Complaint Review: Google Moneytree - Internet

I too have been ripped off by these inconsiderate buffoons. I fell into the trap and signed up for the'kit' (which has never arrived!) for $3.88. Money back guarantee etc. BS.

Then all of a sudden, $72.21 dissappears from my bank account. I called to complain and a very understanding person said they would refund the $72.21 in 1-2 business days. That was 3 days ago. I called today and was greeted by a young lady (Chelsea) with a big 'i don't care' attitude. She put me on hold for 5 mins, coming back to tell me the company had declined the credit/refund.

Who is the company I asked: we don't disclose private information she told me. Private? What the heck is she talking about. I asked to talk with her supervisor; immediate response: no-one is available.

Bottom line- I got no where. She even went as far as to tell me there is no-one i can talk to. Not there, not at Google Moneytree, not anywhere. This is total BS. I expressed my total displeasure (politely) and hung up. What can I do next? Any clues?

This sounds to me to be exactly the same as a blog I found on the web (workathome truth.com) here's the copy: November 19, 2008 Google Money Tree complaints I just noticed some complaints about Google Money Tree - about some surprise charges. Ding dong. I was pretty sure this was an example of "hidden negative option" marketing. That's when a company ignores FTC disclosure proximity suggestions and tries to hide the fact that you'll be billed unless you cancel (for some strange reason they don't want to just tell you that up fronthmmm).

So I decided to walk through the Google Money Tree order form (using b.s. info of course) to see how they have their sales process set up. Page 1 was the usual stuff - personal contact info but no credit card. Page 2 - this is where the fun begins: Right where you enter your credit card number GoogleMoneyTree puts: Google Money Tree Kit: Free Shipping & Handling: $3.88 This is where it gets good (or bad depending on how you look at it): Right to the left of the form where you enter your credit card GoogleMoneyTree has this bold proclamation: "No Hassle Money Back "Guarantee! If you are not 100% satisfied with the kit, simply call our dedicated customer service # (located in the USA!), and we will immediately refund your shipping payment no questions, no hassle!" It almost makes it sound like the only reason why you would ever really need to contact GoogleMoneyTree's customer service about billing would be to get your shipping payment refundedwait, it actually DOES make it look that way. But lo-and-behold. If you click on the Terms and Conditions Link - the one that states: "I Agree With the Terms and Conditions" (which has the checkbox conventiently pre-checked for youawwwwaren't they nice?).. And look under the "Shipping & Other Fees" section you'll stumble onto the following: "After seven days, if you choose not to cancel you will be billed your first monthly membership fee of seventy two dollars and twenty one cents for the membership fee for the googlemoneytree.com membership." That's coolwaitNo it's not!! Why couldn't GoogleMoneyTree just tell me that on the main page? Oh they could have. For some "odd" reason GoogleMoneyTree didn't want to do that. I wonder why not? I really wonderwell, not really. Can someone explain to me how this scenario is materially different than the one discussed in this recent FTC Settlement:" If you can direct me to a way of getting a refund, it would be much appreciated.

Paulnmoore

Raynham, Massachusetts

U.S.A.