Berkeley Premium Pharmaceuticals - Nutraceuticals ripoff then lied to about it then insulted by their "solution" Cincinnatti Ohio
Like so many other unfortunate souls before me, I tried the "30-day free sample", and later found myself to be enrolled in their monthly subscription program. This was August 13, 2003.
This was no big deal, I simply blamed myself for not doing my homework first. Realizing my mistake, I called Berkeley. Customer service stated that there was a 1-year money back satisfaction guarantee - but you had to stay enrolled in the program for one year to get the refund. (This information was also published on the website, which I printed out as "insurance"). Again, no big deal, I decided to tough it out, and call back in a year.
In June 2003, Berkeley quadruple-charged my credit card for that month's shipment. I was a bit upset about this, and called Berkeley again. The problem was eventually fixed, and I inquired again about the money back guarantee. Again, it's a one-year thing, you can get your money back after one year.
Finally, August 13, 2004, I called Berkeley to get my $420 back that I had paid into this program over the past year. (I even had every package they sent me, unopened, in a drawer in my room - just to be safe).
I finally spoke to a supervisor. This time, I was told that the money back guarantee "didn't go into effect until September 1st, 2003", and that I didn't qualify! Well, this was a bunch of crap. "Troy" informed me that since I started August 13th, I couldn't get any type of refund. I was quite upset at this.
He then told me that there was no record of me calling Berkeley before the June overbilling, no notes of anyone telling me about the guarantee, therefore no one could have told me I'd get my money back, and that the guarantee was not published on the website when I signed up. (Remember, the guarantee that I PRINTED). Now I was livid. (My question to him was, "then why would I keep this junk you sent me for a whole year for no reason?!?!?)
We went rounds, and I even started playing the "lawyer card" - something that I don't usually do. After about an hour on the phone, I was exhausted. The "best" he could do was send me a 60-day supply of Suvaril, and 90-day supply of Dromias, and $175 "would be on my next credit card statement".
Well, here it is, more than 5 weeks later, and sure - I got my 60 and 90 day supply of more JUNK...but do you think I've seen the $175? Of course not. I'm preparing myself for this next call. Especially since "Troy" gave me a confirmation number for the refund! (He probably made up a bunch of numbers).
The moral of the story - DO YOUR HOMEOWRK before you try/buy anything, and DON'T BUY BERKELEY! Not only will they rip you off financially, but the stuff doesn't even work!
Jennifer
pickerington, Ohio
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Jerry
Denver,Colorado,
U.S.A.
You can forget It Jennifer!
#4Consumer Comment
Tue, October 05, 2004
They will continue to lie to you about the return of your $175. I had to stop my credit card, just to avoid any more charges to my card.
They gave me the same line about returning "1/2" or $35 back on the unauthorized $70 charge, but indicated that it would take two months before I saw it. Amazing! You have exactly 2 months to dispute the charges then you are hosed! Now, however, my credit card company has been receiving complaints on this same company (such a worldly company!) and they are beginning to believe that I have a valid complaint.
Still remains to be seen if they will get old "Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals" to reverse charges. I wish you luck and hopefully you have filed your complaint with the Ohio State Attorney Generals Office. I can't imagine the millions of $$ this scam has bilked people out of! Very obviously there is nothing FREE in this world!
R
Cedar Rapids,Iowa,
U.S.A.
All right everybody. Lets see a show of hands.
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, September 23, 2004
How many out there on the 12 month money back guarantee program, actually has gotten a "No Problems Whatsoever" full refund after 12 months.
Don't be shy. Get those hands up now. Somebody?Anybody? I'm waiting!N obody wants to raise thier hands?
Okay, Well how many felt they have been tricked or decieved at some point in time when dealing with these guys.
Raise your hands. Wow, you can raise your hands after all.
Okay,one last time, who has gotten a FULL no problems whatsoever ,full 12 months refund.
HMMMM.So much for that idea.
Jennifer
pickerington,Ohio,
U.S.A.
sickens me to think that I spent all of that money, ONLY because they promised I could get it back
#4Author of original report
Wed, September 22, 2004
I called Berkeley back on September 22nd, 2004, and the cust. serv. rep that I spoke to stated that, while my account did show the samples that were sent, there was (conveniently) no record of any monetary refund. Somehow, that was exactly what I expected to hear. Off to a supervisor I went.
I was transferred to "Kenny", and I was reminded that I "do not qualify for the 12month guarantee". I hate hearing that over and over, after being told for a year that "everything would be ok". After lengthy hold times, he said he would credit through April (because NOW my refund information was appearing on my account - fancy that). When I asked for the amount, I was told that I would receive a refund of $140.
This was not acceptable. I told him that "Troy" promised me a $175 refund. I was put on hold again while he called his "credit department", and "lucky me", they approved the $175 refund.
It seemed that the previous refund was not submitted/processed by "Troy" the first time. I will wait a couple weeks, and probably have to call back when I don't get this refund either.
It sickens me to think that I spent all of that money, ONLY because they promised I could get it back after a year, and now I've lost it.
Has anyone come up with a solution to this ripoff, and/or a way to get our money back??? (Or a way to sue the pants off of them?)