PimsleurApproach.com SCAM
We’ve all heard the expression read the fine print. What do you do when there isn’t any
print to read?
The Pimsleur Approach is a scam! Do not get suckered by these scam artists!
I ordered a $9.95 CD online to learn basic Spanish. That is all I thought I was
ordering because that is all that was advertised online. When I received my CD and reviewed my
receipt and the order details description states I ordered (1) Quick &
Simple – Spanish – CDs Custom Packaging for $9.95. That is all my receipt states and that is all I agreed to
purchase.
Upon checking my credit card statement, I found I was
charged the $9.95 as agreed and an additional $64. I called Pimsleur Approach to find out what was going on and
correct the charges. Apparently I
failed to find additional paperwork included in the packaging that states, “You
also enrolled in my new Pimsleur Approach Rapid Fluency Program”. I NEVER agreed to enroll in ANY kind of
program. This program charges $64
a month to your credit card for four months and apparently they send additional
CDs to go with your “program”. I
told the customer service representative that I did not sign up for any
“program” and I would like a refund of the $64. It’s at that point she told me about the paperwork I
missed. She would not refund the
$64 in charges. She would only
remove me from the program and future billings.
I know it’s my fault for not going through all the
additional paperwork in the packaging.
If there was any kind of agreement, you would think it would be stated
on your receipt since that is the ONLY transaction I agreed to. So I post this
in fair warning to anyone reading this out there. The Pimsluer Approach is apparently an approach from behind
so grab your ankles. Now where’s
that CD so I can write this in Spanish.
Unhappy Customer # 799031
You should write to their publisher about this. Simon & Schuster is a reputable company.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.simonandschuster.com/about/contact_us
I'm sure they know about it. Greg. I laughed while reading your review. I am going through this exact experience right now. Not only did they send me more CDs and charge me 65$ twice (its actually 130), they kept sending me more. Then when they finally agreed to cancel all future billings when I sent stuff back, they didn't!! THey kept charging me. I am in the midst of disputing 260$ from them on a commitment that I thought was only 10$!!! THey are not very compassionate on the phone either. I asked them if they get calls like mine often and the guy just shrugged it off. He's just doing his job. Its actually very funny and frustrating.
DeleteSCAM!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh!
Visa and I are working through it.
Thank you for your input. I will consider this option.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Update:
ReplyDeleteAfter contacting the Better Business Bureau, Pimsleur and I have reached a resolution and I was given a full refund after returning the program. This is all I was requesting in the first place from the customer service representative. Maybe she was having a bad day or maybe she was not authorized to give the requested refund. I don't know, but after extra effort put forth, I was finally granted the refund that I had originally requested.
This company is to be avoided at all costs. I have had nothing but repeated frustration. Their business practices are deceptive/barely skirting the law. File a complaint with the FTC. And contact the Pennsylvania congressional delegation as these guys should be SHUT DOWN.
ReplyDeleteWow! Interesting how this post has touched a nerve out there. Obviously I wasn't the only one out there that felt they were wronged by this company. Like I said, It took some effort but we finally resolved our issue. It appears by some of the other comments I have received, that this company makes a good percentage of their money from the people that do not complain and simply discontinue the "program" they never agreed to. Meanwhile, Pimsleur keeps the money until you realize what has happened and cancel. Nice racquet... not a very honest one and definitely not one I wish to fall prey to again. Live and learn.
ReplyDeleteIt is stated clearly in the contract/billing form that you will be sent other parts of the program, and that you have 30 days to say yes for them to send more or cancel.
ReplyDeleteIf you missed it then sorry, but you should always read everything before you send any one money or sign up to be sent anything. I signed up for it and knew they would be sending more courses.
Remember people, read stuff before you click yes!!!
I had to search through pages of crap to find that clearly stated tidbit. The writing is done in a way so as to intentionally be overlooked. A company that hides this in pages and pages of information is not being honest. They are slipping you a fast one. Bravo to you for catching it (or do you work for them?).
