- Report: #39436
Complaint Review: Royal Prestige, Southern Bridal Registry Of Tennessee, Financing Of Madison Wisconsin
| Royal Prestige, Southern Bridal Registry Of Tennessee, Financing Of Madison Wisconsin 501 Metroplex Dr Suite 203
Nashville, Tennessee United States of America |
|
INVESTIGATION: Royal Prestige lawsuit, ripoff, customers can feel safe, confident and secure when doing business with them. Rip-off Report gives Royal Prestige a POSITIVE rating in customer support and quality assurance. They pledge to resolve complaints and address any issues - committed to 100% satisfaction - consumers to feel safe & secure.
Rip-off Report Investigation: shows that Royal Prestige is fulfilling its commitment to provide excellent customer service. Rip-off Report gives Royal Prestige a POSITIVE rating in customer support & quality assurance. They pledge to resolve complaints & address any issues - committed to 100% satisfaction - consumers to feel safe & secure.<
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Humm......Another District Maybe?
*Consumer Comment: Tara, if you have any free time....
*Consumer Comment: You have won.
*Consumer Comment: dying to hear more
*UPDATE Employee: Is It Really The Our Fault?
*Consumer Suggestion: Watch Out!
*Consumer Comment: My Best Friend and her fiancee never pressured
*Consumer Comment: Tony Kron
*Consumer Comment: It's like SPAM for the Real World
*Consumer Comment: This is not a rip-off or a scam
*Consumer Comment: This is not a rip-off or a scam
*Consumer Comment: This is not a rip-off or a scam
*Consumer Comment: This is not a rip-off or a scam
*Consumer Suggestion: Your first year of marriage is hard enough without dealing with criminals
*Consumer Comment: Is the vacation really worth it?
*Consumer Comment: A great purchase!
*Consumer Suggestion: C'mon People
*Consumer Comment: Cayce is wrong The courts proved they were unethical
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Listen before you speak!
*Consumer Comment: Nothing is free... Make it a game to look for the catch.
*Consumer Comment: Nothing is free... Make it a game to look for the catch.
*Consumer Comment: Nothing is free... Make it a game to look for the catch.
*Consumer Comment: Nothing is free... Make it a game to look for the catch.
*Consumer Comment: Ask questions!! All in all, yes its a pain in the ass process
*Consumer Suggestion: How to Avoid Being Ripped Off!
*Consumer Comment: Second time a charm
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Corporate Advocacy Program™
SPECIAL UPDATE: Royal Prestige remains committed to 100% customer satisfaction and has drastically improved their business processes over the years to better serve their customers. Royal Prestige is truly dedicated to making sure ALL customers are happy with their coverage. Royal Prestige continues to show customer service is of the utmost importance and they currently have no complaints!
To date, Royal Prestige has addressed and resolved all reported complaints, which have always been resolved to the complete satisfaction of their customers. Royal Prestige proves to be among the top members of the Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program, as a Verified Safe Business.
Over time and since becoming a member, Royal Prestige has remained actively engaged and improving the way they address customer service complaints. Rip-off Report has confirmed that Royal Prestige is no fraud, is not a scam and is of the highest integrity. As an active and current member of the Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program we are happy to report that now more than ever Royal Prestige remains committed to customer satisfaction and gets our top Verified Safe endorsement.
Rip-off Report has learned that Hy Cite Corporation, which distributes Royal Prestige products through a nationwide network of distributors, has been in the business of selling high quality cookware for over 45 years and takes pride in its great products and customer service. Hy Cite Corporation is a member of the Better Business Bureau as well as the Direct Selling Association, which requires all its members, such as Hy Cite, to follow its code of ethics. That code of ethics can be viewed at www.dsa.org.
Now consumers can feel even more secure when doing business with Hy Cite Corporation / Royal Prestige - Here's why. Hy Cite Corporation / Royal Prestige made a commitment to and are a proud member of Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program,..A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business..
