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The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about WordSmart

Welcome to our customer reviews and complaints page for WordSmart. We understand that making informed decisions about where to invest your time and money can be challenging, which is why we've created this platform for our community to share their honest feedback about their experiences with WordSmart.

On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used WordSmart's products or services. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service.

Whether you're considering doing business with WordSmart, or you've already had an experience with them, our community's reviews and complaints will give you a valuable perspective on what to expect. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about where to invest your time and money, and we hope that our platform will be a valuable resource for you.

Please feel free to browse our reviews and complaints and share your own experience with WordSmart. Your feedback is an important part of our community and will help others make informed decisions.

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WordSmart Sucked Too? Info that might help you.

After my experience with WordSmart, I’ve learned a few things about telemarketing purchases. I hope others will find this information useful.

· Register your phone with the Nat’l Do Not Call Registry at https://www.donotcall.gov/
· Do not purchase anything by phone until you’ve researched the company/ product.
· Discovery offers their customers one-use credit card numbers for single, one-time only purchases. Personally, I will NEVER give my credit card information by phone every again --unfortunately, not even to charity and non-profit organizations.

Here are some helpful websites:

· FTR, Telemarketing Sales Rules, 16, CFR Part 310, http://www.ftc.gov/os/2002/12/tsrfinalrule.pdf
(Sec. 310.3 Deceptive telemarketing acts or practices: This section states that upon request, audio-recorded transaction must be made available to a customer.)

· FTC, Facts for Consumers, Straight Talk on Telemarketing, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel15.shtm

· FTC, Facts for Consumers about Telemarketing http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/phone.shtm

· FTC, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, 16 CFR Part 255 http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf

· Consumer Protection Group Bulletin (7-5-11) re: FTC ruling on advertising endorsements. States that endorsements or testimonials must be honest and non-misleading. WordSmart’s telemarketing script begins with a reference to a son/daughter’s high school endorsing their product. Check with your high school chances are they did no such thing. http://www.bryancave.com/files/Publication/327f2f48-6352-4141-91df-0481a6fa072a/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/059d2f86-698d-41ca-8483-091df607270a/FTC%20Advertising%20Endorsement%20Scrutiny.pdf

Here are websites to submit a complaint:

· FTC Complaints: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
· National Consumers League’s Fraud Center: https://secure.nclforms.org/nficweb/nfic.htm

If you think you have been taken advantage of by WordSmart. Don't be silent and passive. ACT.

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WordSmart Telemarketing Scam

In April I received a cold call from a WordSmart telemarketer. She told me that WordSmart had a table at my daughter's high school college and career day and that she had expressed interest in their product. The telemarketers probably used this line with everyone. She lied to me. My daughter had never seen the product. THIS IS IMPORTANT. If you get a cold call from WordSmart, PASS ON IT. Once they have your credit card they will change your card every month for their subscription service plus shipping and handling to the tune of $62.68. There is no chance of getting a refund past the 30 days. After reading the complaints from the other people who took the time to write and submit one, I called our bank and cancelled my credit card. I sent back the unwanted/ unused CDs by certified mail requesting a refund which I will probably never see. After the way that the customer service people treated me, it is completely apparent that they don't care if their customers are dissatified with their telemarketing services or customer service in general. When I referenced the scam complaints re: other people who had be duped into their subscription service her response was that people who write complaints have nothing better to do. Wow. I think she truly enjoyed the process of telling me that I wouldn't get a refund. When I called back to make sure that no additional CDs would be shipped she had me repeat my customer # four times probably just for fun. THESE PEOPLE ARE TRULY HORRIBLE --- DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM. WORDSMART IS A SCAM. If they really cared about their customer service they would review their telemarketing procedures to find out why so many people are signing up for a subscription with monthly charges being made to their credit cards without knowing it.

Lady customer service rep -- since you say you read these online complaints, people who take the time to write and post complaints online are people who genuinely care about other people and want to share their experience in the hopes of helping others avoid an unfortunate situation rather than that we are a bunch of freaks with too much time on our hands. You propably tell people that to shut them up.

Given how many postings there are re: WordScam -- oops, WordSmart, I really think a class action suit should be filed. I am definitely writing and calling the BBB, FTC telemarketing dept., FCC Consumer Complaints and State of California, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, PO Box 944255, Sacramento, CA [protected].