DeleteThere is NOTHING in the order section...nothing. Nothing on the reciept. NO follow up e-mail to help you find your way back and in order for me to even LOOK AGAIN at my order page, I had to allow a 20 minute video to run through!!!! THE 20 minute video that talks NOTHING about advanced option, talks only endlessly about the 10 day program and openly bags on Rosetta Stone for charging $300...the program they sell you costs $64 TWELVE TIMES!!! Far more than the reputable program they make fun of. CLEARLY STATED??? it was in a box you had to open, fine print on fine print!! no mention anywhere ever of an advanced program. ALL this was outside the box where you order...the box where you order says nothing, and since you are already signing up, you don't feel any need to read additional advertising which is all that looks like...not to mention the need to scroll down and open more boxes. I'm shocked if this is legal. Krista...no chance you could have known this. You must have a bias.
DeleteI looked over the info, too. Thoroughly, I might add--and I never saw anything warning me I was signing up for "Ye Old Pimsleur Scam." But that was a YEAR AGO!! They ripped me off for about $65, I think, Anyway, I settled it with these bozos over the phone. The end, so I thought. And now, out of nowhere,and a YEAR LATER, they send me a letter dated April 1, 2013, claiming that I "ordered CDs" and that I owe them $256.00. They have sent me NOTHING else. Who ARE these crooks? I've filed with the BBB. "Internet Order, LLC" and Pimsleur need to be put out of business for unethical practices.
DeleteUmmmm.....it DOES say clearly on the order page what will happen; it's ADJACENT to where you put in your OWN CC information:
DeleteRapid Learning Program: One month after you get started with your Quick & Simple you'll
continue by receiving 30 day trial copies of advanced Pimsleur courses in the language you
selected. Each course is yours to try for 30 days. You'll receive a new course once every 60 days.
For each course you keep we'll bill you in four monthly payments of $64. Simply pay the return
shipping cost for any course you return. Remember, there's never an immediate obligation to buy
any course because of the 30-day trial period provided with each shipment. And you may cancel
future shipments at any time by calling 1-877-802-5283. See Key Details
Looks to me like all of you that are complaining didn't read or pay attention to what you yourself ordered.....no one made you order anything online. Every company has policies and terms and conditions...I think it's time for people to own their own decisions and take responsibility for their actions. Better yet you all that are complaining need to stay off the internet and not order anything and spare us (the responsible customer's that enjoy ordering online) having to hear your complaints on here.
This Krista Kenneth,your name sounds fake anyway,you are a collaborator of this company. You must have been paid to write this piece of junk.
DeleteNo where does this State this. I never even opened up my disks I ordered and was shipped a set of more disks. So the only place it must be stated is in the box which I never got to open,
Deletewow what a bull $hit of an excuse after you scam people for their hard earned $$$. obviously you were paid to say crap like that to forums. This company claims that people will be able to learn a language in 10days, 30 minutes a day, effortlessly by just listening to their audio, and then charge you additional 60$ per month and expect people to say "oh, i guess it doesn't work~". You should be ashamed of your self!
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing as Greg. I ordered the $9.95 trial order and was shocked by what happened afterward. I wanted to bruch up on my French and after sampling the $9.95 course decided that the approach was not for me. In a few weeks I received a package of 16 discs for my French I lessons. The note inside the box said it was a free trial and "0" was owed. But with a few weeks I was billed $64 not just once but 4 times. Then I received French 2 lessons with the same note in the box stating "0" owed and the $64 dollar billing continuing. I then recieved Spanish 3 and was really confused. I called customer service at Pimsleur, they were pleasant but took the position they had done nothing wrong. Well technically they were correct but the system that Pimsleur uses borders on absolute fraud. On the pimsleur approach website there is a small box in the smallest font on the website that gives a few details of their billing procedures to get more detail you have to search a little further. They were correct in stating that the details are there, but it is very deceptive. It a situation of Caveat Emptor from a VERY deceptive entity.
ReplyDeleteWhy wast money on any program when you download most everything for free at priatebay
ReplyDeleteDetails of my experience with "Pimsleur" were similar: $10 "Quick and simple Spanish" was followed up by an unwanted/unordered "Gold Edition Spanish -free trial".
