Sometimes I'm Stupid

I'm a sucker for 'free'. I also try to see things from every angle and not get duped into what I thought was free, only to get frustrated when I'm charged for something. Unfortunately I was dragged in to a new 'free' offer that has so far cost me $240. I'm ashamed to even post this for you to know how stupid I can be but on the slim chance you were going to try the same thing...hopefully this would save you from experiencing my dilemma.

It all started with one of those Internet ads that runs along the side of my email and Facebook pages that I normally IGNORE. This day I was feeling particularly vulnerable and I clicked. I read a woman's blog about how she lost all kinds of weight in like 6 weeks and it was because of these two 'magic' supplements. The first one sounded like an interesting option it was Acai Nutraburst. The acai berry s all the rage right now so I thought, 'why not'. The second supplement this woman swore by was called Power Cleanse. Personally I believe the body has all it needs to cleanse properly and that colon cleanses are not necessary but this sight was offering me both for 'free'. I read the sight carefully making sure I knew exactly what I was getting into. Then when I advanced to the next screen to enter my info I was told I would need to pay for the shipping and handling. This was my first clue that this was not legit. I immediately hit the box to close out of the sight. A message pops up saying they want to cut the shipping and handling price in half so I'm only paying $2 each for the supplements. I wanted to continue to close out, walk away and never look back. But I didn't. I caved.

Fast forward to last week Wednesday, I'm on-line checking out my bank statements and I see a charge for $74 and a charge for $81...to the two companies I had received my 'free' supplements from. I called immediately. One phone number didn't work...panic mode, I was going to have to change my credit card number. The second one I finally got a hold of and they informed me that because I did not send back the unused portion of the supplement or call them within 15 days of receiving it I had agreed to purchase the supplement. What? In what language had that fine print been, that I NEVER saw. I assured them this info was not on their website and "Why does it not tell me that extremely important detail ANYWHERE on the order confirmation I received with the supplement?" I'm about to cry. HOW could I have been so stupid. Eight days later I have a charge from the 1st company that I have yet to get hold of and again I'm thinking I have to change my credit card number.

My bank credited my account for all the charges and are going to 'investigate' my dispute. I'm afraid I'm going to be stuck paying most of the charges in the end but I first have to write letters to my bank explaining everything I have done to remedy the issue.

I'm frustrated because I know this company did what the did on purpose and probably get loads of money from vulnerable woman wanting yet another option for slimming down. I'm not condoning the usage of pills for such a goal but these seemed different to me. I hate that there are people who do business like this and ALL the work I have had to go through to try to 'fix' this stupid problem.

I know I did a dumb dumb thing. I'm glad my bank sees that it was a mistake and wants to help me and I'm using this post as a reminder to myself and if at first I feel like it's a scam of some kind, I'm probably right.