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Pimsleur Approach
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3.5 53 Reviews

Pimsleur Approach Complaints Summary

33 Resolved
20 Unresolved
Our verdict: With a good resolution rate, Pimsleur Approach generally handles customer issues well. However, it’s important to be proactive. Familiarize yourself with their processes and services. Reading through various customer experiences will provide valuable insights into how they handle complex issues.
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Pimsleur Approach reviews & complaints 53

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11:50 am EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Billing/Collection

I ordered a 10 dollar trial from this company and then shipments with charges of $60 increments started being applied to my card and sent to my home. I never wanted anything more than the original $10 product. After I my card expired they sent a wildly inappropriate and insulting gilt trip letter about the recession and doing the right thing by paying the rest of the money for the program I did not order while also threatening to damage my credit. It was completely unprofessional! The total amount for the program was $256.00. The billing administrators name on the letter is Kathy Heart. I wish I had read reviews before purchasing from this company because they are a scam.

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Jun Anonymous
Los Angeles, US
Dec 06, 2012 12:10 am EST
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I have had very negative experienced with this company and when I researched online I had become aware that hundreds and possibly even thousands of victims have been ripped off by Internet Order LLC. Myself and others have been unfortunately naive to trust in a trial program that was about $10 to try out for 30 days.

The program arrived approximately 70 days later. Next, After about 100 days I am charged $512 so I file complaints to the BBC. They then attempt to contact me pretending this was all mishap and they told me they would never charge me again as long as I sent back the program. They even created a prepaid Fed-Ex form for me so I went to a shipment office and sent in both of the programs.

I called them to ask if they received the program a week later and they told me that they had just received it on that day, and that they had only received one of the packages because the Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 CDs are kept in different departments, but if I sent in the packages together everything should be cleared up within a week (complete lies and deceit).

Approximtely 60 days after I had sent back the programs I receive another letter asking for $256 threating me that they are going to hurt my credit, and to keep my honor and commitment... This low life, "Kathy Heart" after receiving my packages is trying to make my life and the lives of thousands of other victims miserable so that maybe we will get tired and possibly pay them eventually.

I urge others to not buy into their scam, and do NOT PAY them anything because even if you do, they will act like they didn't receive anything. Even if you send in a cheque and they cash it out, they will deny it ever occuring. If you ship the CDs, they will deny ever receiving it. "Internet Order LLC" is one of the lowest, and most despicable bunch of criminals I have ever heard of or come across. What a bunch of low lives.

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3:21 pm EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Sent tapes I did not order.

I ordered the $ 9.95 audio lesson for Spanish.
I received them about 3 weeks ago. To day I received another GOLD set of audio lessons. I DID not order. I refuse to pay for them. I need help. So many people are being taken for a sucker. They should not be able to do this.

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Kdols
Vista, US
Mar 10, 2013 2:16 pm EDT

I too ordered the 9>95 online course and checked that I did not want anymore cd's. Yesterday I got the gold set that I did not order. I am low income and can't afford this. I paid by paypal so I may have some recourse. It says it was billed to my credit card but the charges were 0. I'm going to check into blocking any further payments.

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BenjaminStudyabroadstudent
, US
Feb 05, 2013 12:59 pm EST

Learn to read the fine print man. I ordered the 9.99 Italian set fully aware that in 30 days I will receive the first of of the gold series. Now, I was not sure at the time whether or not I was going to continue on to this part of the subject option, (after recieving my trial I am planning now to continue) however that is beside the point. In no way did they trick or device me into paying for something. Don't give out your credit card information and your personal information unless you are sure of what your in for. It is YOUR responsibility to cancel before the 30 day period, which they make abundantly clear, they even offer you 30 days to fully use the product(260$ish) and return it for a full refund except shipping and handling. If you do not want to pay to ship it back to them then read the contract before putting your signature on the line, or cancel before they send it to you(they do state this). Getting mad for them automatically putting you on the bill roll is like getting mad at Netflix for doing the same thing after their free trial. It's just what's done nowadays.

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BCLAW
, US
Nov 26, 2012 12:18 am EST

I have had the same thing happen to me and i dont know what to do either. How much does it cost to keep it? It will cost prob 20$ for me to return it and that really pisses me off too.

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12:38 pm EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Frauduletnt sales technique and scam

Don't purchase from this company! I had ordered a "Spanish quick and simple" program for $9.99 from pimsleurapproach.com web site, But in May I received what is called the "gold edition" in which I did not order. I have tried to call customer service about it and each time I received their voice mail. After several tried, I finally talked to customer rep, but they told me I can't return it because it was over 30 days. So I need to pay $264 for something I didn't order in the first place.

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Snehasabu
Oldsmar, US
Feb 01, 2011 8:16 pm EST
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I ordered German speaking course from Pimsleur and paid 9.75 for that. After one month I recieved another package by saying it is free trial for 30 days.I I did not return it back, they will charge 60 $ from my credit card. When I tried to return it back, they told me I need to spend shipping charges from my pocket. Pimsleur cheating people by sending free trials and people are forced to buy whatever they are sending

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9:47 am EDT
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Pimsleur Approach dishonest marketing and billing

It is truly unfortunate that these excellent language programs are being marketed in a dishonest manner. Once I REQUESTED the low introductory offer I was immediately enrolled to receive the more expensive GOLD edition even though the advertizing stressed (except in the very fine, hard to find print) that I would have 30 days to decide if I wanted to keep the original offer. What actually happened is that I was sent and billed for the Gold edition DURING the 30day trial offer. Calling customer service, I was curtly told that I should have read the full offer even though at every point in the offer the language reads, "If you'd LIKE to continue your learning, Pimsleur Gold Level 1 contains an additional 22 units..." not that YOU WILL be billed automatically whether you would LIKE to continue or not. From that point on it has been downhill in dealing with customer service. They have broken every agreement that I negotiated with one service rep after another. I was assured that I would receive notification by email before any more charges were deducted from my bank card. That never happened and it caused me to pay overdraft charges. I have just finished my last payment with this company. They again deducted the full amount from my bank card only this time they completely revered our agreement. My bank card was charged for the 3rd installment of the language program on Sept 27, 2012 and I have not received the program as of August 15, 2012. I have spent at least 2 hours on the phone during this process with well meaning reps who are unable or disingenuous about following through on simple agreements. Simon & Schuster has a fairly reputable name and I would hope that they would take heed of complaints.

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5:00 am EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Unautorized sending of product not ordered

I ordered a starter set 4 CDs to start Spanish. The cost was $9.95. That is okay. However a few weeks later I receive in the mail the Gold set of CDs which I did not order. The first ones didn't work anyway. I have been reading about all these people on here who have been charged thousands of dollars for this Gold Set which was sent to them unauthorized. They are having a hard time getting their money back. I am turning this company in to ic3.gov which is the FBI Internet Crimes Unit. This isn't right. These people need to be put out of business and I am going to make it my mission. If any others who have complained would also turn them in at ic3.gov that would help. I sent them an email this morning and I am waiting for the offices to be open before I blast them. This just isn't right. People work hard for their money and these idiots do not have the right to take it if it was unauthorized.

