International Readers League Of Georgia - IRL Of Georgia Pushy, fraudulent, sensational offers, scammers, no cancellation, dishonest, deceptive ripoff Marietta Georgia

I first dealt with this company in 2005. They contacted me by phone and told me I was a finalist in a contest to win either a brand new Ford Explorer or $25,000. Before I knew what happened, they were signing me up for magazine subscriptions, which I had to do in order to receive a free gift (a diamond watch). They made everything sound sensational, like I was really going to win (such as asking what color and interior I wanted for the truck).

Everything went very fast. The manager told me she was going to record me, and I stupidly agreed to the offer and gave my credit card information. Luckily for me, I asked while being recorded what the cancellation policy was, and the woman replied that "we ask you not to cancel," because they were prepaying for the magazine subscriptions, but I could do so by calling.

I wanted the free gift, so I let them go ahead, and I figured I would just call and cancel within a couple weeks. Before I even received one magazine, there were two 40 dollar charges on my credit card, so I called to get them reversed. I was told I could not cancel and that they had me recorded acknowledging this information. I asked to hear the recording, because I remembered asking about cancellation while being recorded. Even when hearing the woman state that I could cancel (even though they "ask" that I do not), the supervisor would not cancel my account and refund the money.

They really did not understand who they were getting involved with, because I am a very persistent person, and I never let things go. I called back and complained at least four or five times that day, and finally asked for a physical address. They questioned why, and I stated that I needed it to file my complaint to the Better Business Bureau in Georgia. They refused to give me the address and then put me on with the same supervisor, who, after quite a bit of arguing, finally cancelled my account and reversed the charges.

Later, I did receive forms requiring my signature before I could receive my gift. It stated in the fine print that I agreed to their terms regarding the magazines and could not cancel.

How dishonest! I am writing this report now, because today, two years later, I received the same phone call from them telling me I was a finalist in a contest. They must not keep good records, because they did not remember me or my complaints. Companies like this should be shut down. They are scammers, and are a disgrace of a business. I wonder where they are getting my phone number from. They would not tell me.

Michael
Jacksonville, Florida
U.S.A.