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4.2 43 Reviews

Advanced Wellness Research Complaints Summary

35 Resolved
8 Unresolved
Our verdict: Expect excellent service from Advanced Wellness Research. While their resolution rate is high, always verify their service terms. Read customer testimonials, both positive and negative, to gauge their service's reliability and responsiveness. Have all relevant information ready when dealing with their customer service for efficient problem-solving.
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Advanced Wellness Research reviews & complaints 43

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8:39 am EDT
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Advanced Wellness Research credit card scam

Ordered trial product using credit card. First small payment was OK then they start running my cad for 2 lots of $80+ amounts - completly unathorized. They sent an email confirming the 'second order' - which they claim I made in the middle of the night! They refused to cancel this order and refused to tell me which credit card of mine they used - I had to do my own research to try to stop the payment. They would only tell me I had used a Mastercard - in fact it was a Visa! 100% total scam artists. Beware!

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tmseal
Cincinnati, US
May 13, 2009 10:36 pm EDT

This company is a TOTAL scam! They say they are based out of Miami and Illinois but when my account was charged, I was also charged an international service fee along with original charge. They are Indians scamming hard-working Americans! Makes me sick to know that there are some people who havent gotten their money back. I did thank God but if i hadnt they would have hell to pay!

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10:47 pm EDT
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Advanced Wellness Research free trial is a scam

Ordered a "free trial" for the cost of shipping. Received it over a week later.
Was charged for more product exactly 2 weeks after the order was placed (rather than after it arrived)
Had not even had time to try the product.
"Customer Service" is supposed to be "easy cancel".
When I called, I was told no one was authorized to cancel anything!
This "offshore" call center told me to call back when a manager was there - at about midnight my time!
I've little doubt there will not be a manager there when I call back!

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C.M. Andrews
Los Angeles, US
Apr 10, 2009 3:41 am EDT

ATTENTION: Acai Berry Pro is not worth the exorbitant price, the hassle of trying to cancel, and especially the UNDISCLOSED FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE!
My first issue with the so-called 14-day trial is that it begins the day you place the order! How can you start trying something you haven't received yet? My shipment was delayed by the post office being closed for President's Day, so by the time I received the product, I had only 10 days to actually try it. My second issue, which came as an unwelcome surprise, was the foreign transaction fee that they charge you each time a payment is processed---even the initial S&H fee for the trial. I found out that even though Advanced Wellness Research lists an address in Wood Dale, IL, payments are processed in Cambridgeshire, England and the customer is charged for it. Anyway, I called on the 13th day to cancel, and spoke to an Indian guy who said his name was Roger. He kept trying to get me to continue using the Acai Berry Pro because it would take a few months to actually see results. I kept saying no until he finally agreed to cancel my trial, and was told that I didn't have to return the unused portion of the product--I could keep it as a thank you for trying Acai Berry Pro.
Well, that wasn't the end of it. I received another shipment for which I was charged $83.80 plus $2.50 foreign transaction fee. I called and got another Indian guy who claimed that they had no record of my call to cancel. I asked if there was a guy named Roger working there and he said 'yes'. So I asked him how would I know Roger's name if I never called and spoke to him, but he didn't have an answer to that. He then claimed that he couldn't refund the full amount that I was charged, but he could refund $40. I was furious and told him I wanted the full amount; he then offered $65. I asked to speak to a supervisor, and was told he wasn't authorized to let me speak to a supervisor! I then threatened to call the Better Business Bureau and report this as a scam, so he finally agreed to refund the full amount. It turned out that I got back $78.80 and the $2.50 foreign transaction fee, but they kept the $4.99 S&H charge. I had fully intended to return the 2nd shipment, but once I saw that they didn't refund the S&H and it would cost me even more money to ship it back, I decided to keep it.