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artlover15
, US
Sep 28, 2012 8:35 am EDT

The exact same thing happened to me, and all that hey had to say is that it is my fault for not reading their website...The rep I spoke with said that it is clearly in large print on the website that i would be charged for future products...It is a scam! they get your credit card info and charge you for products that you do not want and tell you its your fault for not reading. Someone really needs to do something about this, I mean if you believe in your product so much there is no reason why you need to TRICK people into paying for it.
Thank you Fancydance1212 for reporting them

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Gwn
Seneca Falls, US
Aug 26, 2012 11:12 am EDT

Same thing happened to me. I was away and busy and didn't noticed that I needed to send it back or I would be charges. They have my credit card! Then they sent me another one! That one I sent back right away. They better not charge me for it. Ridiculous. How can they charge you for something you never ordered?

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DanielABC
Manhattan, US
Aug 23, 2012 11:31 am EDT
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Same story. I ordered a starter set 4 CDs of Brazilian Portuguese. The cost was $9.90. However a few weeks later I receive in the mail the Gold set of CDs which I did not order explaining I'll be charged 4 payments of 64 U$ monthly.

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11:22 am EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Language Instruction

If you make the mistake of ordering their CD for $9.99, you are enrolled in their Gold Courses Level 1, 2, 3 and 4. Your original purchase becomes a license for unauthorized charges against your bank account or credit card amounting to more than a thousand dollars of unordered, unwanted merchandise. If you close your bank account they send it to a collection agency, despite the fact you never ordered any of it. There's no return address to send back the unwanted product, nor are you given your account number to be able to cancel (which you never ordered to begin with). There's supposed to be a law protecting consumers who sign up for free offers from being automatically enrolled for high-priced stuff they never ordered; maybe Pimsleur gets around the law by charging for the initial product rather than offering it for free. Definitely legitimate online merchants don't act this way: if I buy from Zappos or Amazon they don't send products that I never ordered, nor do they raid my bank account with unauthorized charges, and I can send items back for a refund. At Pimsleur however you're a mark not a customer.

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Josip P.
Phoenix, US
Aug 28, 2012 11:03 am EDT

Thanks for the warning. I did in fact order the sample CD, and it was moments after that that I came across this complaint board. I then called [protected] to opt out of the future shipments and charges, and the rep assured me that I wouldn't be receiving any. I'll take him at his word, but I agree that this is not a good business practice. I hope other mail order language course businesses have more consideration for their customers.

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RayBD
San Antonio, US
Jul 27, 2012 11:37 am EDT

I did as above and after a short time I received that "wonderful" second unordered package. The paperwork in the package showed that it was a free trial, but not how long the trial was. So I started listening to the "new" set of CDs. The first 4 were identical to the 4 purchased for $9.99. So on the the 5th thru 16th. when I go to CD #16. It said that it was to go along with the reading materiel provided either in paper form or PDF. Well the CD did not include include a PDF file so I dug into the box that the CD's originally came in and did not find the reading material, but did find a document that explained that this was a 30-day trial and I would be charged four payments of $64 against the credit card used for the original $9.99 purchase. And by now my 30-days were about up. Nowhere in the documentation did it have directions on how to return the package other than a warehouse address where the package came from. I finally found their web site and an 800 number to call and got instructions for shipping it back and getting off their mailing list. Of course the return shipment (UPS at about $15.00) was out of my pocket). They definitely lie when they say they have a way to learn a language in 10-days if they feel they need to keep sending you materiel for which they will charge $1, 064 (4 payments of $64 for each of 4 levels of lessons). The initial $9.99 is just so they can get your credit card information. DON'T DO IT. Go to your local public library and see what they have available.

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1:12 pm EDT

Pimsleur Approach If you are offered a deal on learning a language, do not respond.

I got an offer to order a language product that said I could learn a language in 10 days guaranteed for $9.95. I saw nothing that indicated I would be charged more. I received the course but did not open it because I had other things going on. I ordered it in April 2012 and in May 2012 I began getting bills for $64.oo from the company. I disputed the bill and offered to send the course back, but was told that since I disputed the bill, I would have to wait until the dispute was resolved before I could sen it back. In the meantime, I received a second course and bill which I also disputed, and the company finally agreed to take the second course back.

I got a credit for both courses from my credit card company and thought everything was settled. Today, July 11, 2012, I received another bill for the first course. I called the company again and they said I should have received a letter saying I would be billed, but I did not. They still would not let me send the course back, because the account is frozen. I was told that if I paid the $64.00, they would close the account.

If you are offered a deal on learning a language, do not respond. You will get in a cycle of additional courses and charges you did not bargain for. The web site I went to is Pimsleur $9.95 + Free S&H – Best Pimsleur offer ever. Be very careful because it is not clear that you are going to be charged for more than you contracted for.

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brogain
newyork, US
May 21, 2013 12:43 am EDT

dis iz wack real talk

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brogain
newyork, US
May 21, 2013 12:42 am EDT

im not ###in wit it...i was but im not

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Algier S. Belin
Yeadon, US
Jan 19, 2013 5:15 pm EST

Pimsleur Approach scam me on the learning product. Initially I paid for S/H and the 9.95 CD. The company tried to build by charge care for 300.00 in payments of 62.95. Now I am being threaten by the company to put me in collection for 300.00. Anyone out their can help me.

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12:18 pm EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Fraud

Hi,
I ordered a spanish language learning CD for 9.95 by seeing the advertisement. but within 3 weeks or so i got a deluxe gold package saying that they will charge $64 for easy payments 4 times which was very weard. When i called them they said i had accepted for all these when i ordered it online. It is really a fraud, then i paid $12 unnecessarily and sent it back . so pls donot order these CD's which is a very unsolicited merchandise and a fraud to cheat people who are really interested in learing a new language

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Tuperok
, US
Dec 26, 2012 2:23 pm EST

The fine print in Pimsleur’s contract has an ambiguous link that must be pursued to yet another link en route to finding the language that explains the debt the buyer is signing up for. Contracts that require buyers to successfully pursue a legal reconnaissance mission is trickery and should therefore be invalid. I ordered one language CD for 9.95. Pimsleur then began drawing 64.00 from my bank every month. I called the company and was told that I had signed up for additional merchandise. I told the Pimsleur representative that I had read the fine print carefully and there was nothing about additional merchandise and additional dept. She told me that one of the words on the contract was a link to additional information and that if I had followed that link to another link I would have found the "fine print" detailing the additional merchandise and additional debt of hundreds of dollars. Following a link in the fine print to a second link and then a third? This kind of business practice damages social contracts. If all companies acted like this, buying merchandise would be tantamount to playing roulette. Most of us would rightly choose to go without.

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ThiaBeat
, US
Jul 04, 2012 7:51 am EDT
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It appears that I was scammed in the same manner as many others listed here. I saw a pop up on Amazon (I think) for learning Spanish. I ended up ordering the $9.95 CD and thought that was it. A couple of weeks later I received some type of Gold Package. Since everything in large print said "FREE" I did not pay much attention. However, upon review of my bank account I had been charged approximately $67.00 for this "FREE" gift, and when I read the very small font, I realized that I would be charged monthly. When I phoned them to have the charges reversed I was informed that they could do nothing since I did not cancel, but might be willing to give me a 50% discount.; I declined this offer. I immediately sent a letter to their website and via snail mail letting them know of the many organizations I would be contacting regarding their fraudulent business practices and the fact that they have crossed state lines likely puts them in a precarious position. Oddly, I had a refund within 2 days...in full, and they sent me the UPS pre-paid shipper I requested to return the merchandise; which I did the very next day. While I'm pleased that they reacted so quickly, I know that their response was because they knew I was right. There are many people out there that can be easily scammed, seniors, people going through stressful times, etc.. This is so very wrong!