ReplyDeleteI immediately contacted my CC service and told them to change the number as it was in the hands of someone who had sent me unordered material and might make unauthorized charges as well. (I also blocked their email address as I choose not to interact with companies who use practices such as this...)
I received an unsigned/undated letter (USPS) stating that they had tried to bill my CC and the payment was unsuccessful. ^__^
I sent an email to the "customercare" address listed in the letter and requested pre-paid postage return labels. in that email I included a tracking cookie from an email tracking service which would notify me if/when the email was opened.
So far "Pimsleur" hasn't opened the email I sent and therefore has proven that even the "communications channel" between them and the customer is invalid.
Deceptive, bullying, and corrupt as well. If they choose to push ahead with this I'll have no problems getting things resolved fairly in small claims court. The unopened and unaccessed CD's can be used as evidence.
(Then they'll likely be destroyed in front of witnesses with a video
made/published on Youtube...)
Greg Garcia which Better Business Bureau did you contact? I've had the same thing happen to me, and I wish for it to be resolved as well.
ReplyDeleteBrandyn,
DeleteGive this link a try. http://www.la.bbb.org/ComplaintInformation.aspx
Had the same thing happen to me. Took 45 minutes on the phone of yelling to get a refund. I am usually extremely thorough about making sure I don't sign up for any monthly programs. They are making me mail the Gold Editions back to further inconvenience. Quite a nightmare
DeleteThe $9.95 leaders are a way to get you into the course which cost $64.00 X 4 (billed monthly) for each course received. In my case I received Spanish I and II which cost $512.00.
ReplyDeleteI returned Spanish III to the address provided; however, I was told that they never received it back and that they would need to do an inquiry before they would credit my account (which they did).
I was surprised to get Spanish IV the following month, I called them and told the agent that I no longer wanted the courses and was instructed to ship it back USPS via media mail, which I did.
When my December statement reflected a $64.00 charge I called them to find out why I was being charged for advanced course. It appeares that they never received Course IV, therefore I was responsible.
I do tons of internet business and my clients always receive my shipments (I have a 100% feedback on ebay over a course of 8 years). It's remarkable that both courses got lost in the mail and that I am responsible to pay for course IV as I do not have any proof to support my claim.
Not sure who works in their receiving dept; however, be sure to get a tracking number if you are going to send anything back to them.
I HAVE NO COURSE, OUT $256; NO SMALL CHANGE NO MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE YOU ARE SPEAKING!!!!!!!!!
Mannnn, why are you allowing yourself to be duped this way.Okay go to your bank, change your card. Change the damn thing and that would be end of story.
DeleteI just had a run around with these scam artists today. The first person I talked to on the phone was obviously trained in dealing with these complaints and proceeded from stonewalling to then offering various levels of discounting the amount supposedly due. I demanded to talk to a superior which was obviously not a unique request and now hopefully have this straightened out. I am worried, however, in that this is an unscrupulous business and they have my credit card number.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that someone used a credit card , it gets tampered with by a scam artist, and people STILL KEEP the SAME CREDIT CARD !!!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE.... These guys are in business for a reason ...TO SCAM YOU.... IF THIS HAPPENS call the Bank or Card Company and TURN OFF THAT CARD !!!!! ACCEPT the LOSS of your Behavior , report them to the authorities and PROTECT YOURSELF FIRST FROM FURTHER FINANCIAL HARM... Then if you want your money back GO AFTER THEM.... BEST PART IS when you shut down the other card, you should be able to still get your refund back through that card if you tell the card company what has gone on. If NOT...WORST CASE is you got a CD for $80 and you will not be victim to this anymore!!! This type of SCAM has been around for a long time and the companies that do this are better at it than the average consumer. And with as much money as they are making they can surely afford better attorneys than most, hence they know this. !!! BE SMART and if it sounds to good to be true research it like I DID and help others be aware ! IT SEEMS they will GIVE the MONEY BACK only if you beg and scream and threaten and holler...... I wonder how many Phone Calls and Countless Hours are spent dealing with these Idiots......