Every honest business knows that legitimate customer issues arise from time to time. This is true for small companies as well as for Hy Cite Corporation / Royal Prestige which has hundreds of thousands of customers. Hy Cite Corporation / Royal Prestige wants to ensure that every customer issue is resolved. Hy Cite / Royal Prestige tries each and every day to satisfy customers and offer the highest quality products. Rip-off Report believes that Hy Cite Corporation / Royal Prestige is an honest and honorable company and is prepared to go the extra mile to achieve 100% customer satisfaction. Unlike most other companies, Rip-off Report can confirm, their products are superior, probably the best on the market.
For more information, regarding Hy Cite Corporation and / or Royal Prestige and their commitment to total customer satisfaction.
or visit their website www.royalprestige.com . or by contacting them directly at customercare@hycite.com or calling 1-877-494-2289
===================== NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED =====================
Royal Prestige Southern Bridal Registry of Tennessee, Hycite Financing of Madison Wisconsin ripoff Nashville Tennessee
In August of 2002, I was contacted by a lady named Casey representing the Southern Bridal Registry. She informed me that I had won a 4 day 3 night stay in the island resort of my choice, then proceeded to list the choices. She said that all I had to do was come to one of their shows. She gave me the date, time, and place of the show.
The day of the show, I drove to Nashville, two hours from my home. What Casey did not tell me was that my fiance had to be present also. My fiance works evenings so he was still in bed. I had to call and get him out of bed. He had to drive two hours to Nashville and then we had to sit through this presentation of china, crystal, silver and cookware. They proceeded to tell us how bad all of the other kinds of cookware were bad for us.
After the show, we had to sit down with a sales person who told us how this works just like any other bridal registry and that people would be more than willing to contribute their money to our "registry". We were not given the brochures for the trip until after we had signed all the papers for this stuff. Now in order to get this "free" trip, all we have to do is a $75 security deposit along with our completed forms.
My fiance and I talked to our families about this registry. NO ONE wants to contribute! We cannot afford to keep paying for this stuff ourselves, so I called Jane at Southern Bridal Registry to see if maybe we can send the stuff back. It has never been used, never even been taken out of the box. She informs me that they have a no return policy, there is nothing she can do, and if we stop making payments we will be sued!!!
My next step was to call the main office of Hycite Financing in Madison, Wisconsin. The lady I spoke to told me that we had not been making payments long enough to lower my payments, they could not accept returns, and there was nothing she could do. I asked to speak to the person who was over the company. She connected me to a Mr. Eric Jostead. He offered to defer my payments for 3 months, so that I would not have another payment until Feb. 2003. I said okay, let's do that. Last week, my fiance receives a call from Hycite Financing, saying that if we don't make payment by Jan 3 2003, we will be turned over to collections. They have no record of ever speaking to me or offering me a 3 month deferral!!!
Melissa Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Royal Prestige
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 12/29/2002 02:20 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Royal-Prestige-Southern-Bridal-Registry-Of-Tennessee-Financing-Of-Madison-Wisconsin/Nashville-Tennessee-37211/INVESTIGATION-Royal-Prestige-lawsuit-ripoff-customers-can-feel-safe-confident-and-secu-39436. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Humm......Another District Maybe?
AUTHOR: Stephanie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
#2 Consumer Comment
Tara, if you have any free time....
AUTHOR: Juliet - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
Telemarketers DO LIE. There is no two ways about it. I worked for a business for 12 years that had a telemarketing division, and even without having worked for one - THEY LIE. Not ALL telemarketers, no! Not even 90%! But enough of them do that anyone who says *their* company's telemarketers don't is just ignorant.
The highest-producing telemarketers that were new were invariably lying, and soon fired. But how much harm did they do our business in their two months or so of lying and deceiving prospects?
I worked in a bank that offered credit card processing services to merchants and they used salespeople to acquire new business. There were one or two salespeople that didn't last long, but they cost the bank a LOT of money due to their deceptive practices. I had stacks of merchant files on my desks that had been deceived by these people, and the bank was doing their best to make it right to the merchants.
Well, that's a happy daydream I'll keep floating around, that you find Stephanie, and play that message lololol. Alternatively, again, if you care to take the time, and if you don't, don't blame you!, but you could also contact Customer Service or Marketing, and play it for them!
