- Report: #98113
Complaint Review: Indepencence Market - Champlain New York
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Indepencence Market
10 A Walnut Street #165 Champlain, 12919 New York, U.S.A.
Phone:
866-8269760
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Indepencence Market rip-off! Champlain New York *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!
Following is a copy of the actual complaint I filed with the BBB about Independence Market. It seems that these people are part of a wave of Canadian businesses using addresses just across the border in and around Champlain, NY because they can get better sales with the US address. I contacted the NY Attorney General and they identified Independence Market as a Scam. This is for general information to get the word out to others. No reply necessary.
COMPLAINT INFORMATION:
Complaint #: 1558458
Complaint Type: General Complaint (not a car maker)
Date Received: 7/8/2004
Primary Complaint Classification: Refund Practices
Secondary Complaint Classification: Credit or Billing Disputes
Complaint:
On or about June 16, 2004 my wife received an overdraft letter from her bank. Upon researching why there was an over draft it was discovered that Independence Market had somehow drafted $299.00 from her account unauthorized. She had not spoken to these people and definitely not given out her bank account number to them with knowledge of what they were selling. She was not aware of what service they provided.
She contacted them the next day with the phone number from the bank statement and when she spoke with a Mr. Bernie Williams he told her that he would cancel the service and her money would be redeposited. As of 07/08/04 no money has been redeposited to the account.
She has contacted him every week and each time he has assured her that it would be in her bank account in a couple of days. I called Mr. Williams this morning and identified myself and got the same run around. When I asked him what the company was he wanted to know which company I was looking for, when I asked him if he was affiliated with any local Chamber of Commerce he did not know. When I asked him who the President of the company was he said that it was an irrelevant question. When I asked him how long this company had been in business he said this was also irrelevant.
When I told him that I was going to report this to the Better Business Bureau he said that was fine if I wanted to take the route of making idle threats against the company. Even if these people return the money to the account and I have my doubts they have held the money for almost a month and caused overdraft charges from the bank. These people need to be investigated.
Desired Settlement: Refund
Settlement Explanation: The money redeposited
Customer Service Rep: Bernie Williams
Payment Made: Yes
Purchase Price: 299
Disputed Amount: 299
Payment Method: Check
Complaint Dates: 6/16/2004, 6/23/2004, 7/08/2004
The bureau that will handle your complaint is:
Better Business Bureau
741 Delaware Ave., Ste. 100
Buffalo, NY 14209 -2201
Phone: (716)881-5222
Fax: (716)883-5349
Email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.upstateny.bbb.org
Don
Boaz, Alabama
U.S.A.
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 you 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/comptroller 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!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
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!
COMPLAINT INFORMATION:
Complaint #: 1558458
Complaint Type: General Complaint (not a car maker)
Date Received: 7/8/2004
Primary Complaint Classification: Refund Practices
Secondary Complaint Classification: Credit or Billing Disputes
Complaint:
On or about June 16, 2004 my wife received an overdraft letter from her bank. Upon researching why there was an over draft it was discovered that Independence Market had somehow drafted $299.00 from her account unauthorized. She had not spoken to these people and definitely not given out her bank account number to them with knowledge of what they were selling. She was not aware of what service they provided.
She contacted them the next day with the phone number from the bank statement and when she spoke with a Mr. Bernie Williams he told her that he would cancel the service and her money would be redeposited. As of 07/08/04 no money has been redeposited to the account.
She has contacted him every week and each time he has assured her that it would be in her bank account in a couple of days. I called Mr. Williams this morning and identified myself and got the same run around. When I asked him what the company was he wanted to know which company I was looking for, when I asked him if he was affiliated with any local Chamber of Commerce he did not know. When I asked him who the President of the company was he said that it was an irrelevant question. When I asked him how long this company had been in business he said this was also irrelevant.
When I told him that I was going to report this to the Better Business Bureau he said that was fine if I wanted to take the route of making idle threats against the company. Even if these people return the money to the account and I have my doubts they have held the money for almost a month and caused overdraft charges from the bank. These people need to be investigated.
Desired Settlement: Refund
Settlement Explanation: The money redeposited
Customer Service Rep: Bernie Williams
Payment Made: Yes
Purchase Price: 299
Disputed Amount: 299
Payment Method: Check
Complaint Dates: 6/16/2004, 6/23/2004, 7/08/2004
The bureau that will handle your complaint is:
Better Business Bureau
741 Delaware Ave., Ste. 100
Buffalo, NY 14209 -2201
Phone: (716)881-5222
Fax: (716)883-5349
Email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.upstateny.bbb.org
Don
Boaz, Alabama
U.S.A.
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 you 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/comptroller 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!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
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!