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3:38 pm EDT
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Advanced Wellness Research fraud on teeth whitening now

I recently purchased the Teeth Whitening Now product on a $6.99 trial basis on 03/08/09, and there is nothing in the internet ad that specifies there is any additional charge for the product. To my surprise, I received my bill for my Visa and there was an additional charge of $69.99 posted 03/23/09. I called the phone number where the company indicates you can obtain assistance, and I reached a person from India, and I am quite sure the company routes their "help service desk" out of this country to frustrate its customers. I informed this person that I never authorized the charge of $69.99 for the product, and the internet ad indicated I could try this product for only $6.99. He insisted I was wrong, and the charge only handled the mailing expense of their product, not the actual cost of the product. I told him again that there was absolutely no indication that there would be an additional charge listed. He initially agreed to take the product back, but when I told him I had opened the package and used the plastic teeth molders only and did not open the actual tubes to whiten the teeth, he indicated they would not accept a return. This company is committing fraud through false advertising and obtaining bogus testimonials from people who probably do not exist. I plan on disputing the charge with my credit card company, and if my dispute is upheld, I will send the product back to the company address in Wood Dale, IL, if that is their real address of business. I also intend to file a complaint with the Illinois State Attorney General's Office regarding this company's use of the internet to perpetrate their fraudulent activities. This company does not understand what full disclosure means. Has anyone else had problems with this company and this product?

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Betty Neuleib
Amanda Park, US
Jan 12, 2009 6:19 pm EST

AS the previous compliant stated so eloquently ; I also order a "FREE 30 DAY TRIAL " Only to see today approximately
2 wks latter a charge of the exact same amount ($78.81) to my credit card.

This is for a bottle of Pure Acai Berry dietary supplement which contains 60 capsules doseage 2 caps per day

This is the amount for 30 days. Which was stated on line to be FREE 30 Day Trial.

I can see why people use four letter words to describe this RIP OFF!

I hope everyone sticks together to follow through on getting these guys to be accountable and pay everyone back

please e-mail me with any questions, or suggestions on how to get my $$ back

There phone # at the company Advanced Wellness Research is [protected] I have called several times today
and have not been able to get through. You get a voice message stating all agents are busy and than some
South of the Border Music to listen to until you hang up.

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peggy conley
ramsey, US
May 29, 2009 10:24 am EDT

I also saw this online advertisement. There was only suppose to be $4.99 charge and my visa card had a $79.00 charge I through the packaging away. The name on this product is Bright Teeth the web site is www:advancedwellnessresarch.com

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NANCY ST. AMAND
sterling heights,michigan, US
Apr 26, 2009 5:23 pm EDT

new customer

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NANCY ST. AMAND
sterling heights,michigan, US
Apr 26, 2009 5:21 pm EDT

NEW CUSTOMER

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NANCY ST. AMAND
sterling heights,michigan, US
Apr 26, 2009 5:20 pm EDT

I AM TRYING TO REACH YOU TO ORDER YHE WHIGHTING AND EASING WHITE. BUT, MY COMPUTOR
WILL NOT TAKE MY ONFORMATION. IS THERE A PHONE NUMBER I CAN CALL TO ORDER THESE?

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Gerry O
Dartmouth, CA
Apr 24, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

Same thing again happened to me as it did to you guys. I got the free trial and then got nailed 4 times. I called them today and they went on about they will credit me $20.oo and that is all. Can anyone think of a way that you can get your money back. I called my bank today to cancell my card but they said that even if they issued me a new one they can still charge it on the new one because they have your information. Don't order off the internet at all I was on the phone with them for over 30 mins.

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C Jeffery
Pisgah, US
Mar 26, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

Same thing happened to me...free offer only pay shipping of $4.99...Pure Acai Berry 60 capsules...then all of a sudden $81.17 was billed to my account...I immediately called the company and they cannot even find my account...I have called my bank and cancelled my debit card so they do not have my account number. The bank is now onto them and they said they will do everything they can to get my money back. I strongly advise all of you to cancel your card immediately. Stuff like this is why I hate ordering anything off the internet and will never do it again!

