Don't waste your money on the nutritional supplement "Focus factor" --
it's a fraudulent way to relieve you of your hard-earned money. Here's
the article from Consumer Affairs:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/nutrition/vital.html
Vital Basics - Focus Factor
---------------------------
Lynnette of Thorofare NJ writes (3/18/03):
As an avid talk radio listener, I’ve heard the Focus Factor ads
and always wanted to try them. Then when I heard the ad for a free
bottle for only $4.95 in shipping and costs, I called. What I got was
this sales person who, after I gave her my credit card (debit) number,
started this stupid sales pitch that said I would automatically be
sent my next refill. I told her, NO, I only wanted to
“TRY” the vitamins, as the ad indicated, for the cost of
shipping and handling.
She then went into a sales pitch for another product, having to do
with savings bonds. I finally told her to stop, and once again told
her I only wanted what was advertised. I told her I didn’t want
any more vitamins, unless I authorized them. Luckily, I talked her
into giving me a contact number. Much to my horror, they did not
listen to me and hit my bank account (I used a debit card) for $149.90
last Friday. I was very upset by this because my mortgage payment is
automatically deducted from my bank account on the 15th of every
month, and this deduction would have caused my account to be
overdrawn.
After a three-way call between the bank and Vital Basics, they agreed
to take the charge off my account. I verified this a few hours later,
when I re-checked my account online and found the money was back in my
account. Today I check my bank account once more, as I do almost every
other day. Vital Basics took the money out of my account again! This
resulted in an over draft of my bank account. I was very upset to say
the least. Once again I had to call them and ask them to take it off.
What is going to prevent them from doing this again?
I had to call my attorney, who is going to draft a letter to them
giving them notice that they do not have authorization to take money
out of my account. I just checked their rating on the Better Business
Bureau site and they have an unsatisfactory rating. I just thought you
should have this information. I cannot find a listing in Maine or
Florida for this company. I would like to talk to someone "higher up".
They said they will give me a refund within 48 hours, but they also
said they would take the charges off last Friday and all they did was
put them on again. They caused my bank account to be overdrawn, and I
don't know yet what the consequences will be with my mortgage payment.
I could be hit with a returned check fee and late charges.
Brenda of Zanesville OH (11/10/03):
My husband had seen the ad for a bottle of vitamins called "Focus
Factor" that were to supposed to help your memory and concentration.
The ad stated that you could receive a no risk trial bottle of Focus
Factor for $4.95. He called and asked numerous questions. They stated
that only $4.95 would be withdrawn from our debit card - no other
funds would be withdrawn without his authorization, and he could call
to cancel at any time. His vitamins came and he noticed no difference.
After 2 weeks another shipment came in the mail and they had taken
$159.95 out of our checking account(from our debit card number they
kept on file). He called and demanded to cancel, and to receive a
refund. He was argued with, but after 25 minutes they agreed to cancel
all future orders, and to redeposit $149.95 ( making us still pay for
the shipping and handling!). This took about a week to happen. Then, a
few days later, they once again took out $199.95. My husband called
them in a rage, and demanded to speak with a supervisor. He was put on
hold, and then told that the supervisor did not wish to speak with
him!
He told them he was seeking attorney action. They finally agreed to
put the money back into our account again, but in the mean time it
caused us to bounce two checks. He was told that they would fax the
bank and let them know the refund would be in 24 hours. This is five
days later and we have not received our refund!
Melissa of Houston (2/19/03):
I responded to a radio ad for a free bottle of Focus Factor for $4.95
(shipping). After I requested the special and gave my credit card #
the sales person asked me to join their monthly delivery club. I
declined and said I wanted to try it first. She persisted, and I kept
declining. This was on 1/27/03. On or around 2/2/03 I received my
package, not 1 bottle but 3. I checked my account and I had only been
charged the $4.95.
On 2/8/03 I again received a package. 3 more bottles of Focus Factor.
