I ordered a digital camera and accessory kit in mid february from a pop-up ad when I signed into America Online. The cost was $149.95 for the camera, and I also ordered an accessory kit for another $39.95 plus $10.95 shipping.
I was pleasantly surprised when Christine, at AOL Shop Direct helped me, thru online chat, and actually refunded the $345.14, although I hadn't received the camera's at that point. Upon receipt of the camera, I looked at one the two they had mistakenly sent, and decided that I wouldn't use it .. so I returned it via UPS with a tracking number and sent an email confirming the return and giving aol the tracking number. The date was 3/1/03.Thank you for your prompt action .....
AOL SHOP DIRECT
702-***-****
RETURNS PROCESSING DEPARTMENT
**** HighwayChattanooga, TN 37406
Please note that I have shipped back both camera's as sent ..... on 3/1/03 via UPS ground, Insured for $300. It is scheduled to be delivered back to you on March 10, 2003. The Tracking Number is as follows: MBE TRK#: M M15FTR SQ4KSF
Thank You!Lee ****
On March 6th, I received the following message:
Subj: Re: Your Recent Evision MegaPro Camera Order
Date: 3/6/2003 9:40:42 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: aolshoprep@aolshopdirect.webhelp.com
To: ****@aol.com Sent from the Internet (Details)
Dear Member,
Thank you for ordering the Evision MegaPro camera from AOL Shop Direct.
A review of our records shows that you received and were charged for 2 Evision cameras. This merchandise was also mistakenly billed in full instead of in installments when your order shipped. We apologize for this error and have taken the following steps to correct the situation:
1. A full credit for your original order was posted to your account on March 3, 2003. This full refund covers the purchase price, plus shipping and handling and applicable tax for the camera on your original order and the additional camera sent by mistake. This credit should appear on your account statement within two billing cycles.
2. A new order number has been created to bill your Evision camera under our Installment Billing Plan. Please be assured that you will only be billed $149.95 and $10.95 shipping and handling plus applicable sales tax on this order.
You will receive a notice with the new order number shortly. This email will detail the first installment charge billed to your account. You will receive subsequent email notices when additional installments are due.
3. We have created a new order for the Digital Imaging Made Easy software. Your account will be billed in one payment of $39.95 plus applicable sales tax with no shipping and handling. You will receive a new order number and shipping confirmation via email.
As our sincere apology regarding this situation, please keep the additional Evision MegaPro Camera you received free of charge.
If you have any questions or need additional information, you can contact us through one of the options available in our Customer Service area.
Thank you for shopping with AOL Shop Direct.Sincerely,
M. Beth ****
AOL Shop DirectCustomer Service Department
Internal Reference [868375]
On March 9th, 2003 I called another chat rep, Janette, and she sent me another email and transcript of online chat:
Subj: AOL Shop Direct Online Customer Support
Date: 3/9/2003 12:57:50 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: transcript@aolshopdirect.webhelp.com
To: ****@aol.comSent from the Internet
Thank you for using AOL Shop Direct Online Customer Support Chat service. We are happy to help you at any time. Please visit us again at http://store.aolshopdirect.com
For your reference and records, we have attached a transcript of the chat session below.
Topic: I did not order this (a second time). DO NOT CHARGE MY CARD FOR THIS PRODUCT (S). Janette Hello Lee, and welcome to AOL ShopDirect. I am Janette, your Customer Care Consultant and am happy to assist you.
Janette I understand your situation in having received confirmation on a purchase that you were not aware of ordering. I'm sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. I would need to check your order status to explain how this order was placed.
Lee **** HI
Janette Since I have your order number 151942026, I will be reviewing your account right away. This should only take a minute or so. If it takes any longer, I will let you know. Thanks.
Lee **** OK
Janette Thank you for your patience. According to our records, the order that I believe you are referring to is Digital Imaging Bundle and eVision MegaPro Digital Camera. This order was placed on 02/16/03 through Welcome Screen. Please confirm I have provided the correct information before we proceed.
Janette Our records show that the item was purchased through a pop-up. Let me explain how our pop-ups work. We send pop-ups on a regular basis as a service to our members. These pop-ups alert you to offers available to AOL Members.
Janette When you click on the pop-up indicating that you want to order the product, an order is placed and it is billed to the same credit card you have on file for your regular AOL service.
Janette Is the information I have sent helpful?
Lee **** that order was cancelled and returned for refund ...
Lee **** they had sent two cameras, but not what I had originally asked for
Janette Thank you for the information, Lee. Please hold on while I check our records.
Lee **** this order would have been the correct one, but after seeing the first mistake and looking at the camera, I returned them both
Lee **** Thank you for your prompt action ..... copy of letter sent March 1st to aol shop direct AOL SHOP DIRECT 702-***-****RETURNS PROCESSING DEPARTMENT **** Highway Chattanooga, TN 37406 Please note that I have shipped back both camera's as sent ..... on 3/1/03 via UPS ground, Insured for $300. It is scheduled to be delivered back to you on March 10, 2003. The Tracking Number is as follows: MBE TRK#: M M15FTR SQ4KSF Thank You! Lee **** 702-***-****
Janette Thank you for the information . Yes, you are right , Lee. Based on our records you have returned both camera's that you purchased.
