Advanced Wellness Research review: overcharged! scam!!! online orders acai berry 500 321

My complaint is exactly the same only I cannot get through to anyone on the phone. i have phoned approximately 30 times and just get "our phones are all busy now" and after 5 to 6 minutes the phone goes dead. I will cancel my credit card and claim fraudulent activity. But as with everyone else, they get you for at least the first delivery of $80. and yes, i am guilty of not reading the fine print so they "get you" this way. It is a total and utter scam - I would love to have the contents of the ridiculously huge pink pills analyzed and have them up for even more fraud. But then again Florida is known as the Scam state of the USA. The government of Florida should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to continue. I have seen hundreds of complaints and it seems nothing is being done about it.
Fran

The company has changed for the better. I recently canceled my acai berry free trial period and had no problem of canceling. I was told that I would be charge the $4.95 free trial price.

Unfortunately, I too am a victim of this "free trial" scam... Charge $5.04 for shipping before I received the product, received the product called the next day to cancel - spoke with an Indian accented person assured no future charges or shipment. Well, the no future shipment obviously was correct BUT, I was certainly charge $78.81 eight days later. Called again, placed on hold for 43 minutes and finally Victor (another Indian accented person) came on the line. Gave me some B.S. about the cancellation system was flawed but reassured me no future charges and shipment. Who knows if I'll ever see a refund, this was a costly example - NEVER will I fall for the FREE TRIAL offer again - NEVER. Advanced Wellness Research, Inc. is a great big scam and Pure Acai Berry is not even FDA approved. Be warn all - don't do it...

You are a very shady organization. Not only do you not disclose the fact that you will charge accounts for a substantially higher fee, you also do not mention that 15 days is all one has to cancel the order and receive a FULL refund. When I contacted your company, I was told I could and would receive only a $50.00 refund. I want the full amount credited back to my account, $78.81.

This is my follow up to the above... I just now got through to them and I was given the run around by some guy when I asked him for the returning address so I wouldn't owe any money. He refused to give me the addresss and kept trying to bargin with me to keep them for $18.88. After I advised him that I have a degree in criminology and that I know that I have been scammed and I kindly advised him that if he did not give the address, I would be contacting the FBI and the Department of Justice if he didn't give me the address right then and there...he gave me the address. Little does he releaize that I have already contacted the Federal Trade Commission...they can take their pills back.

At least you got a hold of them...I keep being "mysteriously" disconnected after being placed on hold for 5-7 minutes. I cancelled my credit/debit card in the meantime so that they can even mess with my account further. These people need to go to prison. Contact your state police or the department of justice if they keep screwing with your account. They will help you file a report. I happened to catch the whole thing before they got anymore of my money.

Not only was I scammed three times by this company but I took my free sample of Acai berries, and found I was forgetting things and I couldn't think of the words I wanted to use. I threw the rest of them away. It has been a whole week of trying to get my mind back. I thought I had Alzheimer's. I found the only thing different that I took were the Acai berries This is scary. My husband called the company and got the usual run-around. They said I would be receiving a confirmation but I never received it. I got taken to the tune of $250.00. I have a filed a claim with my bank and they will let the Better Business know. It is now the end of February and I noticed that this has been happening as far back as Nov. Can nothing be done to stop this company?

I also got charged $79.96 for something I did not order, had not received and after reading many similar complaints, I called them. At first it was going no where. He kept telling me that I was enrolled(in 3 different programs!) and trying to convince me how it will help me lose weight. He wasn't budging. So I decided to mention that I was taping our conversation and would pass it on to my Better Business Bureau. His whole attitude changed and I got a refund and cancellation numbers on the 3 programs. I received an email(while I was still on the phone with the rep) and should be receiving my refund within 10 days. My tip to everyone is to mention that you are taping the conversation : )
Mary

I have also been a victim of this wellness research co. I ordered the free sample and paid 4.95 for shipping and handling. It took about 2 weeks to get here. then they charged my bank 79.94 and they only refunded 70.00. I too also spoke to someone of indian culture. they were idiots! they tried to tell me that they can't refund all of my money because they charged me for the product i recieved. Try to explain what a FREE TRIAL means to them, can you say brain dead! This Co. is a scam and i will be reporting them to the trade comm. and also anyone else who will listen. tell all your friends and send e-mails to warn people about this Co. who is just stealing our money. I'am so frustrated for being dumb enough to try this product. NO ONE I know will ever order this product. I work with alot of people in a hosp setting and word of mouth is a killer for a business! So start talking more about how this Co. ripped us off!
They will be out of business soon i'am sure.

