Complaint Review: Merchandise Center

I applied for a Catherine's credit card in the store so I could get 15% off my purchase in December 2007. This was the only time I had ever used the card in the year and a half that I have had it. In June 2009, I received a call on behalf of Catherine's regarding my credit card. I was told that Catherine's was giving me a free gift. I asked the caller what my obligation would be, he told me there was no obligation whatsoever! I told him fine, send it.

I received an Amethyst Eyes 2 collection that included a ring and a pair of earrings. There was a card in the envelope that was attached atop the box of jewelry. The letter in the envelop explained that more jewelry would be coming but if I wanted to stop the jewelry from coming altogether, or if I did not like what was in future boxes I could simply fill out the card and send it back. However, I there was nothing in the box or on the card that said that Merchandise Center would pay postage. The very next day I got another box of jewelry. I knew that I didn't want to start paying for jewelry and I was most certainly not about to start paying for postage I wrote return to sender on the unopened box and sent it back. A couple of weeks later I received two more boxes of jewelry. To my surprise, I also received that same day, a Catherine's credit card statement. I was surprised because I do not really shop at Catherine's, only occasionally for the Spanx pantyhose which I buy with my debit card. The amount due on the credit card was for $186! I immediately called Catherine's. The call representative told me that it appears from some third party. I told him about the call I had received about the free jewelry. He told me that the dispute department had already closed for the day and he would have someone from that department to call me back within the next 10 business days. It's been 10 business days and no one as called me back. If they think that I am going to pay for this they have lost their minds! Meanwhile, jewelry is still coming. The post office sent one of the returned boxes back to me. I guess because I opened the envelop on top of the box to see if there was a return card in it; there was not. All that was in the envelope was the piece of paper that showed my name and address in the envelop window. The label that the post office used said

Return to Addressee. We ar sorry but we cannot honor your request to return your package unless postage is paid by you. You may have been misled by the marking "RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED." This endorsement is only valid if the package and attached invoice are both unopened. The required postage is _____. Thank you for your cooperation. Your postal service. Please removal this label prior to re-mailing package.

There is no invoice in the envelope! Now, I'm thinking that there must be an invoice or something with a phone number or something, in the box. Nope, nothing but what looks like a necklace jewelry box. I'll pay to send this one back since I did open up the envelope (looking for the card to send it back with), but if Catherine's or anybody else tries to make me pay for this they are in for a big surprise. And, If they try to ruin my credit I'm going to sue the hell out of them.

Phyllis d
Columbus, Georgia
U.S.A.