Specialty Merchantise Corp / SMCorp Bait and Switch Simi Valley California

Run away - Don't fall into this trap

They push you into getting your own website at a cost of 1000S plus the cost of the 'gift cards'. Without the gift cards no one can use your website. They charge monthly access fees whether you get the website or not.

They told me that the fall catalogs would be discounted in December. I called in December and was told there was NO discount - they were good for several months. Then in January the new catalogs came out (RED FLAG)

They told me that my monthly charge was $9.95 per month. I was charged $39.95. I called before Christmas to complain. They stated they needed me to listen to the taped call where I agreed to $39.95. They said I would hear from them within 48 hours. They just called back on January 24th (a MONTH or 48 hours later) RED FLAG

I made several calls and was continually told someone would call with the tape. I told them I was not wanting to stay with the company if I had to pay $39.95 a monthly. They kept telling me someone would call me back SOON. RED FLAGs

I also had an issue with a $74.95 charge that was made back in Nov '08 that they were not posting to my business ledger. I told their escalation manager Rick Miasa that the payment was made and he told me it wasn't. I sent him a copy of my check statement PROVING that I did make the payment. I repeated over and over again that I was not OK with the $39.95 and that if I had to pay that amount I did not want to be a part of this company. I was again put off and the next $39.95 hit my account anyway. Even though I said, 'I'm done. I do not want to be a part of this.' RED FLAGs

Rick finally agreed to refund the $74.95 but only AFTER I proved to him that I was charged that amount. HOWEVER, he would not refund the $39.95 I was still charged after I stated I wanted out. RED FLAGs

The $74.95 was to be refunded right away. 2 days later (Wednesday) called back and was told by Friday I would get the refund. On Friday NO REFUND - I called back and was told it would be 14 days and that they didn't have a Rick Miasa working for them. HUGE RED FLAGs

I called back to speak to someone - anyone else. I spoke with an other csr person who said she looked through my notes and said that YES they do have a Rick Miasa and the according to their refund department he still had my refund request on his desk. She stated she would get with him and get my situation resolved that day. She stated she would call me back within an hour. Guess What - NO Call.

This is only a very very small breakdown of all the calls I made trying to get this nightmare resolved. I still have not seen any refunds.

Run don't walk away from this scam. The products are great but the company and its staff are a scam.

Robbie
Aurora, Colorado
U.S.A.