- Report: #882601
Complaint Review: Pimsleur Approach - Internet
Reported By:
CollegeSTUDENT -
SARASOTA, Florida, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Pimsleur Approach
Internet, United States of America
Phone:
866-3623822
Web:
pimsleurapproach.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Pimsleur Approach Stroll Language Learning Basics Deceptive marketing; Tricked into paying hundreds of dollars for course that was not ordered. Difficult or NO returns possible. Internet
WARNING: STROLL/ PIMSLEUR APPROACH MAKES THEIR MONEY BY TRICKING PEOPLE TO AUTHORIZE A PUNY $9.95 PURCHASE, THEN, USES DECEITFUL METHODS (IN FINE PRINT) TO MAKE RETURNS VERY DIFFICULT AND THEN LATER BILL YOU FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS.
Do not fall for this scam. I authorized a purchase for $9.95 for a Spanish Language CD from Stroll but was tricked into paying over $250.00... so far.
Pimsleur Approach initially sent me the CD's that I ordered and that was fine. However, soon after they sent another larger package.
Since I travel a lot for work, I did not even look at the package twice. I planned to simply return the package once I got back from work and had a bit more free time.
However, when I checked my online banking account a few days later, I saw that they had already processed and charged me $64.00 for the CDs.
After seeing that, I proceeded to call the company customer service to request a refund and to explain that I would return the product.
Unfortunately, I was told that the period (30 days or less) had passed since I could return, so there was no option but for me to accept the charge.
I decided this was OK, and consolidated myself by looking at the $64 for language CDs as a worthy educational investment.
What was funny was that the customer service representative told me another package would be coming shortly and that I would have to RETURN IT WITHING 10 DAYS or face charges. THE RETURN COST WOULD BE MY OWN EXPENSE.
I am a very busy person, working and in college; I do not have time to return these products that I did not order! I'm sure there are many even more busy people than I am who don't find time to return the product withing 10 days.
Despite being very busy, I did return the 2nd package within 10 days of having it.
Today I called Stroll customer service again to check if my return of the second package was received already. The representative to me 'not yet'. I will be interested to see if they try to dispute my return when I call in a few days time...
Furthermore, the representative told me that I am going to CONTINUE RECEIVING A BILL OF $64.00 PER MONTH FOR ANOTHER TWO MONTHS! THE FIRST TWO MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $64.00 I HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHARGED FOR ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND GO TOWARDS THE FIRST PACKAGE ONLY. Remember, this is all for a purchase I did not authorize!
Apparently, only ONE PACKAGE COSTS $250.00. The second package I received is not part of that four month payment plan, and is worth another $250.00 if not returned!
What this means is that Pimsleur SENDS 4 PACKAGES, WITH A VERY RESTRICTIVE RETURN POLICY, EVERY 65 DAYS AND CHARGES $250.00 FOR EACH ONE! = $1000.00 for 4, unauthorized packages!!!
I don't care how good the language course is. I am a struggling college student and this type of TRAP is cunning.
Each and every package of language CDs sent to a customer should be AUTHORIZED, EACH AND EVERY TIME.
How can Stroll be allowed to operate in this way, tricking people out of hundreds of dollars, by one single purchase for $9.95 that someone makes?
Are they even allowed to have such a restrictive returns policy?
It is simply unethical that they are not first receiving customer approval before they send packages (and leave them at the door if no one is there) that we DO NOT WANT.
Do not fall for this scam. I authorized a purchase for $9.95 for a Spanish Language CD from Stroll but was tricked into paying over $250.00... so far.
Pimsleur Approach initially sent me the CD's that I ordered and that was fine. However, soon after they sent another larger package.
Since I travel a lot for work, I did not even look at the package twice. I planned to simply return the package once I got back from work and had a bit more free time.
However, when I checked my online banking account a few days later, I saw that they had already processed and charged me $64.00 for the CDs.
After seeing that, I proceeded to call the company customer service to request a refund and to explain that I would return the product.
