I went online looking to buy the DVD: "The Changeling". I wrote the movie name and one of the first places the Search Engine brought up was HotMovieSale.com. I looked to see if that title was available for immediate shipment. I started filling out the Order and a pop-up offered me anouther movie to go with that one for just a couple dollars more. I looked at a list and selected" The Skeleton Key".
I paid for these two items with a Credit Card. Right away I got an e-mail correctly stating what I had ordered and the price I agreed to pay by Credit Card. The price was $17.35 Then another e-mail to say the first DVD was being shipped but that the 2nd DVD was on backorder. So in a couple more days, the first DVD arrived and all seemed well. For the next 8 days, the company sent an e-mail regarding the 2nd DVD every other day to remind me over and over that pretty soon they would ship it. And in 10 days, it was delivered.
Then they sent an e-mail to say they sent it and in that e-mail they directed me to look at an enclosed link directing me to my Order Site. I clicked on it and that is when I saw this: "Offer Details. Your satisfaction and your relationship are always important to us. You can try the HotMovieSale service risk-free for the first 7 days. Unless you cancel your account during the trial period, your HotMovieSale membership will be extended automatically at the low $19.95 membership fee per month, billed to the credit card or debit card you provide today. Your membership will be automatically renewed monthly at the then- current monthly fee, billed, billed to the credit card or debit card you provide.. If you choose to discontinue during the trial period, simply call toll-free 866-566-8437 to cancel and you will pay nothing and owe nothing. There is no pbligation to continue."
So before I have ever been told about this so-called Membership?....the period of time has alreaady passed in which they say it has to be cancelled. So I call the number and I am mad and I tell them that I full well realize that they have done this with malice being the purpose and NO----I don't want a Membership and you better not charge me $19.95 for absolutely nothing. I had paid the $17.35 for the two DVD's up-front and owed them nothing.
This morning I am looking over my Bank Statement and what do I see but three charges of $19.95 plus another for $6.00 and another for $11.26 as well as the $17.35 I rightfully owed them and paid to them. I immediately went to my bank and they called the offenders and after the Bank Manager had a conversation with the person that answered----they shaved one charge of $19.95 off and a charge of $11.00 (I have no idea what that was for). The bank advised me to bring all my e-mails and that they would try to get them to take it off but they had experience with them and doubted I could get any more out of them. As it stands they have ripped me off for at least $72.00 dollars and I will try---along with my bank to get the bogus charges off my Card. I just want to let other people know so that maybe they can save them selves some money. Thanks for listening.
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. CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here. Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action. And good luck Let us know how you do! ED Magedson Founder RipoffReport.com Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com Rip-off Report PO Box 310, Tempe, Arizona 85280
Patricia
Hubbard Lake,#2Author of original report
Fri, October 23, 2009
I want to report a POSITIVE outcome to the situation I encountered when dealing with HotMovieSale.com AKA as BestBrands.com
First off...Going to my bank and having the Bank Manager deal with a representative of the company----was not effective and in fact led me to believe that my bank needs to be listed on Ripoff too. I had followed the advice of the Editor of Ripoff and found the Bank Manager to be very laggard when it came to doing her job properly.
Next, I enlisted one of my daughters to call the Representative. My daughter is employed by the Government and has much practical experience in dealing with people. My daughter was succeessful in getting a "promise" from a Representative of the company in which the person stated that the money would be returned to my account.
I waited and watched the account and that did not happen either, though, I did get an e-mail from the Representative stating that it would happen. The Representative's name is Amilca Simeon and as-of this morning---after several e-mails to her personally----The money is now back in my account.
So, in the end, I certainly would not recommend that anyone buy anything from that company or any of the associated companies, but I do want to say a very public thank you to the Representative that did the honest and correct move that put the money back into the account it was stolen from. In fact....if you have had a similar experience with the companies listed....Maybe it would help if you specified that you want to talk with Amilca Simeon. And, Yes indeed, I did notify the Company early on, that they could expect to see their name in print on Ripoff. Thanks for helping me turn a negative experience back to a positive experience.