Joseph B.

BEWARE OF HIDDEN TERMS & CONDITIONS

In Feb. 2011 I responded to an email ad which offered:
"Prado E-Cig" for NO COST! - ONLY PAY FOR SHIPPING!
Here is a link to the page in Question:
http://www.safesecuretrial.com/offer/blkyllwds/
DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THIS COMPANY
It contains substantial promotional sales information, typical of any company, trying to get people, to use a new product; and basically states; that if I order today, I can receive one of their kits, with a limited supply of their product, at no charge to me, other than the shipping and handling.
There were no readily discernible terms and conditions in the ad, It seemed logical to me, that if they could get me to use their product, I would be dependent on them, and purchase refills from them. So I took it on face value and proceeded to place an order, NOTE: There was no information or prompt, subjecting me to and/or requiring me to read any terms & conditions, during or prior to placing subject order.
Approximately two weeks after placing the above order, I received their "kit" the U.S. Mail.
Upon opening the kit, I picked up the electronic cigarette, and was upset with how heavy and awkward it felt in my hand. Many, many, times heavier than a real cigarette! Disturbed by this, I didn't even take it out of the cellophane wrapper- but returned it to the box in which it came. It has remained there UNUSED until now, and is in "like-new" condition. (Most certainly returnable)
Knowing that I would not use this item, but, thinking that I might make it a gift to a friend or relative in the future, I did not give the matter much further thought. Until I received a call from PayPal, inquiry regarding a "suspicious" charge by ELECTRICCIG, and asking me if I had was aware of a charge by them in the amount of $149.90. I responded that I most certainly had NOT, authorized any such charge, in that I wanted to dispute the same. To ensure no further charges could be processed, it was necessary for me to cancel my debit card, and obtain a new one.
I called the Company's customer service to dispute the subject charge. I reached a lady that could barely speak English; I informed her that that I had not authorized any such charge and I did not want any refills, or anything they might charge me for.
She was very rude; she said that I had agreed to their "terms and conditions" when I ordered their kit. I told her that I was not aware of any terms and conditions and that I totally disputed their fraudulent charge, and demanded that they refund it immediately. I also told her of my dissatisfaction with the kit, that it was "unused" and offered to return it. She said it was passed the time allowed for trial and could not be returned, She put me on hold to talk to a supervisor and came back with an offered to give me a credit of $49.90 I refused and an informed her that I was going to contact my bank, and stop the charge from being processed. She put me on hold again, and after some time, came back and said the best they can do is to credit me with $100.00 I refused, and demanded that they credit me the full amount of the charge, because I felt it was totally fraudulent. She put me on hold again, and after some time I was disconnected. I could see that it was pointless to call them back, and had not wasted my time, with any further conversation……….
Note: to edify myself in regards to their "terms and conditions, I have gone back to their ad page and found that there are some hidden terms and conditions "embedded" in the page with text so dark, that you cannot even discern that it is there, unless it is highlighted by selection. This company obviously has a lot to hide. Such a web page is unscrupulous at best, and "hidden" terms and conditions, are at the least, deceptive, unethical, and most probably; illegal.
There is no prompt that requires you to read and /or binds you to the terms & conditions prior to ordering. They attempt to enforce their HIDDEN terms to the purchase, AFTER the order has been placed, which is both, fraudulent, and illegal. This is an absolute scam.
DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THIS COMPANY
Here is the page for the hidden link in the Hidden Terms in Question:
http://www.safesecuretrial.com/terms_of_service/