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Maureen Vogrig
Emmett, US
Jan 21, 2009 8:09 pm EST

Same thing here, How do you get your money back. I ordered 2 free bottles and they have now charged my account 4 times 2 still pending that I'm disputing but how do they get away with this. I didn't even get my product until the 14th day, and my order numbers are "wrong" and they cant find my orders naturally. I may have to cancel my card just to get this crap off my card! Help me if you can my e-mail is johnmark1@clearwire.net

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2:42 pm EDT
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Advanced Wellness Research negative option scam

Negative option "free" trial offer scam.
Offered trail option for price of shipping, then charged $78.98 for product for failure to read lots of small print.
See below: 500 South Pointe Dr.
Ste 230
YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONSUMER TRANSACTION INVOLVES A NEGATIVE OPTION AND THAT YOU WILL BE LIABLE FOR PAYMENT OF PRODUCT THAT WAS SHIPPED TO YOU, AND FUTURE SHIPMENTS OF PRODUCT, IF YOU FAIL TO NOTIFY US TO STOP SUPPLYING THE PRODUCT TO YOU.

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B. Hopkins
Port Byron, US
Jun 05, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

The product does not whiten as claimed and has charged my account $78.93. I found this product to make my mouth sore the 2 times used. Definitely not worth the time or money!

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JenniferK
Maplewood, US
May 21, 2009 8:14 am EDT

They debited my account on the basis that I needed to pay full price for the trial product! Don't believe these liars! Then the customer service person didn't even speak english well enough to be understood.

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deeeee
, SE
Aug 07, 2009 11:20 pm EDT

This product is a ###en rip offf
they charged me over 300 dollars
n i never even opened the 4 boxes they send
so i called to cancel n they dont want to refund
my money.
n i asked for the coorporate office number n they said
they cant give me that iformation b.s.

what can i do about this... i know there should be something.

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Scammed and ripped off
Salt Lake City, US
Jun 19, 2009 11:25 am EDT

PLEASE BE AWARE...I ordered this product under the belief that I would be charged no more then $5.00 for Shipping/Delivery...imagine my surprise when I got a bill 2 weeks later for almost $80 ($78.93). When I called I got some dude in India who I could barely understand and proceeded to argue with him for the next 30 minutes. Long story short, they will NOT refund your money, you CANNOT speak to a supervisor, You CANNOT cancel the next shipments until you've received the shipment for that month...this means you must make yet another call to India and suffer through an additional 10-30 minutes of them trying to convince you to NOT cancel. THIS IS A SCAM...do NOT buy this product. Mine was delivered under the name of "BrightTeeth whitening System"

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JOYCE
Aiken, US
Jun 13, 2009 12:51 am EDT

I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF MAX WHITE TEETH UNTIL THEY STOLE $81.30 FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT. I HAD TO CLOSE OUT MY ACCOUNT TO KEEP THEM FROM FROM OVER-DRAWING.
I HAVE NEVER ORDERED OR RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY BEFORE.
DO YOU HAVE A PHONE NUMBER THAT I CAN CALL THEM?
JOYCE

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X MasterCard Holder
amityharbor, US
Jun 07, 2009 10:58 am EDT

I also was suckered it to the trial offer. I find several of their methods fraudulent. One is that the ad that states that if you use these two different products you will get these great results. The ad leads me to believe that they were two different companies and two different products when in fact they are one in the same. Probably the same product as well. I did not notice the additional 78 dollars they would charge monthly as well. It should be stated on top so it would have been clear to see. It is in the fine print. Who in their right mind would agree to 160.00 in teeth whiting products every month? On my statement I am being billed from three different companies for this scam. When I received the product it did not have anything in the packaging to state that I agree for them to keep sending the product or a termination clause. Now to the most disturbing factor of the scam. My credit card MasterCard will not allow me to dispute the additional charges. When did the credit card companies take this right away from me? This scam is reported to the FCC and the credit card company stated to me that there are many complaints (Many) but they will not allow me to dispute the charges. Why? Well my educated guess is that if they had to dispute all the cases being reported the credit card company would have to terminate the relationship with Bright Teeth and Easy White (The same company) losing that revenue. We as consumers are being scammed and our credit card companies are not putting a stop to it. It makes no sense, unless they do not want to lose that revenue from Bright Teeth and Easy White. What to do. File a complaint with the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, FCC, POST TO AS MANT SITES AS YOU CAN WITH A COMPLAINT. SOMEONE SHOULD FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT. The most important cancel your relationship with the credit card company that takes your right away to dispute a charge. Especially a company that has so many complaints against them. MasterCard you should be ashamed of your stand on this matter. When did you stop backing your cardholders? When you got in on the scam? If any one knows of an attorney to take on this scam please post. Why would I agree to get not one but two whiting applications amonth at $ 78 us dollars. Bright Teeth just incorporated on 5/2/09 in FLA. I can not find anything in CO for Easywhitelabs.

