Woodsy
Globe,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, June 12, 2008
I have a friend who is "computer illiterate", and is just starting to learn the ins and outs of a computer, and the internet. He signed up for an offer to get information on Federal Grant programs, being charged the same $1.95 that you mentioned in your report. However, because he doesn't yet know much about the security issues of providing a credit card number or financial information on a Web site, or the possible repercussions due to failure to read all terms of an offer, he found out, after making/authorizing the transaction, that he had made a mistake! However, it was a mistake on his own part. Not, because of deception by the company advertising! After completing the transaction, he came to me for assistance, to find out how to download or retrieve the information that he had signed up for. When I read the order confirmation email he had received from the company, which gave his login information and link for login, I realized what he had done. I reviewed the process that he had just completed, starting from the promo (advertisement) email that he had initially received and responded to. In so doing, I pointed out to him that, what he had failed to do was to read all of the fine print in the ad, which included a link to the Terms and Conditions of the offer. Within the Terms and Conditions, it clearly states that there are future charges that will be made to your credit card if you do not cancel your subscription within a certain period of time!! I won't go into detail about the specific charges that are mentioned therein, because the amount of the charges is irrelevant. It is the fact that there is mention of additional charges within the Terms and Conditions, that matters here. I went on to explain to my friend that, any time he chooses to act on an offer that requires the input of credit card or other personal information, he needs to be absolutely sure that he reads all of the fine print, before supplying such information! I then called the company at the toll-free number listed in the T&C, for cancellation of the account that he had created, with him sitting in the same room, so that he could hear everything said, and thusly, better understand the substance of what had just happened. I explained to the company representative what had happened, versus what my friend thought would happen. The company was very courteous and professional about the whole situation, and had no problem not only canceling the account, but also refunding the initial $1.95 charge to my friend's credit card. In addition to this, and because I am a network marketing professional and consultant, I told the company representative that I was interested in learning more about the very same information, to include the business opportunity. She gave me the Web address where I could sign up and check it out for myself, under a newly created account that I would register for. She also informed me that if I was not impressed with the system or information I received as a result of signing up, that I would be able to cancel and receive a refund of the initial $1.95 charge to my credit card. I did just that! I created a new account, using my own credit card. I got the information that I needed, and test-drove the system for 10 days. In this 10 day period, I found that the SYSTEM was not one that I liked or wanted to use. However, some of the information provided was very valuable to me, for my business. I again called the toll-free number given for cancellation. Again, the company representative was very polite, courteous, and professional. The company cancelled my account, and refunded the initial $1.95 charge on my credit card, (which showed on my account the very next day), and had absolutely no problems in doing so. The marketing system that this company offers is not for me. But, that is not to say it is worthless. For some people or businesses, it might be the exact tool needed for them. But again, this particular information is irrelevant here. My point in this rebuttal is not arguing, or saying "It's your own fault"! My point herein is simply pointing out that it is absolutely in your best interest to read the fine print, and follow instructions/procedures given therein!! It isn't always a matter of someone being ignorant or stupid. It's simply a matter of being uneducated, or not educated enough to know and realize this truth! That doesn't make anyone dumb! The bad thing about this is that, often times, we simply have to learn hard lessons, and often be damaged in some form, from our own experience. But, then again, learning these lessons is often done only through these bad experiences! Whether we learn from our own personal experiences, or from the experiences of others. So, I am writing this as a marketing professional and consultant, to advise you and others to be aware of these things. Again, not as criticism, but as education!