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Immek
, US
Sep 19, 2012 1:03 pm EDT

In July of 2011, I ordered $9.99 language lessons in Russian. The CD arrived almost two months late; I called to complain and the sales person was very helpful. About a month later I received a box set of Spanish CDs; the bill inside said there was no charge. I figured this was a consolation for my Russian CDs being too late for me to use them.

After this, I never heard anything from the company and there were no unusual charges on my credit card. On February 2, 2012, I received a letter saying I owed them $256 and that they had tried to contact me repeatedly because my credit card had been "denied." The letter threatens to send me to collections if I do not give them a different credit card. There is nothing wrong with my card; the card just refused to pay them.

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dallinlee
Memphis, US
Jun 08, 2009 6:13 pm EDT

I ordered a Spanish starter kit that promised to have me learning a language in ten days though an adertisement on Tiral Pay. I did not recieve a conformation email with the 16-didgit code that I needed. I was charged on my credit card and am now in the dark. I have been scammed for a quick buck!

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2:40 pm EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Scam; Ineffectual Product

Like many posts here (I strongly advise you spend some time and review thee posts), the "come on" $9.95 hook is just that. Not only are you immediately "enrolled" in the higher priced part of the scam, but the first shipment arrives very quickly - before you even have an opportunity to cancel; if you can even get them to do that. Just try and cancel: emails demanding cancellation are not returned and the cancellations are not confirmed; telephone "customer service" does not exist, they just don't answer the phone.

My only recourse was to spend the time and effort and place a dispute with my credit card company for both charges - which were immediately reversed and charged back to this scam.

I am also posting reviews like this on multiple Ecommerce review and ratings sites as well as writing to the local, Philadelphia based, Better Business Bureau for their parent corporation "Internet Order LLC" where THERE ARE 272 COMPLAINTS on record as of this date. I have also written the FBI noting the above - as well are far more extensive data I have collected - and advising the FBI that this scam is using the good and proud name of the FBI to imply the FBI's endorsement and support of this scam.

ALWAYS do Google searches for reviews and ratings, and visit sites such as Complaints Board - BEFORE giving hucksters like these people your credit card number; I wish I had done so before making that mistake.

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Brock Taylor
Taos, US
Nov 21, 2012 1:36 pm EST
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I ordered the $9.99 10 lesson Spanish, and French, lessons from Pimsleur. I paid them via Pay Pal, and received the packages. Now they are sending me more stuff that I didn't order. I have not been charged for it yet, but I am sure I will be. I see others have complained about this. How can I force them to stop sending me stuff and charging me for it?

Thanks,
Brock Taylor

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RarelyComplain
Warren, US
Nov 21, 2012 8:56 pm EST
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This is why you use your credit card, not paypal for these things. I don't know how you are gonna stop pay pal from milking your account but if you used a credit card all you have to do is call them and freeze out any further charges. In any event, you must prevent any further charges up front and now.

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Scorp1on
West Chester, US
Jun 19, 2012 4:44 am EDT

Agree... just getting our first round of doubled up $69 charges per month. Wife had no idea she wasn't buying a 9.99 item but a $700+ installment plan. Everything about the web page is deigned to draw your eye away from the minute-fonted 'terms" in which are buried quickly accruing sets of $277 dollar courses on installment charges. Even the method of cascading the payments is fairly obviously designed to test whether the card holder closely monitors their bill. Wait 30 days $69... 30 days later, bamm... another $69 then again... how many courses they have I have no idea. Wife will be calling today to demand credit and gladly return. If cannot contact or get no satisfaction, will dispute charges, file a complaint with PA attorney general, and complain to PBS that their name is being used for this scam.

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6:02 pm EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Internet Scam

I ordered the $9.95 trial version of the Pimsleur Approach Spanish course. Honestly, I never even got around to opening the box. A little less than a month later I received a "Deluxe Gold Edition" course in the mail. Confused, I went and opened the original box that I received and a note inside congratulated me on enrolling in a rapid fluency program and this "gold course" would be coming as a free 30 day trial. The note also said that I could cancel at any time within the free trial period. I called them that very day to cancel. They kept trying to talk me into keeping it a little longer, offered to make my free trial a few months longer, but I kept saying "no, thanks" so they gave me a code to write on the return box when I shipped it back to them. (Shipping it back to them cost over $25 by the way!) Three months later, thinking that I've wiped my hands of this mess, I'm going through my bank statements and guess what? They had been charging me for the last two months for something I sent back to them months ago! I even have confirmation that they received the returned product! What the heck!?! I had to go to my bank to dispute the charges and get a new card (most people know what a pain that can be, changing all your automatic payments and such) While I was there the clerk tried calling the phone number associated with this automatic withdrawal the Pimsleur people had on my account, and it turns out that it wasn't even a correct phone number! Yeah, pretty sure this is a scam. Oh, and just for clarification, this isn't necessarily the Pimsleur Approach peoples doing, but the company or website that I ordered from, STROLL. However, Pimsleur can blame Stroll for people like me who are now going to talk crap about their product. After all the stress I went through and all the money I lost, who can blame me? Its not like either party is going to make an attempt to set things straight with me or anyone else who got ripped off. So, I don't recommend buying Pimsleur Approach courses, but most importantly, DON'T PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM STROLL!

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Tom M. II
Peckville, US
Mar 30, 2015 10:28 am EDT
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I have the same issue. When I realized after giving my credit card information that it was enrolling me in a program that was much more expensive than the $10 they promised in the video, I called them and recorded the conversation. If there is a class action suit, please post here and I will be glad to join and add my testimony, including how they refused to cancel when I requested, stating that I am living on a budget and they did not make it clear until they got my card information. I eventually had to cancel my credit card because when I thought I was complete with the first set of $64 times 3, then double billed me again. Now they are sending me cards and emails demanding payment, saying I owe another $400-500 in order to close my account. This should be illegal!

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jason2410
, US
Feb 07, 2013 1:58 pm EST

It's amazing how long they can go on doing this kind of fraudulent business and still not in jail. I thought this kind of thing happens only in Nigeria, not in our back yard. I am having a heck of time trying to stopping them from sending me packages that I never agreed to buy.

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Malcatraz
, US
Jan 21, 2013 2:31 pm EST
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Me too. When I ordered from them I was in the process of moving. I just got
A bunch of old mail sent to my house and one of them was from Internet order
LLC. They said they tried billing my card for 256.00 and it was declined. They told
me if I don't pay them by the said date (6 months ago) they were going to sent it to collections! I'm losing my mind right now. I worked to hard to keep my
Credit good I can't afford this. If there's a lawsuit please contact me.

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Full Quiver
Ft. Washington, US
Dec 11, 2012 3:48 pm EST

If you are 100% serious about this class action suit count me in.

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Alekobebe
San Antonio, US
Nov 08, 2012 2:16 pm EST

Alejandro cruz stroll pilsmneur have riping off whit french courses please helpme aleko9495@gmail.com is about $130.00 I dont want these to afect my credit please help...

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PIMSLEUR FRAUD
Pleasanton, US
Jun 19, 2012 7:26 pm EDT
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This EXACT same thing happened to me. I will never get my money back and I am sickened by this. This is a SCAM! I seriously want to file a class action law suit against these people and I would really like some back up here. I have many friends who are attorneys and said they would take this case. Please please please people, do NOT order anything from STROLL. You will seriously NEVER get your money back and they will steal from you FOREVER.