MASTERCARD - WHY WOULD I ORDER NOT ONE, NOT TWO BUT THREE WHITING APPLICATIONS FOR JUST ONE PERSON AT AN UNREASONABLE $240 US DOLLARS MONTH? YET YOU WILL NOT LET ME DISPUTE IT. I HAVE LOSE ALL RESPECT FOR YOU MASTERCARD. NOW EVERYONE.

An X- MasterCard Holder

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cindy e.
Daytona Beach, US
May 22, 2009 7:43 pm EDT

THIS COMPANY NOT ONLY CHARGED ME FOR THE FREE TRIAL THEY ALSO HIT MY CREDIT CARD $78.93. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE MY CREDIT BACK..THEY OFFERED ME $20.00. I TOLD HIM TO KEEP HIS MONEY HOWEVER I AM GOING TO CHARGE THEM WITH FRAUD. ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM, AS WELL AS, INFORM THE B.B.B.
YES, I AGREE WITH YOU, THEY ALL SPOKE VERY BAD BROKEN ENGLISH..
YOU THINK WE ARE BEING RIPPED OFF...

CINDY E.

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Barbara
Dacula, US
May 05, 2009 2:37 pm EDT

I'm trying to see what can be done about this scam by calling our consumer guru. What a racket! Free indeed!

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2real4u
Tampa, US
Apr 27, 2009 5:40 pm EDT

I have also been suckered by this SCAM! I will never again attempt A FREE Trial Again. I received the product 12 days into the trial period! The next day I called the company I received no answer, the following day I constantly called till someone answered the man tried to convince me to keep trying the product for a discount rate, I kept saying no and that I request cancel immediately. This is when the Grand Finale of this Scam occurred. I was charged $ 78.93 because my trial period had ended according to them. I repeatedly explained that I just received the product and they know that. The idiot told me I should have called when I didn't receive it sooner. I explained that it came on the 12 day of my supposed trial period. He insisted that I should have called when I didn't receive it and that he would cancel further shipments but I would just have to eat the $ 78.93 plus the $5.95 Shipping and Handling!...
What a crock of [censored]...unethical and lousiness of a sorry @ss scamming company!

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claudia
Alpharetta, US
Apr 27, 2009 11:36 am EDT

Hi Robert, They did the same thing to me, but they made two chargers of 78, 93. I am going to complain to this company every day until i get my money back. What they do they rush you by timing you for the free trial so they can charge you at list one time. let me know if you did something about it.

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4:04 pm EDT
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Advanced Wellness Research account charged $69.99

I purchased a 'sample' of a teeth whitening product at a cost of $6.99 the terms indicated that I had 60 days to decline to receive the products on an auto ship basis. It has been less than 30 days and they have debited by account of $69.99. Oh, by the way - I still have not received the product! When I called them to complain, I got an indian speaking gentleman named 'shawn' who refused to let me speak with a supervisor and offered me a $40. Credit. When I explained that I wanted the full amount credited to my account he insisted that I should have read the terms. I explaned that the terms indicated 60 days and they had debited my account in less than 30 days and that I had not received the product. I pleaded to please let me speak with the supervisor he told me the supervisor was too busy.
I will send a letter to their company president and whomever else I can. And we wonder why our country is in the shape its in... Its because we have allowed these types of shady companies to take advantage of our trust!

