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Melaleuca, inc Didnt realize I authorized this company to take any amount from my bank account.. thanks to this report I cancelled my account. Melaleuca would not cancel when I called them less than 34hrs after originating transaction. Idaho Falls Idaho
I was introduced and enrolled into this ripp off plan by a member of my church choir...I told her I was interested in ALL Natural products, and told her
I noticed no claim of all natural on the label..She said well, they are (all natural) I learned how totally incorrect that was on your rippoff report which I located after learning that Melaleuca was not going to cancel my order, membership,or direct access to my bank account.
I had no idea what I had done before reading the payment agreement in tiny print on the back of the membership agreement. The enticement was a special thru the 20th of March for only a one time membership fee of $1.00 in order to recieve a 40% discount on the price ,which is still too much. The payment agreement stated that I had authorized Melaleuca to charge my financial instution repeatedly and also hold them "Harmless for all special or consequential damages whether direct,or indirect,resulting from any wrongful debit to my account"! I enrolled with my church member at 4p march 10,2008. She answered my question that I could cancel at any time...NOT true.
I called the 1800 262-0600 enrollments dept at 9am the next morning and was advisd it was too late the order had already been shipped. I enquired and was given the shipping info and after speaking with the post office learned the order indeed had not been shipped they had only applied for the shipping information. The cancellation rights on the agreement says be recieved in writing by mail in three days.I told them I would fax request today. They said ok,but have to be in mail to cancel. So I will do both.
Again I referred to your report and learned in time,what I needed to do. I had to cancel my bank account to stop this. I will have to wait for new checks and debit card. I had a little cash and another bank account, Thank Heaven. And I have already paid the bills this month.
I have recieved a call back from the enroller, She seemed upset that I could not cancel and said this had never happened before, and that she had never experienced any over billing. I advisd her that this company reps told me on two seperate calls it was too late to cancel the order and that I had to mail my request to cancel membership. That the reason I could not cancel was the order had already been shipped, and that the post office confirmed that the order had not been shipped that the company had applied to ship,only.
Moreover, I gave them my social security number. I ask if I had to, they said yes, but it is very secure and my enroller church member, said it was ok. I believe that is the dumbest thing I have done in a long time. I will refuse to give this information and do without whatever products that compaines insist this information to recieve. I think I must have been signing up for employment but also didnt understand that. There was probably going to be insurance ect down the line.
I will never know if the product would be benificial or not, The hassle to get out of it all at my expense and inconvinence, and the company dishonesty,will prevent me from another negetive experience risk.
I also have learned that this is a multi level marketing corporation. That means Pyramid. They charge so much to pay out at all the levels.
I know if I was the enroller I would not want to sign up anyone who had any reservations giving personal information especially social security number. I felt both the enrolller and the represetative on the phone realized I was not completely informed and that I did not fully understand what I was doing.
This enroller church member does indeed believe in the product. Her home is filled with it. Candles in every room. Snacks,ceral,energy bars and drinks Also, the most expensive vitamin pacs were right in her refridgerator. Just the vitamin pac was going to cost $100 a month! The snack crackers said organic on the label. I'm sure my local Health food store also stocks many chemical free environmental friendly snacks and drinks but with no obligations attached. Maybe at a better price with no
s&h added.
I was gullible. Too trusting. Overly eager for an answer to the unacceptable amount of toxic ingredients in our consumer products. Think I'll go back to basics, more vinegar,baking soda,aloe vera,olive oil. And continue to read the labels and warnings.
Sissy
somewhere, Texas
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Melaleuca
10 Updates & Rebuttals
Thomas M.
Ogden,Utah,
United States of America
Full Disclosure
#11Consumer Suggestion
Sat, April 10, 2010
Clearly, this is another example of a representative not delivering a full presentation as well as full disclosure on the written cancellation policy.
Oil Biz
Tucson,Arkansas,
United States of America
Melaleuca is a good company
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, March 31, 2010
I have been a customer with Melaleuca for 18 years. My first check was $300 and I have never had to pay for the products. I have made $3 Million dollars and helped many of my customers also make an extra $500/$500/$50,000 or more. They are made with natural ingredients, no chemicals and they are less expensive than Walmart. They are concentrated, when mixed with water, they outlast and out perform the grocery store brands. When you cancel, you have to fax in a letter because this is a written agreement. If you order something you don't like, you can send it back. The vitamin pack is $19.99 and guarantees you will feel better. I have had perfect health for the 18 years I have been using all of the vitamins.