Unfortunately, I was told that the period (30 days or less) had passed since I could return, so there was no option but for me to accept the charge.
I decided this was OK, and consolidated myself by looking at the $64 for language CDs as a worthy educational investment.
What was funny was that the customer service representative told me another package would be coming shortly and that I would have to RETURN IT WITHING 10 DAYS or face charges. THE RETURN COST WOULD BE MY OWN EXPENSE.
I am a very busy person, working and in college; I do not have time to return these products that I did not order! I'm sure there are many even more busy people than I am who don't find time to return the product withing 10 days.
Despite being very busy, I did return the 2nd package within 10 days of having it.
Today I called Stroll customer service again to check if my return of the second package was received already. The representative to me 'not yet'. I will be interested to see if they try to dispute my return when I call in a few days time...
Furthermore, the representative told me that I am going to CONTINUE RECEIVING A BILL OF $64.00 PER MONTH FOR ANOTHER TWO MONTHS! THE FIRST TWO MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $64.00 I HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHARGED FOR ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND GO TOWARDS THE FIRST PACKAGE ONLY. Remember, this is all for a purchase I did not authorize!
Apparently, only ONE PACKAGE COSTS $250.00. The second package I received is not part of that four month payment plan, and is worth another $250.00 if not returned!
What this means is that Pimsleur SENDS 4 PACKAGES, WITH A VERY RESTRICTIVE RETURN POLICY, EVERY 65 DAYS AND CHARGES $250.00 FOR EACH ONE! = $1000.00 for 4, unauthorized packages!!!
I don't care how good the language course is. I am a struggling college student and this type of TRAP is cunning.
Each and every package of language CDs sent to a customer should be AUTHORIZED, EACH AND EVERY TIME.
How can Stroll be allowed to operate in this way, tricking people out of hundreds of dollars, by one single purchase for $9.95 that someone makes?
Are they even allowed to have such a restrictive returns policy?
It is simply unethical that they are not first receiving customer approval before they send packages (and leave them at the door if no one is there) that we DO NOT WANT.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Scott
Columbus,Ohio,
Getting a refund
#2Consumer Comment
Fri, March 28, 2014
I'm in the same situation as the first complaint. I didn't think they would be able to charge me since my debit card number changed since my first purchase, but they still did.
Following the advice from the comments on here I called and asked for a supervisor (which I never got to). I told the customer service rep that I want to get rid of my charge and everything and was on the BBB's website looking at all their other complaints and that I'd just be one of them. I think I had my refund before I got the third "B" out of my mouth!
Not only did she refund the $64 they charged, but she sent me a prepaid UPS label AND refunded my original $9.95!
pictongirl
Blackpool,There is Help
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, October 08, 2013
This kind off rip-off online has been going on for a long time, anything from Health Tablets to 'Tester Wanted for Trial Products' informing you that you only pay for the postage to find out 4 weeks they take the full amount for the products out of your bank for which they have details due to takening them for the postage......You can do something about it.....if you think that you may have been conned then contact your bank and report your card LOST or STOLEN this will stop any tractions on your card straight away and you will get a new card. These Companies are ruthless therefore be ruthless. The banks in the UK are now aware of these comapnies and the banks fraud department will stop any request for payment if they look dodgy.......please fight back and get the banks involved if you can explain about these companies it's hard work at times but once your bank gets involved it helps the fighting back......good luck!
ray
Philadelphai,Pennsylvania,
United States of America
u can get refunded
#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, May 25, 2012
if you get one of these boxes and don't want them: call them and ask for a supervisor. then use what they call magic
words. threatening to turn the company into the BBB or atorney general. you can also say you will cancel your credit card or dispute charges. the employees call these magic words and have to give you a refund and give you postage to send them back. you can also say you didnt get the boxes or returned them to sender. say that you will post about company here
on facebook or twitter. a girl i called there told me they have magic words that customers say. they cant do anything about them. best practice is to threaten better busniess bureau and cancel credit card they will refund you and cancel you.