If you've been scammed into WordSmarts' subscription service please call and write and be heard. Not because you have "too much time on your hands" but because you care about other people and what them to be spared having to do business with a company that is out right deceitful in their telemarketing practices.

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HSTeacherMon
Sanger, US
Jul 02, 2012 11:55 am EDT
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I too was led to believe that my son wanted the program. The customer service "lady" was rude and unhelpful. We are being charged $89 a month for tutoring that my son has yet to receive...and that I didn't agree to! I was told with our cd purchase he got 30 days of free tutoring-which never happened either. But I was supposed to call and say I didn't want to continue with the non-existent tutoring! So I can't cancel without paying $150 MORE for still nothing! Nice scam...charge people, give them nothing and charge them so they won't continue to get charged while receiving NO SERVICE! Canceled my debit card--good luck continuing to charge me.

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onemadhen
Greenville, US
Nov 17, 2011 6:54 pm EST
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I too believed my son had "shown great interest" in this product. I thought it would be a nice surprise for him. He opened it and looked at me like "what's this?" After attempting three times to return the product because he didnt like it, I was told it was too late. The customer service lady was rude and refused to let me speek to anyone else. I did report this to the BBB. PLEASE do not answer your phone if they call. Chances are you too will fall for their spill. They play on your emotions with your child, convincing you that your child wants this product. Terrible business practice!

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I don't know anything about their product because I never opened the package; but the company itself is the worst I ever dealt with; Firstly, they stole my daughter's information from (I assume) SAT private information website and they called my home phone, which we are paying to be protected from the Scam; the lady verified my daughter's information and...

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WordSmart Ripped off

Please email me if you think you have any suggestions as to what to do next/similar stories to mine that were successful: [protected]@gmail.com

Alright. So like most if not all of the rest of y'all, the wordsmart company ripped me off and I feel scammed.

Sometime in October, I ordered the wordsmart sat prep with the promise of a money-back guarantee and a 200 point increase or money-back guarantee.
Of course the product actually came later then they say it did. But regardless, I realize that I don't need it anymore because I've already submitted my college apps that I would have liked a higher score for.
I call early November and customer id number 1444 tells me I need to call back again before, and this is important, November 27th with my dad because I'm not 18. Fast forward to November 23 and already they must have taken a holiday vacation because there is nobody to pick up the phone. I call and I call from then until the 29th, leaving several voicemails, and finally I get a call from another customer rep who tells me all is well because they were on holiday and she counted my voicemails as a request for an extension on the return and gives me a return number.
Now I think everything is going to be okay. I pay $10 more to put wordsmart back in the mail on the 1st of December and give two weekends for processing. Now today, I'm suspicious because I still hadn't had the money put back on my account so I call and 1444 tells me the return date was actually the 21st of November and the other rep was wrong in accepting the return...so they're shipping it back to me with no return of money what so ever.
They say the only other thing that can be done is contacting the board of directors, but I have no idea what I would say to them via fax, how that would even help, or how long it would take for anything at all to be done.

Like I said at the top please email me if you think you have any suggestions as to what to do next/similar stories to mine that were successful:
[protected]@gmail.com

Thanks for reading, I hope everyone gets what they deserve from wordsmart, as well as they themselves get what they deserve, and I'd appreciate any and all advice you can share

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WordSmart dispute charges & collection

Dont's buy Wordsmart, or you will be handling unwanted Cds mail to you and charge to your card, or you will receive collection
letters from debt collection agencies (not just one) for the charges you don't owe Wordsmart. In a word, once you have a record
with them, you are in a status of endless headaches with Wordsmart.

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H. A. Corbett
Houston, US
Nov 10, 2010 7:42 pm EST
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I have had the same problem with WordSmart regarding collection letters for debt that I did not owe. I filed complaints with the CA AG and the BBB in San Diego, CA The AG sent a letter to WordSmart around the end of October. Today I received a call from WordSmart stating that there was this terrible mistake and that they are so sorry. I guess so with the State AG asking questions. After the call from WordSmart I called the CA AG, to apprise them of the responce from WordSmart. They advised me that nothing was sure until they received a written responce from WordSmart - Words over the phone do not mean anything until one receives a written responce. I mentioned that others were having the same problem that I was, however the agent told me that I was the only person that had made a complaint to them. So file complaints with the BBB and The AG of California - they will look into the situation.
H. A. Corbett, Houston, TX Tel: [protected] Complaint Board please dp not post my name or city for a couple of weeks. However, I will take calls from registered phone numbers to assist anyone who has had similar problems with this company

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WordSmart Rip-off / SCAM

We ordered the software based on a cold-call. I should have known better, but I'm too nice. The sales person was cold and VERY push - named Judy M - when I tried to end the call nicely she was horrible. However, my daughter was coming up on ACT/SAT and like a fool I thought it might help. She tried the software and basically it was boring and not something a good student (not great!) would sit through. She is a B student and is fine. However, the problem comes in when I went to return the product.

