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How should I deal with such business practice?

Posted by fated82 • 9/06/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: business, charge back, deal, ethics

Hi all,

I would like to seek some advice here.

I bought a few domains about 2 months ago and since the start of Aug, they have been sending me promotional upgrades to hosting plans per domain. However, all I need was the domains as they are hosted in another server.

The promotional emails state that I do not have to do anything to receive the upgrade and if I do not want it, I will need to opt-out.

Obviously, I have overlooked these as they look like spam to me and I did ignore it.

Just today, i found that I have 6 domains upgraded at $39.95 a piece and I have just send an email for charge back since I do not need their services.

Do you think its an ethical business practice because I feel that they are taking advantage of people whom may have overlooked these emails and got charge for that.

Who could I complain to next if they do not approve for the charge back? Advice needed. Thanks!

User Comments

9/06/08

annaswan

I'm so sorry this happened to you.
Unfortunately, this practice was probably in the fine print of their Terms Of Service when you purchased your domains, and it’s doubtful you’ll be able to get a full refund for the charges. I understand that the emails looked like spam, and I’ve actually had emails like this go to my junk mail - and I didn’t even see them at all.

I suggest you go back to the website where you made the purchase and go through all the steps of buying another domain - very slowly - and read all of the Terms of Service and fine print screens that you may have missed the first time you purchased a domain. Then of course cancel the purchase at that last screen! This is just a way to again see all of the writing and conditions you may have missed during that first purchase.

If none of the screens you’re directed to mention anything about this service being automatically billed, and their Terms of Service doesn‘t state this - then you have a legitimate case for a full refund. But if it does state this automatic charge in the fine print, and you made the purchase anyway - the charge back may be declined.

If that opt-in and opt-out email was the ONLY place this automatic charge was ever mentioned - then I’d fight them on it. Send a letter to their Support Department, state that you never received these emails, or you didn’t receive them in a timely enough manner in order for you to opt-out, and therefore you ask that these automatic charges be reversed from your account.

[reply]
1. 9/06/08
  
  timethief
  
  @annaswan
  Excellent advice.
9/06/08

fated82

@annaswan

When I purchase the domain, it was a cheap, fast and simple affair. There is no mention of any T&C during the purchase. It was only AFTER the purchase do they send me the email for the upgrades.

In their email, they did state that I have 10 days to opt-out, but as I stated, it seem like a normal promotion email which i have overlooked.

I believe there is a case here but I need to have a back up plan like where do I go to if they fail to do a charge back. Is there any association, organization to handle online claims like these?

[reply]
9/06/08

keropidark

check the better business bureau...One prob however, is the company in the same location as you or are they based in a different country?

Just so I understand, the email you sent for the chargeback was it to the company or your bank? Alert your bank or creditcard.

[reply]
1. 9/07/08
  
  fated82
  
  Hi Keropidark,
  
  I sent the email to the company. The company is based in different country as I am. So I was wondering if there is any agency that govern online transactions.
  
  I will also alert the bank too.
9/07/08

ModelElaine

I usually go to the company itself and if I don't get the needed response I post the whole deal on my blog consumer-complaint-department.blogspot.com/

[reply]
1. 9/07/08
  
  fated82
  
  What's the point? I want my money back....after that, then I go to PR...haha
2. 9/07/08
  
  ModelElaine
  
  I understand you want your money back, but think about it, you will get your money back on the back end from all those visitors searching for "co. name FRAUD"
9/07/08

PetLvr

Why don't you just list the registrar in here? maybe they will get a flood of visitors or emails or maybe even a trackback or something and then they can come here and defend themselves.

[reply]
9/11/08

fated82

Wee, I got a good news today. They approved my refunds. Phew!

[reply]