On 10/17/07, I ordered a 10-day supply of Hoodia Complex with Green Tea from a pop-up advertisement (supposedly endorsed as well by Oprah Winfrey) indicating it was a free sample whereas the consumer was to pay for shipping and handling. I received the product and the shipping and handling fee was debited from my checking account.
On 10/29/07, I discovered another debit from my account in the amount of $69.95 from this same company. Upon calling them immediately, they indicated that I only had a 10-day period in which to cancel. Nowhere on that pop-up advertisement did it say anything about a membership or a 10-day cancellation period. The customer representative of this company directed me to their main website (www.Lipoplex.com, 800-597-8654 or 800-597-8533, also d.b.a. IP Steel Bridge Medical, 6170 W. Lake Mead Blvd., #518, Las Vegas, NV, HoodiaPlex Labs, 10161 Park Run Drive, #150, Las Vegas, NV). In that website, it indicated a 14-day cancellation period and also indicated a club membership. Based on the dates of order and date of attempted cancellation, I was well within that 14-day period to cancel and obtain a refund. She informed me I had a 10-day cancellation period (nowhere available in writing), however, and refused to refund my account. This is clearly fraudulent and misleading advertising and poor business practice.
Additionally, upon doing further research on the internet, I have become aware that many people have been bilked out of their hard-earned money with the same misleading advertising. I have pages of customer complaints indicating this with addresses of those websites.
I also filed a report with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Nevada. After their investigation into this matter, I was informed that they attempted to mediate but with unsuccessful resolution of the matter (in terms of refunding my account). After visiting the BBB, doing a search on this company, there are several complaints with this company. In fact, the BBB even indicated on their website that this company claims to be a member of the BBB, but it is not! Obviously, this company also has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB.
Additionally, the report indicates that the BBB is unable to confirm the company has a valid local business license for the locale in which they operate, as of 04/18/07.
Though I was charged an additional $69.95, many others were charged $99 or more. In fact, many complained that they could not get through to customer service in order to cancel and have had these amounts debited from their accounts or charged to their credit cards for months. People have indicated the reps, if they get through to anyone, are rude and demeaning. Many of those, however, are unable to reach anyone after calling its 800 number(s).
I do not know if I will recover my loss, but I feel compelled to write on behalf of myself AND others who are losing money to this company under false pretenses. This company is literally making thousands of dollars, probably daily, with their false advertising, unavailable customer service representation, and deceptive practices.
We all work hard for our money and value it immensely. Businesses such as this one need to be investigated and should pay restitution to those they have clearly deceived, possibly illegally.
I so appreciate your looking into this matter, and I hope you find it worthy of your time and efforts in order to help us – the honest working class. Businesses like this one should not be able to continue unjustly scamming people out of their income and sustenance.
Thank you very much for your consideration in this matter.
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