MBS Direct

I was contacted by a representative from the MBS. loan company in regards to taking out a payday loan with them. At the time of the initial conversation, they tried to have me sign on to their website using my email and last 4 digits of my SS number as a login. The login would not go through after multiple times of trying. I come to find out that they did not have the correct email on file for me. After I confirmed that the reason that I could not sign in was because the email information was incorrect, in which I notified the representative about, she then continued to tell me that she could not fix the situation and that a customer service rep would be calling me back.

Well, a costumer service rep did call me back but did not fix the situation/problem. Therefore, I never used them. Now, I have a lawyer from a "McKinley Law Firm" calling my phone threatening me, saying that I received funds from this company in which I never did. That I committed check fraud and that they are pressing a few other charges against me; even saying that they are going to contact my employer in regards to having me terminated! I explained to the very impolite gentleman that I did not receive anything from this company and that they didn't even have my correct information. He then, in turn, told me to "take it to court and let them decide". He told me to hire an attorney.

When I asked him for the information about the loan details, he refused to give them to me. I asked him for the telephone number and he said that "all contact between you and the company have been seized! All contact must be done through me!" Then hung up on me. I went to my bank, spoke to the teller in person, received a statement, spoke to 2 representatives over the phone and even went online myself into my account. All showed no activity from this company! None! I would not suggest this company to my worst enemy if I had one! These companies say that they are here to help you and now, I am "having charges pressed against me" for matters that are not true! How much help is that? If you are a lawyer and feel that you can help me, please contact me at the phone number or email above.

By the way, I did not want to give this company any stars for their rating, but I could not proceed further!

I am a student taking classes online and have been ordering books from MBS Direct since May 2008. In July 2010, I ordered new books for 4 classes for sessions B and D of the Fall term. In September, I changed one of the classes that I planned to take for the D session and called to schedule a return of the books and to get a refund so I could order the books for the class I would be taking. I packaged the new books in a box, stuffed paper all around the books so that they would not move, wrapped the box in shipping paper and reinforced all the edges with packing tape.

I received an email that the new books had been returned to them in used condition. I called MBS Direct and explained to them that the class I ordered the books for did not even begin until October 25, so how could the books be used? After a check with the receiving warehouse, I received a call and was told that one book was received with over 100 pages bent and the cover was dirty on the other book. I was told that I would need to file a claim with the shipper, the US Postal Service. After reading some of the other accounts, it appears to me that the Post Office is often used as the scapegoat for the scam that MBS Direct is running. The consumer is left with no way to prove the condition of the books that were returned. Even if you take pictures before you ship them, they can, like they do, blame it on the post office!

My daughter's high school requires ordering books from this service. We always order new books, but this year they sent used books instead without clearing it with us first. They charged more for used books than Amazon charges for new books. When I complained they wanted me to return the books at my own expense plus insurance and then told me the refund would be contingent on the condition of the books. I kept asking to be elevated to senior people in the call center where I finally got them to pay for shipping back (although I have to pay for the insurance) and I was told that it was noted in the files that I would receive a full refund. Here's why I know that problems will arise:

At the end of last school year, we used the book buy back program. The books were in good shape but the email did not note that other items (CD and workbook) came with the text book. The buy back was rejected upon receipt of the books and then they offered me the opportunity to pay them to ship the books back to me. Quite the double whammy on sticking it to the consumer. I sent them the CD for one book and got my refund, but how could I send them a workbook that had been used for the school year? They got a great condition text book for free, because I certainly wasn't going to pay to have it shipped back to me.

Based on their pricing of used books, their buy back scam and their attitude, I feel this is truly a rip-off company and I highly recommend everyone to avoid doing business with them.

I purchased a brand new text book from MBS Direct on May 7, 2010. The book arrived a few days later which was when I noticed I already had the same book for a previous class. I then packaged the book in a box and shipped it back to MBS Direct within their 14 return policy period. MBS Direct received the book on May 26 and sent me an email that the book was damaged and will not be refunded.

