "Steve" does NOT reflect the attitude of all people who work here.
Steve
Cincinnati,Ohio,
Canada
Read the info you doofuses!
#7UPDATE Employee
Mon, June 21, 2004
I work for Berkeley Nutraceuticals and I have reviewed every case on this site concerning my employers. All I have to say is that you are told about the program at the point of sale, it's written on every product shipped out, it's stated on our website, and comes in every piece of literature mailed to customers. I don't know how else we could comminicate this to you people. Admit it, you're all mad because you screwed yourselves by not paying attention! And if you have a problem with a product that has been shipped to you, WE CAN NOT TAKE IT BACK FOR LIABILITY REASONS! Try taking back a bottle of Tylenol to your local drug store and see if they'll take it back. We try to work with our customers, but for crying out loud, we shouldn't be penalized for your inability to pay attention. And one other thing... These products take anywhere from 30-90 days to build up in your system and for the maximum effects to show up. Again, that has been told to our customers at the point of sale and in all of our literature! Quit badmouthing Berkeley for your mistakes!
Curtis T. And Marian R.
Lawrence,Kansas,
U.S.A.
What to do about "auto ship" neutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals
#7Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 06, 2004
I too have been taken in by Berkeley Premium Pharmaceuticals 1661 Waycross Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45240 This company also auto shipped me and charged my card for the shipment( 2 months worth plus shipping --in excess of $75.00).
When I called to state that I was returning the product UNOPENED AND UNTAMPERED with they stated that they could not take the product back and grant the credit to my card due to 9/11 and the Homeland Security Act!
I asked my daughter, who is a pharmacist, and she told me this was "poppy c**k" and that they return unopened and untampered with medications all the time.
I have lodged a complaint with my State's Attourney General and am posting on every board I can find.
This is what I have learned:
#1 All herbs that are used in "netraceuticals" are not safe depending on your paticular condition. Please sheck with a doctor after providing him or her with a complete list of ingredients in the "netraceutical". A case in point would be if a person had Chrone's Disease they would not want to take Ginko Balboa as it acts as a blood thinner.
#2 If you doctor approves the use of a particular "netraceutical" be aware that they are not approved by the FDA and therefore make no real medical claims so you try at your own risk.
#3 By the least amount you can and pay by check or money order. DO NOT GIVE OUT A CREDIT CARD NUMBER as it can be used to "auto ship" you product you don't want.
#4 If this has already happened to you please contact your State's Atty. General Consumer Protection Division as that is why they are there.
#5 I am sure the Better Business Berau does many wonderful things depending on the municipaility they are functioning in , however, my life time expierience has been that it is a " good 'ole boys" club that is more intent on protecting thier own than protecting the consumer.
#6 A Berkeley Premium Neutraceuticals already has a class action lawsuit pending on the ineffectiveness of Enzyte.
Hope this helps someone out there!
Curtis T. And Marian R.
Lawrence,Kansas,
U.S.A.
What to do about "auto ship" neutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals
#7Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 06, 2004
I too have been taken in by Berkeley Premium Pharmaceuticals 1661 Waycross Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45240 This company also auto shipped me and charged my card for the shipment( 2 months worth plus shipping --in excess of $75.00).
When I called to state that I was returning the product UNOPENED AND UNTAMPERED with they stated that they could not take the product back and grant the credit to my card due to 9/11 and the Homeland Security Act!
I asked my daughter, who is a pharmacist, and she told me this was "poppy c**k" and that they return unopened and untampered with medications all the time.
I have lodged a complaint with my State's Attourney General and am posting on every board I can find.
This is what I have learned:
#1 All herbs that are used in "netraceuticals" are not safe depending on your paticular condition. Please sheck with a doctor after providing him or her with a complete list of ingredients in the "netraceutical". A case in point would be if a person had Chrone's Disease they would not want to take Ginko Balboa as it acts as a blood thinner.
#2 If you doctor approves the use of a particular "netraceutical" be aware that they are not approved by the FDA and therefore make no real medical claims so you try at your own risk.
#3 By the least amount you can and pay by check or money order. DO NOT GIVE OUT A CREDIT CARD NUMBER as it can be used to "auto ship" you product you don't want.
#4 If this has already happened to you please contact your State's Atty. General Consumer Protection Division as that is why they are there.
#5 I am sure the Better Business Berau does many wonderful things depending on the municipaility they are functioning in , however, my life time expierience has been that it is a " good 'ole boys" club that is more intent on protecting thier own than protecting the consumer.
#6 A Berkeley Premium Neutraceuticals already has a class action lawsuit pending on the ineffectiveness of Enzyte.
Hope this helps someone out there!
Curtis T. And Marian R.
Lawrence,Kansas,
U.S.A.
What to do about "auto ship" neutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals
#7Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 06, 2004
I too have been taken in by Berkeley Premium Pharmaceuticals 1661 Waycross Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45240 This company also auto shipped me and charged my card for the shipment( 2 months worth plus shipping --in excess of $75.00).
When I called to state that I was returning the product UNOPENED AND UNTAMPERED with they stated that they could not take the product back and grant the credit to my card due to 9/11 and the Homeland Security Act!
I asked my daughter, who is a pharmacist, and she told me this was "poppy c**k" and that they return unopened and untampered with medications all the time.
I have lodged a complaint with my State's Attourney General and am posting on every board I can find.
This is what I have learned:
#1 All herbs that are used in "netraceuticals" are not safe depending on your paticular condition. Please sheck with a doctor after providing him or her with a complete list of ingredients in the "netraceutical". A case in point would be if a person had Chrone's Disease they would not want to take Ginko Balboa as it acts as a blood thinner.
#2 If you doctor approves the use of a particular "netraceutical" be aware that they are not approved by the FDA and therefore make no real medical claims so you try at your own risk.
#3 By the least amount you can and pay by check or money order. DO NOT GIVE OUT A CREDIT CARD NUMBER as it can be used to "auto ship" you product you don't want.
#4 If this has already happened to you please contact your State's Atty. General Consumer Protection Division as that is why they are there.
#5 I am sure the Better Business Berau does many wonderful things depending on the municipaility they are functioning in , however, my life time expierience has been that it is a " good 'ole boys" club that is more intent on protecting thier own than protecting the consumer.
#6 A Berkeley Premium Neutraceuticals already has a class action lawsuit pending on the ineffectiveness of Enzyte.
Hope this helps someone out there!