She did not complete any of the programs, tried it for a while, but stopped. In fact we only installed a few of the DVDs. Since she did not TEST and we could not give them the score (it's very tricky) then they WOULD NOT refund the money. So you eat $30 in shipping and handling. I'm still waiting on the refund, it will be interesting. When I called it was like I was dealing with a used car salesman. Because of the annoying voice of the EC (Judy above) I knew who I had on the phone for customer service. She was horrible not accomodating and not. Push, rude and there is no customer service.

STAY AWAY from this product, unless you like giving money to sleezy organizations.

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Tripcat
Louisville, US
Jan 02, 2012 2:15 pm EST

@richard hungwhell
Well based on your name I can tell you have issues already. No we tried the program it as painful and useless. You obviously are a sucker for marketing. Read the complaints you will see you are very much in the minority. Then again based on your name you probably work for the ###.

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notintheoffice
, US
Oct 31, 2011 5:42 am EDT

I'm a former employee of WordSmart, and I know all too well that person, Judy, as well as the scam you wrote about. I'm ashamed to say I ever worked for such a company. We were trained to basically get the credit card number, read a closing word for word as quickly as possible, (so the customer doesn't understand they're giving permission to have their credit cards billed multiple times), and go to the next call. People like Judy will never be ashamed of what they are, they don't know any better. Stay as far away from this company as you can!

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WordsmartLies
, US
Dec 14, 2010 3:06 am EST

Please email me if you think you have any suggestions as to what to do next/similar stories to mine that were successful: wordsmartscammedme@gmail.com

Alright. So like most if not all of the rest of y'all, the wordsmart company ripped me off and I feel scammed.

Sometime in October, I ordered the wordsmart sat prep with the promise of a money-back guarantee and a 200 point increase or money-back guarantee.
Of course the product actually came later then they say it did. But regardless, I realize that I don't need it anymore because I've already submitted my college apps that I would have liked a higher score for.
I call early November and customer id number 1444 tells me I need to call back again before, and this is important, November 27th with my dad because I'm not 18. Fast forward to November 23 and already they must have taken a holiday vacation because there is nobody to pick up the phone. I call and I call from then until the 29th, leaving several voicemails, and finally I get a call from another customer rep who tells me all is well because they were on holiday and she counted my voicemails as a request for an extension on the return and gives me a return number.
Now I think everything is going to be okay. I pay $10 more to put wordsmart back in the mail on the 1st of December and give two weekends for processing. Now today, I'm suspicious because I still hadn't had the money put back on my account so I call and 1444 tells me the return date was actually the 21st of November and the other rep was wrong in accepting the return...so they're shipping it back to me with no return of money what so ever.
They say the only other thing that can be done is contacting the board of directors, but I have no idea what I would say to them via fax, how that would even help, or how long it would take for anything at all to be done.

Like I said at the top please email me if you think you have any suggestions as to what to do next/similar stories to mine that were successful:
wordsmartscammedme@gmail.com

Thanks for reading, I hope everyone gets what they deserve from wordsmart, as well as they themselves get what they deserve, and I'd appreciate any and all advice you can share

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2:28 pm EDT
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WordSmart No resolution

I was called my a representative and kept receiving "hang up" calls until i decided to call to request the desist. I politely listened to the salesperson and then agreed to "try" the product. After receiving the product, I was told the 30 days trial period was soft and I should not worry about returning it later. I also was told I would receive a reminder that my trial was up so I could return it if necessary. I then received and was CHARGED for two other products. When I called to ask about returning it, I spoke with the RUDEST CSR that insisted she would not pass the phone to a manager and if I was dissatisfied, I should send a letter to their board of directors. DO NOT TAKE THIS CALL! They are rude scam artists and their programs does not deliver!