Same thing happened to me. I have tried to call to no avail, finally got through on another number my credit card company gave me only to hear a recording to go to their website. Their website tells you to fill out their form and submit, which I did, got an "automatic response" back saying to "be patient and they would get back to me within 72 hours." 96 hours later I still have not heard from them. I am sending their product back with a certified letter, return receipt requested. If they keep sending the pills to me and billing my credit card, I will report them to the Florida Attorney General. This company is a professional scammer!

so i ordered a "free trial" for only 4.99 at least that is what i thought it was (on 02-15-09)...i later went to check my bank statements online(the next day in the morning) and there was already a charge for the 4.99 +78.81 i was so angry!i called the number that was underneath the charge and the recorded voice lady was saying how they were having "difficulties" with their computers...that it was going to take more than 5 minutes until i was to be transfered to an operater...i was willing to wait so about 10 mins. passed and finally a lady(indian)answered i was telling her what had happened...and she rudely cut me off by saying there is nothing she can do about it right now i was to call back within 24 hours...so i hung up, and today(02-17-09)i called back and a different lady(speaking very good english, no accent)answered and i asked her why i was being charged more than i was supposed to...she asked me for my information i gave it to her(my name and my phone number i used to order the product)she said she couldnt find my information anywhere and there was nothing she could do about it...i was very upset.so i told her i was going to wait for the product to get here and i was going to return the asap!and i had no choice but to hang up the phone!so lets see what happens(if i ever even get the product)

I agree with Shelby. This company was HORRIBLE ! I had to pay $78 dollars also. I swear that when I ssay this product there was nothing that said I would be charged this fee. Then when I attempted to contact them it was impossible to get in touch with them as apparently they have out outsourced their customer call center.
This company should be shut down.
Does anyone this Oprah and Rachel Ray know how terrible this company is and that they are using their names?!?!?!?!?!

I did not authorize a charge of $78.81 for any product from Advanced Wellness. I only requested their "free" sample. Nor do I want to have any further dealings with this company.
I intnd to report this to the Better Business Bureau. I also believe it is a violation of a federal law when the mail is used to defraud someone.

John Ross
19 Peaceful Dr.
Morrisville, PA 19067

I also sent in for a trial and was billed for the product. There wasn't anything that came with the trial stating anything like this. This is a scam for a trial, as I thought a trial meant that and you wouldn't be charged. Also to top it all of it didn't work.

I am in the same position as Pinkee. I ordered the acai berry through Advanced Wellness Research and received my shipment in just 2 or 3 days. My card was charged the 1.99 special as the lady had told me on the telephone when I ordered. I felt so uneasy about the order because of all the comments I keep reading about on the internet. The bottle I received is a 30 day supply, not a 14 day trial as the lady told me when I ordered. I have not opened the bottle, and I have not tried the product. I called this morning to cancel and let them know that I will send the unopened bottle back. I had no wait period, no hold time. Someone answered immediately, Richard, and he tried to give me the same option to keep the trial and continue with the shipments at a $60 discount - 18.81 instead of 78.81. He said it was a special they were running. I, of course, asked him how he could drop the price so much...he again said it's just a special right now. I told him that I am weary and that I don't know if he's lying..went over it with him over and over confirming that my card would be charged 18.81 per month until I cancelled and I'm not entering some membership bound to 6 months or a year. He assured me I was not. I told him that I would have to think about it. He said I had time and extended my trial period to 28 days. I hung up with him, then thought some more and called back. Frank answered..by the way, not Indian, Frank had a very clear American accent, easy to communicate with...and I explained that I was not comfortable with my purchase after reading all these comments online and I'd rather go ahead and cancel now and send the bottle back. He told me that he would cancel the order...put me on hold for 45 seconds or so...then gave me a cancellation number. I told him if this was all true, and there are no further charges to my card besides the 1.99, then I would put a positive comment about Advanced Wellness Research on this forum. He thanked me and we said goodbye. I will post an update in a few weeks as I watch activity on my card. I would like to think that maybe they're getting their act together and this could actually be a good product. But consumer commenting can definitely cause a scare, or a concern, or a helpful warning...we shall see. thanks to you all for expressing your experiences.

I placed an order and on the same day my son placed an order. I was paying for both but the orders had different names and addresses. I got mine in 3 days, his never came and still hasn't . The first time I called about it I was told that it was sent and must be lost so they would put a priority on it and resend it. When I called yesterday I was told they've never had an order placed! I myself was charged the entire price for the first bottle and the full price for a second bottle onthe same day. I called and they have agreed to refund me $50 and give me all other botlles agt $18 per month.

