Web site scam, price gouging, unauthorized credit card charges

ComplaintsHealth & BeautyBROMALITE/ PANALABS

Complaint

0
Nance
Country: United States
Company information:
Bromalite
16192 Coastal Highway
Lewes, Delaware
United States
Phone: 1-866-897-663
bromalite.com

I stupidly ordered Bromalite 60 capsules (one month's worth) to assist with detoxing (have multiple immune system issues)/weight loss. The web site www.bromalite.com offered 14 dayBromalite Trial paying $4.95.

I called to cancel, yet like others, did not read the fine print:If you enjoy Bromalite, simply do nothing. You will be billed the discounted price of only $69.95 at the end of your 14 day trial period for your initial supply. You will be billed $69.95 again 30 days from today to replenish your supply of Bromalite and begin your monthly auto shipment which is billed monthly at $69.95 unless cancelled (this is a savings off the retail price, and is available to you today). You will enjoy our auto ship program that will deliver your monthly supply of the Bromalite Diet. You are still receiving this trial one hundred percent risk free because if, for ANY reason, you decide that Bromalite is not for you, simply call 877-300-6250 and we will quickly assist you with canceling your Bromalite auto ship program as well as help you with a refund. Note* If you ordered before Feb 13th 2009 please call: 866-897-0663. No future commitments, no hassles. Cancel any time.

I called on the 17th day of the 30-day supplement. Was given another number (boiler room in Philippines, spoke to "Bunny" badge number (rigggghhhht) # 2074): 1-877-350-8480. "Bunny" took the call and said I owed $89.31 for EXTREME Acai Berry, which I did not order.

I did get the address of the company: Bomalite 16192 Coastal Highway. Lewes, Delaware 19952

I immediately filed an internet fraud complaint (exceedingly high cost of 30 day supply of ONE supplement), unfair web site practices and price gouging. http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/

I contacted my credit card company to file a fraud charge. Even though I would be billed (my charge card noted $69.95), the bottle of Bromalite is exceeedingly EXPENSIVE, more than a lot of medications (Rx, legit) cost. Too, it's price gouging and unfair web site practices. The credit card company put a warning flag on Bromalite and will not debit my account for any future payments. My card had to be changed, and also a fraud investigation whereby I have to fill out paperwork will occur.

Lastly, I downloaded Delaware Attorney General Consumer Complaint form and made copies to send along with my complaint. Beau Biden, Atty General of Delaware is Vice President Joe Biden's son. http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/consumers/protection/safeguarding.shtml

CONSUMER PROTECTION UNIT
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
STATE OF DELAWARE
820 NORTH FRENCH STREET, 5TH FLOOR
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801
Phone: (302) 577-8600 or (800) 220-5424
Fax: (302) 577-6499
Email: consumer.protection @state.de.us

This company is scamming hundreds, if not thousands. Coontact your credit card company today to stop fraudulent, no product for your money scam.

I do owe $4.95 for shipping, but refuse to pay more.

Lesson learned: go to reliable health food store (GNC, Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, Sunflower Market or Puritan Pride www.puritan.com) to order acai berry products (even Walgreen's sells them OTC supplements) . DO NOT ORDER ACAI BERRY, ACAI BURN...proclaiming Dr. Oz, Oprah, CNN, USA Today endorses them. Not true. STAY AWAY. BE INFORMED. DON't BE DUPED LIKE MYSELF AND OTHERS!

Comments

  • 0
    malini
    Thank you for the warning and complaints informatiion. Very helful indeed as I have just received my first free trial bottle.
    Much appreciation.
  • 0
    kymra
    Thank you for the warning. Just received order days ago. You saved me lots of money, time, and trouble. Thanks
  • 0
    THOMAS D NELSON
    Do not, repeat, do not touch anything on the internet that sounds, smells or spells like bromalite or nature's acai berry or you will have your credit card nailed with repeated charges for both products and related scams, at least, two I am personally aware of at this time. Have cancelled all and now will fight with MasterCard who continues to support this scam and am sure Visa is just as greedy and ignorant in our behalf!
  • 0
    Carla 6 Apr 2009
    I have followed up with same complaints to Attorney General.  My larger complaint is that the ad for these products appeared on my AOL homepage - Do they take advertising from just anyone and pass it along to let the public be scammed by fraululant companies????????
  • 0
    tj
    Arizona Attorney General just reached a settlement with another one of the acai berry scammers.

    http://www.azag.gov/press_releases/june/2009/ ... s%20Release.pdf

    "...Terry Goddard Announces $1,375,000 Settlement with Online Nutrition Company

    (Phoenix, Ariz. – June 25, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced a record $1,375,000 settlement with Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc. (“CCN”) and its owner, Graham Gibson, of Phoenix. The settlement resolves a consumer fraud lawsuit that alleged deceptive online sales practices by CCN.

