Six Week Body Makeover - Provida Life Science ripoff- deceptive return policy and unethical billing practices Pacoima, California *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account! Also

I am a very angry and upset customer. Provida, Six Week Body Makeover, telephone customer service is appalling and atrocious. Today 9-8-05, I spent one hour holding and or talking to a customer service rep as well as a supervisor attempting to resolve an order problem.

Here's the story:
I ordered the six week makeover approximately February or March. At that time the offer of free vitamins were made. I accepted the offer of free vitamins. I received the vitamins but failed to remove the vitamins from the packing. In the packing there were instructions as to how to discontinue the product if I did not want it. I thought this was a one time offer and that there would be no further action required. Unfortunately I was mistaken!

Approximately April I received another package of vitamins with an invoice noting a $57.85 charge to my credit card. I immediately called and spoke to a customer service rep who informed me that I could return the product and he would cancel the order. I received the Return Authorization Number in order to return the product. In June, I received another package of vitamins. Assuming that the call in April canceled any further receipt of vitamins, I was again angry and irate that these vitamins had not stopped arriving and my credit card was again being charged.

This time I spoke to a female who informed me that the customer service rep from April failed to place a stop on any future shipments. She also stated that there was a note that the previous package of vitamins was suppose to be returned but had not been received.

I told her that I still had them but had lost the authorization number. She gave me a new authorization number (312529401401) and told me it was ok to send them back together. On July 7, 2005 I prepared an Airborne Express package and returned both containers of vitamins. I was told that I would be refunded on both orders. The first order from April would have the cost of the product refunded and the June order would have the total amount including shipping refunded due to the error by the customer service person in April. I was also informed that your company would pay the cost of having the product returned to you. It cost me $13.06.

I called today to confirm the amount credited to my credit card, AMEX. There was a refund of $49.90 dated July 21, 2005. I questioned why I did not receive a credit for both items. Since, I no longer have them in my possession. To date, Provida, Six Week Body Makeover have both items. I spoke with a supervisor by the name of Kim. Kim tried to confirm the weight of the Airborne package as a means to identify whether two items were returned or not. At the end of the phone call, she agreed to provide me with a credit for the container of vitamins issued in April.

Upon arriving home tonight, I received a message again from Kim stating "upper management" reviewed the situation and decided to reverse the $49.90 credit on the April vitamins. Kim's message informed me that the period for returning the vitamins was beyond the time allowed. I would accept this answer "IF" I had not been instructed that it was ok to return both containers together. During that phone call there should have been some communication as to the timeliness or lack of timeliness in returning the April vitamins.

I was led to believe (company misrepresentation) that I would still receive a refund on the April vitamins. Also there has been no mention of refunding my $13.06 for sending the product back. On the surface, Provida's business practices are questionable and require further review by a consumer advocate group to ensure that this is not a consistent practice of Provida. I feel as though this entire process has the makings of deception and unscrupulous borderline scamming sales practice. If a customer receives an unwanted product and returns it with the understanding that a refund will be issued, such refund should be issued as stated by an agent of the company, namely the Provida customer service rep.

Angry Customer in Illinois

Fern
Bolingbrook, Illinois
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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