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Welcome to our customer reviews and complaints page for Shopping Essentials. 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 Shopping Essentials.

On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used Shopping Essentials'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 Shopping Essentials, 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 Shopping Essentials. Your feedback is an important part of our community and will help others make informed decisions.

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2:08 pm EDT
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Vitacost sold my information to Shopping Essentials who then charged me for some membership that I never agreed to authorized or received any information regarding this so called membership. Shopping Essentials then charged my credit card monthly from February 2009 to present month of June 2011. They began with the charge of 24.95 and then increased in a...

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2:53 pm EST
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Shopping Essentials Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

I notices a charge of $22.00 CDN($20.00USD) being charged to my mastercard account each month and did not know what the charge was for. I returned from vacation and began to research the expenditures and found them dating back to Sept. 29/08 and my account was being debited $20.00USD each month for the past 26 months for a total value of $520.00USD. I contacted the company at their phone number and was told that my expenditure was in regards to my membership which I did not cancel when logging on to True.com in seven days after Sept.29/08. I never used True.com nor did I agree to any membership charges for Shopping Essentials. I would like to recover any or all monies owed and from what I discovered now this company is nothing more than a scam. Can you help me?

Edward Vervoort
[protected]

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Joan Hatch
,
Feb 13, 2008 12:00 am EST

A $9.95 charge appeared on my credit card in the January cycle for Shopping Essentials. I assumed it was some small item purchased over Christmas. But when a second charge appeared on the next month's statement I investigated and found this company, Shopping Essentials, has been fraudulently putting these charges on credit cards. I disputed the charge with my credit card company as well as calling Shopping Essentials and demanding they credit my account. One $9.95 charge was credited. As yet the second charge has not been credited.

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8:26 am EST
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Shopping Essentials fraud deception trickery

I ordered nutritional products from Vita-Cost for the first time ever back in July of 2009. Then several months later I noticed these $19.95 monthly charges from Shopping Essentials. I avoid like the plague any company that wants to give me monthly charges for anything, so I knew this was something I did not authorized and had no memory of ever seeing this. I called their toll free # and discoverd I was tricked as they said I clicked on some button at Vita-Cost that I wanted some shopping "membership". Hell no I did not want this. If I did click on it I did not know it plus, I never got an email receipt acknowledging this fraud transaction. Lady on the phone said she would refund my 4-5 months of $19.95 charges. We'll see if they do. ADVICE NEVER buy anything from VITA-COST as they allow this bull s&it to occur on their website. This is out and out stealing from our credit card.

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Valerie Price
St. Helen, US
Jan 01, 2010 8:35 am EST

I have recieved a Large Clean cotton candle for Christmas and It does not smell. I am very disapointed in it. I know what they are supose to smell like and this one smells like burnt wax. Very little smell when taking the lid off. Do I have my son return it where he bought it from or what do I do? I love the tea ones though I have some of them too. I live so far from him I hate to not be able to burn this candle or just throw it away. Please help me. They are not cheep and If you could Id like you to send me a replacement for this candle if possible. That has the smell of Clean Cotton. I love that smell lingering in my home. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon> Val

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12:59 pm EDT
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Shopping Essentials Fraudulent Charges

I have a similar complaint from what seems to be a "child" company of Vertrue, Inc., Adaptive Marketing LLC, VistaPrint USA, Inc. and VistaPrint Ltd.

I ordered gift certificates through RESTAURANT.COM, and was unknowingly "signed up" for this scam.

Called my bank today, and they got the SHOPPING ESSENTIALS people on the phone where I complained that I had no idea what these charges were, and that I had been charged 14.95 this month and last month.

What baffles me is that I have purchased from restaurant.com in the past and NOTHING out of the ordinary happened.

From my bank, they transferred me to a representative at Shopping Essentials

[protected] where I talked to Miesha (sp?) # 153522, and she said I would have the membership canceled and the September charge would be taken off, and I said that is a scam, is there anyone else I can talk to.

She promptly transferred me to her supervisor, Nerali #21097, and I told her I was never aware I was signed up for the program, and I had better be refunded the first 14.95 charge as well.

Surprisingly, she said that yes she would refund it, and it will post in 2 business days.

We will see if it posts. If not I am calling back and saying I will be having a lawyer contact them.

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richard mcdaniel
,
Nov 17, 2008 9:05 pm EST

charges are being made for a "membership " that I did not request or authorize...charges were made for sept., oct., and nov...only after reviewing the statements and searching the internet did we find that the company is involved in widespread fraudulent charges to credit card numbers to which they somehow have gained access. My credit card company can cancel the lates charge but I am stuck with the others.