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WordsmartLies
, US
Dec 14, 2010 3:08 am EST

Please email me if you think you have any suggestions as to what to do next/similar stories to mine that were successful: wordsmartscammedme@gmail.com

Alright. So like most if not all of the rest of y'all, the wordsmart company ripped me off and I feel scammed.

Sometime in October, I ordered the wordsmart sat prep with the promise of a money-back guarantee and a 200 point increase or money-back guarantee.
Of course the product actually came later then they say it did. But regardless, I realize that I don't need it anymore because I've already submitted my college apps that I would have liked a higher score for.
I call early November and customer id number 1444 tells me I need to call back again before, and this is important, November 27th with my dad because I'm not 18. Fast forward to November 23 and already they must have taken a holiday vacation because there is nobody to pick up the phone. I call and I call from then until the 29th, leaving several voicemails, and finally I get a call from another customer rep who tells me all is well because they were on holiday and she counted my voicemails as a request for an extension on the return and gives me a return number.
Now I think everything is going to be okay. I pay $10 more to put wordsmart back in the mail on the 1st of December and give two weekends for processing. Now today, I'm suspicious because I still hadn't had the money put back on my account so I call and 1444 tells me the return date was actually the 21st of November and the other rep was wrong in accepting the return...so they're shipping it back to me with no return of money what so ever.
They say the only other thing that can be done is contacting the board of directors, but I have no idea what I would say to them via fax, how that would even help, or how long it would take for anything at all to be done.

Like I said at the top please email me if you think you have any suggestions as to what to do next/similar stories to mine that were successful:
wordsmartscammedme@gmail.com

Thanks for reading, I hope everyone gets what they deserve from wordsmart, as well as they themselves get what they deserve, and I'd appreciate any and all advice you can share

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7:36 pm EST
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WordSmart DISHONEST COMPANY! DON'T BUY FROM WORDSMART!

DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM WORDSMART! It might seem like a great way to improve your vocab and college entrance exam scores, but there are much better ways of doing so.

So here's my story: they gave me 30 days to try out the product. When I called in to cancel it, they said my credit card was already charged for about $100 and that the charges would continue until they received $400 from me. This was absolutely not something I had agreed to, but they didn't care. When I offered to send back the product they simply said they would return the product back and that I shouldn't waste my money on postage. Not only is WordSmart deceptive, but the representatives are rude and inconsiderate. They speak over you, hang up on you, and constantly put you on hold when they don't want to hear what you are saying.

I REPEAT: DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM WORDSMART UNLESS YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH A DECEPTIVE COMPANY THAT IS NOTHING BUT A LOAD OF ###.

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WordsmartLies
, US
Dec 14, 2010 3:09 am EST

Please email me if you think you have any suggestions as to what to do next/similar stories to mine that were successful: wordsmartscammedme@gmail.com

Alright. So like most if not all of the rest of y'all, the wordsmart company ripped me off and I feel scammed.

Sometime in October, I ordered the wordsmart sat prep with the promise of a money-back guarantee and a 200 point increase or money-back guarantee.
Of course the product actually came later then they say it did. But regardless, I realize that I don't need it anymore because I've already submitted my college apps that I would have liked a higher score for.
I call early November and customer id number 1444 tells me I need to call back again before, and this is important, November 27th with my dad because I'm not 18. Fast forward to November 23 and already they must have taken a holiday vacation because there is nobody to pick up the phone. I call and I call from then until the 29th, leaving several voicemails, and finally I get a call from another customer rep who tells me all is well because they were on holiday and she counted my voicemails as a request for an extension on the return and gives me a return number.
Now I think everything is going to be okay. I pay $10 more to put wordsmart back in the mail on the 1st of December and give two weekends for processing. Now today, I'm suspicious because I still hadn't had the money put back on my account so I call and 1444 tells me the return date was actually the 21st of November and the other rep was wrong in accepting the return...so they're shipping it back to me with no return of money what so ever.
They say the only other thing that can be done is contacting the board of directors, but I have no idea what I would say to them via fax, how that would even help, or how long it would take for anything at all to be done.