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8:48 am EDT
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Pimsleur Approach Unauthorized ordering of Pimsleur Approach CD's

I did not authorized this company to send any further products. I ordered only one CD for 9.95. When I received the CD, there was a letter in the package that said I would receive a free trial, but in order for it to be free I would have to return the CD. That is not free, that is a scam, because now I have to make the effort, and pay for shipping and insurance, phone calls, emails etc. in order to send back something that I did not order.
There may have been something in fine print on the web page, but it's not reasonable, or acting in the best interest of the customer to say that you are purchasing a CD for ten dollars, then in fine print somewhere there is something saying you are participating in a free trial on a page that is a form for payment for the CD that I was ordering. This is a scam. Many people are being conned by this, and order this, not paying attention to the fine print, and not paying attention to the note in the CD. Fortunately I did some research and realised that they were going to charge my credit card. I have called them and asked them to cancel sending any further CD's. They are giving me 10 days to return the CD set that I didn't order. Since this company has not acted in my best interest, I have no reason to believe that they will act in my best interest in cancelling future shipments of levels 2 and 3, nor do I have any reason to believe they will give me a refund. So my relationship with this company is not mutually agreeable. I never mentally agreed to participate in this free program, so I was tricked by a deceptive practice. I believe I'm entitled to a refund without having to return the product, or I'm entitled to a refund plus the cost of shipping, and shipping insurance. Also I do not agree that I should have to return the product within 30 days. I should be given a more reasonable time period because I am a busy person working one day job, and some entreprenurial work most nights. This is costing me time, and money and I did not ask for this. The reason I had purchased the CD was to evaluate a product that I am thinking of developing that uses a natural language learning process. I do not have any opinion about the pimsleur method itself as I have not listened to the CD.

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Pimsleur Approach Fraud

As a college Spanish teacher, I'm always surprised by some product's advertisement which claim that they have THE greatest method ever developed in order to have their customers speaking a foreign language in record times. However, Pimsleur's claims of having a person speaking a foreign language in 10 days is not only preposterous, but obnoxious. Learning a foreign language (like learning many other skills) is a process that involves MANY different brain functions and that varies greatly from person to person due to factors like age, level of education, dyslexia or other possible language disabilities, and even what primary language they speak and what language they want to learn. Unfortunately (some people may consider it so), like many other disciplines, learning a language involves patience, practice, memorization, practice, reading, practice, understanding important structural and grammatical concepts, and guess what, more practice. Don't even pay attention to this kind of products and claims... THEY ARE A FRAUD! And by all the comments and complaints I have been reading, a fraud in more than one way. Stay away from this people.

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Tygro
, US
Sep 20, 2013 3:03 am EDT

I agree that Pimsluer is a scam, but I agree with some of the concepts the use as building blocks for their lies. I decided to watch an ad video for it and it SOUNDED good, but once you really pay attention to everything being said, you can pick out the lies and the facts. I do agree that there are better ways to learn language than "traditional" methods as far as at least speaking a language. Now, if you want to fully master a language, then you need to take more tedious measures such as going to school to learn the language. Most Americans can't even speak proper English in an "English speaking" country. I digress. Learning to communicate through language is something that comes natural to the average person. I personally enjoy Rosetta Stone's method of immersion. It makes more sense. Many languages have words that do not translate into other languages, so why do we think it's more efficient to try to translate everything into the language of the person learning. This just causes more confusion in the long term. When you learn a language through traditional methods, you end up thinking in two languages, translating in your head, and it takes longer to get your message across or to receive messages others are trying to communicate to you. When you learn a language through immersion, you learn to think in that language separately from your native tongue. Pimsleur is a scam but I know there are better, more effective ways out there to learn foreign languages out there. Not short cuts to learning languages, just more efficient methods.

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Louis Tyan
, US
Feb 17, 2013 12:31 am EST

Pimsluer is deceptive scam. Buy a CD for $9.95, now they charging me for $256.
As a professinal college Spanish teacher you are right.

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Carlos DaSilva
Port Isabel, US
Sep 19, 2012 4:07 pm EDT

I concur, Pimsluer is deceptive scam. Buy a CD for $9.95, now they draining me for $228.

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Pimsleur Approach Deceptive Hard Sell Scam

Their language learning approach might work (they claim the government uses it), but their marketing methods are incredibly deceptive. After watching an overly long and boringly redundant video on their internet site with incredible claims to learn language easily and practically overnight, you're offered a beginning Quick & Simple video for only $10 and FREE SHIPPING! Any buyer will suspect that other videos are available (probably at a higher price) and this is a way to try them out inexpensively. Fine. At check out, there is a small box to one side with very small and pale print (that most people would miss and obviously do) that states...
"Pimsleur Rapid Fluency Purchase Program:
One month after you receive your Quick & Simple you'll begin receiving 30 day trial copies of advanced Pimsleur courses in the language you selected. Each course is yours to try for 30 days. You'll receive a new course once every 60 days. For each course you keep we'll bill you in four monthly payments of $64. Remember, there's never an immediate obligation to buy any course because of the 30-day trial period provided with each shipment. And you may cancel future shipments at any time by calling ..." Have you done the math? That's $256 for each additional CD! I had to go else were on the site to fine out that most courses have 3 to 4 other CDs. That's $768 to over a $1, 000! And they have the gall to "dis" the Rosetta Stone in their long video for the high cost of that competitor's materials . (And F.Y.I.--the rest of the site is colorful, big and "in your face" with grandiose info on the product, but never once mentions anything about a program and automatic delivery of more CDs.) Luckily I spotted that box, erased my general personal info, and left the website before ordering. But apparently my email was captured because now I'm getting emails every day filled with ridiculous pleas to "please come back"..."why didn't you order?"...I've been junking them, but they keep coming, so I'll be calling tomorrow and telling them STOP! This is BIG "BUYER BEWARE!" Don't go near the super hard sell, deceptive tactics of the Pimsleur Approach! I wonder if PBS, Forbes, The New York Times and 10+ other newspapers and magazines know that they are shown heavily throughout the website to endorse Pimsleur? They may not want that if they new about the shady sales tactics.

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Pimsleur Approach Fraudulent Billing scam

I tried a $9.95 foreign language CD and instead was later sent a $256 collection of additonal CDs that I did not order. This is a total scam that I complained, as did my wife, by several phone calls. When you call to complain they talk over you and claim you have to pay or they will ruin your credit rating and send you to collections. It is a major scam. They know exactly what they are doing and should be arrested and sent to prison for terrorizing people who are simply trying a low cost product but instead give a credit card number that Pimsleur's marketing system terrorizes you with. Their plan is to get your credit card number then bill you with limitless charges for all kinds of things they know you did not order.

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najic
Norcross, US
Apr 04, 2013 5:22 pm EDT
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Have they sent your account to any collecting agency so far?

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Louis Tyan
, US
Feb 17, 2013 12:15 am EST

They charged me three times without billing notice, order number is not the original with wrong order date. These information got from my credit card company, Pimsleur is suck.

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MCM58
Warsaw, US
Jul 12, 2012 12:19 pm EDT

Write a letter of complaint to the Attorney General of your state. Also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in Philadelphia, PA (a city in which this company does business). If you call the company again, inform them you are recording the conversation and as calmly as possible, even if you have to talk over them, inform them you did not ask to be enrolled in their Rapid Fluency Program and demand to be removed. Finally, call your credit card company and file a complaint with them. In many cases, the card company will take over fighting the dispute for you and remove the charge from your account.

