Complaint Review: HBS Books

I ordered a book from HBS Books. I received a charge on my debit card for $19.95. I believe that to be for the book plus shipping. After many weeks I had not received the book, and finally received an e-mail from this entity, stating that they would be unable to supply me with the book and that I would not be charged for the book. This was confusing to me since I had already been charged $19.95.

The next day (after receiving the e-mail), I received yet another $19.95 charge to my debit card. I believed that this was the company's attempt to refund my original charge, but mistakenly processed as a charge. I contacted the company and was told that this was a monthly membership charge that was assessed. I was outraged because: 1) I had not authorized these membership fees and 2) I had now been charged a total of $40.00 for a book I had not received and was told by the company I would not be receiving!!!

Somehow I was to pay $40.00 for the privilege of being allowed to order a book which they did not have the ability to provide me. I have been promised that the second charge of $19.95 will be refunded, but that has yet to happen. I was told that a refund of the first charge of $19.95 would require approval of someone else in the company, and that the person with whom I was speaking would "apply" for authorization to do the credit.

Stay away from this company - it is BAD NEWS!!!!

Anonymous
Cleveland, Ohio
U.S.A.