Although it is certainly possible, that you always follow the script and that you have never said "you have won", I currently have a voicemail saved on my phone from another employee of your company saying those exact words. Obviously, some people are doing it.
#4 Consumer Comment
dying to hear more
AUTHOR: Juliet - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
This post originated in Dec. 2002, and NO ONE has written specifically about the vacation, except as in "ha ha, you were dumb not to do it". No explanation that they did receive all that was promised, or the fees they had to pay, or the quality of the destination, or the ease of scheduling their desired dates.
For the lady whose "best decision" of her life was purchasing COOKWARE - wow, get a life really fast. Purchasing cookware was a better decision than getting married, I guess. I pity any children that might transpire from this blessed union.
Scaring people into $1000+ cookware - how do you all sleep at night?
As for proclaiming no operator EVER SAYS "you WON!" - I highly doubt that. Unless the employee has heard every call ever placed by the company, I won't believe that there aren't appointment setters out there, working for this company, that AREN'T misleading attendees.
EVERY telemarketing company has people who will not adhere to the guidelines. There is no way Southern Bridal has never had a "rogue" telemarketer, violating the script.
If the telemarketers are paid based on attendees "captured", and actual attendance of the people, I guarantee you there ARE telemarketers in this company stating "You WON!".
#5 UPDATE Employee
Is It Really The Our Fault?
AUTHOR: Stephanie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I dont know where you people come up with "you have WON"??? And at the product preview show, yes we show our products but we dont stand at the door and keep people from leaving without buying anything. And yes you do have to pay between $50-$75 for the hotel but you will get that back you when check out. Thats like many other hotels. And at the show you are not required to buy anything or pay the hotel fee at that time. And for the woman that said melanie had asked here if she was married or engaged, thats because sometimes there are people that get married before the date they put on the registration form or they called the wedding off. So I dont see what was wrong with that. And if you dont have the money to purchase our products then save yourself the trouble. Like I said nobody is going to threaten you if you refuse to purchase the products.
I asked if they had a website and she informed me that it was broken, but they were working on it. She said that they would in town this weekend for me to come by with my fiance to redeem my honeymoon. Needless to say, I thought it was suspicious and went home and googled it! Word to the wise..google is your best friend! Thankfully, I was able to completely avoid this whole sticky situation! Thank you so much!
#7 Consumer Comment
My Best Friend and her fiancee never pressured
AUTHOR: Dina - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
She never felt pressured and the group of reps that were there werent holding up anyone at the door who were trying to leave without buying. The cooking demonstration was very thorough and easy to understand. She has been using the cookware for 4 months and cookware is performing perfectly. Her and her husband have lost weight because they have stopped eating out so much and are cooking all the time using R.P.
The one thing she did say about the presentation is that the whole Teflon/DuPont link to Alzheimers and Cancer was mentioned. She insisted that with or without that info in no way changed her mind on whether to by the product.
#9 Consumer Comment
It's like SPAM for the Real World
AUTHOR: Al - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
Thats its for me.
#10 Consumer Comment
This is not a rip-off or a scam
AUTHOR: Jessi - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I attended the show last weekend. The demonstrators cooked chicken and vegetables for us to show how the product works. We decided that when we have sufficient income, we will purchase the products. We still received our free vacation voucher and the $500 gift card, even though we refused to buy that day.
This would be a rip-off IF we were required to buy, or if we were lied to. However, we were NOT lied to. Thus, this company is NOT a rip-off. It's ridiculous that people are on here confessing that they did something stupid, and are now blaming the company.
We didn't buy the product knowing we shouldn't. We were told to come as a couple, and we did. We were told there was no obligation, and there wasn't. Yes, we have to send in a $75 deposit for the trip, but we will GET IT BACK. With that $500 gift card, we're going to be able to buy all of our luggage and even some camping gear! Stuff that we need/love to have, yet know it will be too expensive to register for.