Lee **** and I do not want another one shipped or charged to my card
Janette Unfortunately, our warehouse haven't received yet your return item.
Lee **** yes, as you can see, our tracking number with UPS indicates a monday delivery on 3/10/03
Janette I do understand your feelings regarding this matter and sincerely apologize for all the inconvenience this may have caused you.
Janette I can certainly help you with that Lee. However, before I do that I would like to offer you the opportunity to try the product out for an additional risk free 30 days. It's a quality product and we feel you'll agree. After the additional 30 days if you're not completely satisfied you can return the product for a refund. Is that okay with you?
Lee **** It is not my feelings that matter, it is my pocket book. You will over-draw my account for the third time if this $215.42 charge goes against my card now
Lee **** No thank you, I do not want the camera. My eyes are bad and the small controls and directions are too small for me to see clearly.
Janette Your satisfaction is extremely important to us and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused. Please accept our sincere apology for this inconvenience.
Janette I would suggest Lee that please return the item back to us when you received the item. I am sending you a page of our Returns Policy. It may appear in a separate window but you can go back to our chat by minimizing that window.
Janette http://store.aolshopdirect.com/stores/gx.cgi/Display4?GSStore=aoldir&prd_id=-5288&dep_id=0&o_c=AOL1&tpl=cs/cs_shipping#returnpolicy
Janette Were you able to received the page I have sent you?
Janette If you will send the product back to us in its original package, simply put the return label on the box and mark the reverse side Return. For your protection, we recommend that you send the package UPS or insured mail so we can track the item if gets lost. Your package will be credited as soon as it reaches our warehouse.
Janette We will issue credit to your account as soon after we receive the returned product at our warehouse.
Janette To avoid the pop-ups in the future you can simply go to AOL Keyword: Marketing Prefs to disable them.
Janette Is the information I have sent helpful?
Janette Are you still there?
Lee *** caused script errors which Janette I regret that we could not conclude our chat since you have exited, Lee. We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. If you need further assistance, please come back and visit us again. Thank you for visiting us at AOL Shop Direct.
16281679:9746142
On March 10th I received another email:
Subj: Order Confirmation - Your AOL Shop Direct Order #151978524
Date: 3/10/2003 7:07:32 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: orderconfirmation@aolshopdirect.webhelp.com
To: ****@aol.com Sent from the Internet (Details)
Dear lee****,
Thank you for shopping withAOL Shop Direct!
Your order is now in process at our Distribution Center and has been assigned order number 151978524. Please keep this number as a reference, should you need to contact us about your order.
********ORDER INFORMATION*********
Item Number: 00016984
Description: eVision MEGApro Correction
Status:
Qty: 1Unit Price: $149.95
Subtotal: $149.95
Shipping/Handling: $10.95
Tax: $11.67Total: $172.57
Final Installment Amount: $60.13Number of Total Installments:
Sales tax for this purchase is determined by the shipping address you provided for your order.
* The prices above do not include any REBATE savings that were advertised with your product. If your purchase was advertised with a REBATE, you can go to our Online Rebate Center to redeem your rebate.
******** SHIPPING INFORMATION ********
We will send you follow-up emails to let you know the status of your order. Your order will be shipped to:
LEE ****
**** COMPANY
**** DRIVELAS VEGAS, NV 89131
********BILLING INFORMATION*********
Your purchase was made under our Installment Billing Plan and your first installment will be billed to your Visa account on file with AOL when your order ships. Your first installment also includes shipping and handling, and applicable sales tax.
We will also send you follow-up emails when the additional installments are due for your order. The additional payments will be billed to your Visaaccount on file with AOL. Please watch your email for these important notices from AOL.
Should you have any additional questions or need our assistance, please contact us through one of the options available in our Customer Service area.
Again, thank you for your order and we hope you'll stop by AOL Shop Direct. You'll find we're always adding new products at substantial values for AOL members. Come see what's new today!
Sincerely,
AOL Shop DirectCustomer Service Department
P.S. Would you like to receive future Special Offer emails from AOL Shopping, which YOU decided are of interest to you? If so, please click here or go to Keyword: AOL Shopping Optin and let us know what YOU are interested in!
I reality, they have now charged my account again the full $215.42 even though I called and sent emails cancelling and requesting that they do not resend any shipment or charge my card.
I believe they are just simply "crooked" in their dealings with the public. This is not the first time something happened unexpectedly and unfavorably without my express permission. I have had to pay $89.00 in overdraft charges to my bank because of AOL Shop Direct errors, (not to mention over $100.00 three years ago) none of which have been reimbursed by AOL Shop Direct. They are using my money without my approval and costing me money and I believe the acts were intentional ... just like telling me to keep the second camera shipped in error, after they had already received notice and knew that I had returned both cameras and it would be impossible for me to keep one.
Dirty rotten unbusinesslike actions should put the company out of business!