Like I said at the top please email me if you think you have any suggestions as to what to do next/similar stories to mine that were successful:
wordsmartscammedme@gmail.com

Thanks for reading, I hope everyone gets what they deserve from wordsmart, as well as they themselves get what they deserve, and I'd appreciate any and all advice you can share

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chio.shark
Kennewick, US
Aug 13, 2010 8:33 pm EDT
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I recieved a call from WORDSMART two days ago. My mom is a field worker that barely got her permanent residency card this week. When they called I was sitting with her and i explained to her what the man on the phone was saying. I was excited about it because I am a hardworking student and have taken the psat and i wanted to improve more by senior year. I should have known better but i wasn't even told how much it costs and they charged my mom's credit card for $199.95. That was rent money. I left her at zero dollars for bein an idiot and not realizing it. Do you have any advice on what i should do? i'm trying to find a way to pay her back and i just don't know what to do since it's a scam from WORDSMART.

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WordSmart Online scam

I am a victim of the scam that is being committed by WordSmart corporation . I was rushed into buying this product even though I told the salesperson that my daughter was away at camp and would not be able to use it within their offered time frame of 30 days. He assured me there was not problem that he would give me an extra 30 days for a total of 60 days to see if I like the product.

If I didn't like it simple called them up before this days were up and tell them I wanted to return the product. After 30 days I received another package from them with a dvd and a bill charging me 57.00 for it. I was Shocked because first of all I did not order this new dvd and second I did not authorize them to use my credit card.

When I called their customer service dept. This rude lady answer the phone and when I explained that I never order this additional dvd she said that I had been told from the beginning that I had 30 days to cancel or If I failed to do so I would automatically receive additional dvd's. I told her I was NEVER and I mean NEVER was told about any automatic future shipments and besides the salesperson had given me an additional 30 days because my daughter whom was the person I was buying the WordSmart for in the first place, was away at camp.

She would not accept anything I was saying to her and simply threatened me that if I returned this dvd they would simply return it back. She said the salesperson had recorded my conversation when he sold me the initial product and I said 'great this will serve as proof that he never told me anything about future shipments' She hung up on me.

It is ashame that Mr. Alec Trebek would lend his name and image to such a scam company like this. I bought this product bases on Mr. Trebek's infomercial and I can't believe that he would allow this company to rip off the public in such manner. We become victims to this scam because they lie to our credit card companies saying that we knew about the additional shipments and that we knew that we had to call before our 30 day limit for the money back guarantee but I did not want to send my initial order back because my daughter had not even seen it so why would I call them if I wanted to keep the initial product? But that is where they get you because they don't tell you that if you don't call whether you want the product or not, if you don't call them they will ship the additional dvd's on the 30th day.

Don't be victimize DO NOT BUY WordSmart. They are a Scam.

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Dsands12012
, US
Jun 22, 2011 9:42 pm EDT

I was also told that there was no obligation to purchase other disks but when I returned 4 of them I was told that I could not get a refund because I sent them back instead of calling them which she said had been explained in the phone call.

When I asked for a copy of the sales call she said I would have to fax a request to their board of directors. I seems like these people just pull rules out of their a**. I advised all of my friends to stay away and plan to file a complaint with the BBB.

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Jennifer Bradley
Carlsbad, US
Dec 07, 2010 5:52 am EST

After returning a purchase to this company unauthorized debits from Easy Share and American Leisure were deducted from my account on a monthly basis.

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RockyMountainHigh
, US
Aug 25, 2013 1:38 pm EDT
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The salesman who called my cell phone was Greg Gines, [protected]. I am including this information so that anyone who googles the phone number can find this review. Mr. Gines called me several times over the course of several days and when I did not answer the phone he did not leave a message. I googled his phone number at the time and could not find any information.

The one negative thing I have to report is that Mr. Gines LIED to me. Mr. Gines said that my son requested this program. When the program arrived I showed it to my son and he said he had never heard of WordSmart or this product, and that he certainly did not ask these people to contact me.

I do not have the complaints which seem to be common among the other posts being made to this board. I do remember coming away from the call with the understanding that there are other volumes and that if I did not cancel they would automatically send them to me. I did call and cancel the subscription and to this date have not received any additional volumes.

My children have not started using the program. My 30 day return window ends tomorrow and we have decided to keep this product and have the kids use it. I too am going to give it a try just for fun and find out what I can learn from it.

I do not know if this will help anyone however I am posting the information in the event you find it useful. As of the date of this review the following is what you have to do in order to return the volume and receive your refund.

