Anna
Great Falls,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, November 04, 2004
I just received a phone call from Simple Escapes during which I was solicited to join. I was told that I would receive a $25 gift certificate to Wal-Mart as a thank you from the businesses I used--Target was mentioned and there were a couple other names slurred in there that I didn't make out. Now, I was told that the marketer had to read me a script before we could get to the gift certificate. He stated that this was an "old script" used when they signed people up for their services so when I heard words like agreement, sale, credit card, membership, etc. I could disregard them because I was getting the service free for 21 days. After 21 days, it would automatically lapse. No strings. As a lawyer and a breathing human being, this sounded quite fishy. How long does it take to re-write a script??? Why have the script when he gave me the spiel already??? SCAMMER SCAMMER SCAMMER SCAMMER SCAMMER. I'm willing to bet that the only part of the conversation that would be recorded is the part with the old script and the poor schlep on the phone saying yes to joining. So, while he was talking, I googled Simple Escapes and found this site as well as a couple others of the same ilk. I told him that I wasn't interested because I had looked the company up on the internet and wasn't pleased. Oddly enough, the first 5 or 6 sites pulled up were complaints about the company. Boy, was he pissed. The last words I heard were "Why don't you want to save money...." I do want to save money--but the venn diagram on the Simple Escapes website explaining how their system works looks like a shell game. Too good to be true. Think I'll just live within my means.
DenBrent
Camden,#3Consumer Comment
Tue, October 19, 2004
In my case, I NEVER signed up for this program! If some kind of misleading pop-up or internet ad is used to "recruit" unsuspecting members (that don't always read the "fine" print if the "fine" print is even made available) then it IS a rip-off and is unethical and just plain misleading and WRONG for anyone to be able to do business this way! Your credit card should NEVER be charged any kind of recurring (annual or otherwise) charges without your written approval (or at least verbal via recorded conversation)! This company banks on the fact that few people go over their credit card statements with a fine tooth comb. They hope that the charges go thru undisputed or "overlooked"! No company should be allowed to do business this way.
Victor
Artesia,#4Consumer Comment
Fri, February 07, 2003
thru simple escape, i saved money. when i bought my scanner, i used a gift card which i ordered from simple escape. i got a refund of 20% back to my credit card. i ordered gift card for olive garden and red lobster, i got 20% back to my credit card. i don't know why some are complaining about simple escape. may be they want to recieved a discount without purchasing nothing. today i ordered again a $100.00 target gift card. i strongly agree that simple escape can save me money.
Andrea
New Hope,#5Consumer Comment
Sat, February 01, 2003
In reply to the complaint against Simple Escapes, I would like to state that I am a customer, and I received exactly what I expected. This occured for two reasons: I did not have unreasonable expectations, and I read the material carefully to understand exactly what the offer entailed. The author of the complaint was upset that the time it would take to receive his free gift certificates would be beyond his free trial membership. In order to receive the gifts, he would have to buy the membership. Did he really expect to get $50 worth of gift certificates for nothing? At that point, he had the choice of joining the program (now that he had ample opportunity to look it over) or cancelling and avoiding the $140 or so fee. Furthermore, the company has a satisfaction guarantee. Call them if you have any questions or reservations about the program: 877-836-6903. I have been a member for almost a year. I have received more than my membership fee back in the form of refunds (not even counting the free gift certificates mentioned above). If someone does not want to go through the effort of signing up in order to see if they would like the program, you can now check out the items on which you would be eligible to receive refunds at DealPass.com. See for yourself, and understand that these guys cannot stay in business by giving away the store. You get your refund after you have paid for the product (as the term refund implies). That's their protection. It's fair, but it can be upsetting if you did not understand that this was how it works. So, read all about it before you buy. Decide for yourself if it's worth it. Personally, I love the convenience of receiving gift certificates through the mail, and then getting 10%, 15%, even 20% back on what I would have spent anyway. That's the key. Don't buy it if you would not have bought it otherwise. This means, don't join if there aren't enough things within the program that you would normally buy anyway. That's how you save instead of just spend. It's the way to make the program work for you. This program is not a rip-off. It does require you to spend money. That is not unethical. Yes, you have to buy the gift certificates to get the refund. It's explained in the material. If you don't want to do that, just don't join.