All of the crap you buy at the store has chemicals and fillers in it and is NOT safe for you, your kids or your pets. Call poison control and you will hear the horror stories about kids getting into bleach, 409, Tide, Limeaway, etc. Our products can be rubbed on your skin, you can drink it and they are safe. Sorry your enroller did not explain this to you.
It is not a pyramid. We have been around and growing for 25 years. We have an A+ credit rating with the BBB. There are 500,000 customers in 20 countries. This is not many complaints for that many customers and most of mine have a 97% reorder rate.
That means they like the products and they like getting a check back. No stocking of products, no inventory, no risk, no billing. Any other company like Mary Kay, Arbonne,
Herbalife, Nu skin, any juice companies force you to buy $1000-$2000 of products, sell it and if you don't sell it you are stuck with it. You can get your $1/$29 better within 4 months, use any of the products for 60 days, including the vitamins and if you don't like it, you can return it!
A very satisfied customer with 2000 other very happy satisfied customers!!!!
Joce Lenz
Ironton,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
Seriously?
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, April 03, 2008
I am a happy customer and so are many of my family and friends.
Seriously, if your friend didn't know the whole truth then maybe you need to hold HER accountable, not Melaleuca! If you are so worried about giving out your social then why give it out? Why not check into it instead of doing it and then complaining about it later?
As for the ALL Natural part, Melaleuca does not claim to be ALL Natural, your friend made that claim. Once again, complain about HER! There are some products that are ALL Natural, like the vitamins but they are very clear about thier products being NON TOXIC.
You may not reaslize that their vitamines are pharmicudical grade, not what you find at the supermarket. You will pay more at GNC for similar products. Just because she spends 100 dollars on her vitamins doesn't mean that it is all they have to offer, you also have the choice to get a different package for 20 dollars.
And really, if you filled out a form that lets you choose a method of payment then why would you be surprised to find that they billed your account? Why would you need to read fine print for that?
As far as the order being shipped 34 hours later... well maybe you need some clarification. Your order is processed almost immediatly but possibly not shipped until the next buisness day. If your friend had given you all of the information then maybe you would have been happy to see them take care of your order so quickly. However, since you were extremely misinformed by your friend thier promtness irritated you...
And really, why would you put yourself through so much trouble to cancell your bank account? That is not really smart of you. Melaleuca will cancell your membership ANY TIME (yes, anytime!) I have faxed in two letters to cancell for people that I know and it was no trouble at all. They were never charged for anything or had any problems.
Seriously now, are you really mad at Melaleuca because they are a bad company or did you give your friend credit for knowing about something that she obvously had no clue? You really need to symplify your life if this is over your head. You may not want to spend the time making your own cleaners with baking soda and vinigar if you are not able to figure out how to fallow the simple things in life like a product membership.
Joce Lenz
Ironton,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
Seriously?
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, April 03, 2008
I am a happy customer and so are many of my family and friends.
Seriously, if your friend didn't know the whole truth then maybe you need to hold HER accountable, not Melaleuca! If you are so worried about giving out your social then why give it out? Why not check into it instead of doing it and then complaining about it later?
As for the ALL Natural part, Melaleuca does not claim to be ALL Natural, your friend made that claim. Once again, complain about HER! There are some products that are ALL Natural, like the vitamins but they are very clear about thier products being NON TOXIC.
You may not reaslize that their vitamines are pharmicudical grade, not what you find at the supermarket. You will pay more at GNC for similar products. Just because she spends 100 dollars on her vitamins doesn't mean that it is all they have to offer, you also have the choice to get a different package for 20 dollars.
And really, if you filled out a form that lets you choose a method of payment then why would you be surprised to find that they billed your account? Why would you need to read fine print for that?
As far as the order being shipped 34 hours later... well maybe you need some clarification. Your order is processed almost immediatly but possibly not shipped until the next buisness day. If your friend had given you all of the information then maybe you would have been happy to see them take care of your order so quickly. However, since you were extremely misinformed by your friend thier promtness irritated you...
And really, why would you put yourself through so much trouble to cancell your bank account? That is not really smart of you. Melaleuca will cancell your membership ANY TIME (yes, anytime!) I have faxed in two letters to cancell for people that I know and it was no trouble at all. They were never charged for anything or had any problems.
Seriously now, are you really mad at Melaleuca because they are a bad company or did you give your friend credit for knowing about something that she obvously had no clue? You really need to symplify your life if this is over your head. You may not want to spend the time making your own cleaners with baking soda and vinigar if you are not able to figure out how to fallow the simple things in life like a product membership.