ReplyDeleteYes the company is scam. I have the same issue. I never order whole course that the send me and start charge my credit card and more try take money through collection....The try to spoil you credit card history!!!!.
ReplyDeleteLet's find a lawyer and open a group case against the company.
customer id: 1070586
Sadly - I also allowed myself to be duped - I am mailing back the first shipment with tracking and have cancelled all future shipments.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad that I will not find out if the course was actually good. I will not do business with anyone that needs these type business practices to make a profit. I would rather pay a lawyer to handle this and will be willing to pay them more than I would have for the courses if any charges appear on my bill.
I got caught with this same scan from Pimsleur. Does anyone remember receiving information about 'the program' with their first Quick and Simple CDs? I don't remember ever seeing how their so called program works until I opened the second set of CDs for Lesson I. Unfortunately, I was away when they mailed Lesson I and I wasn't able to cancel it on time! I called them today and they decreased the monthly 64$ payment to about 45$. I am still very unsatisfied and want to return the CDs. They are still sealed and still the company doesn't want to accept it.
ReplyDeleteGuess am the latest to join this group and now as I sit to write, my wife tells me a another set of 16 has arrived. Checking my statement, I have already been charged another 65.29 * 2 (I ordered the initial French and Mandarin) and like you, did not read the flier that said that the additional CDs would follow. I have today emailed my bank to stop further payments, after 3 installments of 65.29 were charged to my card. I will call up these guys and speak to them tomorrow. I'm sure they will give me the same run of the mill that you all have been given.
ReplyDeleteHi, I was the Anonymous on Jan 9th, 8:57 AM.
DeleteI just called the company to complain again (3rd time). I wasn't happy with their previous 'compromised' and told them I was giving them one last chance before I contact the Better Business Bureau. As soon as I mentioned the BBB, they girl went to talk to her supervisor. They said I could return the CDs and get a full refund. So, I am about to mail it back to them and hopefully they actually refund me! I am definitely going to send it with a tracking number. So, for those of you having a hard time...through the BBB threat.
Don't, you need to mail them back with at your own cost, and they will pretend to not receive it and continue to mail you the stuff and charge you. This company is full of scums, don't trust a single word they say!(here is just the story of one of many people who send their cd back and got scammed more : http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/internet-order-llc-stroll-pimsleur-approach-scam-rip-off-ponzi-scheme-c645848.html)
DeleteMy comment to anyone contempting signing up with Pimsleur.com: STAY AWAY!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I am still fighting will them and my bank to get the charges to stop. i even cancelled my credit card and VISA get them my new card number!! it's been a nightmire
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately all of you above have been taken in by the company Pimsleur Approach. They are just one of a number of companies that sell the Pimsleur CD's. With the name "Pimsleur Approach" they appear to be the official company but if you read the disclaimer at the bottom of the website you will see they are NOT affiliated with the Pimsleur Trademark owner (the ones making the CD's) and Barnes & Noble, the publishers. They are the ones who made the ridiculous 10 day claim, not the authors or publishers.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is the Pimsleur method is actually very good. I've been using it to learn Hebrew for about 9 months now. I purchased it on Amazon and haven't been scammed. I do admit it's probably just as expensive in the long run but you buy the CD's at your own pace with none of the above problems. Nobody can learn a language in 10 days. I personally find it better than Rosetta Stone. I highly recommend the program but NOT THROUGH THE SCAMMERS PIMSLEUR APPROACH!!
The
WOW, I almost got scammed myself today. Almost...
ReplyDeleteI didn't see any fine print even though I thought I had carefully read everything. But $9.95 and free shipping seemed too good to be true with the 4 CD product. So I redoubled my effort to find any fine print, and then I saw the fine print "By clicking below, I'll be charged $9.95 and agree to the adjacent purchase program terms and conditions." "Adjacent" purchase program??
And another thing, on Amazon they had some negative reviews about the Pimsleur program, and you think that perhaps the positive reviews are bogus plants. Reviewers said that the program was ineffective or useless, except to learn (in a time consuming way) just a handful of phrases, and it helped with pronunciation. So, their product claims are false. Pimsleur really needs to say up front what his program will accomplish, which isn't a lot, but it's pronunciation and a few key phrases, but not easy conversational proficiency as is claimed.
