At the end of Sept 09 I noticed at charge on my debit card for $2, I called the company and they said that it was for a pound of coffee that I would be receiving in the next 14 days and that I had 30 days from date of arrival to either accept or decline membership in this coffee club. I did not sign up for this service.
I was then told that within the 30 days I could call and cancel membership or just leave things alone and I would be billed 24.00 plus shipping & handling every 6 weeks for 2 lbs of coffee each time. I figured with the price of coffee I would pay the $2 for a lb of coffee (what a bargain!)
Three days later, I was charged 34.00 even though I had not received the first lb of coffee yet. I called the cust svc number and at this time (it was the first of Oct 09) I told them I wanted to cancel my membership including the lb of coffee for $2 and that their practices were not trustworthy since they charged my debit card before I even was able to try out their coffee.
The customer service rep I talked to said that she cancelled my membership and I would receive my refund as soon as they received the pkgs they sent and that I hadn't received yet back to them. Almost 2 weeks later I received the first lb of coffee which I refused at the post office. A few days later another pkg came which I also refused. I called the company to let them know that I refused both packages and expected my money back asap. Two days later they charged my card for $79.
At this time I was fuming, I'm a widow on a set income and cannot afford to have money taken out of my debit account that I do not authorize. The rep I talked to this time said that it can take up to two billing cycles from my debit company before I see the money. I called the debit card company which is through Wal-Mart to explain what happened and they said that Rich Cafe Direct would have to put in a credit in order for me to get my refund and to this day I have not been able to do.
I kept calling from the end of Oct 09 until up to March 2010 and got no answer just an answering machine to leave my info which I did approx 100 times. As of last week 03/02 their phone is now disconnected. I just really want my money back. I know $120 doesn't seem like alot to some but to someone on a fixed income it is food for a month or an electric bill that I cannot pay.
*EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account that someone wrongfully takes it from you!
EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back! HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO: Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E. According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days. If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges. Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!
DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER! Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get. And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state. Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth. If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.