Complaint Review: ClassMates.com - Internet

I've been to the site. Certain sites will not allow membership or access, if you do not accept "cookies", and this might be a problem for some. I only went there once, and have no intention of returning, unless further research is necessary. They have a 7 page Privacy Policy. If someone were in a hurry, I would not judge or blame them for not weeding through this headache. The section I found is partially applicable to the problem experienced: "COLLECTION OF AND USE OF YOUR INFORMATION" (their bold caps not mine). If goes further to state: They have three paragraphs, one for each topic of: "Log Files", "Cookies", and "Web Beacons". Web Beacons are a little more sophisticated than your commom gif (graphic interface/identifier file). It is a graph and identifier designed to track you. This will all be tacked onto your personal history, when you surf their site, and have moved on to access other sites. Here's the possible trap: "We may use the information you provide us to bill you for product and services you request, or to notify you of additional products we may offer. When you purchase a membership or other products/services on the Site you are consenting to our delivery of this information to our service providers, which may include banks and credit card companies that we use to process the transaction". http://www.classmates.com/cmo/privacy.jsp;jsessionid, 1-17-2004 This is still not a clear enough explanation, but a warning to keep an eye on your credit card. God forbid you use a debit card. IF someone were caught by surprise, it would be understandable. Most might be caught off guard. This is supposed to be a place to find old friends, classmates, no one would expect to be taken for a potential scam. Sure we need to be cautious, and know what we are agreeing to, but a 7 page report, on what is done with someone's very personal information needs to provide MORE warnings on what will happen, upon receiving membership. Automated use of ones credit card requires much more detail. Most are unable to make the right judgement, when not given all of the facts. Opt-out procedures need to be more comprehensible. Not everyone realizes when you give them your credit card number, a 2nd or 3rd Pary Merchant or possible "Service Provider" gains access to your number as well. This is all a part of the automted electronic billing nightmare. Classmate.com is still a good site and serves an entertaining, and sometimes important service in people's lives, but they need to tell their consumers upfront; specifically who ALL of the other "Service Providers" or merchant's are that receive their personal account information. Having lists that have to be unchecked is not a fair practice. A fair "Warning" or alert of some kind should be give to remind people about those pre-checked boxes, and the results of overlooking them. This is just like those book-of-the-month clubs where you have to specify not to send the feature book, or other products. The original author of this Report has a right to be upset, and I hope the matter is resolved. Rip-off Report Volunteer

Gold membership, and there was never a monthly charge. I paid one fee for a whole year. They do keep sending me renewal notices, which I will not do. I don't want to unsubscribe just yet, because I do expect a full year of service from them.

What exactly do you mean by you are "not able to access the site?" I went to www.classmates.com just now and was able to access the site with no problem. Are you saying that Classmates.com is responsible for the quality and functionality of your personal internet service provider and/or computer hardware? If you truly DID un-check the boxes as you say, then how were you able to do so since you supposedly could not access the site in the first place?

Speaking for myself. I read beside of the boxes so I unchecked the boxes and declined. I also chose the box that said I would manually renew my service with them, if I chose to renew. This is really just to let everyone know what a rip-off classmates.com is, but I guess if you can't access the site then that should let the consumers know something.. Can't access to sign up then they won't get screwed... One thing that was good about the 3rd party is they refunded the money that was taken out of my account.

I am not sure what people think when they ask a company to be a member without first reading the terms of the contract. Classmates.Com is a very respectable and well organized forum for people to search, find and communicate with long lost friends and old school mates. I was a member for two years, and then joined the "Gold" membership which was very cool. I found many name that I had forgotten about, and some I wish I could never remember. I was never suprised by thier monthly billing, for I knew what membership I was signing up for. I did eventually have to cancel the membership, and the worst thing that happened is that I got a few emails asking me to come back. I was never overcharged, doublecharged or charged for miscellaneous "unknown" fees. The point that I make is that whoever started this post is either confused about the terms of the membership, the billing arrangement or something else. This is negative report is a problem, for it is really defacing a respectable company that has worked for years to get where they are now. For anyone reading this, I recommend trying Classmates.com's free services to see if they might be worth the cost (which isn't very much), then and if you find it interesting, simply sign up and agree to the payments required. If you don't like the service (since no company can please everyone), then simply cancel your subscription by real communication methods (other than by wishing some sort of psychic power to intervene on your behalf) so that the payments aren't made or charged anymore. As with any company, you must notify them using real techniques of communication to reach the agreement of cancellation. Thank you.

I have also been a member of Classmates.com. Unlike you, however, I took the time to READ what I was signing up for instead of just providing my credit card number and ignoring all the details. Classmates.com is anything BUT a scam!! As you are signing up with their service, they give you OPTIONS to receive promotional materials, offers from other companies, etc... All of these boxes are automatically checked, and it is YOUR responsibility to Un-check them if you do NOT want the offer. Also at the bottom of the page in question, you then have to either select "Accept" or "Decline." Unfortunately there are far too many people who ignore all the details, and speed up the process by simply scrolling down and clicking "Accept" without even bothering to learn what they are agreeing to. Then, these same people cry sour grapes when the repurcussions of their actions occur at a later date. The bottom line is this: READ EVERYTHING before you agree to anything - especially if you are providing your credit card number. It is simple, common sense. There is no one to blame for your actions but YOU.

The exact same thing happened to me. It's almost time for my big 10 year reunion and decided that Classmates.com would be perfect to touch base with friends from high school. As soon as I signed up money was taken from my account. That was fine with me I knew this wasn't a free service. But when more money kept withdrawing from my account it made me nervous and mad all at once. Classmates.com had gave my information to a 3rd party and they were subscribing me for something I didn't sign up for. All I wanted to do was keep in touch with friends and prepare for my 10 year reunion. Now I am no longer able to access Classmates.com I got to use their service for less than a month and I was still charged for the service. I still receive newsletters and in these letters it states if you need help or support please go to the help site on classmates.com. How can I do that when I can't even access their site? This service is very misleading and violates your rights and privacy when it comes to your account information.