While feeling vunerable after hearing about thousands of dollars of dental work I needed, I accidently turned on an infomercial about Thirty Second Smile. I'm usually not the type of person who is influenced by commercials and I don't like buying products through the internet, catalogs etc. I've have been using electric toothbrushes for years but always had difficulty in brushing properly due to my great overbite.
Lo and behold 30 Second Smile might be the answer to a proper cleaning and better dental check-ups since it seemed to work on all your teeth back and front and gums at one time. And what did I have to lose? The company guaranteed your money back if you try the brush, don't like it and send it back within 60 days. And if you called within 20 minutes they were going to include free extra brushes for life.
MY DEMISE: FRAUDULANT ADVERTISING OR SCAM
I called the toll free number and got a voice mail to take my order. I ordered 1 toothbrush. However the recording wasn't satisfied with my ordering one. It was impossible to reach a live person. The voice mail kept on offering different deals. Then asked how many more toothbrushes I wanted to order. I kept saying none. I responded with the same answer to the battery pack they wanted to sell me. I kept saying none. I should have followed my gut instinct to hang up and forget about the whole thing. However I already spent over 20 minutes ordering this toothbrush and my blood pressure was rising. I just wanted closure and unfortunately gave my credit card information.
About a week later, I received two packages from 30 Second Smile. Much to my horror, I received 3 toothbrushes($152.38)three rechargeable batteries which I never ordered($99.77). plus $44.85 shipping charges. The total bill was $299.04. For the 1 toothbrush plus tax and shipping should have been $102.03.
I was extremely upset that the order was taken off the machine incorrectly (giving them the benefit that it was a mistake) and searched to see how I can return the unwanted merchandise. According to instructions, you had to call customer service and follow instructions regarding the return.
Here comes the angina:
On April 12th I called customer service (INDIA, No Less) and spoke to rude Ronnie who told me I ordered 3 toothbrushes because that was what the order stated. I corrected him and repeated again (Communication Problem, Perhaps too much water in his ears across the seas) that I only ordered one. He responded, "That's what you say". I also told him that I didn't order any battery packs. However, through the despicable conversation, I learned that the toothbrush only operated with rechargeable batteries and if I didn't keep one, I would have to buy one someplace else. RO finally agreed to email me a special mailing label to return 2 brushes and 2 battery backs. Once I receive it, I would have to go to the Post Ofice, buy a tracking label and wait. Waiting for Godot! On April 14, I called customer service again since I never received the mailing label and spoke with Sassy. Sassy informed me that Ronnie sent out the email with the mailing label on April 13th. Waiting for GOdot again! My stress level is rising and I'm experiencing chest pains. On April 14th I call India back and ths time spoke with Ryan who played "Good cop" I asked for a supervisor but he felt he could field the problem. After confirming my email address for a third time, he suggested that I receive the mailing envelope by regular. According to Ryan I should receive it by April 25th the latest since since it's coming from California and should't take more than 3 to 5 days. Not receiving the mailing envelope I called my now intimate customer service department on April 26th and spoke to snippy Ronnie again who told me it was sent out on APril 17th and it takes up to two weeks (By turtle) to receive it. More Angina and Waiting for Godot!
Since I still didn't receive the mailing label, I called back on May 7th, demanded to speak to a supervisor, Kate, who repeated all the same information. She then asked for my email address again and lo and behold she told me that one of the letters was incorrect. Even if that were true, why didn't I receive the label by regular mail. Could they all of a sudden have the incorrect address? But how can that be since I had no problem promptly receiving the two packages. So K apologized again, will elevate my concerns, and I should receive the mailing label so I can rid myself of these abominable toothbrushes within 72 hours. Guess what? It's 96 hours and I'm still Waiting for Godot!
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