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Gillian Best
Morgan Hill, US
Apr 24, 2012 6:25 am EDT
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I also signed up for the trial. On my first credit card statement they charged me three times for the "automatic membership". No joy calling to complaint. They just talk without listening, no concern on their part. They got their money and that seems to be all they're interested in. What a rip-off!

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Pimsleur Approach Scam

I ordered a $9.95 set of computer language disks. Later, Pimsleur Approach sent high cost additional materials with a return or pay requirement. I never wanted any of these further materials. Their methods are a scam to get repeated credit card billings. I have turned the issue over to my credit card supplier.

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Nope101
Hanks, US
Jun 25, 2011 3:25 am EDT

Thought I only owed 1 small payment and just got a letter for money I owe and had no idea about not happy

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bchicago24
Libertyville, US
Dec 19, 2012 5:48 pm EST
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I ordered the $9.95 Greek beginner course and a few months later I get more courses with no bill! I thought it was part of the promotion since it said on the bill I owe nothing. I then got a letter a few months later saying that I need to pay $256.00!

I called customer service the moment I received the letter and the supervisor said that there was nothing they can do because it is outside of the 30 day window to return. I tried to explain to them that I didn't order anything else. The supervisor said that I did it was in smaller font on the screen. SCAM! This was a horrible experience. The supervisor wouldn't do anything to help me even though this was the first correspondence I have received from them. This was a horrible mistake.

Please take it from me and do not purchase anything from this company! They do not care about their customers and will not help with something is wrong.

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upset225
Auburn, US
Aug 30, 2013 10:28 pm EDT

Thank you so much people for warning me about this scam before I got involved with Pimsleur. They advertise on facebook and I am going to everybody there about them. I always check out and look complaints about companies before doing business with them. Did this with Fingerhut; they are bad news too. I LOVE the interenet!

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upset225
Auburn, US
Aug 30, 2013 10:25 pm EDT

Thank you people above for warning about this scam by Pimsleur. You saved me a big headache from getting involved with them. I LOVE the interent!

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viv2
Roseville, US
Jul 30, 2013 1:06 pm EDT

Pimsleur on line advertising is very deceptive. What a deal $9.95 includes shipping right? Wrong ! When you order you are actually agreeing to receive many language courses They list 60 different languages! They keep billing you $64.00 a month until you send the CDs back and ask them to stop sending languages. They send out discs and you have a limited time to return them. They bill you $265.95 for that language in ongoing monthly installments. It is an outlandish unbelievable scam. I can't believe they are allowed to continue this public deception. Fraud, Swindling, racketeering come to mind.

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najic
Norcross, US
Apr 04, 2013 5:05 pm EDT
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Have they sent your account to any collecting agency so far?

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Kodydog
Louisville, US
Mar 20, 2013 11:17 am EDT

Same thing happened to me. I purchased the $9.95 thing in January thinking that was "it". I went on vacation and when i returned I found a big black box with lots of CD in it from this Pimsleur company. I couldn't understand this. It didn't seem to me that it could be connected to the $9.95 purchase Imade. I oopened my AX bill and found a charge for $64.00. I called the 800 number and got the most arrogant woman on the phone. She REFUSED to cancel the order (which I never placed) or tell me where I can return it. She said it was the "Gold" edition and I didn't return it in 30 days so the billing has begun and she won't stop it. I was beside myself. I was in Florida for 6 weeks while this "Gold" edition sat at the post office. I told her I WOULD NOT pay for one more charge to my account. She said, "Sorry, it's already 'in the system'". After repeated attempts to stop this, I hung up. I looked at the complaints onthe internet about this company. Then called American Express who said they will block this merchant from charging anything to me again.

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jopeta
Levittown, US
Mar 19, 2013 12:14 pm EDT

The same thing happened to me as the first post. Then when I call, they tell me it's included in the information. Not... I ask to speak to a manager because I didn't feel as though I should pay the $6.00 return fee. I also expressed I would go to the bank for the card and lodge a complaint. So the operator comes back on the line and is going to send me a UPS return label. I'm not sure if I got this through Groupon or another like Groupon but I am going to lodge a complaint with them as well. The operator was so nice, I told her she is too nice to work for a company like that. Never again!

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Ingride
Niagara Falls, US
Feb 19, 2013 4:09 pm EST

In September 2012 I fell for this scam and purchased the $9.95 CD. Two weeks later a larger package arrived from the same company. I called them and asked what was this about. They replied (the guys from www.pimsleurapproach.com) that it is a 30 day trial and so I should try it and if I don't like it I can return it. I replied that I am really not interested, I just bought the CD for $9.95 and that was all I wanted. After much arguments the person gave in and sent me a return authorization by email. Two days later I returned the package (imagine I had to pay for usps shipping for something I never ordered!). Now, February 2013, I receive a pink envelope from someone named Kelly Heart (I figured after I opened the envelope from the same address as the Pimsleur co. ) Inside, a warning or rather a threat how they will send me to collections because they couldn't collect the $264 from my credit card for all these past months (!) and how I owed them this amount of money, etc.
Needless to say how I felt. I called the company (by the way, it doesn't matter it states Internet LLC, it is the same company as Pimsleur approach, they are all in the same game, the same scam, so please, do not believe for a second that this is an honest business and that some other parties are responsible). On the phone I explained how 5 months ago I returned their package, etc, only to find out that they have already sent me to a collection agency and this Kelly Heart is nothing but the name of their collection agency!
I was so upset that I didn't want to speak any further, the guy asked me if I had proof that I returned their package!
Next day, luckily a Saturday, I spent it all looking for a receipt and a tracking number from last year. It literally took me the whole day to look through all my paperwork, and yes, I did find both, receipt and tracking number which I verified again on line to confirm that they received the package only two days after!
Now, I am debating how to proceed. I read a lot on line about this scam and I feel someone needs to do something to stop these people and their scam. Also, I don't know at this time if my credit score has been damaged, I need to find out as I have been working really hard for the last year to increase my score.
Any suggestions are welcome and again, please be aware of this BIG SCAM!

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Louis Tyan
, US
Feb 17, 2013 12:40 am EST

Pimsleur Approach is a sleazy company that sends out DOZENS of spam email per day.
They are going charge you $256.00, close your credit card to avoid further charge.

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Pimsleur Approach FRAUD SCAM ALERT

Pimsleur Approach is a sleazy company that sends out DOZENS of spam email per day. Despite having 'opted out' numerous times their spam pours in by the dozens every day. If this company chooses to advertise their company in this way I can only imagine how they run their operations. I have no doubt that this company is a scam and a fraud and from the volume of complaints I see about it across the internet it should be avoided at all costs. Hopefully the FTC will step in soon and shut this scam and fraud of a company down for good!

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gdwolf
Dayton, US
Sep 02, 2013 12:20 pm EDT

It sounds like your a whinny cry baby that needs attention. Before running your mouth get the facts. The only thing I see in your complaint is that your down grading a company that you have no information on except an email that ISN'T always sent out by the company itsef, but by affiliates that are trying to make a living. Your comments about being a lair, cheat etc., so you harbor a dislike for yourself, you tell others that they are liars, cheats, and pickpockets, because you yourself have cheated and stoled from people and and you feel that everybody else is too. I for one have used the programs and can speak 7 laugaus and can write in 3. But of coarse in your eyes I am a lair and a cheat and work for the company because I don't agree with you.

