Product Test Panel.com - Consumer Research Corporation bait and switch ripoff Columbia South Carolina

I have been avoiding marketing ads for a while, and even advise my internet customers to stay away from them. But this time I thought, "Oh, what can it hurt? Let's see what this is all about." There were two offers that were practical for me; I needed ink for my printer, and had wanted to join BlockBuster or Netflix anyway for the great movie rental deals.

What burns me up is the "New Member Incentive program" in which they make you think that you will get a "Free" Sony Vaio Laptop, valued at $1299, or a "Free" Canon digital camera, valued at $1600, or a "Free" Samsung 42" flatscreen television, valued at $1199. Now here comes the catch.

When I went to their website to look at the required offers, I should have seen the trick. (You are required to complete 2 Top Offers, 2 Prime Offers, and 2 Premium Offers.) You don't get to see the Premium offers until you sign up. That is where it gets ridiculous. You find out that one is for Stableford Collections, and a $499 minimum purchase is required for that offer. The other two in that section are Rooms To Go Kids ($1,500 Minimum Purchase Required) and Rail Europe (Minimum $899 purchase required.)

So, in order to supposedly receive a "Free" laptop, digital camera, or TV, you must spend a minimum of $1398 on the Premium Section alone. It seems that if a person wants one of these items, that they would just use the money to purchase the laptop, camera, or television, instead of making purchases they may not desire in the first place. In this case, I went through the offer for the $1100 television, so if I were to complete the Premium offers, it would cost more than $1400 for an item that supposedly costs $1100. That doesnt seem like a very good deal does it? Time and money would have been better spent to just go out and buy the TV.
So anyway, I guess it's good to go through and see these things so I can warn others about them. I also did not find a phone number on their website, which sure makes it look like they don't want to deal with the people they've duped.


Also, I am supposedly guaranteed to test three items within 90 days of when I signed up, on 11/30/2005. I guess I will see what happens with that, and if they are going to hold out on me. If that happens, then I will be right back here reporting on it.

Michael
Lineville, Alabama
U.S.A.