Joce Lenz
Ironton,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
Seriously?
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, April 03, 2008
I am a happy customer and so are many of my family and friends.
Seriously, if your friend didn't know the whole truth then maybe you need to hold HER accountable, not Melaleuca! If you are so worried about giving out your social then why give it out? Why not check into it instead of doing it and then complaining about it later?
As for the ALL Natural part, Melaleuca does not claim to be ALL Natural, your friend made that claim. Once again, complain about HER! There are some products that are ALL Natural, like the vitamins but they are very clear about thier products being NON TOXIC.
You may not reaslize that their vitamines are pharmicudical grade, not what you find at the supermarket. You will pay more at GNC for similar products. Just because she spends 100 dollars on her vitamins doesn't mean that it is all they have to offer, you also have the choice to get a different package for 20 dollars.
And really, if you filled out a form that lets you choose a method of payment then why would you be surprised to find that they billed your account? Why would you need to read fine print for that?
As far as the order being shipped 34 hours later... well maybe you need some clarification. Your order is processed almost immediatly but possibly not shipped until the next buisness day. If your friend had given you all of the information then maybe you would have been happy to see them take care of your order so quickly. However, since you were extremely misinformed by your friend thier promtness irritated you...
And really, why would you put yourself through so much trouble to cancell your bank account? That is not really smart of you. Melaleuca will cancell your membership ANY TIME (yes, anytime!) I have faxed in two letters to cancell for people that I know and it was no trouble at all. They were never charged for anything or had any problems.
Seriously now, are you really mad at Melaleuca because they are a bad company or did you give your friend credit for knowing about something that she obvously had no clue? You really need to symplify your life if this is over your head. You may not want to spend the time making your own cleaners with baking soda and vinigar if you are not able to figure out how to fallow the simple things in life like a product membership.
Joce Lenz
Ironton,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
Seriously?
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, April 03, 2008
I am a happy customer and so are many of my family and friends.
Seriously, if your friend didn't know the whole truth then maybe you need to hold HER accountable, not Melaleuca! If you are so worried about giving out your social then why give it out? Why not check into it instead of doing it and then complaining about it later?
As for the ALL Natural part, Melaleuca does not claim to be ALL Natural, your friend made that claim. Once again, complain about HER! There are some products that are ALL Natural, like the vitamins but they are very clear about thier products being NON TOXIC.
You may not reaslize that their vitamines are pharmicudical grade, not what you find at the supermarket. You will pay more at GNC for similar products. Just because she spends 100 dollars on her vitamins doesn't mean that it is all they have to offer, you also have the choice to get a different package for 20 dollars.
And really, if you filled out a form that lets you choose a method of payment then why would you be surprised to find that they billed your account? Why would you need to read fine print for that?
As far as the order being shipped 34 hours later... well maybe you need some clarification. Your order is processed almost immediatly but possibly not shipped until the next buisness day. If your friend had given you all of the information then maybe you would have been happy to see them take care of your order so quickly. However, since you were extremely misinformed by your friend thier promtness irritated you...
And really, why would you put yourself through so much trouble to cancell your bank account? That is not really smart of you. Melaleuca will cancell your membership ANY TIME (yes, anytime!) I have faxed in two letters to cancell for people that I know and it was no trouble at all. They were never charged for anything or had any problems.
Seriously now, are you really mad at Melaleuca because they are a bad company or did you give your friend credit for knowing about something that she obvously had no clue? You really need to symplify your life if this is over your head. You may not want to spend the time making your own cleaners with baking soda and vinigar if you are not able to figure out how to fallow the simple things in life like a product membership.
Danni63
McDonough,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Your panic is premature
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, March 27, 2008
I've been a Melaleuca customer and Marketing Executive since October of 2005, so I've got plenty of experience with your particular problem.
My first point is that your friend who introduced you to Melaleuca either intentionally mislead you or acted in ignorance herself. Melaleuca is NOT "all natural" and it is company policy that we do not represent them as such.
Melaleuca makes a point of referring to their products as "the best of science and nature." All are guaranteed to be safer, non-toxic versions of the products we already use in our homes. Many people don't know that they have HIGHLY toxic chemicals in their homes. Nor do they understand that just because something is natural does NOT mean it's safe. For instance, most people don't think twice about having chlorine bleach in their homes. Yet, Chlorine, while being natural, is also highly caustic and deadly. So Melaleuca does not use it in any of the products. But if you combine it with sodium in the right way, you've got perfectly harmless table salt: sodium-chloride. Well... if you've got high blood pressure, then it might not be so harmless.
