My situation was pretty much the same as the other people posting. A few months ago, I made a purchase through Amazon.com, and after the purchase I was presented with a survey. I completed the survey and I thought I agreed to pay only the shipping and handling in return for a pair of sunglasses as a token of Amazon's appreciation for participating in the survey.
In conversation with a representative of the company (
siteforstyle.com) at around 11:45am on September 20, 2014, I learned that the terms of agreement contained a statement that I would be charged $100 if I did not return the sunglasses within 14 days of receipt. In addition, the agreement apparently signed me up to receive a new pair of sunglasses each month for $50 each. The company offered to refund most of the $200 they had charged me in return for my silence on the subject (see emails below). My understanding is that hiding important aspects of an agreement inside the terms and conditions is illegal. If not illegal, it is deceptive, and I am sorry that it was associated with Amazon.com, a company that I respect and that I enjoy supporting.
I feel like there may also be legal issues with requiring customers to sign an agreement to remain silent contingent upon allowing a product return.
12:12PM - The original email from siteforstyle.com contained the following information:
To finalize your refund request of $49.00, $49.00, & $50.00, I must have documentation to update your account as resolved. Please note RMA #218391219193144 & 142339219192507 on the package, and send the product back at your expense to the address listed below:
SiteforStyle 8200 Stockdale Hwy M 10309
Bakersfield, CA 93311
In order to finalize this process, kindly provide your written acknowledgement to the terms of this refund. You agreeto rescind and cancel any disputes, negative reviews, complaints, or claims you may have or are in the process of filing against Siteforstyle.com and accept the $49.00, $49.00, & $50.00 refund. Once I receive your statement stating "I AGREE," your account will be resolved immediately. It will take approximately 3-5 business days or more depending on your financial institution for the funds to post back to the same account that was charged initially.
Best Regards,
1:57PM - My response to the above email is as follows:
I do not agree to your terms and conditions, and I will not pay for returning the glasses that I believe were deceptively sold to me. Your business model does not make economic sense unless you are in some way tricking people to pay for your product. First, the sunglasses are of very low quality. Second, and more importantly, your program offers a new pair of sunglasses each month. I do not know anyone who purchases sunglasses that frequently. It is sad to think that hundreds of thousands of people worldwide may now be associating Amazon.com (and more broadly, internet commerce) with a feeling of distrust because of your company.
Your ability to produce this email, requesting that I do not communicate my experience with your company, within around 30 minutes of my unsolicited phone call to you indicates that you have experience and/or a plan to keep customers quiet for one reason or another. It seems to be an admission of guilt.
Marie, please communicate this message to everyone at your company. I believe in people, and I believe in ethical business practices. There are probably several people at your organization who do not realize the kind of business for which they work. The people in your organization deserve to understand this, and your customers deserve to understand the agreement they have entered into.
3:28PM - The companies response to my above email contained the following information:
To finalize your refund request of
$5.99,
$49.00, $49.00, & $50.00, I must have documentation to update your account as resolved. Please note
RMA #218391219193144 & 142339219192507 on the package, and send the product back at your expense to the address listed below:
SiteforStyle
8200 Stockdale Hwy M 10309
Bakersfield, CA 93311
In order to finalize this process, kindly provide your written acknowledgement to the terms of this refund. You agreeto rescind and cancel any disputes, negative reviews, complaints, or claims you may have or are in the process of filing against Siteforstyle.com and accept the $5.99, $49.00, $49.00, & $50.00 refund. Once I receive your statement stating "I AGREE," your account will be resolved immediately. It will take approximately 3-5 business days or more depending on your financial institution for the funds to post back to the same account that was charged initially.