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1:40 pm EDT
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Shopping Essentials &Rebate& sign up fraud

Using Restaurants.com, there was a banner for a $10 rebate on the purchase. This link actually signed me up for recurring monthly charges from Shopping Essentials. When I called to dispute the charges, they were "sorry you didn't get the email with the information to call to cancel the service within the 30 day free trial period." However, they did cancel the membership and reverse all charges promptly. When they get caught in their deceipt, they at least rectify the situation.

The same situation from the same website happened to another friend of mine as we were both purchasing gift certificates around Christmas.

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11:44 am EST
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IMMEDIATELY CONTACT YOUR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ABOUT SHOPPING ESSENTIALS - WE ARE! This fraudulent business is well known to (at least ) Chase Financial Services. When we called to report that this company has been making unauthorized charges to our credit card since January, 2007)yes, I know, how stupid are we!), the fraud department recognized...

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4:56 pm EST

Shopping Essentials Fradulant Charges

This company 'signs you up' when you purchase something from an unrelated company. When you buy from anyone on the Web be sure there is not a statement on the billing that says something to the effect that the purchase you made automatically qualifies you for the benefits offered by Shopping Essentials. There is another one that may 'sign you up' on the same purchase called Passport of Un. Both of these have been charging me a total of $36.90 on my Citi Credit card without my knowledge. The never sent any information by mail. I don't know who they are or what they do. They were unable to tell me why I should remain a "member".

Check your credit card detail billing!

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4:38 am EDT
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Shopping Essentials Scam

Shopping Essentials is a scam that attaches to other purchases. If you do not actively cancel they will charge your credit card indefinitely. I purchased a gift certificate from Restarants.com and Shopping Essentials started charging me $14.95 a month for 4 months. I assumed that it was something that my husband purchased, but once I noticed that the charge was occurring every month I asked him about it. He knew nothing about it, so I called the number listed: On your credit card, it will look like this SHOPPINGESSEN [protected] CT.

They said that they would cancel my membership (which I never enrolled in), but would only credit me one month.

There are many other people and websites reporting Shopping Essentials. We need to shut them down!

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elaine devroy
,
Sep 15, 2008 2:49 pm EDT

Dear sirs; I have been trying to call Shopping essentials .com for 2 days now, to cancel the program that they say can be cancelled at any time, this is a major fraud scheme. I called american express and they gave me another number to call 888 999 o557 . I have called two other numbers One that Pyramid Collections gave me, Pyramid collections is the co I purchased a dress from, They are the ones that are promoting shopping essentials .com the number they gave me is [protected], and another number that they give you is [protected], all bogus numbers, what they do is keep a answering record on saying they are busy helping other customers at this time . so I kept on line for hours, I do not want them to credit my credit card for any $ 11.95 amonth, I did not give them the right to do this . but I am very worried because I had used my credit card to purchase the dress, ( which I have now sent back to pyramid collection .com also called pryamid book, can you help me with this problem as I am distraught with anxiety over this after reading about Shopping essentials [redacted] the number for Pryamid is [protected], They are promoting this as a way to entice people to buy the bogus program and then they will charge peoples credit cards, or bank statements once they get your credit info, which people give when they purchase items like I did . . This is quite a bad scam deal, hoping to hear from you ..I am really thinking at this time it appears that pyramid is somehow resposible also, for this . anyway right now all I want is for not to be charged by shopping essentials .com for any bogus $11.95, respectfully elaine devroy

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12:00 am EST

Shopping Essentials Bankcard fraud!

I made a purchase from restaurants.com on 11/30/07, I was prompted to do a survey and get a discount on my first purchase. I passed and continued to make my purchase. Next thing I know my bank account was charge 14.95 from Shopping Essentials. I contacted Shopping Essentials, they said they received my personal information along with my bank card information from Restaurants.com. I file a fraud report with my bank and contact restaurants.com. Restaurants.com said they couldn't produce the document I illegaly filled out giving them authorization to pass my personal/bank information. Stay Clear of this company is a SCAM.

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notfastenough
Beverly Hills, US
Feb 09, 2010 6:38 pm EST

Before Christmas my wife purchased a book on line from a large, well known company. In January and February of this year she noticed two charges from her debit card from MOV. At first she wrote it off as something she purchased while traveling over the holidays but then realized the charges were the same amount and one was made while she was no longer on the road. Further investigation revealed the charges were from "Shopping Essentials" a well known fradulent company who apparently hacks unsecured web sites and steals debit and credit card numbers. She immediately contacted our bank's securigy office who in turn cancelled her debit card and refunded the money to her checking account. In the meantime the Citrus County Sheriff's Office has turned this case over to the Florida Attorney General's Office for prosecution. The CCSO's Seniors Against Crime organization has also been informed of these scammers.

