Of course I love to complain about issues with companies that go the extra mile to make sure they trap your dollar bills – including any pocket lint that might be on the bills because it might be ran through a filter and turn into money – and they make sure they get your money, so here goes.

iQderma – a company known as GLOW.  For close to a year, at times when I logged into Hotmail or Yahoo mail or one of the browser based email programs, I got an ad about iQderma lotion, showing a female face that had one half without any lotion, the other appearing firmer and younger supposedly due to the use of iQderma.  Being female, having my own ego that’s irritated with Mother Nature at this stage of my life, I finally decided to try it.  Go through the sign-up process and get a full 30 day supply free, just pay for the shipping which is $3.98 (or close), but of course you have to give a CC# to bill the shipping to.  I’m positive that during sign-up (unless there was some small text in a ‘you agree’ file) that I didn’t take the time to read, there was nothing threatening as to future payments, etc.

I received the product.  In opening the box, in the directions and papers inside, there was a ‘return policy’ statement.  It stated that if you decided not to use the rest of the product, you had to either call or go to the internet and print out a RMA label to return it.  If you didn’t return the unused portion, with an RMA, your cc would be billed every month for $93.??  OK.  I’ve paid more for more foolish trinkets than keeping my face supple and firm.

I tried the product for about 4 days, actually hated it.  It burned by the 2nd day – 4th application.  If I went in to a dermatologist and had a chemical peel or Retin A prescribed, I’d expect it to feel that way, but not with an  over the counter product.  My skin didn’t feel wonderfully soft like it normally does either…more like dry and scaly.  I was done with it.  I hit the internet, found their page and started looking for an RMA and returning the product.  I can look right at something on the shelves of a store and completely miss something at times, but I couldn’t find the ‘print an RMA’ thingy.  I went through the return search and it had a variety of topics – including cancel shipment and then you were asked to choose the reason you were returning it.  I did.  The screen took me to this page:

****

Glow IQderma

Your Autoshipments have been discontinued.
You will not receive any additional iQ Derma products relating to this iQ Derma offer.

Your confirmation number is: 961897.

If would like to turn your Auto-Shipment and Member Benifits back on in the future, or you need any further assistance, please contact us at 1.888.321.GLOW (4569).

Thank you!

RMA 762114
28516 Livingston AVE
Valencia CA 91355

****

Yes, we do see there is an RMA # in their closing signature.  BUT, the next page took me to a screen that said that I didn’t have to return the remainder of the product, I could use it, give it to a friend, or discard it if I wanted to – no, that wasn’t the day I at the Brownie.  Wish I had copied that damned page.

I saved the shipping boxes and the remainder of the product (sometimes I do things to save me from future hair ripping incidents).

Yesterday I went online to check out my checking account.  Not to worry, there was a charge there for $93.?? from iQderma.  SWEET!!!!  I called them.  I got a lady that started to get a bit angry sounding with me when I told her the events.  She insisted that finding an RMA was very easy, I said it wasn’t…she was tense, then she eased up a bit when I told her I didn’t call to argue with her.    She gave me an RMA # but still didn’t seem to believe me that the website stated I didn’t have to return the product.

Then I asked the question.  Why, if I received the statement that shipments would be cancelled, was I charged?  Because the warehouse didn’t receive my returned product so they wouldn’t send out notice to cancel the billing.  REALLY???  OK, I left her with a ‘have a good day.’

I cancelled the product, they billed me.  Does that mean they were only billing me for the one time shipment because I didn’t return it, or were they just going to bill me forever and not send the product.  Since the website stated I didn’t have to return the product – in my zany way of looking at things – I believe they would just keep billing me.  And the next part that irritates me and happens with all things you ‘try’ for 30 days, you get billed for them unless you specifically cancel…why doesn’t a company believe in their product enough to let you try it free for 30 days and then send you a note asking you if you’d like to sign up?  Because they have to get the lint from your pocket, the bastards.  Package wrapped, RMA clearly displayed, it will be mailed out tomorrow as I head for the Blogger doin’s in Vegas.

*****

My next complaint is Dictionary.com.  I’ve been a subscribing member there for around three years I think, possibly two.  My renewal notice came up in November.  I paid.  But, as things usually go, I can’t log in as a premium member.  Their contact form is on their website.  I’ve sent two different notices with my confirmation of payment #, etc., to no avail.  Yesterday I called the company # listed on the charge of my CC.  I couldn’t clearly hear the company name so I asked if it was Dictionary.com, the woman said that was part of their company, I explained my plight and she forwarded me to a voice mail.  I left a message.  Not to worry, no news and I can’t log in still…oh well…let me waste more of my time trying to follow it up…I will.

On the poker front, I got a ping from Glenda last eve, asking if I was interested in poker.  I sent a ping back and logged into PokerStars to see what was going that I thought I could deal with.  I chose the $1.10 7 card stud 8 tourney that was just starting.  Glenda ignored me when I pinged her again.  I played on. About 5 or so hours later I snagged 2nd place out of 168 players which paid a gigantic $26.88.  BigRiver77 had a charmed life and took 1st.  He drew out played really well.  It really was amazing, in five I had trip 10s – he caught runner-runner-runner to back door fill up when he started with a smaller pair than 10s – and so it went.  I actually had him so many times, even going into 5th and 6th and he caught up and ran over my ass on the river.  Ah well, it was fun.  Glenda finally showed up – I had to call her on the phone to find out if she was OK because she never returned my ping…she was my sweater during the last 40 minutes.

The snow is still on the ground in shaded areas, it’s damned nippy outside.  I head for Vegas for a few days tomorrow.  Hallooo Bloggers!