I called MBS Direct and expressed the them that I did not open the book and had no need to do so because I already had the same book and that I literally took the book from one box to another for reshipment. They informed me that the book no longer had the shrink wrap and that pages were cut off. I express the the customer service representative that it could have been damaged in their warehouse upon opening because from previous experience I had damaged books sent to me from their warehouse and it isn't unlikely that this could have happened with the returned book. MBS Direct could not prove to me that the book wasn't damaged on their end but to only say that the take "care" in how they open merchandise. I requested a supervisor and asked to look up my previous order history to show that I had just ordered that same book last semester and to also see that I have had damaged books sent to me before.

MBS Direct insisted upon not refunding me the $137.50 for the book and that I have to eat the cost on something that obviously happened on their end. Furthermore, they insisted that I should have purchased insurance for the package as it may have been damaged in transit. I told them I don't see how transit could remove shrink wrap and cut several pages of a book in an unopened box and I asked if they are insisting that transit be responsible for reimbursement for damages that they couldn't have possibly made. I have purchased 12 or more books from MBS Direct averaging over $100 for each book over the last 2 1/2 years. I wonder how often they are doing this to students. It seems to be an easy out refund to say that it was damaged before it got to their warehouse, how will students prove otherwise.

I signed up for online college and didnt know at first that the tuition included books. I ordered my books through MBS Direct because they were the authorized distributor. When I received books they were shrink-wrapped so tight the corners of the books were slightly bent and ruffled. The shrink-wrapped package was also simply glued to the inside of a flimsy box. I should mention now the company has a buyback program for their books and they will buy them back based on their condition. I wanted to return the books, not have them bought back as they were a duplicate set.

When I called MBS about returning them they said it was ok and strongly recommended getting insurance. I sent the books back in their shrink-wrap and added lots of extra packing. We have lots of old wal-mart bags so we used them to pack the box very securely because I didnt want a chance to damage the books any further. I got a response in my email when they arrived that said in the next ten days or so I should get a response about my return. The response I received stated that the books were process and stated as damaged and to expect my refund soon.

I waited for some time before calling them because I never received any refund. Apparently even though I sent the correct return label for the books that I purchased, they processed them as the books that the college paid for and send them the money. They tried to tell me it was my issue to resolve. After insisting on the phone that I shouldnt have to work on their behalf for their mistake, they talked to their supervisor and initiated a refund. Come to find out because the books were damaged I couldnt get a full refund. I filed a claim with USPS for the insurance and was denied because the claim was out of their filing window.

MBS Directs standard for an undamaged item is unrealistically upheld with their substandard packing. From the moment it leaves their facility its already damaged and they try to fill the gap by making the USPS pay the insurance.

Books were ordered and never received. When looking into it, we see that the order was canceled. This occurred without notification to the customer. My daughter has been working her way through college courses, thinking the books were on the way. The has caused a great deal of unnecessary stress.

I sent back to MBS, several books, unopened, still in the shrink wrap and they said I could only have $7 back on the $100 I spent.

This place rips you off. I have had to buy books that they said were essential and I never used them. Now what?

I am at National-Louis University, trying to achieve my 4-year degree, and books are a part of my costs. MBS sends them to me, and then offers a 30-day immediate buyback at an obsurd discounted amount (mostly 60-75% less than what I had to pay for them). Some of the books we pay for are not even returnable at all, so it is a total loss of money. I agree with Frank (Redlands, CA article that caught my attention), that something needs to be done.

Students are being taken adavtage of by this online book store. Every time I purchase a book for a six week MBA course at University of Redlands I am forced to pay for the newest edition at the rate of $100.00. If I choose to sell the book back they only pay $10.00 on average despite their promise of 40 percent.

I and other students alike feel as though there are never used books to purchase and we are being taken advantage of unfairly. We cannot take any action against the school or the book store. Do you have any suggestions?

15 students per MBA program 20 classes one book per class 15x20x100=30k for a two year MBA program.

Might be time to organize a boycott.