Shopping Essentials

Shopping Essentials obtained my debit card information from the checkout page of Restaurant.com and proceeded to debit my checking account for a monthly fee of $19.95 from October 2009 through January 2010 when I noticed this charge and called the number. Shopping Essentials claimed I authorized a membership, which I did not. My Internet research indicates that Shopping Essentials uses this method with companies other than Restaurant.com to obtain credit card/debit card information from unsuspecting consumers, then debits the account on a monthly basis until someone notices.

They agreed to refund the January fee of $19.95, but not October, November, and December fees of $19.95 each. Not only would I like the rest of my $59.85 returned to my checking account, but I would like this business to be investigated for this practice of scamming the consumer into a monthly fee. I feel certain there are others like me who are unaware that they are losing money to this company.

I was charged $11.95 for some service I never ordered for December and January (2008 and 2009).

They attached their monthly "service" onto my purchase with NorthStyle.com two years ago. I never received notice (email or postal), an option to opt out, or a phone call that I was a "member" of their shopping service. I do not pay my household bills personally but happen to notice this months credit card charge and called.

Shopping Essentials used a July 2008 VitaCost order to sign me up for a monthly membership at $19.95/month; however, they didn't charge my account until September 2008. We just caught their scam (Nov. 2008) and called them. Clarissa quickly arranged to cancel my membership and refund the October 2008 withdrawal, then passed me on to Sue. Sue, a supposed supervisor, told me that they'd done all they could, and according to my membership contract they don't have to repay the September withdrawal. I researched my account to make sure there were no other withdrawals and called Shopping Essentials back.

Tamara, upon hearing my request for information, routed me to Chris, another supposed supervisor. Chris told me he could not authorize the refund of the Sept. payment either and gave me the address where I can appeal this situation with Consumer Affairs. I asked Chris for the date of the Vitacost order when I supposedly signed up, and he told me the date of an actual order I placed with Vitacost. Then I asked Chris to e-mail me any information they have about my sign-up: e-mails, forms, confirmation e-mails, etc. Chris said that those items aren't connected with my account information he could access. I need to contact Consumer Affairs in Nebraska about that.

Then I called VitaCost and Angie listened to my complaint. She knew it was Shopping Essentials before I even named them. When I told her my story, she made sure she had it correct (Shopping Essentials said they'd cancelled my membership and refund for October but not September) and put me on hold for a few minutes, then came back on and said there was a manager at VitaCost she would e-mail with this situation. He will supposedly contact Shopping Essentials on my behalf. We'll see what they can do. . . .

Two withdrawals of $19.95 each were taken from my checking account in Montana. To date, no refund for the October 2008 withdrawal has been received.

I happened to be checking my statement online before I paid my credit card bill. I normally do not check the charges. In doing so, I realized there is a charge for $239.95 from August 8, 2008. I contacted the merchant phone number on the statement to question the charge and the representative, Charles, I spoke to was unable to locate anything membership in our name, credit card number etc. How can the company as a MERCHANT charge for a product if account holders information wasn't provided in order to purchase?

I expressed my frustration, as my wife or myself didn't authorize this charge. I contacted MasterCard and they suggested I go back and look at all my statements to confirm there hasn't been any other charged. I found a total of 3 charges each of them taking place in August of 2008, 2007, 2006. This letter is to dispute all 3 charges and demand a credit to our credit card for each amount PLUS INTEREST as soon as possible. I have also submitted a complaint to the Better Business Bureau, I will withdraw that complaint if this matter is resolved in a very timely fashion.

August 2008 - $239.95 + 14.99 % interest = $275.92
August 2007 - $219.95 + 18.24 % interest = $260.07
August 2006 - $199.95 + 18.24% interest = $236.42

That amounts to a credit of $772.41 to be made to my master card account.

I have contacted my credit card company as well as BBB to further investigate these UNAUTHORIZED charges. $772.41 was charged to our account UNAUTHORIZED and we've been one their many victims of fraud and demand our money back.