Pure Acai Berry Pro
Complaint
Verna Albee
Country: United States
I ordered a Risk Free trial of Acai Berry and got billed 4.99 Shipping. Then I saw they withdrew $79.90 from my credit card. I have been fighting to get my money back but to no avail as of yet. Watch out for this company, They will rip you off and then just keep giving you the run around and lies trying to deal with them over the phone. Their phone number is 1-800-595-4670 and their address is GNS, Inc 6452 Fig Street, Suite A
Arvada, Co 80004
they also give (303)456-5591 as a phone number.
Arvada, Co 80004
they also give (303)456-5591 as a phone number.
Comments
This kind of "trial offer" scam is rampant in the "health product" "industry". The pattern is the same: Offer a low cost trial, with only a small payment (possibly for "shipping and handling") as an excuse to get the consumer's account information, and then start making monthly charges, claiming they signed up for them. The "automatic shipment" terms are often hidden in fine print, sometimes at the bottom of a webpage, or in a link to a different page, and not disclosed in the area or font size of the "trial offer" terms.
The scammer will also often claim the disclosure was include in the shipment, and it may have been, but disclosure there would not be a legal basis for claiming the original offer acceptance included the later disclosed terms. Charges generally start before the consumer has had any awareness of the terms, often before even receiving the trial offer shipment, or the initial offer may arrive after the charges for the full price shipment, yet the company will claim the cancellation time was from when the original order was placed. The later shipments charged for may not even arrive.
Here is the BBB report for GNS, rated "F". Note that they resigned from BBB in Nov. 2008.
http://www.bbb.org/denver/business-reviews/he ... vada-co-9037219
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BBB Rating
Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of F.
Reasons for this rating include:
Number of complaints filed against business.
Failure to respond to complaints filed against business.
Advertising issue(s) found by BBB.
Consumer complaints on file allege problems with GNS' advertising methods, refund, return and delivery policies.
Regarding advertising, consumers state that they are offered a "free trial" of a product and only need to pay a shipping charge. Consumers allege that the following conditions are not made clear to them in the company's advertising: The "free trial" only lasts for a few weeks and then is automatically billed for, (approximately $49.95). In addition to billing after the trial period is over, the consumer is enrolled into a program where they are shipped and billed for a new supply of the product every month. This, "Auto Ship" program can also apply to regular orders outside of the "free trial" offer. See the 'Advertising Review' section of the report for more information.
Regarding refund, return and delivery policies, consumers allege that they can cancel the order very quickly, but are told by the company that the order has already been processed and they must wait until the product is delivered before they can return it for a refund. Consumers also state that they bear the burden of paying to return the unwanted shipment and if they refuse the package, no refund is forthcoming from the company.
Consumers further state that when they are on the, "Auto Ship" monthly delivery program, they receive products prematurely at a two week interval. At the time of this early shipment, consumers are also billed for this subsequent delivery.
Consumers have also complained about not receiving ordered merchandise.
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Dispute their charge with your bank as "fraudulent". Include a copy of the BBB report in your written dispute. Do not trust any claim by the company that they will return your money, since in this type of scam, it is common to string the consumer along until the 60 day federal dispute window has expired.
File additional disputes with FTC, your state AG, Colorado AG, and BBB. Do not wait on these disputes to file your bank dispute, as that is the most likely way you will get your money back. Your bank can and should reverse the charge due to fraud. If they won't, find another bank.
I just had the same experience. I did threaten to pursue it legally, that it was worth it to me, and was finally told I would receive a refund and was given a confirmation number for it. Of course it is yet to be seen whether that occurs. I will follow up.
Your best chance at a refund is a fraud dispute through your bank, in writing, meeting the dispute requirements of FRB Reg. E, or FCBA.