Complaint Review: Columbia House - TopFreeGifts.com - Terre Haute Indiana

A couple of months ago, I came across a pop-up ad offering a free Apple iPod in exchange for accepting one of the websites' offers (the website was TopFreeGifts.com). One of the offers was Columbia House DVD Club. I agreed to join the one club, pay the intro fees, and wait the 60-day waiting period before becoming approved and receiving my iPod.

Well, 60 days passed, I was approved by Columbia House BUT I NEVER received my iPod. I contacted TopFreeGifts.com (only available through their website) and they claimed that I had not followed through with my obligation and that I was supposed to accept THREE offers (the rest of which were primarily credit card companies that only allow you to purchase items available through them! And I believe they wanted a credit card to secure the card!). The original promotion was that I only had to accept ONE offer. I fulfilled my obligation and TopFreeGifts.com wasn't following through. They conveniently changed their promotion rules. Annoyed by this, I decided to contact Columbia House and tell them what had happened.

By email, I told Columbia House I was a victim of fraudulent practices on the Internet and that their affiliate, TopFreeGifts.com, was a scam. Since I was deceived and their affiliate, TopFreeGifts.com, had not fulfilled their obligation, I requested that my Columbia House membership be canceled without owing anything further. I already received my introductory membership selections and paid for those costs. All I asked was that I be able to cancel my membership and owe nothing further. I was even willing to return my introductory selection.

Well, next thing I know, I get a bill/letter in the mail from Columbia House for $93.00! It said since I canceled my membership and did not fulfill my agreement with them and since I was obligated to buy 4 more selections at regular club prices, they were going to bill me for 4 selections at regular club prices plus shipping, taxes, etc. They also gave me the option to reactivate my membership and buy 4 more selections over a 2 year period. I did not want to do either as I felt totally taken advantage of and felt this was very bad business on Columbia House's part.

I immediately called Columbia House and asked to speak with the supervisor. She said since I didn't fulfill my obligation and since I kept my introductory selection, I owed them money. When I offered to return my introductory selection, but she told me I couldn't because 10 days had passed. I told her that I would have offered to return it sooner BUT TopFreeGifts.com told me to wait 60 days to be approved by Columbia House! Without getting anywhere, I hung up the phone.

Reluctantly, I decided to opt for the latter option I mentioned above and reactivate my membership. When I went to their website to do so, my login and password would not work! Said they were invalid. I made an attempt to reactivate my membership but they wouldn't let me log in! This was BS!

So then I get another letter in the mail saying that Columbia House is going to withdrawal $93.00 from my account. Furious, I decided to check my bank statement online and I couldn't believe it. THEY TOOK OUT THE MONEY WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION! And I was never even asked what DVD selections I wanted! According to the "Due On Contract" section in their agreement, they are supposed to offer you the selections you're entitled to once the money has been withdrawn. But that isn't the worst of it.

When I called Columbia House to tell them that an UNAUTHORIZED CHARGE had been made to my account, they told me they couldn't reverse the charges. I told them that what they are doing is ILLEGAL and they cannot get away with it. They told me I could email a complaint to: [email protected] I did just that and am currently awaiting a response.

I also called my bank today and am prepared to file a Federal Regulation E Form. The Better Business Bureau will also be hearing from me. I am even considering contacting a popular media program to investigate the matter further because people cannot keep getting ripped off like this.

I'm grateful for this website and the information it has provided and I hope that more people will continue to report Columbia House as well as other companies who lie, cheat, and steal. WE CAN'T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS!

Marie

Middletown, New Jersey
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Columbia House

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, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com

[email protected]

badbusinessbureau.com

www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.

Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!