Print the value of index0
Bruce A. Berman: The Berman Differential NOT FREE!!! You will be billed! California
I heard about Bruce A. Berman on the radio. I was invited (as all listeners) to order his free book, "I Got Here, You Can, Too!" A web-site address was given, so I quickly wrote it down.
Once I got onto the site and clicked my way through to my "free" book, there was a shipping and handling charge. Well, no problem there. I didn't mind paying for shipping. The site read quite clearly that shipping would be completely refunded if not completely satisfied. So I entered my credit card number and placed my order for the "free" book at $3.95 shipping and handling.
When I received my order, I got a book PLUS CDs! I was really pleased! What a great deal for a small shipping charge. This Bruce A. Berman must really be for real!
After 30 days, my credit card statement came. Lo and behold, I was charged a mysterious $99.90 from Berman in California! I couldn't believe it!
I got back on the web-site and clicked through the process again to see where I went wrong. On the last page, down at the bottom in the infamous small print, I noticed something about a 30 day money back guarantee - but this was for the shipping charge, wasn't it? So I read the small print closer.
Spelled out - not in numericals! - was the cost of ninety nine dollars and ninety cents!!! This small print was so deliberately deceptive, the cost of the FULL Berman Course was spelled in such a way as to make it difficult to see the $99.90 (or should I say "ninety nine dollars and ninety cents?).
After calling the costomer service line and clearly showing my displeasure at such underhand tactics, I was told that my credit card would be credited for $75.00, but the difference I had to pay.
I haven't yet finished the book or even looked at the CDs. Whether their worth $25.00 is yet to be seen. It's just the clear-cut, dishonest selling practice that everyone needs to be aware of.
Todd
Banner, Kentucky
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Michael
Newport Beach,California,
U.S.A.
Terms and Conditions of Offer Fully Disclosed
#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, May 25, 2005
The Berman Investment Group has a 100% return policy and we will accept any book or CD's in saleable condition for a full credit. In addition, we do not ship unordered products and our web site clearly indicates, in several places, our terms and conditions and return policy of our offers. An insert is also shipped with all of our products informing the consumer on how to return any materials if they desire a return. The Berman Investment Group Customer Care Center is open Monday Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST. After hours customer service is available 7-days a week. The Customer Care Center and after hours center can be reached toll free at (877) 237-6265.
Scott
Kennesaw,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Keep the Chargebacks coming!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Fri, February 25, 2005
Per VISA and MasterCard regulations, if a merchant exceeds a certain threshold of chargebacks (REGARDLESS of the reason), they will be placed on a monitoring program. If the chargebacks continue, they will eventually be terminated and no longer permitted to conduct business with Visa and MasterCard. By the way, merchants pay HUGE fees for chargebacks so make sure you do them quick. The regulations state you have 6 months to dispute something. However, if the merchant is broke and bouncing those chargebacks, the merchant's processor or their sponsoring bank may start to fight those chargebacks and try to find a way to stick you with it.
Another note, they suggest you wait "1-2 billing cycles" for your credit to appear. With the advent of the internet, you can look online. If the merchant hasn't posted your credit within FIFTEEN days of them getting the merchandise, you can immediately charge it back for "Non receipt of credit." Don't let them make you wait. They will eventually start putting you off and off and off until your rights have expired. Deal directly with your bank.