Steven
Lake Worth,#2UPDATE Employee
Fri, November 03, 2006
We were able to locate Andrew's account and I have verified all charges were refunded. However, the scenario described in the complaint is not one that realistically could have occurred on our web site. The "free" membership offered by our service really is free. All subsequent charges incurred by any viewer on our service are clearly and conspicuously disclosed in advance -- including use of a prominent icon and multiple clickthroughs in any instance in which a customer will incur charges. No customer could possibly incur charges on our service without advance disclosure of such charges and numerous multiple click-throughs by the customer to indicate their affirmative consent (and acknowledgment of their consent) to such charges. Moreover, our "Customer is Always Right" policy ensures that we take action sufficient to obtain each customer's complete satisfaction, including making refunds for any charges which a customer has incurred but disputes. Andrew was refunded after contacting our 24/7 Toll Free Customer Service Center at (800) 243-9726 (local callers may dial 561-656-0500). We sincerely regret any misimpression that Andrew may have about our services and our company. Our company has a spotless 10-year-record with all of the leading consumer protection agencies, and is well-recognized as an industry leader in the development of model consumer best practices in its internet business segment. Every one of our web services is verified by TRUSTe to be on its sealholder list of "the most trustworthy online businesses." The members of the iFriends online community are very important stakeholders in that service, and we place enormous value on making sure they feel satisfied with our service.
Andrew
Bushnell,#3Author of original report
Sun, September 03, 2006
After I complained they refunded all four months. Still a little fishy, though. They say they have an unambiguous policy that the customer is always right and they've taken steps to make sure their customer service people are aware of that policy. Yet, in every instance I've read about they always at first try to deny the refunds. I'm sure they really do have an unambiguous policy but I think it's more similar to "Don't give them any money back unless they complain, and then only give them as much as it takes to get them off of the phone" than "the customer is always right."