If any of you get the call to attend, go ahead and do it. You get a free snack and an interesting little presentation. Plus, who can refuse a free trip and $500 gift card? It's worth the hour of your day. AND the cookware really is amazing. The company does house calls and even pays for the food, so my fiance and I will be calling and buying after we're married.
#11 Consumer Comment
This is not a rip-off or a scam
AUTHOR: Jessi - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I attended the show last weekend. The demonstrators cooked chicken and vegetables for us to show how the product works. We decided that when we have sufficient income, we will purchase the products. We still received our free vacation voucher and the $500 gift card, even though we refused to buy that day.
This would be a rip-off IF we were required to buy, or if we were lied to. However, we were NOT lied to. Thus, this company is NOT a rip-off. It's ridiculous that people are on here confessing that they did something stupid, and are now blaming the company.
We didn't buy the product knowing we shouldn't. We were told to come as a couple, and we did. We were told there was no obligation, and there wasn't. Yes, we have to send in a $75 deposit for the trip, but we will GET IT BACK. With that $500 gift card, we're going to be able to buy all of our luggage and even some camping gear! Stuff that we need/love to have, yet know it will be too expensive to register for.
If any of you get the call to attend, go ahead and do it. You get a free snack and an interesting little presentation. Plus, who can refuse a free trip and $500 gift card? It's worth the hour of your day. AND the cookware really is amazing. The company does house calls and even pays for the food, so my fiance and I will be calling and buying after we're married.
#12 Consumer Comment
This is not a rip-off or a scam
AUTHOR: Jessi - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I attended the show last weekend. The demonstrators cooked chicken and vegetables for us to show how the product works. We decided that when we have sufficient income, we will purchase the products. We still received our free vacation voucher and the $500 gift card, even though we refused to buy that day.
This would be a rip-off IF we were required to buy, or if we were lied to. However, we were NOT lied to. Thus, this company is NOT a rip-off. It's ridiculous that people are on here confessing that they did something stupid, and are now blaming the company.
We didn't buy the product knowing we shouldn't. We were told to come as a couple, and we did. We were told there was no obligation, and there wasn't. Yes, we have to send in a $75 deposit for the trip, but we will GET IT BACK. With that $500 gift card, we're going to be able to buy all of our luggage and even some camping gear! Stuff that we need/love to have, yet know it will be too expensive to register for.
If any of you get the call to attend, go ahead and do it. You get a free snack and an interesting little presentation. Plus, who can refuse a free trip and $500 gift card? It's worth the hour of your day. AND the cookware really is amazing. The company does house calls and even pays for the food, so my fiance and I will be calling and buying after we're married.
#13 Consumer Comment
This is not a rip-off or a scam
AUTHOR: Jessi - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I attended the show last weekend. The demonstrators cooked chicken and vegetables for us to show how the product works. We decided that when we have sufficient income, we will purchase the products. We still received our free vacation voucher and the $500 gift card, even though we refused to buy that day.
This would be a rip-off IF we were required to buy, or if we were lied to. However, we were NOT lied to. Thus, this company is NOT a rip-off. It's ridiculous that people are on here confessing that they did something stupid, and are now blaming the company.
We didn't buy the product knowing we shouldn't. We were told to come as a couple, and we did. We were told there was no obligation, and there wasn't. Yes, we have to send in a $75 deposit for the trip, but we will GET IT BACK. With that $500 gift card, we're going to be able to buy all of our luggage and even some camping gear! Stuff that we need/love to have, yet know it will be too expensive to register for.
If any of you get the call to attend, go ahead and do it. You get a free snack and an interesting little presentation. Plus, who can refuse a free trip and $500 gift card? It's worth the hour of your day. AND the cookware really is amazing. The company does house calls and even pays for the food, so my fiance and I will be calling and buying after we're married.
