Michael
ROANOKE,#2Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 04, 2006
I also was part of this and received the same reply to my request for a refund. However I went to the FTC website and filed a complaint. They were right on it and I had a refund within a week so they do have Mr. Paul on file. Goodluck.
Mitch
Somerdale,#3Consumer Suggestion
Mon, November 14, 2005
It sounds strange that the credit card company is asking the questions you posted about others in a similar business. You need to detail everything to them exactly as it happened as it appears they don't quite understand the type of business you are discussing with them. You must realize that your results may be partially or perhaps greatly dependent upon the representative you are dealing with from the credit card company. These are people who, with the right words, can fight for your cause. Each time you call, you usually get a different representative. Keep calling until you find someone empathetic or sympathetic enough to your cause. Explain to the reprentative you get exactly what happened in detail and relate that if 'he' or 'she' helps you, you will write a wonderful letter about how great they were to their superiors. Don't just spout this out, acquire some familiarity first and some sign of empathy and then explain how you will help them if this issue is resolved in your favor. Also, ensure you copy and paste reports similar to yours and fax them over to your credit card company as well. Also, give them this web site address which will take them directly to the complaints against Jeff Paul. Indicate that similar expectations were expressed by others trying to start a business and they can easily observe how others did not get what they were promised and paid for as well. Sift through all of the complaints here and elsewhere on the internet by doing a search on fraudulent companies, etc..,and find others who have had similar problems as yours with this company; they might just be enough at this web site. Look for anything which shows they are being investigated by the FTC or other, examples of their (Jeff Paul) tactics, copy and paste that info. in your letter to the credit card company. Also, copy and paste the following article in an addendum letter to your credit card company, along with the complaints of others, etc... and details of your specific situation. The following article was forwarded to me via e-mail some time ago relative to a similar situation. Visa spokesman Rob Shapiro said the company often goes beyond the rules of Regulation Z to assist consumers. ''We endeavor to resolve any issue amicably and within reason,'' he said. If you are dissatisfied with a service or product, another form of rebellion is to refuse to pay that charge on the credit card bill. This act of defiance can be done at any time, even months after you received the product. If the credit card issuer knows you are withholding and why, and the purchase meets certain criteria, it cannot force you to pay during the investigation or report you as delinquent to a credit-reporting bureau. Knowing the rules of Regulation Z, consumers may be in a quandary if they buy something several months in advance of getting it. What do you do if you charge $800 in January for a summer Cape rental that you won't see until August? If the place turns out to be a total dump, you will surely have missed the filing deadlines by August. To exercise the other option, you have to withhold payment on that charge. Would it be wise to keep a balance on that purchase and willingly accept finance charges so you reserve the right to dispute the charge later? Consumer advocates say there is no clear-cut answer, as each person has different factors to consider. But overall, they say, Regulation Z can work to your advantage as long as you remain level-headed about your budget and finance charges. 'Most people don't know the degree of protection they get from Regulation Z,'' said Jeanne Foy, head of the consumer action center for MassPIRG. ''It's almost a hidden benefit.'' End of article.
Bruce
Phoenix,#4Consumer Suggestion
Sun, August 14, 2005
I think many consumers are unaware that in dealing with any business that uses fraudulent or deceptive practices (which billing for anything that you didn't know you'd be billed for is fraudulent--you shouldn't have to search through fine print to know if you bought something), your local County Attorny's Office is the best place to file complaints. Most county attorney's offices have a Consumer Affairs division, and is the agency that would initiate criminal or civil proceedings against fraudulent companies. I have had to use them a few times to resolve some consumer issues, and I have soon the most unhelpful companies jumpt to attention for this office. If everyone wrote to their local County Attorney Office, they would definitely be armed with enough ammunition to go after tham. Until then you may want to request that your credit card company close down that account number and reissue a new one.