Complaint Review: VLM SUNAY FACE SERUM - Internet

I saw on Facebook an offer to try an eye cream and anti-aging serum.  The advertisement included shipping charge of $5.95 for each product, but said nothing about a subscription or charges that would begin any "a trial period".  I distinctly looked for such, as I was willing to try the product but didn't want to be locked in to charges I had to cancel if I didn't like the product.

When the products arrived, I there was no paperwork with the product, no invoice or receipt. Also the products received did not even have the same name as the products advertised. The VLM Sunay Face Serum was, instead, "Valere Skin Therapy Anti-Aging Serum", and the TTT Plish Eye Cream was, instead, "Reginify Age Defiance Eye Cream".

I paid for the "shipping charges" on January 29 and received the products on February 8. I used the product a total of 5 days and, then, imagine my surprise when I received a fraud alert from Barclay's MasterCard and, in checking out the charge, found two charges for $98 each, $198 total!  I called MasterCard and they told me I had to at least contact the companies first to ask for the charges to be reversed, that it appeared I had "subscribed" to a monthly charge of $98 after a trial period. I noted that the ad I replied to mentioned nothing of the sort, no trial period, no mention of $98 monthly charge, much less $98/product!

I called both numbers for each of the product. One number was listed as a Nevada number, the other as a Utah number. Both had the exact same background/hold music and, in both cases, the response to my complaint and request for reversal of charges was robotic. I am positive that these companies do not have any real physical location in either state. 

In essence, I was told that my "14 day trial period" begin the day of purchase and that had ended. I noted that I hadn't even had the product for a full 7 days, much less 14 days, I was not informed that there was a trial period in the ad, much less a subscription. They basically called me a liar, indicating that I knew full well what I signed and then attempted to strong arm me, saying I had "signed" a contract and that I was "contractually bound" to the payments. It became clear that they had no intention of reversing the charges. I noted that I had already called MasterCard, was reporting them to Rip Off, would report them to my state's attorneys, etc. They weren't fazed at all!

At one point, in the first call to "Sunay" I was put on hold for an exceptionally long period and finally hung up. I must admit, I totally lost it with the smarmy representative and let loose some crude USMC expletives. He definitely got to me. The other number for the eye cream proved no different. The response was trained and robotic precisely the same memorized spiel. I hung up much faster this time, realizing I was wasting my time.

I called MC back and they informed me that sense the charges were pending and had not actually posted that I would have to do the same thing Tuesday, the first business day after President's day, call them back, give them a cancellation notice and then call back to MC with the time and date the cancellation notice was given. Hopefully, that will be the end of it. Next step is to report this to FACEBOOK as well as the Texas State Attorney General's Office.

In the past, I have never bought anything from a company that is not already known to me without first thoroughly checking the internet first for background information and reviews. If I had checked RIPOFF, I would have already noted the exact same experience recorded here.