You must answer three questions.

Put the Challenge Disk in the computer, there will be multiple choice questions. The first question which you must answer is they want to know what the volume and group number is.

The second question you must answer involves the Volume D disk.. It lists words with 5 games to play to learn the words. You must tell them which game was your favorite.

The third question you must answer is on the Progressive Reader disk, which is the speed reading program. Choose a topic paragraph to read. Once you read it you need to write down the words per minute and the percentage of comprehension.

If you choose to return the program you will return everything in the plastic case except for the Challenge Disk which is yours to keep.

Above all else REMEMBER TO CALL THEM AND CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION as soon as you receive the SAT/ACT volume if you do not want to receive additional shipments.

Please call them and ask what their requirements are for your return of the ACT/SAT volume. The three questions I listed above are what the Customer Service Rep told me when I called.

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madrthnhll
Glenmont, US
Nov 16, 2011 1:04 am EST

I didn't look up this blog until it happened to me. They're even more sly now. I talked to the original salesperson and when he stated other cds would arrive automatically, I told him "No Way". Well, they did a bait and switch, putting me with another person and recording the conversation. You would figure that all of the information would be put into the computer by the original person right? Not the case and via the bait and switch-- I got it stuck by receiving the other cds which are NON-REFUNDABLE. Of course my credit card company took the sides of these schmucks because of the recording.

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A Abraham
Congers, US
Sep 12, 2011 2:52 am EDT

I was also charged $57 and I did not authorize or order it. This company is rip off. PLEASE DOT ORDER IT!

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Anonymous But Not Silent
Los Altos, US
Aug 10, 2011 7:58 pm EDT

Did you ever get a copy of the auto-recording transaction from WordSmart? The FTC Telemarketing Rules and Regulations, 16 CFR Part 310, Sec. 310.3 on Deceptive telemarketing acts or practices, states that upon request, audio-recorded transaction must be made available to a customer.

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csw from Oregon
Gresham, US
May 24, 2011 7:42 pm EDT
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I too was contacted by WordSmart to purchase their product with a total guarantee if not satisfied. I was lied to by the sales person saying that this product was specifically for preparation for the SAT. I called back to return the product and was pressured to keep it for a little while longer. When I called back they said it was too late and I had missed the deadline. I feel that if you do not like a product you should get the a total refund they are counting on having a person miss the deadline, which I did by 5 days. WordSmart is preying on families of high school students. If they have such a great product they should have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and provide refunds when requested! The "Customer Service" representative that I spoke to, Lisa, was rude and ruthless. She would not let me speak to a supervisor. I FAXED the complaint to the Board of Directors as told and received a call back also stating that I could not get a refund of any kind. I said the product was not the product that was advertise as SAT preparation, she said that product listed on the website is exactly the same it just has different packaging! I have registered a complaint with the BBB and I hope that everyone else will do the same.

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customer service is bad
Poulsbo, US
Apr 01, 2011 6:35 pm EDT
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Dear jcowanx,
I do not doubt the the program has value, for the person who has the where with all to use it. The problem as I see it, is the business practices of the company. Specifically customer service is horrible for the person who asks to return the product. If your company would just accept that if someone calls to return the product, that is what they want to do, and they do not want a hastle from the person on the phone. Please study the words "Customer Service" if your phone representative for returns actually understood that phrase, I bet that there would be far fewer people unhappy with your company. Respectfully, Customer Service is Bad (283 days ago).

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jcowanx
sd, US
Mar 31, 2011 7:42 pm EDT

march 31, 2011. I currently work for this company in the sales department. I can see where many people are upset because of details that they forgot about. There is a two page recorded verification script that we all have to read word for word after every single sale. Yes it specifically says you have to call within the 30 days in order to not recieve another shipment. This forum doesnt illistrate how many people love the program and actually order the rest of the series. For anyone who appreciates learning this is a good product. Definately worth the trial at least. And sure the program isnt for everyone you can tell by most of the complaints that some kids just wont like it. That is why you can return it. On the upside, if you can get you kids to just sit down and use the program. They will get at least a 200 point increase on the SAT. Simple as that, I would pay 200 for that kind of guarantee. I think most of us would. My advice to everyone... Actually pay attention!