Everyone on this board sounds like a big baby! If you are silly enough to order anything online, READ "TERMS AND CONDITIONS"!

I went through the same nightmare - trying to cancel my order within minutes of placing it. They are masters of the run-around. The funniest bit was receiving an email from "Jenny Brown" [a joke given the ethnicity on the end of every single call] and I immediately called the service # and of course I get [through a thick accent]: "She's not here right now." Me: "How can that be? She JUST emailed me." Them: "Uhhh well she must be at another branch." [BRANCH?!?! Riiiight] Me: "You just told me she wasn't there right now... so I'm assuming she must go back and forth between the branches then, huh?! Why don't you give me the name of that branch and its phone number?" And of course he hangs up on me.

My best advice - go through the pain in the *** ordeal of canceling your card like I did [any bank should re-issue a new one right away]. I almost beat the $5 shipping but my bank is refunding me that anyway.

God I hope some justice is exacted on these people!

The Original [redacted] Title:
TryPureAcaiBerry.com/Advanced Wellness Research, Inc Much, much, much more then $4.99 Nampa/Miami Nationwide

The Original [redacted] Text:
After following the simple directions of pay shipping and handling for $4.99 only, I was billed for $78.81 less then 14 days after receiving the so called *FREE Trial Offer.* When I called to cancel the order I should have known I would be calling and talking to someone in India! That call only took 45 minutes to complete after listening to someone that you can hardly understand. The best part of the entire phone call was when he said to me "I guess you should have read the very small print in your terms and conditions." Either way, if you order product from this company or any affiliate of this company you are asking for problems with your credit card or bank billing and you do so at your own risk. They certainly are not willing to work with you on the intial order, they will cancel all future orders but they are very reluctant and refuse to cancel the initial order if you failed to read the "VERY SMALL PRINT" Nukinfutty Orlando, Florida
U.S.A.

ps. I will be forwarding many of these complaints to the US Attorney General office along with the State Attorney General's office in Florida and Idaho

the same thing happened to me, I received another bottle and before I could tell them I did not want more. I called the company and they would not refund my money and I have not opened the product. I requested my account be cancelled, but refused to refund themoney they took from my account. This is not a good practice for customer service, and I will tell everyone I know or don't know not to deal with your company. All I want is my refund and nothing else will happen.

I tried to return the rest of my 14 day trial period and could never get through on the phone number given for a RMA number. Also they charged me $78.81 before the end of the 14 day trial. After telling them I'm not afraid to contact an attorney they sent me an email stating they would issue me a refund. I guess we'll see about that one. After reading all these other complaints I'm not so sure that will happen. I tried many many times to get someone to talk to on the phone and they only answer if you say you want to order. I was also billed $69.95 for the colon cleanse they recommend to buy with it. I have not been able to find the company that billed me for that. I do not recommend buying from this company. If you want to try it find a different company and check for complaints. Read all of the terms and conditions.

The way the ad online is stated, it appears that you get a free trial of the product for two weeks for only the shipping and handling. I did not see where I would then be charged for that first bottle but did understand that if I did not cancel before the 14 days I would start receiving home deliveries of additional bottles every two weeks and be charged the full price for the second and subsequent bottles. That was not the case. After two weeks (the trial period), my credit card was charged the full price and I received a second bottle. I then canceled my "subscription" and when I got my credit card statement, it showed a charge for the full price two weeks after the second bottle was received but I did not receive a third bottle.

I also order product from Life Fit Labs that advertised the same way--free trial offer, just pay shipping. The first bottle only cost me the shipping. After two weeks I received a second bottle for which I was charged the full amount, and then two weeks after that (and around the time I also canceled that subscription), I received a third bottle and charge.

Advanced Wellness needs to either change the way the ad is stated being very clear that you will be charged for the first bottle after 14 days and for any bottle thereafter.

I am also having issues with Advanced Wellness Research. I called and ordered my product and did recieve it in the mail. 3 days after taking it, I got sick from it and had to stop taking it. I then called to cancel my "free" trial. When I asked the person I spoke with for a reference number to go by for confirmation that it was being canceled, he said that all he had was my account number, that there was no confirmation or reference number for the call. I then got charged the $78.81 a few days later. I called the 877 number to find out why and they said that I had not called before my free membership was up, which in reality I had called before the 14 days. I tried to argue with the guy on the phone and he kept saying that I had called and canceled on the 15th day and that according to the "terms & conditions" I had received, that there was nothing he could do.