    Under the terms of today’s settlement, which takes the form of a Consent Judgment, CCN will pay $1 million in civil penalties to the state, $350,000 in consumer restitution and $25,000 to cover the state’s legal and investigative costs.

    After receiving hundreds of consumer complaints, Goddard brought the lawsuit against CCN in December 2008. In it he alleged that CCN used a variety of deceptive tactics marketing low-cost “risk-free" trial offers of health supplements.

    According to the complaints, consumers who purchased the low-cost “risk-free trial offers” of CCN’s health supplements were also charged for costly products and services that they did not request. These included pre-selected “up-sell” products that the consumer had to actively de-select in the online order form to avoid being charged. When consumers tried to contact CCN regarding the unauthorized charges, they often faced hold times over an hour and their e-mails never received a response.

    In addition to the financial settlement, the agreement prohibits CCN from violating the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. It also requires the company to clearly disclose to consumers the consequences involved with ordering a trial product from CCN.

    “Especially In today’s tough economy, companies cannot use deceptive online advertisements and sales practices to charge customers for products and services they did not agree to pay for,” Goddard said. “I am working to ensure that companies use the web to enhance consumers’ buying experiences, not to mislead them to increase company profits.”

    Consumers who believe they were the victim of CCN’s deceptive marketing must file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office by close of business on Monday, August 17 to be eligible for restitution from the settlement. If consumers have already filed a complaint with this office, they will be included in the pool of eligible consumers.
    ..."
  • 0
    Not happy!
    Sounds just like the scam from DAZZLEWHITE. DO NOT ORDER THE FREE TRIAL FROM DAZZLEWHITE. IT IS THE SAME SCAM AS INDICATED ABOVE, YOU WILL BE SORRY! You are supposed to only pay for shipping for the "free" trial but you will be billed $60 and automatically be placed in a membership program which is not clearly stated so you will keep paying and receiving their product. Also they sign you up, also not clearly stated, to 2 other membership programs which you will automatically be billed every month. BEWARE!
  • 0
    tj
    Additional information on "Dazzlewhite" scam.
    https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/bj6TYzvHcQBYEAjLyT2nPQ/2
  • 0
    Laue Swan
    Thank you so much for the info. I'm going to try to get my local police here in Texas and somehow have Delaware bust theses guys-they could at least go to the company if it exists.
  • 0
    Laure Swan
    Also!!!!!!!!!!!! I spoke with my police dept. They said you must send it back and request a refund. Make copies of the bank transactions and your mail transactions for proof. If you have not been reimbursed then this is proof of unlawful bank fund transaction and the Delaware police can investigate.In addition to reporting to other agencies-also the FBI has an internet site that should be reported to- I wrote it down incorrectly-something like ic3.gov.
  • 0
    Fernan Obando
    The company Health Fitnes Sent to me a free present about vitamins, but they use the name of Walmart and I got a pot of BROMALITE of 60 capsules, but I got a big surprece too when I see the account information of the Bank, they used my debit card on 09/27/10, with amount of $79.95 and on 09/29/10 the amount of $59.95.
    I didn't order any thing of $79.95 and $59.95 eather. That fraud against me in accor to my investigations are fron South Jordan and Souldlake, Utah, the phone numbers are: 1866-898 3706 and 1866 965 1827. Other phone involved is: 1877- 379 6517
  • 0
    NA
    Did u call and cancel soon enough
  • 0
    Thoughtful
    On July 12, 2010, the company filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the federal Bankruptcy Act, case number 10-29282.

    Those with monetary claims against the company are advised to obtain a Proof of Claim form by writing to Utah Bankruptcy Court CM/ECF, 350 S Main St # 301, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101 for resubmission to that court.

    The case number should be entered on the form.
    BBB file opened: 06/16/2009
    Contact Information
    Primary Contact: Mr. Sam Robinson (Director of Operations)
    Business Category

    Untested Medical Product Providers
  • 0
    Thoughtful
    This Business is not BBB Accredited
    VanKomen Media and Entertainment

    (801) 617-1300 1111 Draper Pkwy Ste 300, Draper, UT 84020-9089

    Here is the info for the real company!!!!!

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