#14 Consumer Suggestion
Your first year of marriage is hard enough without dealing with criminals
AUTHOR: Danielle - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
As a person who has been ripped off by this company but was given the "free" vacations, let me make a suggestion to you: Don't waste your time. Free is a word that Royal Prestige/Southern Bridal uses to confuse you and keep you busy while they try to figure out how they can Rip You Off. First, the vacations aren't free. You still have to pay a $50.00 "reservation fee" per person. Also, you don't pick the dates you get to go, basically they say "off peak". Furthermore, you still have to pay your own airfare, food, activities, and a daily rate to be paid to the resort. Ours was only for three days and then any additional time you wanted was to be paid at an outlandish rate. I don't know about you, but after I pay $600.00 in airfare, I am not staying for just 3 days! The "free" cookware, utensils, wineglasses, or whatever you pick, is not really free. Because, when you make your selection of the "free" item, they just jack up the rate of something else, including a highly inflated monthly interest rate.
If you want to know something about this company, let me tell you: STAY AWAY. They're crooks and liars. It's been a year and a half since we were swindled (not just by our rep but by the company as a whole) and we were finally able to receive a refund but not without calling the news, calling a lawyer, writing more than 15 letters, and suffering verbal harrassment from the rep and Royal Prestige/Southern Bridal.
Your first year of marriage is hard enough without dealing with criminals, so don't let the "free" vacations fool you!
Good Luck,
#15 Consumer Comment
Is the vacation really worth it?
AUTHOR: Jessica - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I was very excited to hear the news, called my mom she said make sure its not a scam!! So I've read everones opinions on this company. I dont have the money for all this cookware which is why I was so excited to hear of a FREE honeymoon! So if I stand my ground and NOT buy any products, and get the free vacation, is it worth it??
I havent read any reports where the couple actually took the vacation!! I am willing to go and listen to all the crap they have to tell me if its a legitimate honeymoon. I have read that you have to pay a $50 or $75 deposit for the vacation and that the money is returned, do you have to pay that the night you receive your voucher?? Also I have read ask the right questions, which questons should I make sure to ask? I guess I will go to the show and report back!
#16 Consumer Comment
A great purchase!
AUTHOR: Athena - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
We attended the presentation for our trip and were intrigued by the cooking system. Of course, we left our checkbooks in the car, and we made the decision to park at the far end of the parking lot. We purchased the set that evening (despite the long cold walk) and when we got home we had buyer's remorse. So, we called right away and they said they would cancel our order, no problem. They then told us that they could reduce the price some if we wanted to get the cookware and couldn't afford it. So, we took them up on their offer and got it at HALF the price we were quoted.
I agree that consumers must read very carefully over the contract before signing it. The Royal Prestige contract wasn't that long at all. We were at no time pressured and we have it all paid off now. We got our gift certificate for more product and are happy to get it. We love the pots and pans, and if you watch the video or even call your rep, they will help you learn how to use it.
As far as the 2 trips, we haven't even thought about them. And, to tell you the truth we feel that we've already "won" the prize. We generally entertain twice a month, and everyone comments on how great the food tastes (especially the chicken and the vegetables).
So, I say BUY IT. Of course, you must be able to afford it, but it is WELL WORTH the investment. And as I said, read your contract carefully. As a real estate agent, I know that contracts are very important to go over and always go over them very extensively for the hour or two it takes to understand the contract with my seller or buyer. You must protect yourself, so even though it may take quite a bit of time. Be sure to read carefully and ask tons of questions!
Thanks
Ps - Just got back from my honeymoon which was one of the trips given to me by this company and it was wonderful
#18 Consumer Comment
Cayce is wrong The courts proved they were unethical
AUTHOR: Aaron - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
The person who called me said that I had "won" a free honeymoon. They were very misleading from the phone calls to the presentation to the credit apps. These people are very good at what they do. Why else have they been sued in two states (and lost!)? The courts proved they were unethical. Thank you.
#19 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Listen before you speak!
AUTHOR: Cayce - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
#20 Consumer Comment
Nothing is free... Make it a game to look for the catch.
AUTHOR: Darren - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I read your response and it was well reasoned and I wish you the best. I did note that you said, "... but if I get my vacation I really don't care!"
Could you do us all a favor and report back to us about the vacation once you have gone?