This is ridiculous that a company can get a way with this. There is no proof (no reference number or employee number) that they could give me for me to show that I did call before the 14 days were up. How do I prove to them that I followed their "terms & conditions" and get my $ back? What a scam! I would be more than happy to be part of any class action lawsuit if one gets started. joant22@yahoo.com

I have now been on hold with this company for 62 mins I am not going to hang up, I now see that the average wait time for people is about 72 mins. I am almost there! I have also started a complaint with the BBB.
DO NOT ORDER THIS PRODUCT NO HEADACHE IS WORTH THIS !

I also ordered the trial and did not see or receive any information about automatic shipments. I called today to check on this and to tell them to cancel any future shipments. The person I spoke with was also rude and I had to keep repeating what I wanted to do. She said she cancelled my shipments, but I have concerns that it was done. I can't believe they can go on so long like this. I only wish I had read this information before I ordered the trial.
Cherie

Because of the negative comments and scam accusations against this company, I called and cancelled any future orders and asked for a return authorization number. After being told that I could keep the pills at a ridiculously cost and refusing that suggestion, I was finally given the return authorization number and was told that I must pay for return shipping. I also believe that the call center may be in India because even though he told me I was calling Idaho, the reception was horrible and the person I contacted had a foreign accent. The static made it close to impossible to hear him and the Indian accent on top of that made it doubly difficult to carry on a conversation. I have not yet been charged but my 14 day trial period is not yet up. I am contacting my bank today to try and ward off any billing on their part.

I actually received the "free trial offer" and was promptly charged $4.99, when I called to cancel further shipments they explained that i had 3 days to return the product. How is that free? I paid what was required the $4.99. They want me to pay to return there product! The lady was rude and did not speak English very well, she kept putting me on hold. The number I called was [protected]. I asked if I could get an email confirmation that my order had been cancel (so I had proof ) and she said it could take 24-48hrs to send me this If she could send me one.I advised no one to order products from them!

THIS IS HOW TO GET MONEY BACK!here's what you do I have been trying for 3 months to get my money back i finally called my bank they told me that you had to wait a certain amount of time before you filed fraud and you yourself had to make attempts to call them. After calling a zillion times getting the run around i was getting fed up. AWR even sent me e-mail confirmation number and when i gave awr the number they said that # didn't exist. my name, my address, telephone #, nothing about me exist and that I had never ordered from them. Furiously I called my bank and told them everything. Unfortunately the fraud dept was closed on sat so I had to wait until today. While in the process of waiting awr sent me an e-mail asking for my info AGAIN. I gave it to them and told them I didn't care what they did with it b/c my bank would be filing fraud within the week. Today i get home and have an e-mail stating they have cancelled my order and refunded my money. I called my bank they said that yes it has been refunded. But I'm not done yet they caused an overdraft fee and my bank is going after that. I will post more when more comes to light. So if you want your money do the right thing return the item (CERTIFIED MAIL) and try and try. I know its frustrating, I got so upset I cried at one point. But do it then call your bank. My bank is a military bank USAA they are the ###!

Buyers please BEWARE! This is a total scam. You really have to take the time to read the whole misleading website to see that you will be charged. I spoke someone who sounded like he was in another country at a call center. I could hear other operators in the background apologizing and giving directions on how to send their product back and receive a refund. I really hope I get my 78.81 back! The guy I talked to said his name was "Derrick" even though he sounded like he was from India; he said I should receive my money back in 2 to 3 days. This is a cruel way to mislead people who are desparate and struggling with their weight. I wonder is Oprah know that her name is being used to scam millions of people?!

I ordered the Acai Berry through Advanced Wellness Research and after ordering, started seeing the negative information on the internet. I called that day and got a person on the phone, yes Indian, and asked about the 14-day trial period. He stated that if I received late, I could call and they would start the trial period on the actual date that I received it. I did receive the item two days after ordering. In the meantime, before I received the item I called again to ensure I got a person on the phone. When I did, I asked if I could cancel the order because I ordered on a Saturday and it was Monday morning, I had hoped it had not shipped yet. He stated that it did ship (yeh, their website says they don't ship on Sat./Sun.), so boy are they quick. But anyhow, they offered that if I wanted to try the product, they would take a $50 discount off future orders and I would only be billed $28.00 for the bottle and future shipments. I really did want to try the item and have used it the past few days. Don't know if I will keep it, but I have gotten through to the company several times. I have only been charged the shipping charge at this point. I am going to contact again on Monday to confirm the $28 charge. I have not had that bad of an experience with this company... yet.

Hate to say it folks, but in their terms and conditions it does state that if you don't contact them to get an RMA number then you will be charged for the purchase price of the product.

