Complaint Review: Raven Media Grant Search Assistant - Las Vegas Nevada

Here is what their web page says:

"Only one thing stands between you and checks being sent to your mailbox. And that's knowing how or where to start. Now you can laugh at your money problems because we've solved that problem for you. We're Grant Search Assistant and we've just released a blockbuster new CD titled The Free Federal Grant Funding CD. In plain English it shows you countless grant programs you can take advantage of. Use it the same day you receive it to get your request for FREE MONEY in the mail! A $39.95 value, but yours absolutely FREE today. No cost. No commitments. No obligation. Just the facts on how to get cold hard cash fast. What to do next? Get your Free Federal Grant Funding CD rushed to you by filling out the form to the right."

NOTICE it says, "absolutely FREE....No cost. No commitments. No obligation."

Not true. In reality, you ARE obligated! Their terms and conditions are written in an ambigious style to protect them. Here's the first section:

"Bonus Material Terms and Termination.

By purchasing this product, you agree to adhere to the termination agreement as outlined on the order page, confirmation of order page, and confirmation email, which is that you, the buyer, are not entitled to a refund of the upfront cost of any shipping and handling that may or may not have been charged to you for delivery of said product. Furthermore, any free trials that may or may not be offered with this product are only free during the said allotted time of the free trial period as outlined within the product sales page, confirmation of order page, and confirmation email. If you have not cancelled the free bonus within the free trial period (if offered on product purchasing), you are agreeing to purchase the bonus material and/or service at a monthly reoccurring cost. This can be cancelled at anytime simply by calling the customer service number provided in the confirmation email and stating your desire to cancel said bonus material. However, in order to not be charged any future reoccurring cost, please give ample time (2 business days) to be cancelled out of any reoccurring billing system before the next scheduled charge to your account (this does not apply during any trial period). Not cancelling trial programs constitutes authorization, by you, the buyer, for any charges (as outlined) for the associated bonus service until your request to cancel has been received by our customer service staff. By not cancelling the bonus program during the trial period or prior to two days before a scheduled billing cycle, you agree that any reoccurring charges billed to you will be non-refundable."

Note the ambiguity of "may or may not be offered" and "if offered." I was not aware that I was being "offered" a service for which I would be charged a "reoccurring billing" of $29.95 per month, since what I read on the web page said, "No cost. No commitments. No obligation."

This company has a clear intent to deceive. Furthermore, in calling to cancel this "service" for which I was being billed and which I did not know I had authorized, I reached a customer service representative who spoke with such a heavy accent, I could not understand him. I was only able to catch a word here and there. I asked to speak to a supervisor, and was refused. I was told there was a bad phone connection, and that was the reason I could not understand him. No. The phone connection was clear. He steadfastly refused to allow me to speak to someone who speaks English.

This is an ever-growing problem!!

Janice

Lebanon, Tennessee
U.S.A.