Secondly, when you went through the enrollment process with your friend (either in person with actual paperwork, online, or over the phone), how is it that you didn't know that you were giving your credit card/debit card number as a form of payment for your $1 enrollment and for the products you purchased? That's not something you could have been deceived about. When you go to the store, you know you're paying for the items at the checkout counter. When you purchase something online, you know that you're paying for the items you've purchased when you fill out the form with payment information and click "Submit." So when you gave this payment information, you knew that you were authorizing the company to take that amount from your credit card or debit card. (If you enrolled by phone, the Melaleuca representative would have recorded the explicit and open request to process this payment and your agreement to do so.)
I understand that you're angry, but saying you didn't realize this in your subject line is a blatant misrepresentation of the facts.
Lastly, I wondered why you were pitching such a fit over $1. Then I read on and saw in your later post that you'd paid $207.93. This tells me you not only enrolled at $1, but you also purchased one of the home conversion packs - most likely the $199 one. That's fine. But your friend apparently didn't explain the money back guarantee, either.
All new customers start with a 120-day trial period. You've got 120 days to return your Business/Customer Information Kit, requesting a refund on your enrollment fee. In your case, that would be $1 US. (The normal cost is $29 US.) To get this refund, just send your wishes to cancel your account in writing to Melaleuca, and you'll get your money back. (Do so by the 25th of the month so that it's effective the same month.) Also all the products come with a 60-day empty-bottle money back guarantee. Try any of the products, and you have up to 60 days to call Melaleuca and say, "I don't like this product. I want my money back." They'll give you instructions to return the item and get a refund - even if you used up the entire thing! The vitamins have a 90-day empty-bottle money back guarantee.
Even if your friend didn't tell you this, all of it is detailed in the standard business presentation, which you should have seen and/or heard before enrolling. It is standard procedure to show all potential customers and/or business builders this presentation in order for them to have "full disclosure" before agreeing to ANY thing. Even if your friend didn't show you the full standard presentation, Melaleuca's customer service would have told you as much when you called.
So, Sissy, you've got plenty of time to request a full refund. You could have saved yourself the hassle of closing your bank account. Your bank most likely has other members who are Melaleuca customers and they've not had any problems.
Just like any other company, there are going to be people who are dissatisfied. I, for one, cannot stand Wal-Mart, yet most of the American population loves them.
Every time I read a post such as yours, I am disappointed. Sometimes disappointed in the Marketing Executive who mishandled the new customer. Sometimes disappointed in the new customer/business builder who had unrealistic expectations. In this case, Sissy, it's your friend who let you down. I certainly hope that it was out of her own ignorance and inexperience.
Here are your options:
1) When the package arrives, refuse delivery. Then call Melaleuca and request a full refund.
2) If you're unable to meet the UPS delivery man when he drops the package off, call Melaleuca and ask how you can return it for a refund.
3) Try the products for a month - you've got up to 60 days to decide whether or not you like them. If you like some, but not others, call Melaleuca to arrange for a refund on the ones you don't like.
Don't panic. You're just causing yourself undue stress. Melaleuca has been in business since 1985 and is in the practice of providing good customer service. They earn customers, they don't deceive them.
God bless you.
Diana Pbc Florida
Panama City Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
Shocked
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, March 26, 2008
I came to this site to check on a company and ran across this post. I have been doing business with this company for years and have never had 1 bad experience. This company is the only company on the internet that I trust to give me personal data. The products are outstanding, better for you, less expensive than any store "natural" store I have shopped at let alone your traditional stores. The honesty and integrity of Melaleuca is second to none. I was a single mom when enrolled, now my son is disabled. I dreamed of becoming a rep for this company prior to the accident. There are products we can not live with out. Everything is spelled out in the handbook, look at the website and read. This 20 year company with constant growth is not only selling products. It also is out helping people in the community rebuild their lives. Do some research on the owner. He is a very fine man. My regrets for your experience.
Susan In Texas
Deer Park,Texas,
U.S.A.
The Melaleuca preferred customer program and products
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, March 13, 2008
This person obviously didn't understand business operations - ie shipping departments getting orders as soon as they are placed, referral business practices where the customers can refer others to the business and get paid a loyalty check, and the difference between a direct sales company and a multi-level marketing company. Melaleuca is not an MLM even though it pays it's marketing representatives through 7 generations (which is a business sales model and not a pyramid).
