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Report: #303296

Complaint Review: Specialty Merchandise Corporation - SMC - Simi Valley California

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  • Reported By: Santa Clarita California
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  • Specialty Merchandise Corporation - SMC Simi Valley, California U.S.A.

Specialty Merchandise Corporation - SMC BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY. Simi Valley California

*Consumer Comment: Talking to a Human at SMC

*Consumer Suggestion: Dealt with SMC and had no problems requesting a refund.

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First of all just to be fair, let me start by saying that I joined SMC almost 20 years ago when they were located in Chatsworth, CA. SMC 20 years ago did not have this infomercial and they do business in old fashioned way where they have a showroom and you can just walk in their warehouse to pick up your merchandise and go.

Today with the birth of ecommerce and faster information technology, SMC evolved in a business that involves dirty business tactics that almost predatory in nature. About 3 years ago I did not renew my membership because I was not active in the business anymore so one day I decided to reinstate my membership. So I called and accidentally called their sales hotline and spoke to one of the salesperson and she talked me into just buying a whole new set of membership for $240+ that involves a free website instead of just reinstating my old membership for just $69 and I fell for it (I know silly me huh).

That night I couldn't sleep thinking that I just got ripped off so I called them the next day and got a hold of member support line (800) 345-4762. I spoke to a lady and explained that I need to reinstate my acct and just cancel the new one. So she reinstated the old account and told me that the new one will be cancelled.

After a few days, I recieved a package in the mail, the membership package and an email saying that I have the new account set up. So I called SMC again and requested that I have 2 accts and cancel the new one. He cancelled it and I asked him to send the money back to my credit card.

After a few days, I received another package in the mail - GIFT CARDS! So, I called them again and told them that I didn't order these GIFT CARDS. I just want my money back! The guy i spoke to said that I don't need to send back the Gift cards and just throw it away. He will just deactivate them and he will request that my money be sent back to my credit card account.

After a few days, I called again to check the status and was told that the request is still pending. So people beware of this company.

P.S. I checked BBB and SMC is no longer listed. I am checking Federal Trade Commission now; It might be al ong shot but I think if many people file a legitimate complaint like most of us, it might work.
Here is the link:
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Ray
Santa Clarita, California
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/25/2008 11:20 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/specialty-merchandise-corporation-smc/simi-valley-california/specialty-merchandise-corporation-smc-beware-of-this-company-simi-valley-california-303296. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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#2 Consumer Comment

Talking to a Human at SMC

AUTHOR: LSW - (United States of America)

POSTED: Thursday, January 21, 2010

I did talk to a human at SMC before the 30 days were up. I probably talked to at least 5 humans. Each one had a different answer. One was going to send me a new information packet. The last one I talked to even gave me her name (Ms. M) and said she would cancel my membership since I had never gotten the membership information packet. I found out the new information packet was never sent. When I got another bill, I called my credit card company and was told to call SMC again. I called SMC back and it took almost an hour to get someone to answer. Again I got a human voice but this time Ms. M would not talk to me. After the 30 days you are told that you cannot cancel and must pay the amount of the origianal contract. I called the credit card company back and it seems they are going to help me fight back at paying for something I did not get. Believe me If I had gotten the information packet, I would have sent the package back, to not have to go through all of this. You were just lucky at the time to have gotten someone who knows (maybe or maybe not) what they were doing. I will never tell anyone that this is a good company to work for. My son even warned me that a friend of his had been ripped off by this company, but it was too late when he told me. I will be glad when this is over and hopefully never do this again. Never give out your credit card number to pay up front for something you are not sure of. I had a feeling that I should not have done it, but I did. Thank the Lord I did not let them talk me into that $500 deal and I took the pay by the month deal. I just wanted to earn money after retirement. I am the kind of person SMC is looking for, honest.

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#1 Consumer Suggestion

Dealt with SMC and had no problems requesting a refund.

AUTHOR: Nelson - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, January 27, 2008

Hello everyone, I came across this site after initially ordering my membership with SMC about 4 weeks ago. I found out about SMC through a friend who had been a member in the past. Let me tell you, after hearing all the horror stories on this site I was downright concerned about losing out on this deal.

People NEED to listen to what the salesman, who is trying to sell you the whole company is actually selling. They do ask you if you want to have a free website- in which you can only sell to people who have your gift cards-which you need to buy. They do offer credit card processing with a free initial set up (they make money later on the processing fees). They do tell you all of this at the same time they try to brainwash you into all the money you CAN make if you buy their membership.

Now-people come on do you really think that for a $200.00 - $300.00 you will make all that supposed money. If you listen and ask questions the SMC rep will tell you what you need to hear. It's just like the fine print-you need to take time out to LISTEN and ask questions.

At any rate I found out that this system would not work for my particular situation-I wanted to sell the items on E-Bay (so does the rest of America). Now here's the deal, the will try to get you to mail in a letter cancelling the membership they will put you through an automated system explaining how to cancel , but all you need to do is tell them you want to speak to a real person and not a machine. Do not lose your temper because anger will get you nowhere. When I spoke to the rep he was very nice about it. They try to virtually give the membership away at this point, but I refused and was told that my credit card would be reimbursed minus $15.00 for shipping as I was told when i purchased my membership. A couple of days went by and my credit card was reimbursed.

Now, why is it that so many people have a hard time with a company so large whos been doing business for so long. Big companies did not become large by being untruthful to their customers. From what im reading on this site people need to either listen very well to whats being told to them or they must learn how to say no I do not need all the gimmicks that come with your plan. The most effective way I have found when making a purchase or signing any contract is to take a time out and re-think what i am being sold. Anyone who is selling anything will be more than happy to allow you to call them back, but of course if you fall for their pressure tactics you have already lost control of your money and your ability at decision making is copromised at this point.

Listen Carefully America or our country will be taken away from us-right from under our noses.

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