Complaint Review: Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety - Van Nuys California

As  a 35 year veteran of the health care field, I was approached by a family member who had a very disturbing encounter with the Mid West Center for Stress and Anxiety, asking for advice.  People suffering from mental health issues are sometimes as desperate as people with cancer when looking for help or a cure for their illness.  I have heard  patients who have chronic mental health disease express the thought "Well,  at least with Cancer, if you aren't cured,  it will eventually kill you.  With mental illness you just keep on living and suffering or  till you have to kill your self." 

I did some research on line and was appalled at what I read.  I could not believe it.  So, I  decided to become a  customer of Lucinda Bassett myself.   I will be fair and say that I never opened or reviewed any of the materials.  They may be right on target,  but the sales program is unbelievable.  It is hardcore, fast paced,  promises miracles,  and doesn't let up from start to finish.  The prices change numerous times during the initial conversation, as does the promise of services, offers, free trials, and the amount of time you are allowed to review the product.  It is obviously designed to appeal to  the desperation that people who call for help are feeling.  The price went from  refundable  $9+ S&H for a free 14 day trial to  $200+ to almost $500 after I somehow and without my knowing it,  agreed to become a customer, but I thought why not and gave them a credit card number. I wanted to see where this would go. 

Immediately after concluding the call,  I called back and tried to cancel the order.  Placed on hold and transferred 5 times for a total of 36 cell minutes.  Nothing doing.  The person I talked to told me that they didn't have the ability to cancel the order.  It had to be delivered,  a call made to the returns department, an authorization number issued and I had to pay the return postage.  Even though I was told that it would cost me nothing for this free trial offer for 14 days.  I informed them that I would not accept the package and return to sender.  They told me that I would be charged a $70+ restocking fee.  Oh yeah,  I couldn't return the vitamin supplements that I did NOT order, as it was against FDA regs.  

Needless to say, I immediately contacted my CC company and blocked the charges secondary to untrue advertising practices.  My CC company was very cooperative and helpful.  They won't get a penny more out of me. 

7 days and multiple fruitless, rude, uncaring, and threatening calls later I received 3 packages via USPS??? All I agreed to was the  original free CD and a 14 day free trial.  I also found out that the 14 days start when they ship, not when you get it. I called them, at the   returns department #.  Again 20 minute wait, and finally got thru.  Got my  RMA # and will be taking package to the post office, and yes I have to pay the postage or a restocking fee, whichever I prefer.  They reccommended that I ship UPS next dayair  so as to avoid any further charges on my credit card.  Yeah, right. 

So, I am $20 dollars poorer, but much wiser.  I will tell anybody   who is interested NOT to become involved with this company.  This is the worst case of customer abuse that I have ever come across.  The information that they supposedly offer can be found in any library or bookstore a lot cheaper and much less stressful.   Lucinda Bassett,  Shame on you.  I think I will get a job with your company so I can see what it looks like from the inside, and how you train your employees to do this.   I just wonder how many people who have harmed themselves because of you and your greed.