Columbia House, Columbia House Video Library, Columbia House Video Collection rip-off Terre Haute Indiana

In July of 2002, I ordered 6 VHS miovies from their old televison show selections from Columbia House Video Library collection. I waited nearly eight weeks after mailing in my order, before I decided to attempt to call them. To my surprise, they do not list the toll free number with directy assistance. So as luck would have it, I have a close friend who was enrolled in the club. He gave me the number.

Sadly, when you call the number you must have your account number. This is the only way that you can talk to a customer service person, is if you have your account number! In September of 2002, I received a statement telling me I owed $43.52. I called right away, to let thme know that I did not recieve any merchandise yet. Boy was this a mistake.

After five attempts of going through an automated system, and waiting 15 to 20 minutes. I kept getting disconnected. I wrote three letters from September to October. Then in Mid October I got a letter telling me I would be put into a collection agency if this bill was not paid in thirty days.

I called eight times, when finally I was connected to an actual person. They told me they would re-process a claim and send me out the merchandise I ordered. As a safety net, I requested their fax number.

Well in Mid November I received a nasty letter stating it was a pre-collection notice, and payment had to be received in 10 days. I called again, this time after 5 tries, and forty minutes of being on hold; I was able to again talk to a customer service rep 'Leo'. He told me they would take care of the situation, and my merchandise would be reordered and shipped. To be on the safe side, I faxed over a letter an explained the whole situation. Then in Late December, I received a letter from "Collection Corp", a collection agency that was collectin for my long over due balance!!

I called the number that was listed to no avail. Every time I called, it would send me to a voice mail that was "full", and hang up on me. Finally I tried the "Pay your bill" voice mail. All it did was give instructions on how to put my check in an envelope and mail it to "Collect Corp.

I wrote Collect Corp two letters. One was a dispute letter, the other was a full account of what happened, with names and copies of the letter I mailed, and faxed. NO ANSWER!! Just two more "Your credit is on the line" letters. Finally in February of 2003, I called Columbia house for the 50th time.

I tried to enter the area to talk to a customer service rep. I got a message that said" this account hass been turned over to Collect Corp call them at 1-800-528-6093. My friend called Columbia house, and after checking the status of his account, he turned the phone over to me. I gave "Andrew" my whole story. "Yes, I see here all the notes about you never receiving the Merchandise. It appears that this was never shipped, because your original order wasn't approved because it had to be pre-paid."

So I agreed to pre-pay the order. I sent in a check, for $44.52. Well the order never came. I am still in a collection agency, and Columbia House has my money. Money for merchandise I am sure I will never see. So I say to you, NEVER ORDER ANYTHING FROM THESE GUYS THEY ARE RIP-OFF ARTISTS!!!!

Timothy
Joliet, Illinois
U.S.A.