Tea Francais Seattle Direct Coffee's Over billing Internet

Link to the BBB in Chicago:   http://www.bbb.org/chicago/business-reviews/posters/peel-in-evanston-il-36000239


Yesterday while checking my account balance, I discovered two charges that I was not expecting and asked my wife about them.  She was not sure Seattle Coffee Direct was, so we investigated on the internet and found the connection to Tea Francais.  On or around 10/19/2009, my wife signed up for a 'free sample' from Tea Francais, which appears to be a subsidiary of Seattle Coffee Direct.  There was a $5 handling fee and I had given my permission to use my debit card for the transaction.  The tea arrived a few days later, but it was not what she ordered.  She made several attempts to contact them by email and the toll-free number provided on their website.  She received no response, but did receive two more bags of tea a week later.  Again the tea was not what she ordered and again she made multiple attempts to contact the company without success.

The initial research we did find who Seattle Coffee Direct was turned up several websites complaining about the bad faith billing practices of the company and the exceedingly poor service.  The examples mirror our experience with the company very closely.  I have made several attempts to contact the company and the all of the phone numbers provided either ring endlessly or disconnect after 15 rings.  My wife indicates that she was able to leave a voice message when she first tried calling weeks ago, but that no longer seems to be an option.

To date, we have received three shipments from Tea Francais and a total of three charges; $40.08 on 10/14/2009, 79.63 on 10/27/2009, and 79.63 on 11/4/2009.  The expected charges were $5 for one sample of tea.  I would be happy to return all products received thus far (all teas received remain unopened) but I am unable make such arrangements since Tea Francais and Seattle Coffee Direct do not respond to any attempts at contact.

In light of the excessive charges, the inability to make contact with the company, and the multiple complaints lodged against them, I strongly suspect this to be a fraudulent company and would like to dispute all charges.