Complaint Review: Central Coast Nutra

I started a $1.00 trial offer for GreenTea Extreme, plus shipping & handling of $4.95. I opted out of the other offers, Hoodia Gum and Hoodia Water. I submitted my order..the receipt emailed to me reflected $45.85 total and included the gum and water (who would chew tea flavored gum for $9.95?????) I immediately emailed requesting the trial be canceled and a full refund of my money.

I received no response, until today, an auto response came up. (and it didn't go into junk because I have my settings so nothing is junk). I received the package in the mail, it said there is a restocking fee for unopened packages. Mine is unopened, but I have not been able to get a hold of anyone after 4 emails within 30 days, at least 3 hrs of hold time- today, 10/10/08, ironically the 31st day after the 30 day trial began, someone answered the phone! Within 30 seconds I was hung up on. I called back, I remained on hold and rerouted several times. Total call like when it was all said and done was 37 minutes. I have experience in the FF industry and no phone or email response within 30 days is completely unacceptable! Well, unfortunatly, since today was the 1st day after the trial offer, I was no longer eligible for a refund. I explained the many emails I've not received response to UNTIL TODAY, and the calls with no answer, UNTIL TODAY, and she apologized saying that they couldn't simply hire people off the bus to take calls and answer emails and the growth of the product was completely unexpected. She also said my initial email sent was received by them before I received the product, so they couldn't help me yet, why respond when we can't help? REALLY?????? I replied with, I completely understand that, ESPECIALLY with the experience of being in the consumer fulfillment business for 13 years, but the way around that is to allow the refund on the 31st day when you are sitting there admitting no one could help you cause they were too busy.

All in all, I signed up for a $5.95 trial, attempted to cancel it numerous times over the course of the 30 days (both in writing and verbal) and ended up with product I won't give away or even feed to my dog on sheer principle!!! And it cost me only $85.80 to learn this company is a RIP OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!! I asked for a manager- she said no manager will take my call, and in fact it shows everytime I've talked to them I've spoken to a manager- HELLO- today was the first day I got a hold of ANYONE!!!! She also claimed, well it shows here they called you back when they hung up on you...really? Cause 1)I'm at work, 2)I'm ON THE PHONE WITH HER AT THAT TIME!!!!! and- no message was left, so I think she was lying about that just like the company lied about the offer, refused customer communication much less satisfaction!

Klee
Davenport IA, Iowa
U.S.A.