I nearly panicked when I saw this website and all the complaints against the company, but then I went back and read the terms and conditions, and honestly I'm going to take the time to try this product before I change my mind on my decision about it.

And really, if it WORKS then I have no problem at all paying for it and continuing to get it monthly until I reach my goal weight.

Sorry that you all are having problems with the company, but I'm going to give them a chance before I change my mind about it.

DITTO! DITTO! DITTO! All complaint postings about this company are 100% accurate! Ordered product on 1-8-09 and didn't receive until 1-12-09, the "14 day" trial begins on the day ordered, per the India rep. I got the same story as everyone else...except I wasn't told to return unused product, so we'll see where this goes. Do not order from this scam company! Very costly mistake!

This is so frustrating...I of couse fell for the same "free" trial period, ordered my pills on 1/21, received them 1/25. Upon receipt, I was a little suspicious of the bootleg labeling and did a search on the company (unforatunately, AFTER providing them w/ my card number...) and found all of the above complaints. I immediately contacted my bank and cancelled my card. I was able to reach Cecelia at [protected] who assured me I would not be charged the $78 but also stated the pills had to be shipped back w/in 14 days. By my count that means, they have to receive the pills in 5 days. I am sending these priority w/ confirmation of receipt first thing in the morning but feel it is unlikely that the pills will be logged as received in time...something tells me they are in no hurry...

I'm wondering though what lengths they will go to in order to collect their $78? Do they have any recourse if they send a bill that goes unpaid (i.e. bill collectors)? Seems like everyone's troubles just began recently as well and I'm wondering how long this tiny mistake will haunt me and my bank account!?!?!?!?!

This company is a scam...best advise is go to your bank and get a new debit card if you used that or ask the credit card company to issue a new card w/a new number so that the charges no longer happen. If they do, fill out a form for fraud protection at your bank or w/the credit card company.

I ordered the Pure Acai Berry product and returned it the very next day after I received it, because I did not want to take the chance of getting charged $78.00. I called the company after I looked up the tracking number to confirm it was delivered back before the 14 day trial period was up and found out the trial period starts the day you submit the order. They showed no record of the returned item because they are in Miami and the other mailing location is in Idaho and apparently they have two different computer systems. I told them that I do not want to get charged $78.00 and they assured me that I would not get charged, because they cancelled all future orders and stopped any charges from being processed.

I called several times after this first call and they still did not show that the product was received back. I asked, well how do you know I sent it back if it is not reflected in your system? Their continued response was I assure you that you will not get billed. I asked about getting an email confirmation, but they said the Idaho location is responsible for sending out the confirmation. I asked them to call them up to confirm the order was received back, because I want it to be reflected in the computer system. The only thing I could get was more assurance that I will not get billed.

The reason I am so concerned about this situation is 2 days after I ordered this product there was a consumer complaint column in the newspaper that reported many people had mailed the product back and they were still charged. The scam stems from the fact that (1) the free 14 day trial begins the day you order the Pure Acai Berry product, (2) it takes roughly five days to receive it in the mail and (3) you literally do not have any time to try the product, because (4) it takes roughly six or seven days to send it back by ground mail. The odds are on their side that you will not be able to meet the 14 day free trial period and this way they can legally bill you $78.00 for sixty pills.

I hope this saves someone from making an expensive miskate.

I didn't even order a free trial and got an e-mail that I had and the jerk told me he couldn't cancel the free trial that I didn't order? I am in the process of disputing the charges with my bank - how in the world can they do this?

call the number on your credit card and you can get an RMA # to return unused product to them and get refund

This is the worse company ever! Even when you do finally get into their terrible phone lines everyone has such a heavy accent that you cannot understand them nor can they understand you! I hate this company!

I called this company on 1/24/09. I told the guy "Peter" to cancel my order. He kept asking why and I said because this is a scam and a rip off. He said he cancelled but I will wait and see. I will be notifying my bank tomorrow to watch for these fraudulent charges.

I too just fell victum to these cons. I was trying to incorporated something "good" into our lifestyle, only to find another situation where people are blatanty taking advantage of people. I ordered the product for both my husband and myself. I did recieve it. I tried calling a couple of times and was told to call back the next day cause they were having technical difficulty. I think they do that so they can see who you are that wants to cancel, and it gives them time to charge your account. When they did charge my account, I called again and they gave me that whole speal about the 14 days on the website. When I explained that I did call and was told about the technical problems, he (Lewis John) if that's his real name, basically called me a liar. If there is a class action suite, I would be glad to sign on. It's amazing that these kinds of scams get so far before anything is done about them. I would think there would be some sort of web site accountability before you could advertise to millions of consumers.