Pimsleur has a legitimate product. That much we can say. But in the modern internet age you can't expect to emerge unscathed if you try to sell a product through false advertising and borderline illegal deceptive sales tactics. I'll be amazed if he keeps doing his scam for very much longer.
And by the way, after not falling for the Pimsleur scam I thought that it would be likely that others had been scammed and had wrote about it online. Sure enough, at google I type "Pimsleur" and a top choice that google offers is "Pimsleur scam." So I search on that and this blog is right near the top of the results.
Guess I'm the last to find out about this fraud. I only authorized two 9 bucks transactions on Oct 15th. Yet I was charged 2*65 bucks on Dec 18th, charged 2*65 bucks on Jan 18th, and around 625 bucks today (Jan 28th). I only found out about this scam when they sent me the second shipment (so-called Gold 2 editon) today. I phoned my credit card company and it was the credit card company stuff who reminds me that besides the 625bucks this afternoon,there are four other fraudulent "transactions" happening in Dec and Jan. How ridiculous I was not to check e-statement when paying for my credit card every month!
ReplyDeleteSo I immediately terminated my current credit card, reported the five non-exist "transactions" to the credit card fraud department. I'm determined to get my 900 bucks back at all cost!
In September 2012 I fell for this scam and purchased the $9.95 CD. Two weeks later a larger package arrived from the same company. I called them and asked what was this about. They replied (the guys from www.pimsleurapproach.com) that it is a 30 day trial and so I should try it and if I don't like it I can return it. I replied that I am really not interested, I just bought the CD for $9.95 and that was all I wanted. After much arguments the person gave in and sent me a return authorization by email. Two days later I returned the package (imagine I had to pay for usps shipping for something I never ordered!). Now, February 2013, I receive a pink envelope from someone named Kelly Heart (I figured after I opened the envelope from the same address as the Pimsleur co. ) Inside, a warning or rather a threat how they will send me to collections because they couldn't collect the $264 from my credit card for all these past months (!!!) and how I owed them this amount of money, etc.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say how I felt. I called the company (by the way, it doesn't matter it states Internet LLC, it is the same company as Pimsleur approach, they are all in the same game, the same scam, so please, do not believe for a second that this is an honest business and that some other parties are responsible). On the phone I explained how 5 months ago I returned their package, etc, only to find out that they have already sent me to a collection agency and this Kelly Heart is nothing but the name of their collection agency!!!
I was so upset that I didn't want to speak any further, the guy asked me if I had proof that I returned their package!!!
Next day, luckily a Saturday, I spent it all looking for a receipt and a tracking number from last year. It literally took me the whole day to look through all my paperwork, and yes, I did find both, receipt and tracking number which I verified again on line to confirm that they received the package only two days after!!!
Now, I am debating how to proceed. I read a lot on line about this scam and I feel someone needs to do something to stop these people and their scam. Also, I don't know at this time if my credit score has been damaged, I need to find out as I have been working really hard for the last year to increase my score.
Any suggestions are welcome and again, please be aware of this BIG SCAM!!!
Do not be fooled, those guys do not have any COLLECTION what ever. It Kelly Heart is all part of a scam machinery.
DeleteSome Thoughts:
ReplyDelete1) contest the charge with the credit card company
2) complain to your states AG/Consumer Fraud division
3) jam their phone lines - call, and just stay on the phone - don't let them go - it costs about $25 to $50 per hour to man the phone lines
4) resell the CD's on ebay/Amazon/Craigslist - suck the $$ out of them
5) CALL Simon and Schuster and complain complain complain - they will stop the other folks at some point
6) Use free online language learning and download sites
BIG SCAM BE AWARE I pride my self as been savvy internet shopper, and I have been DUPED. I ordered German and Spanish CD’s last month which I received about 2 weeks ago. I am in Canada. Now I received huge package and instructions how they are going to start billing me in 30 days. They provide number that I can call and cancel but no one is answering. I tried this morning 2 times first time spent 45 minutes on the phone on hold (automatically put on hold by machine as they are busy!!!!) and no one answered. Second time I spent 75 min on the phone on hold.