7 levels of income can only be achieved if you have become a director even if you are above someone in the referral ranks which proves this isn't a pyramid. Commissions are being paid for products sold and the reason Melaleuca can pay their representatives is because they manufacture and distribute them without advertising on the TV or radio. None of us are distributors as in Multi-level marketing companys - only representatives and customers.
As far as cost goes, Every product in the grocery store doesn't come straight from the manufacturer costing what it does. It has shipping costs added to it, advertising costs after it is prepared, advertising cost paid to the person who came up with the logo or label, and container pricing to the person they bought the container from.
I have been with Melaleuca for over 3 years. I have never had a charge on my card that I didn't authorize. They protect our identity and credit card number so that when I order online, I only see the last 4 digits of the card I have on file so I don't have to send it over the internet. I love all the products and have found them not to be higher than what people pay at the grocery stores. The retail prices that we get 30-40% off on are the prices that you would pay at a whole foods store or a healthfood store. I can trust the company name brand because I know the philosophy that this company has in making products that are environmentally safe and friendly.
When you buy from the store different name brands, you don't know if they all have the same standards as far as that goes. As for the prices,
I call them grocery store prices on healthfood store type products.
The supplements are first quality fructose compounded vitamins and minerals which means their absorbtion rate is higher than comparable vitamins. The pack of vitamins that the lady was talking about is our most expensive pack for $100 and is a month supply of am/pm packaged vitamins of 9 different supplements. That is just a little over $10 for each supplement including a patented heart antioxidant and a fish oil supplement. Most of my friends pay much more than that for a glucosomine supplement that doesn't even relieve pain and that is included in the packet as well. One of my customers compared these supplements to those she was going to buy at the store individually and said it would equal over $200.
Our cleaning products are usually about $5.25 for a bottle that makes 4 squirt bottles of tub and tile cleaner or a 409 alternative with naturally derrived chemicals from things like tea tree oil (melaleuca oil) which is a natural solvent. Our laundry detergent is half the price per serving of Tide and much safer. I don't think those prices are unreasonable. I do agree that you can't compare them with the dollar store products but with Melaleuca, you are also aying for more quality products. Our tooth polish is more comparable to Pearl Drops or Rembrant tooth polish prices and not the dollar special of Colgate or Crest. Our skin care line isn't comparable with all of the Avon products - only the higher quality ones like the anew.
Our skin care is comparable with Mary Kay, Clinique, or Este Lauder but cheaper and with more vitamins and antioxidants.
Our company stresses to each representative to give a full New Horizons presentation to explain in detail and in order the preferred customer program in which we explain that the membership is a 4 month trial membership with 100% money back satisfaction guarantee so this lady can send her products back and get her $1 back too. We also have in writing that you can cancel your membership in writing by the 25th day of the month. If there is a problem, Melaleuca will fix it.
You do have to remember that this company employs over 2000 employees and it is steadily growing so some people might fall through the cracks.
The company does have a 94% reorder rate which means that most of it's customers are very happy with the company and the products. I also have never had a rude customer service rep and am always being told by my customers that they can't believe how helpful and friendly they are. I have also had 10 of my customers drop out for one reason or another and none of them has had a problem.
Again, out of 2000 employees, you might find a few that had a bad day.
I think it also depends on how they are approached and if someone had placed an order the day before and then called immediately to cancel, it might raise a red flag to me too as a customer service rep. as to why this person is so doubleminded and afraid. This company is over 22 years old. If they were a rip off, why are they still in business and growing?
Sissy
whitney,Texas,
U.S.A.
Next day ...The Bank fraud dragged its feet account was not closed!!!
#11Author of original report
Wed, March 12, 2008
my bank did not close my account yesterday..Melaleuca got their money $207.93 .at 3am today. I am about to check to see if the bank shows up on a ripoff list. I now have to spend more time filling out fraud forms to get my money back...Not likely to happen..guess I'll have to spend time and money even tho the writing on the melaleuca paper work says I have three days to cancel...I faxed them and wrote them to do that and called them...they said it was too late, order had already been shipped..I also tw chuch member who enrolled me in this mess...I ask her not to send in my paper work to keep them from securing my written permission to access my account...This just STINKS...I will still reject the package when it comes,but then I wont have proof I returned the order I tried to cancel before they sent it...I do however have the tracking information..Maybe I can go online and print out that I rejected the package.