To all others,
I have made it almost a game with my children (which is a very sad commentary on the business climate we are living in now) to see if we can find the "gotcha" in advertising. We are especially wary of the length of the fine print on tv commercials (they are too small and on for to short of a time really be able to read), the word FREE and "Some conditions may apply."
In our personal relationships, if we cloud the truth it is lying. In business if they cloud the truth it is called advertising.
Nothing is free, so when you get offered a deal that is too good to be true it probably is.
Heck, if you are going into a place that may have high pressure sales tactics (don't they all?) then leave your wallet/purse locking in your glove box when you get there and tell them, "Ooooops, I left my wallet at home." That way you can't give them money or show them the identification they will want to make their sale.
Good Luck,
#21 Consumer Comment
Nothing is free... Make it a game to look for the catch.
AUTHOR: Darren - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I read your response and it was well reasoned and I wish you the best. I did note that you said, "... but if I get my vacation I really don't care!"
Could you do us all a favor and report back to us about the vacation once you have gone?
To all others,
I have made it almost a game with my children (which is a very sad commentary on the business climate we are living in now) to see if we can find the "gotcha" in advertising. We are especially wary of the length of the fine print on tv commercials (they are too small and on for to short of a time really be able to read), the word FREE and "Some conditions may apply."
In our personal relationships, if we cloud the truth it is lying. In business if they cloud the truth it is called advertising.
Nothing is free, so when you get offered a deal that is too good to be true it probably is.
Heck, if you are going into a place that may have high pressure sales tactics (don't they all?) then leave your wallet/purse locking in your glove box when you get there and tell them, "Ooooops, I left my wallet at home." That way you can't give them money or show them the identification they will want to make their sale.
Good Luck,
#22 Consumer Comment
Nothing is free... Make it a game to look for the catch.
AUTHOR: Darren - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I read your response and it was well reasoned and I wish you the best. I did note that you said, "... but if I get my vacation I really don't care!"
Could you do us all a favor and report back to us about the vacation once you have gone?
To all others,
I have made it almost a game with my children (which is a very sad commentary on the business climate we are living in now) to see if we can find the "gotcha" in advertising. We are especially wary of the length of the fine print on tv commercials (they are too small and on for to short of a time really be able to read), the word FREE and "Some conditions may apply."
In our personal relationships, if we cloud the truth it is lying. In business if they cloud the truth it is called advertising.
Nothing is free, so when you get offered a deal that is too good to be true it probably is.
Heck, if you are going into a place that may have high pressure sales tactics (don't they all?) then leave your wallet/purse locking in your glove box when you get there and tell them, "Ooooops, I left my wallet at home." That way you can't give them money or show them the identification they will want to make their sale.
Good Luck,
#23 Consumer Comment
Nothing is free... Make it a game to look for the catch.
AUTHOR: Darren - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
I read your response and it was well reasoned and I wish you the best. I did note that you said, "... but if I get my vacation I really don't care!"
Could you do us all a favor and report back to us about the vacation once you have gone?
To all others,
I have made it almost a game with my children (which is a very sad commentary on the business climate we are living in now) to see if we can find the "gotcha" in advertising. We are especially wary of the length of the fine print on tv commercials (they are too small and on for to short of a time really be able to read), the word FREE and "Some conditions may apply."
In our personal relationships, if we cloud the truth it is lying. In business if they cloud the truth it is called advertising.
Nothing is free, so when you get offered a deal that is too good to be true it probably is.
Heck, if you are going into a place that may have high pressure sales tactics (don't they all?) then leave your wallet/purse locking in your glove box when you get there and tell them, "Ooooops, I left my wallet at home." That way you can't give them money or show them the identification they will want to make their sale.
Good Luck,
#24 Consumer Comment
Ask questions!! All in all, yes its a pain in the ass process
AUTHOR: Jessica - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
#25 Consumer Suggestion
How to Avoid Being Ripped Off!
AUTHOR: Aaron - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008
We attended it and listened to their sales pitch (come on--it's a free vacation) and I must say we were drawn in by their presentation and became very impressed by the cookware.