ReplyDeleteI red all this different sites this is terrible I am afraid. I did cancel my Visa card instantly this morning.
I will try complaining I hope it ends well
Anon March 6, 2013,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you were duped despite considering yourself a savvy internet shopper. This is a horrible scam and I hope they are brought to justice. But I really AM surprised at how could so many people part with their money so easily at something that obviously looked too good to be true. Companies like this are making money off people's naivety.
I am sorry this happened to a lot of people and I am sure it is a huge inconvenience, damaging, in fact. But you really must be much more careful and less credulous.
It is bewildering to see just how many people fall prey to them. This isn't going to be too popular among the victims of this scam but it was really silly not to be completely sure about purchasing something like this online.
I was directed to their website as I was browsing through Forbes.com and found myself watching that doodley art video talking about the ten days claim to learn the language. There was no timeline but I must have been watching for more than 10 minutes. From curiosity, to awe and then it felt dubious. So, the first thing I did was to close that tab, and Googled Pimsleur Approach Scam and voila. Here I am.
Be careful people. Don't be too gullible. This could have easily been avoided. I can't believe how much money some people have lost through this scam. It's unthinkable.
I almost fell for the same scam this morning, but I told myself that there might have been some smal print. And so there was: but it was at the end of the page. I almost pressed ok on the credit card billing.... Can you imagine, you receive all these course at 250$ each. Lets say you order that scam and move to a new address and you forget about it... next thing you know is you can owe thousands of dollars. Shame on these scammers.
ReplyDeleteAbout the Rapid Learning Program:
One month after you get started with your Quick & Simple you'll continue by receiving 30 day trial copies of advanced Pimsleur courses in the language you selected. Each course is yours to try for 30 days. You'll receive a new course once every 60 days. For each course you keep we'll bill you in four monthly payments of $64. Simply pay the return shipping cost for any course you return. Remember, there's never an immediate obligation to buy any course because of the 30-day trial period provided with each shipment. And you may cancel future shipments at any time by calling 1-877-802-5283. See Key Details
Key Details:
Your purchase of the Quick & Simple language course today also includes entry into the Rapid Learning Program.
The Rapid Learning Program is an incredibly easy way to try Pimsleur Approach's advanced Gold course series and with zero obligation to buy!
Our elite-level Gold course series - the same course used by national security and intelligence agencies – is hands down the best language learning course money can buy, helping you to learn a language faster than you ever thought possible.
While in the Rapid Learning Program, you can expect the following:
A 30-Day Trial of Advanced Level 1:
About 30 days after you receive your Quick & Simple, we'll begin to ship you advanced level language courses starting with our Gold level 1, in the same language of the Quick & Simple you purchased.
The advanced level Pimsleur language course is yours to try completely for 30 days. Each advanced level Pimsleur course contains 30 lessons on 16 audio CDs.
Payment Information:
If you decide to keep the course, simply do nothing and we'll bill the same credit card provided today 4 easy monthly payments of $64.
If you decide you do not want the course or any future courses, simply call 1-877-802-5283 to return it within the 30-day trial period and pay nothing except for the return shipping cost.
Future Risk Free Trials of Advanced Level Courses and Payment Information:
As long as you wish to remain in the program, every 60 days thereafter you'll receive the next level Pimsleur Gold course in your selected language on the same 30-day risk free trial basis as level 1.
The total number of Pimsleur Gold courses that will be sent to you in the program depends on the language you select. All languages have a total of 3 levels of Pimsleur Gold courses that will be sent, except for the following: Spanish and Italian have 4 levels
Modern Greek and Korean have 2 levels
Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese), Polish and Vietnamese each have only 1 level
Pay only four monthly payments of $64 for each course you keep past your 30-day risk free trial.
Cancellation Information:
You may cancel future shipments any time by calling 1-877-802-5283. You pay only for the Pimsleur language courses you decide to keep.
Remember, there's never an immediate obligation to buy any course because of the 30-day risk free trial period provided with each shipment. And you may cancel future shipments at any time by calling 1-877-802-5283.
