Internet Order LCC Pimsleur Approach Learn a Language in 10 days with Pimsleur Internet

Today 10-9-2012  I received a folksy looking card with what appeared to be a real person's name on the return address.  It was  dated  October 1st 2012 with I believe is my first written invoice to come from Internet Order LLC, which is apparently the company doing business as "The Pimsleur Approach".  Inside the evelope, was a  billing, but  there was no name or named contact person on the inside,  but it was an invoice for $256  for the Pimsleur Approach that I originally thought that I had agreed to pay ( and did pay) $9.95 from an internet order of  $9.95 last March ( with limited time free shipping )  6 months later, the Pimsleur Approach web offer looks exactly the same.    When I called to speak with the person on my return address billing, I believe that the repesentative told me that person nolonger worked there.  When I said that the billing dated October 1st 2012 listed that name, I was told that person did not take calls.

Back in March, I had watched a marketing graphic program about the Pimsleur  Approach from an internet link.  It looked straight forward and I failed to note any red flags.  What it turned out to be the $9.95 intro 5 disk language package was duplicated about 10 days later with a "Gold Version"   The Gold Version has 8 language disks, which I think the first 5 disks  cover the same ground as the intro package.  There is, there was...  no INVOICE with the package saying that I would be charged $256  for this level 1 Spanish Gold.   Instead it says,  "Here is your 100% Risk Free Guarantee.     At least  10 times printed in the insert are the words "FREE" as in FREE TRIAL,  RISK FREE GUARANTEE in large black letters.   One place on the enclosed brochure, I found  in plain lettering...  it was at the end of a sentence  "If you want to keep it, do nothing, and we'll conveniently start billing your credit card in 30 days, in four equal monthly installments of $64"

In their web advertizements, nor with their Gold Packaging  did they send a notice of total costs. They certainly didn't wave a red flag or give a buyer invoice: This Package will cost you $256 ! 

Firstly,  I didn't understand that I had ordered their "Gold Package.  I think that they intended to confuse and deceive me as they have many others: so I still don't  believe that I ordered the "Gold Package".  Secondly,  I saw what Pimsleur Approach wanted me to see: what they emphasised over and over again in  The large black print that say "Free Trial"  that they stated "You'll have absolutely no  obligation to buy."  

Anyway,  before I knew what had happened, I found the new $64 charge on my credit card.  I called the number, and spoke with their representative. He basically was polite but short with me, saying that  as the 30 day period was passed, that I could no longer return the language disks.  I told him that the packages were still exactly as they had been shipped... that they had been put aside to return.  He would not authorize a return.  I had not received them yet, but that very day,  the timing was such that  the Spanish Gold Course 2nd level of the course was waiting at my post office.  They came Fed Ex to my town, but had been transfered  Post Office.  I told the telephone Pimsleur Approach Rep  that I would refuse shipment, but he said if I did that, and the shipment became lost in the system,  I would end up paying for them also.  He agreed to send me a return mailing label.  More than 2 weeks later, no label arrived.  Feeling scammed that If I waited any-longer, that I would be billed another set of $256  charges for Level 2 GOLD,  I shipped the disks back at my own cost.  I note that except for my delivery USPS confirmation number, I got no return correspondence from Pimsleur,  nor was I  refunded any shipping.  

I froze my credit card from additional charges, and am now dealing with their collections department.

I believe that this company deals with deceptive business practices, predatory business practices, and that their presentation is false on multiple levels, beginning with we will  NOT learn a language in 10 Days.  The oral language learning is good, but most language CD courses now use a modified Pimsleur method.  This Pimsleur Approach entity only listed their corporate name " Internet Order LLC " one place that I found on their brochure      They also  claimed   that they are less expensive, than other language courses.   I think that I can buy all three levels of Rosetta Stone.  cheaper than 3 levels Pimsleur Approach via this company.   I so wish I had never heard of this company.  I could have better bought from Amazon, or Walmart.