I received a marketing advertisement envelope addressed to my home address for an offer for Metzger Pineapple Enzyme Super Fat Melter Tablets. I sent my check for $109.95 on an order on 7/11 to Metzger Pineapple Products, 204-37th Ave. North, Unit #428, St. Petersburg, FL 33704 (no such company located at this address); never received shipment.
Called 1-888-573-2929 (order hot line) on 8/8 and was told items shipped 7/23 via ordinary mail by male who answered hot line. Was told they would reship, but I told them I would wait a couple more days. When I called back on Monday, 8/13, I was told they shipped via UPS on 7/23. I asked for tracking number and was told, "there is not always a tracking number for certain items being shipped via UPS." She made this comment, "this is what I am supposed to say." (THIS IS A LIE, there is always a UPS tracking number. The young lady I talked to felt intimated and put another lady on the line. She told me they were shipped ordinary mail 7/23.
I asked her to reship, and was told they would have to investigate status of previous shipment before new shipment could be made. I asked her when that would be, and she could not tell me a date. She told me to call back in about a week to see if re-shipment had been made or I could get a refund. I told her I was the customer, and she could call me and let me know shipping details; she said she did not have ability to make callbacks. GOT VERY SUSPICIOUS because she was very combative and trying to talk over the top of me. I asked her to listen and not interrupt, and she didn't like that one bit.
Pulled my cancelled check and saw phone number on back of check 973-489-4825, Totowa, NJ. Traced this phone number and found it is a Verizon Land Line from Paterson, NJ.; location of phone Haledon, NJ. Go to www.ripoffreport.com and I think you will find more information on this scam. There appears to be many different scams but same phone number being used for various ripoffs. You can also find information on this website regarding the Metzger Pineapple enzyme fat burner pills, i.e., www.steadyhealth.com.
I am going to call back today and request that they make me a refund since the girl I talked with yesterday asked if I wanted a re-shipment or a refund of product. NOW, for sure, I'm asking for a refund and seeing where this goes next. Will also put my story on www.ripoff.com. Please warn others of this scam. I've kept all the mailings I was sent and intend to turn them over the the local FBI for interstate commerce violations which I believe may be a Federal offense.
I called back this afternoon to the 1-888 hot line number and talked with Debbie. I told her that I didn't want to wait another couple of weeks for the shipment, so I would just like a refund like the gal had offered to me when I called yesterday. She said that their customer service department would be calling me with the details of the refund process, possibly a girl named, Karen. I asked where this office was located, and she said the call would come from New York. I asked to have the phone number of their customer service office, and she could not furnish one to me because they didn't have a call-in line she said.
I've called my bank to see if they can trace where this payment was made from stamps on the back of my cancelled checks and am waiting to hear back from them.
Here are items stamped on the back of my check:
Banque Royale Royal Bank
20070727 Montreal, PQ
1400389233
>021001033
Totowa, NJ 973-389-4825
8100189220
7/27/07
NUTRI-MARC
00001/402-456-8 US
After a thief
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.