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flushot
Livonia, US
Nov 22, 2012 6:53 am EST

To the individual who wrote:

"Stop Complaining and take responsibility for your actions. The website clearly states that you will revive other orders. I saw the terms and conditions, why didn't anybody else? Oh i know.. because you didn't READ.. Now how is that their fault? Smh.. get it together...When I called to return I didn't get through either, but on their website you can chat live with a rep, and they gave me return info... I bet none of you thought of that, now did you... Of course not..."

I agree we should read the agreement but it is nonetheless a sleazy and underhanded way to do business. Your support of such tactics clearly indicates that your character is in question. Also, if you agreed to the terms because as you stated you READ them, then why did you call to break the contract you had originally agreed to? Does the 'Learn in 10 days' not really work? Hum? Another possible scam. You appear to be a liar and a fraud yourself and obviously support Barney Franks and his foul ilk. Supporting such ignoble morals makes me think you must either work for the company in question, be a lawyer, politician or pick pocket. Perhaps a combination of several of the the above which would go a long why towards your ultimate goal of being a liberal talk show host. Good day.

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Read People
Philadelphia, US
Jan 16, 2012 8:17 pm EST

Stop Complaining and take responsibility for your actions. The website clearly states that you will revive other orders. I saw the terms and conditions, why didn't anybody else? Oh i know.. because you didn't READ.. Now how is that their fault? Smh.. get it together...When I called to return I didn't get through either, but on their website you can chat live with a rep, and they gave me return info... I bet none of you thought of that, now did you... Of course not...

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Pimsleur Approach Frauduletnt sales technique and scam

Purchased three Quick & Simple Spanish learning CD for Christmas presents, at no time during phone conversation with sales staff or on their Internet order sight was the Rapid Fluency Program Gold program mentioned. After receiving the initial order I opened the package to confirm the shipment and read the flyer included. This was the first mention of the on-going Gold Program where 16 additional CD would be sent again no mention of cost or billing. I called the number in the flyer and after several demands to know the nature of the additional CD program and the cost I was finally informed my credit card would be billed for 3 payments totaling $ 248..00 for each of the three Quick and Simple programs I received. I demanded to stop immediately any affiliation with Pimsleur Approach and was first told I would have to wait until the 1st Gold CD arrived and then could cancel. I asked for a supervisor and was disconnected. I called back again requested a supervisor and was not none available. I finally demanded that the accounts be closed and no further shipments be made regarding any products from Pimsleur Approach. I was told the account was closed. I requested an e-mail confirmation and was told it would be sent immediately. 3 hours later I had not received the confirmation and called back this customer service agent told me the accounts were closed I again demanded a cancellation confirmation and finally received e-mail confirmation on both my email address and my wife's. a week later I received 3 additional shipments from Pimsleur Approach I called customer service to inquire about the shipments with cancellation email in hand. I was told nothing else was shipped out and the account was closed. I inquired about why I just received 3 additional boxes and she said they did not ship anything and I needed to open to determine what was shipped. I informed I did not want to open boxes wanted a return to shipper number to send back she told me they could not do anything until I opened the package to determine what was sent and the account number. With significant reservations I am going to be forced to open the 2nd shipments. This company is an obvious SCAM! WARNING DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM THEM. I will contact the PA Attorney General Office tomorrow to file a formal complaint. I am also contacting the US Postal Service Agents in the Ft. Worth office to inquire about filing a complaint for mail fraud.

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Joseph M. McKinney
, US
Jun 12, 2014 3:07 am EDT

I agree with third complaint, because this same situation happen to me. I didn't see the additional information telling me I was ordering any additional CDs of this course.

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Scorp1on
West Chester, US
Jun 19, 2012 4:50 am EDT

Wife thought she was ordering a $9.95 course. Obviously this scam is designed to get the same amount of money out of a consumer as Rosetta Stone's above-board pricing but deceptively. We just saw our first round of doubled up $69 charges in one month. Wife had no idea she wasn't buying a 9.99 item, but rather a $700+ installment plan. Everything about the web page is deigned to draw your eye away from the minute-fonted 'terms" in which are buried quickly accruing sets of $277 dollar courses on installment charges. Even the method of cascading the payments is fairly obviously designed to test whether the card holder closely monitors their bill. Wait 30 days $69... 30 days later, bamm... another $69 then again... how many courses they have I have no idea. Wife will be calling today to demand credit and gladly return. If cannot contact or get no satisfaction, will dispute charges, file a complaint with PA attorney general, and complain to PBS that their name is being used for this scam.

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AJD803
X, US
Jun 07, 2012 8:32 am EDT
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I am sorry to hear about the problems you all have been having... I hope it all gets resolved. I have never (and will never) order anything from Pimsleur. What I do to avoid situations like this is just go visit all the public libraries in the area and check and see if they have any Language CDs. If they do great, I can check them out and rip them to my computer at no cost! Best of luck in your claims against Pimsleur. This is looking like it might turn into a class action suit one day...

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Kc4IN
Fort Wayne, US
Jun 02, 2012 1:37 pm EDT

I agree with first complaint on this site, because it is exactly what happen to me with Pinsleur Approach. I also bought Spanish Quick Learning CDs for $9.95 and was not told in ad or by person in customer service or order status that I would be recieving Gold Edition from Pimsleur. I recieved a bill saying I owed them $248.00 for Gold Editions of Spanish lesson. So was going to send back Gold Edition to Pimsleur and cancel all orher orders. Called Customer Service and Lady I talked to was very very rude and unprofessional and told me the time to return lessons had passed and that Pimsleur would not accept Gold edition back if I sent it to them. So I told her then anything sent thru mail without company notifying person product is being sent to is concidered as FREE and no charges can be collected by said company. So told her I guess Pimsleur had sent these lessons to me for free cause no one told me anything about recieving any further lessons from them. Feel I tried to give them a way to end all this by sending Gold Edition back but would not let me do that and would not let me know where to send Gold Edition. So, she immediately got very rude and said " Wel then. We'll just mark your order as unpaid!" and then hung up phone on me. So I have free Spanish Gold Edition Lesson from Pimsleur Approach. I will be contacting BBB, Attorney General in the State Of Indiana, Post Master General of US Postal Service and filing complaint with them for Frudulent charges thru USMail and Scam for fraud charges with Attorney General Office in Indiana on Pimsleur Approach in Phiadelphia, Pennsylvania. And sending letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Office also. Maybe then this company will learn so disclose all information so that person cancel or just order first lessons and cancel Gold edition from them!

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June Ejiogu
Jamaica, US
May 30, 2012 2:08 am EDT

I really agree with you Thane David about Pimsleurs approch to the program, right now my credit company has done an investigation on how they charge you over and over...everything you said above start going wrong for me this Feb 2012. I started with them last year. Please email me at junejubert1@aol.com to be another person who is having problems with them and the charges. I will definetely stand by what you say, please let me know what I can do as well. Always, June Ejiogu

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Thane David
Santa Fe, US
Apr 30, 2012 6:40 am EDT

Yes, a video advertised a certain price and contents, then suddenly we are sent the gold edition. Deceptive.