Policies and Legal Notices
Funny about your "Cancellation Information." I DID call and cancel. All was settled. Neither Pimsleur nor "Internet Orders, LLC" ever sent me anything else. NOW, a year later, they've sent me a letter claiming I owe them over $200. For what?
DeleteObviously, Pimsleur and this Internet Order, LLC are scammers. Sure, they're counting on dealing with people who have money. But I don't. I'm disabled. We are about to have a major redux of that cancellation I got over the phone last year.
This program is a lot of nonsense, anyway. I had to Google everything said on the CD, and I remember absolutely NONE of it.
I called your number. I cancelled. You cancelled. So how the heck do you figure I owe YOU? You've caused me to experience a terribly frightful bout of depression. Maybe it's time you owe ME.
I answered 3 of their offers a couple of months ago. Hey, for $29.85 (9.95 x 3) for three language courses, you can hardly lose, right? Well, right -- when you use a one-use only card like I used for these purchases. Yes, they sent out the additional materials I never requested, and now they want me to pay them $512.00. Guess what? I'm keeping the additional materials and they're not getting an additional penny from me. I don't feel bad in the least for taking this stance, and comments on this site and others show these guys are scam artists. I'm just happy I had the good sense to pay for my order with a one-time use card, or like other folks here I'd have to cancel my credit card as well.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, a participant at Yahoo Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120204093214AARqT2C) states that "The 10 Days offer you are referring to has you automatically buying into a much larger program (check the fine print!) This offer is from a reseller, it is NOT actually from Pimsleur. Pimsleur doesn't advertise any such 'learn in 10 days' claim." If that's true, the folks at pimsleur.com might be very interested at what the folks at pimsleurapproach.com are doing.
I ordered a language learning CD set from The Pimsleur approach for 10 dollars. I received it and all was well until I started to receive more CD sets in the mail. I assumed it was just a part of the one I signed up for initially since the invoice attached to it said "order total $0.00" I never actually got around to using the disks but didn't think anything of it. Yesterday April 29th, I received a letter dated April 1st saying that my account has been sent to collection for a past due amount of $448.00. I called the number and waited for 40 minutes... no one answered the phone. the next day I called again and spoke to someone who told me that I had to pay since my trial period was up. I told him that I wasn't award I was even being charged he informed me that the payment information was inside with the disks. At which point I told him I haven't even used the disks yet but I did look at the INVOICE that was not hidden inside with the disks and that said I didn't owe anything. Needless to say he did not have an answer as to why the billing costs were not in the place where it should be instead he told me that I can either keep the disks and pay or have my account stay in collection because they will not take them back. I knew it couldn't just be me that this had happened to so I researched only to find pages upon pages of online complaints about the same issue. Some people actually figure it out before the 30 day deadline and was still scammed. Many reported that the company claimed that they were sending out return labels for the products but not one of these customers actually received a return label. After a month or two passed, these same customers were then told that they still had to pay for the product because now it was too late and that the company is not responsible for the return label not arriving.
ReplyDeleteStroll- Pimsleur Approach needs to be stopped from scamming poor unsuspecting customers. At this point I would rather pay money to have a lawyer provide me with legal advice on how to handle them than to pay for a product that they are attempting to trick me into paying for.
I have begun a petition at change.org
feel free to sign it the link is below
https://www.change.org/petitions/stroll-pimsleur-approach-accept-their-products-back-and-remove-the-bogus-charges#share
I think this company needs a class action suit
Don't use PimsleurApproach.com
ReplyDeleteIf you want the actual Pimsleur, go to Pimsleur.com. And no, it will not make you fluent, but it will certainly give you foundation in listening and speaking
I just sat through the sales pitch and was about to order two language courses. Before I did, I googled for reviews of the product and ended up here. Sometimes all the reviews on a product are phoney as well but I do believe the reviews I am reading here are real and will not be ordering. Sorry to hear about your troubles. It did sound too good to be true. Glad I did a little more investigating before I clicked on BUY IT NOW!
ReplyDeleteRobert Middleton No BS News