Complaint Review: Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals

I ordered a free sample of Rogisen, a vitamin for night vision. I was charged for shipping, $4.95. When the vitamins arrived I tried them, but did not notice any difference in my night vision. I called back to cancel all future shipments about two weeks after receipt of the vitamins. I thought it odd that I was not given a confirmation number, but believed that my request for cancellation would be honored.

When I received another shipment, I called again, and again, and again, but could not get through. I kept getting a message stating "unusually high volume of callers" and other repeated messages, saying that I could contact www.askberkeley.com to cancel future orders with "manage care direct".

When I tried the website, I could only find websites regarding the rip off tactics of the company. I did manage to get through after many tries and talked with a supervisor. She took my information and said that my enrollment will be discontinued. This time I asked for a confirmation number. She said that she could not give it to me but that someone else would call me with the number confirming my cancellation.

That was two days ago and I still haven't heard back from anyone. I called again today, and after repeated attempts finally got through. I told the person that I did not want the product and that I was going to send it back and asked them to credit my charge account for the amount of $70.00. He told me that it was too late and that he could not credit my credit card because I didn't call soon enough to cancel in order to stop shipment. We went round and round, me telling him that I did cancel in plenty of time, but that they sent the vitamins anyway. He said that I needed a confirmation number and I told him that one was never given to me. And in fact, I was still waiting for one from the second call I placed! He basically told me that I was out of luck and there was nothing he could do.

When I told him that I was going to file a report to the Better Business Bureau, he offered to credit my account in the amount of $35.00 - I'm still out $35.00 but I figured I better take it and chalk this whole thing up to experience. This time, I did get a confirmation number which he added would not do me any good, but that my card would be credited within 72 hours for $35.00. I'm still out on a limb here, wondering if future shipments have indeed stopped and if my credit card will show the credit of $35.00.

Jeannie
Atascadero, California
U.S.A.