Complaint Review: THEMUSICSMEMBERSAREA.COM CASH MACHINES MP3-FREEBIES.COM

I was taken in by what looked to be a site full of legitimate down-loadable music like I-Tunes or MP3.com. What I got was a $51.26 charge for free programs and a lifetime membership for non existent customer service. They have no music and offer links to freeware at a price. - BE-WARE.

Here is a transcript of the secret email service from their 24/7 tech support and what happened to the live chat?
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Matt 11/3/2006 12:13:44 PM
Im not satified - your site does not offer what it says. A charge for NetSpy was also added for 14.88 when I did not authorize it.
Refund Please. - Matt *****
You have no contact phone number.

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Fatimah T 11/3/2006 5:26:37 PM
Dear Customer,

Thank you for the email. We acknowledge your concern regarding the total billing of your account.

The Pro Version Codec Pack gives you access to higher quality content and more search results. Besides, the NetSpy Protector is very useful for protecting your computer against Adware and Malware attacks and increases your downloading speed. These are the programs that can be purchased in stores for about 35 USD each. Our supervisor is well aware of this issue and we would like to take this opportunity to offer you the Pro Version and NetSpy Protectot together for a total amount of 5 USD.

With the Pro Version Codec Pack AND NetSpy Protector , we can adjust your account type at no additional cost so that you can receive our services to transfer audio and video files directly to your ipod or mp3 player. We provide CD burning software to our customers and support for those customers without mp3 players.

If you choose to accept this offer, you will have the Pro Version Codec pack and NetSpy Protector, and the difference of will be credited back 22.83 USD. Please let us know if this is an acceptable offer.

We can resolve any issues online. However, if you still wish to reach our Customer Service department by phone, you can do so by dialing the phone number below:

1-866-240-2481 (toll free for North America)
Or
+1 514-448-1121 (International)

We are available 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm Eastern Standard Time.

Sincerely,
Your Customer Service Team

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Matt - 11/4/06
No thank you, I want a refund. Your selling "FREEWARE" and other free version of software from GNU. I already have full protection and firewalls that I legitamatly paid for. Your site is misleading and stores no music, and per your own "terms and conditions" you do not sell software, the fee's are for this hide and seek service.

The selections on the signup pages clearly offer software for payment, and you just confirmed that " These are the programs that can be purchased in stores for about 35 USD each. Our supervisor is well aware of this issue and we would like to take this opportunity to offer you the Pro Version and NetSpy Protectot together for a total amount of 5 USD. " Selling other companies "REEWARE" is illegal. I want a full refund. Matt

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Irina S 11/5/2006 11:16:23 AM
Dear Customer,

Thank you for the email. We understand your concern regarding the services you have received. There are a few options that we would like to propose in order to keep you as a customer.

1) We can offer you 50 % off on our promotional Lifetime Membership. Your account would be credited 25,64 USD within 5 - 10 business days, and you would continue to have access to our exclusive Members' Area.

2) We can offer you Limewire, the greatest file downloading software that is superior to WinMX, Bear Share, Morpheus, Ares, eDonkey, etc. This program gives you the capability to locate millions of downloadable video and audio files. Within Limewire, there are options to filter searches by AUDIO, VIDEO, DOCUMENTS, IMAGES, and PROGRAMS. You may use the search option that best matches your desired search.

3) We can adjust your account type at no additional cost so that you can transfer audio and video files directly to your ipod or mp3 player. We can also provide CD and DVD burning software.

4) We can offer you a downloading program called uTorrent which specializes in bulk file downloading. uTorrent can be used to download audio, video, and program files 1GB+ in size that are updated on a daily basis.

If you still wish to close your entire account we can do so in accordance with the 7 day refund policy. This includes the non-refundable 14.95 USD fee that is kept to cover the costs of processing and handling.

If there is anything else we can do in order to keep you as a member, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will gladly consider it as an option.

At this moment no changes are being made to your account. Please respond so that we can adjust your account accordingly.

Sincerely,
Your Customer Service Team

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Matt 11/7/2006 11:08:38 AM
No thank you, I want a refund for all "products and memeberships paid for less the cost of 'your service' which in you guarentee is 7.95 USD my credit should be 44.34 usd, thankyou. Please cancel my membershi.

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Anton K 11/7/2006 6:25:42 PM
Dear Customer,

Thank you for the email. According to the Terms and Conditions, you are eligible for a refund of the unused portion of your membership minus a 14.95USD fee which we keep to cover the costs of processing and handling. We have a strict NO-REFUND policy after your 7 day satisfaction guarantee. Under no circumstances will we offer a refund for any products past this period. The amount that is billed to your credit card is a one-time flat fee. This means that you will never be billed again.

Sincerely,
Your Customer Service Team

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Matt 11-7 9:330 pm

I dont want the membership or any "Freeware" programs sold at a discount. I aready have file sharing programs, DVD programs and "pro" codecs. I dont need your back and forth snail pace emails and thehour long hold times on the phone just to be disconected. I want the refund owed to me and before your next reply - I want to see the credit to my account in full. There has been no justifiable handling of any "merchandise" and your customer service is nothing but repetious sale tactics to stall and negotiate past the 7 day 'satifaction guarentee'. Spare me.

*******

I will reverse the charge to the credit card and play email tag till they waste more of their cut n paste responses.

1-866-240-2481 (toll free for North America)

I called the number listed and was on hold for 1 hour before the line went dead. The whole time listening to how 'important I am as a customer' stuff.
The FAQ and terms do not say there would be any charge for processsing unitl the 7 day period, see here - if the site is still up. - themusicsmembersarea.com/terms.asp

BE-WARE

Will update.

Matt
Sacramento, California
U.S.A.