BSM Grant Search Aka/ BSM SBA Express Aka/ Network Agenda Aka/ Easy Grant Sucess Grant Search CD for 1.99 RIP OFF!!! Internet
This "company" charged my account over $100 in less than 30 days. All I wanted was the CD for which I only had to pay $1.99 shipping. Yeah right!! I am very careful to read the fine print before hitting the enter key. I distinctly remember at the bottom of the page a pre-checked box, which indicated that I agreed to additional information including membership to the "live Grant help desk", for an additional $39.95 a month. I immediately unchecked the box, hoping that I would only get the CD.
Well, I was in for a surprise! First, I NEVER got the CD, then all this charges started appearing on my credit card bill. They totaled over $100.00. I called the toll free number on my bill (that's the only free thing with these people), and the girl tried to tell me that she could only refund $39.95. I explained to her that I had not authorized any of the charges and that I wanted an immediate cancellation and a full refund.She started reading all the excuses from her script (Oh yes!, they use a script for objections, refunds, you name it). I asked her to stop and get me a supervisor. After 20 minutes the supervisor finally gets on the line. He tries to convince me that I must have agreed to the additional items. I stood my ground an made it perfectly clear that I hadn't. He finally agreed to process the refund. Then he had the nerve to ask me if I still wanted the CD! Yikes! I almost fell off my chair!
I should see a credit on my account within 5-7 days.
The lesson: 1-READ THE FINE PRINT. If you must, print every screen whenever you buy online & save them. 2- Stand your ground. Don't let them intimidate you.
Miss lady
Deland, Florida
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Ryan
St. George,Utah,
U.S.A.
Resolution Offer
#2UPDATE Employee
Tue, April 29, 2008
First of all let me offer my sincerest apologies for any misunderstandings that may have occurred when placing your order for the CD. The Grant Master educational CD is a grant based program that is designed to help customers Locate Grants, Find Grant Applications, Write Grant Proposals, and assist them with anything else that may be needed in the process of Obtaining Grant Funding. The CD offers the ability to search for grants by keyword(s), in up to 5 simultaneous categories. This program is supplemented by a member's site, this site offers access to live chat support for assistance with any part of the application and proposal process or questions pertaining to the CD or the member's site. You are also provided access to one of the largest grant data bases you can find anywhere. Here you can find both government and private foundation grants. There is also information from Dr. John Porter who is a licensed and certified grant writer. The information that is offered through our member's website is more extensive than what other companies sell in coaching programs that cost thousands of dollars. So we feel that we are offering our clients the best value in the industry. There are no commitments with the free product. However, there is a bonus free trial period to membership websites that accompanies the free CD and we do our best to disclose this as it is stated 4 times throughout the ordering process - on the sales page, the order page, the confirmation page and in the confirmation/thank you email, it is then also explained in the 1st paragraph of the Terms and Conditions of the offer. We offer the trial periods to give our clients a chance to use the services so they may see the value of them for themselves before they are billed for them. The trial periods are free for 7-30 days from the order date depending on which bonuses apply. We do not charge customers that call customer service and cancel during the trial period. It is not our desire to bill clients who do not want the membership after the free trial offer ends.
When you order our product you must select "Ship My FREE Kit!". On the same page as that button is the following disclosure:
Terms and Disclosures. By clicking "Submit", I am ordering the Grant Master CD and trial membership for $1.99 for Shipping and $1.00 for Handling/Insurance, after the 7 day trial I will be charged $39.95 a month thereafter if I do not cancel. I also agree to the 14 day and 21 day bonus trials to Express Business Funding and Network Agenda for $7.95 a month and $9.95 a month thereafter, should I choose not to cancel. I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy / Terms and Conditions. Charges will appear on credit/debit statements as "GRANTSEARCHASST". For questions, call 866-396-5694 M-F, 9am-9pm, EST.
You state that you "distinctly remember at the bottom of the page a pre-checked box, which indicated that I agreed to additional information including membership to the "live Grant help desk", for an additional $39.95 a month. I immediately unchecked the box, hoping that I would only get the CD."
This pre-checked box does not exist on any of our offers - The membership and bonus programs are part of receiving the free CD and as outlined in the the Terms and Conditions of the offer you must contact customer service to cancel these services if you are not interested in using them after the 7 day trial period has ended.
Unfortunately, without a name or any valid contact information, I am unable to locate an account for you to verify that your account has been canceled at this time. You can contact customer service at the number provided in the above disclosure if you have any additional concerns you'd like to discuss.
If you are another customer that is reading this and you feel that we have failed you in some way or you feel you weren't treated fairly please call me directly at 435-773-1795 or email me at ryanr@wskc.org and I would be happy to address your concerns ASAP.
Sincerely,
Ryan R.