Classmates.com ripoff Seattle Washington

What they did is a very underhanded tactic used by many companies that just want you to pay for something you don't want or need. They also make it hard to cancel. Again, if my credit card company agreed with me, then that says something. Classmates.com needs to change their policy. If you search the search function there are other complaints similar to mine on this company.

Before anyone gets their panties all in a ruffle let me state this one "opinion" of mine. Call it a disclaimer if you like......

Whenever someone signs up to give another party access to your banking account, credit card, etc., they should read the fine print. There is always fine print. And its there for a reason. Its the dark little things they hope you will ignore.


But something bothers me of late about classmates.com. Granted nothing they are doing is against the "law". They are well within their right to have policy and protocols in fine print. All companies should make it well known what a consumer is getting themselves into. Just as the consumer should take the time to find these things out. Its this "well known" part I'm having a problem with classmates.com about.

Lately there has been a LARGE upswing in complaints about the same or similar issues. Also, on the really dubious end of the spectrum, there is a large upswing of 3rd party companies being involved with Classmates.com. Such as spyware, adware, etc.

While I have seen no outright lawbreaking or rip-offs, I have seen enough of a pattern of un-ethical billing and advertising to make me stay away from classmates.com in the future.

If a company has to hide behind "fine print" only, then there is a reason. And it usually isnt in the consumers best intrest. Even if it is ok with the "law".

Thats the whole basis for the term "read the fine print". Its the shadowy, dark, cloak and dagger things that a company would rather you not find out if they can help it. And to "help it" I mean, put it in "fine print" deeeeeeeeep within the bowels of their webpage or policies. Where few consumers, unfortunately, dare to go.

So yes, everyone you are well within your right to tell this poster..."you should have read the fine print".

But its also within my right to say "I really dont want to have any dealings with classmates.com because it seems they have too much stuff in fine print which makes me feel suspicious".

Other than that Classmates.com does seem to have a decent service above and beyond their billing and adware/spyware issues. I have never paid for the service, but I did register with my old high school and it is interesting to see some of the info. Even tho its limited since I'm not a paying member.

Just my two cents. Just trying to be fair for both sides.

Peggy,
Your complaint is not valid because you failed to read the fine print. If you read it, you would have seen that you DID give them your consent to automatically renew and charge your credit card. I know this because I also have the Gold Membership on Classmates.com and read the fine print.

This is not Classmates.com's mistake, but yours alone. This is an example of what happens when people don't read instructions nor the fine print of contracts.

I don't care what it said. What they're doing is unreasonable and a refund should be given. It's just a tactic used to steal money from people. Notice that my credit card company agreed with me and removed the charge.

If they proceed to charge my card again, the charge will be unauthorized, and that is credit card fraud on their part, not mine.

When you subscribed to Classmates, you should have read the fine print... Their policy CLEARLY states the yearly rate and in black and white also states that Your card will be charged for renewal every year unless you cancel your account with classmates.

This is not Calssmates fault, but is your fault for not reading the contract you entered into.
Oh... Telling the credit card company your card was stolen if they charge it again is credit card fraud on your part...

your comments make me wonder how many times this has happened to you. Read the fine print with Classmates.com and any other site like them. THey will charge your card unless you cancel on time. It's all in the fine print.