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CB Unauthorized Charges Review of Biotech Research/EdenPURE GEN4 Portable Heating Source
Biotech Research/EdenPURE GEN4 Portable Heating Source

Biotech Research/EdenPURE GEN4 Portable Heating Source review: Fraud 4

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Author of the review
3:12 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

I saw a "paid advertisement" about this heater, endorsed by Bob Villa, on late-night TV. Living in the mountains and efficient and inexpensive heating always being an issue, I decided to give it a try. The satisfaction guarantee made it worth the risk. I did the research and everything seemed to be in order and reputable. The payment details were; an initial payment f $39 and then 4 monthly payments of $89.50, with a 60-day return guarantee.
The first red flag: My Visa debit card was debited 3 times between the time I ordered the heater and the time it was shipped, which took over 3 weeks. The debits that were submitted were the "make sure the money is there" debits, that fall off of your account in about 3 days. However, while they are "pending" on your bank account the money is treated as if it were a real debit and subtracted from your account. In my case, living on a fixed income and budgeting being critical, this activity overdrew my bank account each time they submitted the debit for $39, racking up return check charges; one month to the tune of $170. Eventually, they shipped the heater. I received it on 12/7/2010, got around to setting it up on 12/8/2010, it worked approximately 3 hours and quit! I called the company to begin the return process. I was told that I would receive, via email, a UPS return shipping label within 24-48 hours. By the time I finally received the label, 10 days later, I had placed 3 phone calls, sent 5 emails, and 2 faxes. I repacked the heater in the original box, slapped on the return label, and gave it to UPS. The "Proof of Delivery" said the heater was received, by Suarez Corp., on 12/21/2010. Now, I started watching my bank account for my refund of $39. On 1/4/2011 a credit of $39 was noted in my bank account. On 1/5/2011, they sent through a debit of $89.50! Two weeks after they had their heater in their possession they billed my Visa for the first of four payments of $89.50. You would think when they sent through the debit they would see on my account that the heater had been returned, they had received it, and $39 had been refunded.
It is now 1/11/2011 and I have called 5 times, been told 5 different "stories, " sent a fax and countless emails, and still NO REFUND of the unauthorized debit of $89.50 to my bank account!
When I called the corporate offices, because I was tired of dealing with "customer service, " I was hung up on, transferred to a voice-mail, and basically blown off by all I spoke to. I sent another fax and an email informing this crooked outfit that I had filed a complaint with Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is partnered with the FBI for white-collar cyber crimes. That didn't impress them enough to refund the money they took from my bank account. At this point, I have no idea how to get this company to refund the money they fraudulently took from my bank account. I did go to my bank and file a "charge back" on the amount. Hopefully, that will do the trick. In the meantime, I am out $89.50 I could use for groceries, or, to pay the electric bill. DO NOT buy anything from this outfit! It has always confounded me how fast the money is taken from your bank account and how long it takes to get it refunded.

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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

4 comments
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Debbie925
, US
Aug 03, 2015 3:03 am EDT

I have purchased two edenpure gen 4s . I had them for a while theyworked well for a little bit. then the bulbs burnt out, then the automatic shut off died. the both units were still under warranty so I called the company they had me pay for the postage to repair my unit. well they did not repair my unit the sent me a black box refurbished unit. I bought the wood looking ones when I purchased the original ones for a reason. well now I"m stuck with units that are so ugly. Each refurbished unit had to be sent back the day we received them, due to problems worse than our units we originally sent. as far as I am cocern this repair warrantee is a rip off. They do not repair what you send them they just send unreliable black boxes to you that are junk and ugly: I am no longer happy with this company ! Oh your warrantee also changes for less service than your original one also.Good luck whoever purchase product from this company...

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Yoube the judge
, US
Apr 24, 2011 1:50 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

STAY AWAY from Biotech Research. A TRUE SCAM. Bought an Edenpure GEN3 Heater Model 500 in the Fall of 2009. The unit went out after 90 days. Told that the warranty is good only for 60 days. Finally received a refurbished unit after a month wait. The Winter is over by then in CA. Refurbished unit was put to use in late 2010 and as clockwork, went out in about 90 days. Resent for still another refurbished unit and was told that it will be the last since my warranty is only good for 3 years.
You be the judge.

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Miss Trina109
Mobile, US
Feb 09, 2011 5:29 pm EST

I ordered the same heater the first week of December and was told it would arrive 12/22/10 instead it got here last week, February 2, 2011. The whole purpose of me ordering it was so that my guest-room could be warmed up for my visitors who were staying in there over Christmas Holiday. Now I've gotten several $39 charges on my bank account with a phone number [protected] written next to the name biotech. When I dialed the number to try and cancel my order and to ask that they stop billing my account...It was the number to a SEX LINE! I'm furious and I'm not even sure of what website to go to to contact them, since my original order was placed after watching an infomercial on TV.

Mad as Heck in Alabama

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Cyndi Moore
Amanda, US
Jan 16, 2011 4:58 am EST

Beware of this company. I am also going through a similar ordeal. I ordered from the infomercial and then tried to cancel for the next 3 days with no luck. They can not find my order to cancel but somehow have found a way to charge my debit card. I am calling my bank in the morning to report them as a fraud.