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FM Sexton
Farmington, US
Jan 20, 2012 12:30 pm EST
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I resently purchased 4 Quick and Simple language CD sets from Pimsleur. After reading these scam alerts and when the programs were one day late I called and stayed online till I was greeted by a representative. Her name is Charlene. She was very polite and located all my sets as to where they were. I explained what my intent was and we parted conversation. The next day I received two of my sets and the following day I received the third. One is on back order and in their warehouse. I fill sure I will receive this one also. I did also receive the Gold program that I did not want. I again called and stated I did not intend to order or want this program. The lady (whose name slips me) informed me that after my earlier conversation with Charlene the Gold program was cancelled to all programs. When I get my back ordered program I will of course verify this. These people were very courteous and proffessional. My only complaint is the way the Gold program is included and apparently many others have the same problem. This is poor copywriting and should be corrected. FM Sexton fmsexton@yahoo.com 1/20/12

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Pimsleur Approach shipped the 30-day trial &in error&

I ordered the $9.95 Quick & Simple lesson, and was also shipped the Level 1 Gold Course "in error". I was told I had to return the course to avoid being charged.
I believe they are operating with deceptive business practices, and counting on the fact that some customer will either not read the email about the courses received "in error" or forget to return the package in time.

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Angrylady-nomore internetpurchasesfor me
Orwigsburg, US
Jun 18, 2012 2:15 pm EDT

The above also happened to me and I was dissuaded from returning the first unsolicited shipment because it says FREE TRIal and order total $0.00. Then at the top is said "Paid by: Credit Card". So now they say I owe the first two payments of $69.12 each. This is very deceptive advertising and I believe could be considered fraudulent. I have now turned the matter over to my credit card company but maybe I should still send them a certified letter stating that I will accept no further shipments.

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teej42
Fairfax, US
Feb 09, 2012 7:00 pm EST

I am so glad I looked into this before ordering. Anytime something sounds too good to be true, it never fails to be exactly that...not true! Thanks for saving me that incredible anguish which obviously comes with the small loss of $10. I usually do the research first before I jump at an unbelievable offer, and this is a really good example of why that is such an important example to follow!

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Maureen Niemeyer
Fair Oaks, US
Nov 28, 2011 6:21 pm EST

This is exactly what happened to me. Just spoke to Pimsleur who told me I was billed in error because it has been less than 30 days. Should not have been billed until December 7, 2011. Even more importantly, I did not know that by purchasing the 'limited time, special offer" that I was also going to be charged $64 for each of apparently many future shipments of the 'real' language courses. Even the order sheet in the box is deceptive. It says 'unit price FREE' and order total $ 0.00' .But at the top of the form it says 'paid by Credit Card'. I bought the $9.95 course because it sounded like a complete beginners course. Now I have to pay to ship this course back within 10 days. There are no return shipping refunds. This company's practices are COMPLETELY DECEPTIVE IF NOT DOWNRIGHT FRAUDULENT.

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Pimsleur Approach SCAM!

DONT DO IT! save your self the hassle... i ordered the 9.95 spanish set and it took twice as long as it was expected to arrive to finally come in the mail. and then about a month later i was sent the golden free trial which i did not ask for or want. and a day after recievingi t in the mail my debit card was charged 64.00. i called the company and they said i had 10 days to send it back if not then i would be charged 4 payments of 64.oo and on top of that i had to pay for return costs and after it was sent back i would recieve my refund. this was a huge inconvienence and hassle.

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fredericharwood
washington, US
Dec 27, 2013 1:34 pm EST

a friend did me the favor of sending me the $9.95 introduction. a month later a "gold level" box arrived in the mail with 16 cds. i did not ask for it, so i ignored it. next i get a dunning letter from them. afraid of a credit demerit, i called them and complained and negotiated a settlement price of about half of what they were asking for. now i discover that they only sent me half of level one, and that to get the rest of level one i have to buy more cds.
by the way, i like the program--pimsluer was a professor at ohio state, and designed a wonderful program. unfortunately, it is now in the hands of unethical marketers--shame on simon and shuster who own the program.
frederic harwood

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Kdols
Vista, US
Aug 12, 2013 11:57 am EDT

Strange symbols appeared in my texts when I posted it!

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Kdols
Vista, US
Aug 12, 2013 11:52 am EDT

I to ordered the $9.95 set and was sent the gold set. There was a box on the form I submitted with my credit card payment about the gold edition and I unchecked that box. I did not send the gold set back, but I did cancel that debit card after they got me for $128.00. They have been after me and trying repeatedly to charge the cancelled card. I'm giving in and paying them because I don't want a collection on my credit report.
This has made me wiser about reading all the fine print.
If anyone is interested, a letter I received from the company listed them as : I.O, LLC. 1600 JFK Blvd. 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103.

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fineprintgal
Albany, US
Aug 04, 2013 9:31 am EDT

I was fortunate enough to research their website before buying into their program. For those of you reading this that have not given your $10 to this company...educate yourself first! Each language requires 4 separate CD disks. You will be sent a disk every 8 weeks and charged $64 a month for each disk. If you are doing the math in your head, you'll realize that you start paying for the next disk before the last one is paid off, making your monthly charge $128, not $64. Also, the free trial period begins the day you give your credit card info, not the day you receive the first disk. It could be 3 weeks before you get that first disk, giving you a week left to your trial period to get it back to them if you are not satisfied. If they dont get it back in exactly 30 days from the time you signed up, you are officially in it for the long haul. That said, the entire language program will cost under $1100 and that's not bad if you will indeed be fluent in the language at the end of the program. Taking a language course at the college will cost you that much and you will only learn the basics. The catch is (and they are counting on this) is that you will lose interest, much like becoming a gym member, and they'll have your money whether you learn the language or not.

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terry a. ritchie
Crossville, US
Jul 21, 2013 2:46 pm EDT

It happened to me too! I drive a truck and thought it would be a productive way to spend my time to learn a language. Anything that sounds that good should have warned me to be more careful. I just received my unwanted "gold edition" in the mail and hope that I can send it back and not be charged, but it appears that this is the m.o. of this company in order to bilk money from folks. I will contact my bank and try to stop them from continuing this scam that way. This causes much concern that they "got me" and there isn't a recourse. It should be reported to the appropriate authorities so maybe they can put a stop to this.

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aryan_sj
, US
Dec 26, 2012 9:20 pm EST

Hi,
Can i file a police complain? i see 64 charged to my account for a pack i didnt order and not even open. I am calling them tomorrow. If they dont agree, i am ready to file a police case for fraud.

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Regulate
Alberta, US
Aug 02, 2011 7:05 pm EDT

Listen up and spread the word around. This is called negative option marketing. It means that there is usually a box or form that you have to fill in or opt out of if you DON'T want the "free trial". Most people never know they are signed up. Technically, the company is operating within the law, because the trial and all the other nonsense is clearly written out in size 2 font on a backpage somewhere. So what are consumers to do?
You can call and hold for awhile ans maybe get some sort of break, OR, you can file a charge-back on with your credit card provider. This doesn't mean you'll win. It is a legal transaction. But these companies operate under shady circumstances which makes them vulnarable to these charge-backs. The reason is that VISA, Mastercard, and Amex especially go through a lot of trouble to invesitgate and mediate these charge-backs. So a company gets a certain ceiling per month that it can hit. After that, they are not allowed to process that type of card. That's why you should call and threaten charge-backs. BTW - every payment counts as one; so if you owe 4 payments or have bee n deducted 4 payments, that means four seperate charge-backs. I worked for a similar "company" and they feared that more than anything. Imagine not being able to process VISA cards. - Like I said. Call them and try it. See what happens. And be firm.

