Complaint Review: Vinesse - American Cellars Wine Club

I joined Vinesse in June of 2009.  The shipments were supposed to arrive approximately every other month.  As a reward for joining I was to receive a Wine tote with the third shipment. 

I received 5 shipments between June 12th and September 27th.  With the September shipment I received a card on which I could choose my gift for joining.  I chose the gift mailed the card in and never received it. 

In October I received a bill for a membership fee that they would have to impose.  This fee was not disclosed when I joined.  With that bill was also included a coupon for a future purchase.  I used this coupon in October on a purchase, was charged the membership fee in a separate billing and never recieved another shipment of wine after that. 

Upon calling on January 20th, I was told that I must have never received the letter they sent that indicated they could no longer ship to Pennsylvania.  When I asked for  a refund of the membership fee I was told that the fee I paid in October was for June 2009 through the date of the last shipment so I was not eligible for a refund.

I requested a cancellation of my account which they said they took care of so if they ever do ship to Pennsylvania again - I won't be buying from them.

Bottom line - I think they have some shady communication practices and don't always follow through (ie: free gift for joining)