This is the smoothest scam I have ever come across. We have all seen the TV ads with the avuncular John Scherer,(sp) assuring you that he knows how frustrating it is not being computer literate, but he is so confident in his product, that for the first order all you have to pay is the 6.95 shipping and handling and the lesson is yours. Luckily I paid with my AMEX (which, according to my AMEX customer rep Video Professor is one of their top targets of disputes), and within a few days my lesson arrived. Unwittingly, and without meaningful disclosure, they also start charging your card for identity theft protection. After a couple weeks, I received another lesson. I called the scammers immediately, and was told that I was put on its "continuation program" where I would be sent these items on a regular basis. I WAS ALSO INFORMED FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAD BILLED ME 189 DOLLARS (PLUS THE SHIPPING HANDLING, ETC. FOR A TOTAL OF 204 DOLLARS FOR THE INITIAL LESSON WHICH THEY ADVERTISE FOR FREE, WITH YOU ONLY PAYING THE SHIPPING AND HANDLING. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I HAD KEPT THE PRODUCT FOR 10 DAYS THEY HAD THE RIGHT TO CHARGE ME THE TWO HUNDRED BUCKS! WHEN I DISPUTED THIS THEY IMMEDIATELY OFFERED A 75 DOLLAR REBATE TOWARD THE SECOND LESSON WHICH I HAD NOT ORDERED, AND WHEN I WENT BALLISTIC, THEY FINALLY OFFERED TO RESCIND THE DEAL, INITIALLY TELLING ME I WOULD HAVE TO SHIP THE STUFF BACK AT MY EXPENSE, BUT THEN HAVING THEM AGREE TO SEND ME UPS SLIPS FOR RETURN. ADDING INSULT TO INJURY, THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE THIRTY DAYS TO PROCESS MY REFUND.
I IMMEDIATELY CALLED AMEX WHO IMMEDIATELY CREDITED MY ACCOUNT.
I PLAN ON REPORTING THIS OUTFIT TO OUR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CONSUMER FRAUD DIVISION AND POSSIBLY VETTING THIS WITH A CLASS ACTION LAW FIRM. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE WITH MR VIDEO PROFESSOR.