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Pimsleur Approach Deceptive, Misleading

I saw a $9.95 edal on a daily sale website for two language CDs from Pimsleur. When I clicked on it, I was re-directed to the company website. I ordered the $9.95 deal and thought I was done with it. I received what I ordered, then sometime later (due to the second shipment being lost and then found by the post office) I received a high-dollar language course that I did not order. Pimsleur uses the $9.95 deal to lure unsuspecting consumers into a "free trial" program for their expensive language course. By purchasing the $9.95 deal, one os automatially enrolled in the free trial (30-days). The enrollment in the high-dolalr course is poorly indicated on their website and can be eassily overlooked. Pimsleur had already debited the first insallment for the larger course from my card. I called the company and cancelled the program, mailing their course back to them. Now waiting to see if they indeed return my money. Beware of this company and anything they try to sell. They are misleading and deceptive.

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lmetter
Chatt, US
Apr 26, 2012 8:35 am EDT

i ordered a $9.95 course which they sent. two weeks later they shipped me a Deluxe Gold Edition more advanced course formwhich they expected $200+, and said i would receive one automatically each month and be billed for it! i enclosed a letter explaining why i did NOT want any Deluxe Gold Editions, and sent the box back certified mail, return receipt requested. i never received the signed receipt. nor was i billed that i can track down. BUT today i got another one! then i found several websites like this one detailing their fraudulent shipments etc. how do i make them acknowledge the returns and stop sending them to me? if anyone can provide any help or a contact who would help me, i would be very grateful.

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Legit Consumer
Wentzville, US
Dec 16, 2009 12:53 pm EST

I sent off for the tial offer to learn Spanish and then with out authorization they sent me a Gold Course CD package and said that I had 30 days to return or they were going to charge my credit card 4 payments of $59.00. I contacted them to return the package and cancel telling them that I did not sign up for the program.

They said that this was automatic and is normal business practise, I don't think so. They game me a return number and said to ship anyway I want since I had to pay for the return shipping, WHAT A SCAM!

It cost me for something I never ordered, beware of this company.

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Mark Sutton
Chicago, US
Jun 01, 2011 10:26 pm EDT

Ordered a 9.95 language course, received the course. Then months later started receiving large CD compilations without ordering them. Then I received un authorized charges for 64.00 each. I called this company, they said I should have notified earlier, but i complained that I never received an invoice, I never received the terms to this deal, I NEVER Authorized nor ORDERED this product and demand a refund. I spent of 17 minutes of the phone to be told the there was no one that could help me. I then told this person to transfer me to his boss, I was then put on hold for long period of time. THIS IS A COMPLETE SCAM.

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Leyla and her two daughters
Tustin, US
Mar 09, 2011 1:00 am EST
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Misleading: I paid $9.95 for the basic Italian CDs. I did not see the little asterik that said I would then be enrolled in the Gold program. Shortly after receiving my basic CD - which I did not even have time to start - I got a package with the first Gold level Italian lesson. They write "Congradulation!" on the package. Congradulations for what? Being duped into receiving more than I wanted? It cost me $10.75 to return the package. So my basic Italian lessons cost me double what was advertised on their site. They should be upfront about the enrollment in the Gold learning program rather than sneak in a little symbol that is easy to miss.

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PimsleurApproach
Ruskin, US
Nov 03, 2011 7:28 pm EDT

Order a program to learn Spanish. Received it, tried it and didn't like kit. Then a week or 2 later received there GOLD addition form a trial. This was UNORDERED ! Have tried several time to return it to the. No success. Have tried calling them No answer or on hold. SCAM SCAM

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RM Sahagun
Oxnard, US
Feb 21, 2012 5:46 pm EST

DO NOT BUY FROM THIS COMPANY! I REPEAT DO NOT BUY FROM THIS COMPANY! They will rip you off look at their home page and it tells you that for 9.95 you will get the following:
"• FREE SHIPPING (ships Next Business Day)
• Full 30-day money-back guarantee (just in case)
• 8 fluency-oriented language lessons on 4 CDs
• Entry in the Pimsleur Rapid Fluency Purchase Program
• Learn from a Native on CD audio, iPod or MP3
This is the worst company I have ever worked with. The customer service rep (an older lady sounding individual, woes horribly rude, even yelling at me over the phone at times. When you go to order on the next page it has the same information as the first page, which one believes to be an honest representation of the first page---that is the same information and deal. Therefore, one orders believing one will get the special rate deal. But this IS NOT THE CASE THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF AND FURTHER IN A MOMENT OF HEATED ANGER THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP JUST SAID I AM SENDING YOU TO COLLECTIONS. HAVE A GOOD DAY. IS THIS THE TYPE OF COMPANY YOU WANT TO DO SERVICE WITH? NEVER! A GOOD SOLID HONEST BUSINESS ALWAYS TREATS THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH RESPECT AND SEEKS TO GAIN THIER LOYALTY. Pimsleur Approach NEVER DID ANY OF THIS.

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squalid
New Port Richey, US
Mar 15, 2012 6:44 pm EDT
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I ordered an introductory CD for $9.95 then they sent me a huge box of lesson CDs that I did not order and charged me $65.00 for them. I called them to resolve the matter and they refused to refund me. The rep on the phone kept trying to sell me more discs. I had to get a new banking card so they would stop charging me.

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Jeane1
, US
Apr 22, 2013 8:34 pm EDT

I felt being totally cheated today. I placed the first order of the basic Pimsleur in December last year and went out of the country until today. What I got for today was 2 boxes containing Gold Level 1 and 2 having sent to me WITHOUT my acknowledgement and of course, my card was charged $256.
I was angry because they obviously tried to hide the fact that every 30 days, there would be a new trial being sent to you and if you're not there to open and carefully read thoroughly, you'll be in trouble!
And ridiculously how they made it so easily to put the products in your hand when it is really hard for the return option. Call to that number is the only way. Waited for 10 mins to talk to a representative. Then you'd hear the instruction for the address, and the thing call RMA No. which is a series of letter and number and dashes. This whole thing can easily be informed and done online. Plus the phone connection is bad!
And you'll have to send the product back within 10days after the RMA No. is issued!
I'd definitely block them from future automatic charge!
I haven't tried a minute in the CDs and dont know how good this method is, , but this scam from the product comapny already pissed me off!
And I hope these reviews should be spread so the customers can stay away from this company, or they will have to change their customer care policy! Simply ridiculous!

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Louis Tyan
, US
Feb 17, 2013 12:47 am EST

Pimsleur Approach is a sleazy company that sends out DOZENS of spam email per day. Despite having 'opted out' numerous times their spam pours in by the dozens every day. If this company chooses to advertise their company in this way I can only imagine how they run their operations. I have no doubt that this company is a scam and a fraud and from the volume of complaints I see about it across the internet it should be avoided at all costs. Hopefully the FTC will step in soon and shut this scam and fraud of a company down for good!

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trace of trash
Philadelphia, US
Dec 31, 2012 1:33 pm EST

If you're under the impression that you've received something without ordering.. typically you open the package and see what's inside.. You don't carelessly throw it in the garage and hope that it was free. NOTHING is free.. and if you pay $9.95 for the quick and simple.. why on earth would you receive 5 times the material for free?..

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