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&JO130
, US
Dec 07, 2010 1:18 am EST
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We were blatantly lied to by a WordSmart sales rep who told us that our son had requested the SAT/ACT prep materials. Being parents that want to give our kids what they need to do well in school and college, we were interested. Turns out that our son never requested it, didn't want it, and had never heard of it. We were told our credit card would be used to reserve the materials. Instead it was charged $199.95. We are still trying to get a refund, and we've complained to the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General of CA about their deceptive marketing practices. This company preys on parents and uses the names of their children to manipulate them. Intolerable. Do NOT do business with them, and warn your friends and family members.

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11:34 am EDT
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WordSmart Rude customer service

I purchased one product a CD to assist with SAT improving methods. A few months after the first purchase, I was mailed two other CD's (which I did not agree to purchse), then I was charged on my credit card close to $60.00 for each. When I contacted the company, the customer service rep was extremely rude and refused to give me any info for returning the product. He told me too bad. The paperword sent with the package told you there would be further products sent. It is too bad it you didn't read the letter and didn't understand. "No, you cannot send the items back, no you will not get a refund, no, you cannot talk to a supervisor." I requested to speak to a supervisor several times. He said "it is you who do not understand, there is no one who will help you or let you return the product.

I told him I did not agree to the additional purchases, he said too bad, I will stop sending you any more, but you are not going to get a refund for the items you received. If you mail it back, we will send it right back to you.

I hung up and called again. I spoke to a second person who referred me back to the first gentleman. The second time, he told me to write a letter to the Board of Directors for the company and gave me an address. He then told me I would need to follow that up with a phone call to see what happened to the letter.

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notonmywatch
, US
Oct 30, 2010 4:41 pm EDT
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Buyer beware, they make it next to impossible to return the product and the product is juvenile. My high school daughter was not interested in playing some shark game or flash cards. Maybe when she was in pre-school or grade school. Thus began the saga of return…..
I ordered Word Smart on a trial basis on Oct 4; invoice was dated Oct 6, received product Oct 20. Reviewed, decided it was not what we wanted and began to try to get a confirmation number for return starting Oct 25, called 5 days in a row. The recording says you have to speak to someone in person. Oct 25, I was on hold for 6.25 min then the line automatically disconnects, called back and the same thing happened. Tried one more time with same result. Tried again on the 27th, 28th and finally on the 29th, after 4 attempts and 30 min later a very rude man answered. He offered to extend the review time, I said no, I just want to return it, he offered me the product at half price, I said no. He said he didn't understand because nobody returns the product. I said we were not interested; it was not what we thought it would be” He said very rudely “well didn't you know it was a vocabulary building product when you bought it" I repeated I want to return it. He started on another offer; I interrupted him and said you are making this impossible to return, not to mention it took 4 days and multiple attempts to get through. He said no we don’t you are wrong and we have been very busy because we have received over a 1000 orders this week. I repeated I want a number to return the product and I told him I was reporting the company to the BBB. He gave me the number, I was repeating it back to him and he disconnected the call. I am shipping back today and hope that the number was correct.

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dstew
Santa Rosa, US
Jan 29, 2009 4:28 am EST

Thank you and thanks to all the folks who've taken time to post these comments/complaints about WordSmart. I was tempted to purchase but did about 15 minutes of research on the internet about them. I'm glad I did. Haven't found any positive comments so far.

As for Mr. Trebek (not sure how to spell his name), I rarely am influenced by celebrity endorsements. I also know a little more than most about his personal life. He lived on a horse ranch near Paso Robles, CA until recently (may still) and my Aunt worked for him, caring for his horses. The grounds were incredibly lavish for the livestock and all seemed pastoral and peaceful. Unfortunately, according to my Aunt, the workers would have to practically beg for food and supplies for the horses. He didn't even recognise that straw is not nutritious and is not intended as food. His neglect for one of God's most precious animals convinced me not to trust Mr. Trebek. I remain a devoted Jeapardy fan but have lost respect for the host of the show.

Once again: thank you all for your warnings about the product. I will not be purchasing it, to say the least!

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Lisa
,
Aug 13, 2008 9:30 am EDT

Mine came without a registration/serial key to use the "free eval period" unfortunately, we had several major family tragedies and was not able to call and get one in time to send it back. Then I was threatened because of non-payment. When I offered to send it back, I was refused. When I said I wasn't going to pay without at least a code to use the software, the rep became even more aggressive.

DON't Buy from these guys.

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