Specialty Merchandise Corporation - SMC Con-artists use deceptive practice to steal your money Chatsworth California

I joined SMC just before Christmas with the hope to make extra money. I was told that I would only be charged $40 to start then a web hosting fee. When I received my call from my business coach I was informed that I would have to buy gift cards in order to sell on the internet or I could upgrade and not have to sell gift cards. A few weeks later I up graded but low and behold I still had to give out the gift cards but I would get special credit I could use any way that I wanted. I then received another call a few days later from a woman telling me I needed to buy more gift cards for a promotion. I was hopeful so I did. However, I failed to put two and two together.

A couple of weeks prior I received e-mails from people requesting information, because, they wanted to shop on my sight. I sent gift card #'s to these people but instead of getting customers I started to get calls several times a day from companies trying to sell me hundreds of dollars in advertising. I was informed by these people that my sight was not listed on search engines so it would be impossible for anyone to find my web site. I declined the advertising but the calls kept coming.

I didn't realize that I was being scammed until I was placing an order with a gift card. I did not understand why I had to pay for the gift card and also pay for the merchandise that was being ordered. I called customer service and asked them why this was so, but they refused to help me. I informed them that I wanted my money but they said that the gift cards were nonrefundable. The first individual I spoke with was arrogant and rude when I asked to speak with his supervisor he stated his mama was his supervisor. I never did get any ware through phone conversations and when I did get someone else she said I could close my account but I would not get any money back.

I have since filed a complaint with the FBI internet fraud department IC3, I'm not sure if they can help in this matter but I'm hoping that if enough people complain to the right authorities that we can get this company shut down.

I'm very fortunate that I found the rip-off report when I did otherwise I would have probably been out a lot more money.

Lisa
Jacksonville, North Carolina
U.S.A.