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K. Robbins
, US
Feb 05, 2009 1:01 pm EST

Upon checking my bank statement closely, imagine my surprise at seeing a $19.95 Shopping Essentials charge Who or what is Shopping Essentials?

Upon closer review, I discovered a continuing charge for the past 6 months from the same organization. After doing a little research on this company, I came upon this web site. After realizing that this is most likely connected to my Classmates.com membership I tried like others to discontinue my membership, no luck getting a live person.

Subsequently, I contacted my bank and cancelled my bankcard which will ultimately solve the problem. The bank is also investigating fraud. The bank informed me that the best way to deal on the internet is with your credit card which allows you to dispute charges easier, and more routinely. At any rate neither classmates.com nor this group will charge anything to me again.

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charles irby
e.b., US
Nov 24, 2009 10:55 am EST

shoopping essentails+ stole my credit card # when i bought 2 airline tickets on line they charged $40.oo to my acc.but they will never get paid and the state d.a. office is looking into th matter some one has to stop them if i can help cirby24#yahoo.com

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charles irby
e.b., US
Nov 24, 2009 10:48 am EST

I BOUGHT TWO AIRLINE TICKRTS ONLINE AND THEY STOLE MY CREDIT CARDS NUMBER AND CHARGED $40.00 TO MY ACC SO THEY THINK

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Missybear
Baltimore, US
Apr 13, 2009 9:43 am EDT

I had the same thing happen where I made a purchase from Restaruants.com and this company charged my account $14.95 a month with no authorization. How can they get away with this?

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Missybear
Baltimore, US
Apr 13, 2009 9:42 am EDT

I had the same thing happen where I purchased something from restaraunts.com and they have been charging my account $14.95 a month. How can they get away with this?

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Swannyo2b1
Pennsauken, US
Apr 08, 2009 12:51 am EDT

OMG...can you people READ

I just purchased certificates and the last page clearly states "YOU WILL BE BILLED...for the monthly service if you fill out the questioneer

Did you ever get a check in the mail..that when you sign the back your agreeing to purchase a service?

Jeez...everyone wants $10 off..no one reads HOW

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F16
, US
Apr 07, 2009 12:28 pm EDT

I agree. SHopping essentials is a scam company. I purchased some gift cards from restaurants.com but I never clicked on the button for the discount and still this company was able to obtain my credit card information and charged my account for $14.95 without authorization. I am disputing this charge now. Let see what happens.

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Moe Qaisi
,
Feb 29, 2008 4:38 pm EST

Shopping essentials is the most fradulent company ever. There has to be a way that we can all complain to a higher consumer authority or something. We have to hold them accountable or they will keep doing this to people. I'm sure there are hundreds out there if not thousands that are getting scammed by this company.

Same thing happened to me. They've been billing my account for 19.95 for 10 months. I only found out about it last month. My last statement had only 3 charges on it, one of which was shopping essentials. And that's how I picked up on it. I usually have more than 20 charges on my monthly statetments. Furthermore, shopping essentials never sends you anything by mail. They never send you any statements. They never send you a membership card, or a document of the terms and agreement. And therefore it usually takes a while before you realise that you are getting scammed by them.

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Christy
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Feb 23, 2008 2:39 pm EST

Shopping Essential scam just happened to me too. Did anyone get their money back?

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12:00 am EDT

Shopping Essentials Debit card fraud!

Shopping Essentials charged my debit account $14.95 each month from february 2007 to october 2007. These charges were totally unauthorized. It's fraud!

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sally mufeed
, IQ
Oct 14, 2010 4:48 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

On Oct. 13, 2010 at 13:74 P.M, i received an SMS from my bank informing me that there is a transaction for USD 19.95 from MVQ*SHOPPING ESSENTIAL+ [protected] US, and i didn't order anything from this site and i don't have a registered account with them, so please i need my money back and don't transact any cent from my account again.

thanks
sally mufeed

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Angellina
, US
Mar 11, 2009 7:21 am EDT

Went online to check my bank statement (which I do every three days) and I see a charge for $19.95 to shopping essentials. I have never heard of them let alone authorize a charge! I immediately called my bank and had my card canceled and will file a fraud report. In the mean time I called Shopping Essentials and asked who they are affiliated with because I had never even heard of them. The lady said 'We are affiliated with many websites'. I refused to give her any of my information because I said I had already called the bank and was filing a fraud report. Has anyone had any problems with any Amazon affiliates? I bought a few supplements recently, as-well-as something from Home Shopping Network.

