this is not exactly a scam, but it is close. :wink:
I have recommended AGI's video courses for gunsmithing on several forums (including this one).
This really takes the cake.
I purchased one of their DVDs a few months back on their website. Since then I have been receiving a "newsletter" every month...which I have been pitching in the garbage with all the other junk mailings I get.
Well, all of a sudden I have a 29.95 charge on my CC from them. I called and asked what this is as I have not purchased anything recently.
It turns out that it is for this newletter. I asked how did this happen, I never asked for this item.
Well, if you buy off their website, there is a small accept box that you MUST check to get to the pay screen. I don't even remember it, but guess I figured it was an I ACCEPT sort of deal like you see on millions of other sites for credit card purchases.
Now here is where AGI is really evil. The first two months are free.
then you get charged monthly....29.95. If I didn't go over my bill with a fine tooth comb, I might have missed it.
The lady on the phone was pleasent until I questioned their business ethics, and then she got nasty.
Here is how this went.
1. Why does AGI MAKE a customer sign up for this "newsletter" to make an online purchase? My guess here is I didn't hit the Accept button, and it wouldn't process, so I hit the button to finalize my order.
2. Why is the fine print so hidden? I don't recall reading anything about a newsletter..."Inner Circle" they call it....like the old decoder rings.
3. Isn't this a bad business practice? Why do you not charge for 2 months? Obviously so a customer won't catch it on the first bill where they expect an AGI charge.
4. Why is the charge to some unidentified name (not AGI on the bill!!!), I only traced it by calling my CC company.
Response...she said she would reverse the charge and then hung up on me in my next sentence as I began to tell her what I thought of AGI's business practices. (I was very calm by the way.)
Now techincally this may not be a scam, because I agreed to something (even though I didn't know that I was agreeing to it)....but it is an unethical way to try and make money. from an unexpecting customer.
You don't see it on the bill when you expect to be charged for your DVD...it shows up months later. maybe you won't catch it. As for the mailing, it looks like any other piece of promotional junk mail you get after ordering from any other company.
BEWARE this less than honest BS!
they have lost this customer....all I can do to make my displeasure known. and warn anyone else about this "business" practice.
I have recommended AGI's video courses for gunsmithing on several forums (including this one).
This really takes the cake.
I purchased one of their DVDs a few months back on their website. Since then I have been receiving a "newsletter" every month...which I have been pitching in the garbage with all the other junk mailings I get.
Well, all of a sudden I have a 29.95 charge on my CC from them. I called and asked what this is as I have not purchased anything recently.
It turns out that it is for this newletter. I asked how did this happen, I never asked for this item.
Well, if you buy off their website, there is a small accept box that you MUST check to get to the pay screen. I don't even remember it, but guess I figured it was an I ACCEPT sort of deal like you see on millions of other sites for credit card purchases.
Now here is where AGI is really evil. The first two months are free.
then you get charged monthly....29.95. If I didn't go over my bill with a fine tooth comb, I might have missed it.
The lady on the phone was pleasent until I questioned their business ethics, and then she got nasty.
Here is how this went.
1. Why does AGI MAKE a customer sign up for this "newsletter" to make an online purchase? My guess here is I didn't hit the Accept button, and it wouldn't process, so I hit the button to finalize my order.
2. Why is the fine print so hidden? I don't recall reading anything about a newsletter..."Inner Circle" they call it....like the old decoder rings.
3. Isn't this a bad business practice? Why do you not charge for 2 months? Obviously so a customer won't catch it on the first bill where they expect an AGI charge.
4. Why is the charge to some unidentified name (not AGI on the bill!!!), I only traced it by calling my CC company.
Response...she said she would reverse the charge and then hung up on me in my next sentence as I began to tell her what I thought of AGI's business practices. (I was very calm by the way.)
Now techincally this may not be a scam, because I agreed to something (even though I didn't know that I was agreeing to it)....but it is an unethical way to try and make money. from an unexpecting customer.
You don't see it on the bill when you expect to be charged for your DVD...it shows up months later. maybe you won't catch it. As for the mailing, it looks like any other piece of promotional junk mail you get after ordering from any other company.
BEWARE this less than honest BS!
they have lost this customer....all I can do to make my displeasure known. and warn anyone else about this "business" practice.