I checked the packing slip it nowhere stated a charge said it was only
a packing slip. I became worried about the extra shipment so I called
the customer service # and asked about the extra 3 bottles. I was told
no it was not a mistake, I would be receiving 3 bottles every month at
a price of $149.90 charged to my account! I said absolutely not! I did
not authorize this. Cancel this immediately, and refund my account
immediately.
She then asked if I had opened the package which I had not. She said
to return it to sender and mark it with a code she gave me. When it
was received my account would be credited. I returned it by US
Priority mail, with a delivery confirmation receipt. I received
confirmation from the post office that it was delivered on 2/14/03 at
9:03am. I called the 800 # on 2/18/03 to confirm my refund. The
customer service rep. Juliana, said I was mistaken the package had not
been received. I told her she was mistaken and should check again. She
said she had already checked twice, I was wrong.
I went back to my packing slip and realized the address for returns is
a company called Ship Right Solutions in Westbrook, ME I called
directory asst. and got the # and called them. I spoke to a Kevin
Simpson asked him to verify my package had been received. He said no
it had not come, again I explained I had a US Postal confirmation that
it had. He said Oh Yes, Friday, the postman called to say the truck
was not running so he would not be able to make the delivery of mail
that day. The confirmation I had was because the Post Office had
received it and scanned it but I had not been received by them. They
would get delivery on Tues 2/18/03 because 2/17/03 was a holiday.
I asked for his contact and a direct # at Vital Basics. He said he
only had the 800 # too but Marilyn Pellier(sp) was a supervisor. I
called the # again and asked for Marilyn Pellier, the same Juliana
asked why do you want to talk to her? I then said Marilyn Pellier
PLEASE! She hung up on me. I called back and was told she was
unavailable, I said I wanted her voice mail, she said she didn't know
it and hung up. On 2/19/03 I called the US Postal Service question
line and spoke to Jean operator #9470, and asked her about the
confirmation, was it true that when the package arrived at the post
office it was then confirmed delivered as Mr. Simpson told me. She
said NO, it would state that it was at the station, only when it was
delivered to the address I sent it to would it be confirmed delivered.
I called Mr. Simpson who was out for the day and referred his calls to
Jack Roach. Mr. Roach was not in either.
I called Vital Basics and again asked for Marilyn Pellier, Juliana
asked me 3 times How may I help you, at which I just kept saying
Marilyn Pellier please, she on the 4th request said she was not in. I
am so angry at the way this company is conducting them selves and very
worried that I will never be refunded my $149.90. This should be a
crime and their ads should be pulled from the radio stations.
Telephoning is a waste of time. Melissa should have sent a letter.
Jane of Uniontown PA writes (10/5/02):
I ordered one bottle of Vital Basic pill products. On my next
statement I was billed 119.00 for joining a vital health club which I
didn't and also 84.00 for joining a vital home club which I didn't.
This is taking much of my time being wasted and hurting my credit
because I refuse to pay for someone basically stealing my credit card
to improve their company. I'm physically and emotionally stressed over
this.
Steven of Crofton MD (3/12/02):
First of all it was a radio advertisement that caught my attention.
The company claimed to improve your sexual satisfaction or your money
back. After ordering the product at a price of $179.90. Jan 14, 2002,
they charged my account $192.85. Once I tried the product and found it
didn't improve my sexual satisfaction I attempted to send it back for
the money-back guaratee.
What they don't tell you is what you have to go through to ship the
product back. After already paying for shipping once at $12.95 for a
box no larger than your fist, you have to call a special 800 number
and get a number to put on your their package to send it back, at a
cost you for $3.95 standard mail. On my next statement I notice that
Feb. 20, 2002, they have charged my account $109.00 to join their
VITALHEALTHCLUB 888-243-6184. Also on the statement they had a credit
of $179.90 dated Feb. 21, 2002. When I called the 800 number to find
out why they charged my account $109.00, they said they would credit
it back to my account. But befor she would hang up she began to try
and sell me a number of other products.
I just feel these people are getting people to call by making
outragous claims then once they get your to order they start charging
you for all kinds of things that have nothing to do with their
original claims.
The easiest way to avoid these problems is not to fall for the pitch
in the first place. Keep your hands in your pockets and away from the
phone.