Valerie
Valerie
, US
Feb 01, 2008 12:00 am EST

About three months ago I noticed a fraudulent charge on my credit card from SHOPPING ESSENTIALS for 14.95. So I got a new credit card and filed a claim against the charge. Now I noticed a fraudulent charge from VISTA PRINT on my new credit card. How do they get your info this easy?

ATTN: Lawyers email me because I'm sick of them trying to get over and using private information to benefit themselves. Let's do something to stop it from happening again.

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ChattyLinda56
Aurora, US
Jul 20, 2016 6:24 am EDT

I was looking up my new statement online with my bank and notice that there was a charge for $32.45 from a place called Shopping Essentials. My bank told me until they pay them can I report a Fraud charge against them, of course in the meantime, because of taking this money out I am not overdrawn at my bank and they are charging me $34.00 every day till they get something back from these people, of course the more I read about these people and the fake 888 number with people that dont speak English well, I just figured that someone even in the banking system might of stolen my debit card, or any place... So now I am facing all these overdrawn fee's and the Fraud People at my bank are taking there own sweet time to get my money placed back into my account.

Valerie
Valerie
, US
Jul 30, 2008 7:21 am EDT

How'd they do it? I did not sign up or give my cc info. Yet I was charged $9.95 per month for eight months before I caught it. I have filed fraud charges with VISA. Supposedly I contracted for 10 bucks/month for 2 years?! To check my credit score monthly. Absurd. I have a credit rating in the 800's, have for a long time, am 60 years old, do not need such a dopey service. How did they rip me off? How many others have they ripped off? Someone needs to get to the bottom of this.

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Andrea
,
Sep 02, 2008 1:41 pm EDT

Shopping Essentials billed my credit card for a membership that I did not authorize. When I called them, they could only tell me it may have been linked to Classmates.com...or Southwest Airlines. I'm trying to get a refund and Discover is working well with me. I'm trying to find out how to contact Classmates.com but they don't even have a "contact us" button! I have to do the "online chat"...we'll see how it goes.

Valerie
Valerie
, US
Aug 07, 2008 2:40 am EDT

I contacted Shopping Essentials as soon as I realized they were charging my card and got very little satisfaction from the 2 people I spoke to. When the supervisor I spoke to refused to let me speak to her supervisor and refused to consider that I really never got an email, or authorized charges, I told her I would be filing bank fraud charges on the unauthorized charges. When I checked back on Saturday to make sure my account was indeed canceled and a credit issued, I found out that they credited all 3 months. I just checked my checking account and the 3 refunds were in fact there. I still intend to file a report with the BBB and the attorney general against shopping essentials and the company whose umbrella they and about 30 other companies fall under, because they have to be stopped.

Valerie
Valerie
, US
Jan 31, 2008 12:00 am EST

Last week I found that I have been charged twice in a month by Shopping Essentials $14.95. I have never heard of this company and have not ever purchased service or merchandise from them. I have asked my bank to give me information about how to contact them as I have been unable to find any way to call them and 'read them the riot-act' for stealing from my account.

I have never approved of them taking money from my bank account and want to know how they appropriated my financial information. I did not give it to them.

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Betty L. Lillard
,
Jan 09, 2008 12:00 am EST

A 19.95 charge was debited against my checking account without my permission or knowledge which caused a $35.00 overdraft on my account. I was told when I received a phone call from this company I believe in September that information pertinent to the company policies and etc. would be mailed. The next time I hear anything from them is the $19.95 debit from my account. What I would really like to know is how they were able to get my Routing number and my Checking information.

Sincerely,
Betty L. Lilllard.

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Peev
, US
Oct 19, 2010 1:02 pm EDT

This is my first time to post a complaint about a "business" (term used loosely), EVER... And I agree with all other postings that this is most definitely a SCAM.

Last Nov when Holiday shopping online, I was offered $20 back on my order if I agreed to a survey. Now, months later they have suddenly started charging my account, stating that I agreed to a free trial membership, and after the initial period, a monthly charge of $13.95. NOT TRUE!

I placed my order with a credible company; one from whom I have ordered in the past with no problem, and the $20 discount seemed to be an offer directly from them. All I needed to do was fill out their consumer survey. I do not understand how Shopping Essentials linked up with them.

BEWARE OF DISCOUNTS offered when ordering online... NEVER AGAIN...

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