Complaint Review: Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals Inc.

You may see the professionally done advertisements for Altovis or one of their other products claiming "free" trial offers. When I called to try their products the phone rep told me it is free, all I needed to do is pay $4.50 for shipping. I asked if they could just ship me C.O.D. and there was an awkward pause. "No," she said, "We need your credit card number." Then, the representative whizzed through a 5-minute long speech of other products I could try. I said "No" to all of them. Finally, speaking very quickly, the representative asks if I am aware this is a free trial and she calls it "Managed Care". I didn't quite catch all she was saying, but I said "Yes, I understand it is a free trial." That's all she needed to charge me an additional $70. When I received a second shipment, I called the company and said "I do not want this additional product and I do not want to be billed $70--I will send it back! You said it was a free trial." They then told me I could cancel but would still be charged $70.

I asked to speak to a supervisor, none was available. I asked for an e-mail address. The one they gave me did not exist. I called again and asked to e-mail a complaint and to whom do I address it. They would give me no name and gave me another e-mail address that did not work. I've called several times and the representatives basically laugh at me. I even asked "Don't you want repeat customers? How are you going to stay in business treating people like this?" All I got back was attitude. How can this be legal?

Rhonda
Clermont, Florida
U.S.A.