We told the guy we were interested but that we couldn't afford $2,000 for the 17-piece set. He told us he would throw in an extra vacation voucher if we bought the cheaper 7-piece set (and we'd still receive the "free" china and flatware!).
We were so impressed, we applied for credit through their company and purchased $1400 worth of their crap.
They were nice to us while we filled out the forms with beads of sweat forming on my forehead as I tried to ignore this nagging feeling that the last thing my fiancee and I needed to add to our new life together was more debt.
But I ignored that inner voice and signed on the dotted lines anyway. (Besides, this whole time they kept reminding us that the interest rate was only 1.75%!)
Two nights later I got online to check out the vacations we had "won". I found out that despite my suspicions they were legitimate (with TONS OF RESTRICTIONS), and I looked at all of the different vacation resorts they had to offer.
Then on a whim, I went to google.com and did the following search: '"Royal Prestige" Ripoff'. That's when I found this website with several posts from people about this company. Then I did more digging and searched: '"Royal Prestige" settlement'
Royal Prestige has been sued in two different states (California and Texas) and lost both cases. Within half an hour, I found story after story of couples who had been reeled in by this multi-tiered company and taken advantage of. In fact, Good Morning America had done a story on this very company!
I also found in my digging that one of the main statutes to one of the settlement states that the company had to provide legitimate vacations (which apparently they do now), and they must honor a three-day back-out clause for the contract.
Being only the second day after we had signed our contracts, I looked at all of the fine print of our materials. Among other things written in 8-pt. font, the annual percentage rate for our loan was 21%, not 1.75%! The b*stards lied to me and my fiancee.
When I was filling out the paperwork a couple of days before, I specifically asked one guy straight out: "Now what's the annual percentage rate on this again?", he looked me in the eye and said, "1.75%." "Wow, that's really good," I said. "Isn't it?" he said as a smile oozed across his face. The lying sack of feces.
When I saw the fine print stated that the MONTHLY PERCENTAGE RATE WAS 1.75%, I KNEW IT WAS A SCAM! They're intentionally misleading (sometimes flat-out LYING).
Also, the contract is funny the way it's worded. It makes it sound like the company must receive a cancellation notice by midnight of the third day.
However, THAT'S NOT TRUE! It must only be MAILED by that third day. Before I realized this, I was freaking out, thinking I was going to have to drive a round trip of six hours to Nashville just to cancel our $1400 mistake. Then I saw the phrase "regular mail posted" and figured that it only had to be dated by the third day.
The next morning I made copies of our cancellation notice and went to the Post Office and sent it via certified mail with a return/receipt request attached. I also called my bank and had them put a "stop payment" on the two down payment checks (totalling $160.00) that I had given them.
The stop payment and certified mail fees came to $65.00; but at least they weren't getting a dime out of me or my fiancee.
I hope this story will help anybody else who may find themselves in this situation. It's too bad that they're scamming people left and right, but websites like these are helping to stop these crooks.
By the way, Southern Bridal Registry called me Thursday evening--exactly 24 hours AFTER I would have been able to back out.
I can't tell how wonderful it was to tell her that we had cancelled. Slightly taken aback, she snapped in a snooty tone, "Well, when did you send it?" (Obviously preparing to tell me that it was too late had I told her that I had sent the notice earlier that day.)
"Yesterday morning, via certified mail. You should get it soon, and someone will need to sign a return/receipt request and mail it to me for my legal records."
She then told me how I would be contacted in the next two weeks about how I would like to receive reimbursement for my down payment. I wanted so badly to tell her that I had stopped payment on those checks, but I sat there silently, breathing a sigh of relief to myself.
As a side note, I did some more checking yesterday and found that my fiancee and I can use both vacation vouchers we got even though we cancelled our order. I even called Southern Bridal and asked if they would like me to mail back the extra voucher.
"No. Use them both. You can use one for a honeymoon and one as a vacation."
My fiancee and I lived happily ever after.
THE END
#26 Consumer Comment
Second time a charm
AUTHOR: Celeste - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, March 08, 2008