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Kim Nicholas
Huntngton, US
Jul 20, 2009 5:21 pm EDT

I, too, have been taken. Same old stories...Only, they charged my cc for 2 charges of $78.93. I called several times and finally they refubded 1 of the 2 charges, charged on the same day, even after cancelling my order. I'm working with my bank to try to help me contest the charges. What an ordeal...

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Stunna
, US
May 24, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

I Cannot Believe this, I saw this trial offer posted on AOL. I didn't see read the terms and conditions. HA! They charged me the 83 Dollars. I called them the same day i checked my mail box and recieved another set of whitener. They said they would credit me $30.00 and charge me for another month of supply for $13. So i did that, now next month they said i can cancel. we'll c about that. At least my teeth will be white

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Advanced Wellness Research
Coeur d Alene, US
May 22, 2009 1:24 pm EDT

I have had the same problem with this company, except they charged me $4.99 for the trial sample, than a few days later charged me $78.93 four times on my credit card, i didn`t rec. the product i also spoke with several people who spoke bad english which i couldn`t understand they wouldn`t let me speak to a supervisor. I called my credit card company and reported the problem, they said not to pay as i didn`t rec. the merchandise and if it should be shipped refuse it and cancelled my credit card for a new one. Your credit card co. will help you people if you report it, imagine being charged 4 times for a product i didn`t recieve, i didn`t even have a chance to try the free trial before they charged me all these charges, this is a bad company. Betty

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Lorna
Buford, US
May 20, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PISSED WITH THESE F*^$@#S/SCAMMERS whatever you want to call them..All i can write is that everything that everyone else has written...the same happened to me...Someone please let me know what i can do...to stop these ###ERS from doing to this to more decent people..Being a Brit i will NOT apologise for my language on here...and just like Sophi (when i called my UK credit card to put a stop on any future charges) i was told by someone at my bank that 2 payments of $83.92 and $78.93 had been taken within 2 weeks of each other...I WILL BE DISBUITING THESE CHARGES WITH MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY TOMORROW...I was fuming so i called the company again...demanded to speak with a supervisor...after being on hold Arron Walter who said he was the supervisor came to the phone..When i told him what had happened he tried to tell me it was my fault etc...then i pointed out to him that i'd found this website with 100's of dissatisfied customers and i was going to report there ethics to the BBB he started to tell me that myself and the other 100's of pissed off people were all at fault for not reading the small print...I was spiting feathers at this point and then i proceeded to "rip him a new one"...he eventually told me he would refund $60.00 to my account...LETS SEE IF THAT HAPPENS...and i told him if everything ever appears on my account from them again...THEY WILL BE REALLY ###ING SORRY...

I'm still going to distbute all these charges...AND PLEASE ANYONE AND EVERYONE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO STOP THESE ###!...

Lorna...

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sophi
Yonkers, US
May 20, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

I am going through the same situation i was charged $78.93 for the sample and $89.93 for another shipment that i have not recieved. I called and they did not give me a chance to speak when i told them i want a full refund they are such thieves and i do now why we keep sucking up to them.

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madashell
, US
May 04, 2009 10:59 am EDT

I just got off the phone with "Marvin" at Advanced Wellness and was told the same identical thing! They work from a script, and are told NOT to let us talk to the manager. My call was my second. I had cancelled last week with Rick and was told my acct would be credited and the order cancelled! Not only was my card charged AGAIN but I received more product. When I explained this to "Marvin" he told me no my acct was not credited, that I accepted the product, and only the second shipment would be credited. Again, the script... "I can only offer you a $50 credit you did not cancel in time..." I will be watching my credit very closely and if I do not get the credits I was told I would, I will be filing a complaint with the BBB and anyone else who cares to listen.

I suggest anyone who has "ordered" from these guys do the same!

God Bless America!

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Dragonturtle
HACIENDA HEIGHTS, US
Apr 25, 2009 3:20 pm EDT

Boy, the silver lining of this is knowing that I am not alone. I got the same blog from a lady about her amazing experiences with this company's product and the same Indian accent speaking C/S rep from Advance Wellness named Eric (or Erid). I have disputed to my bank and stopped all future charges.

The other scam to look out for is EASY WHITE that was said to work best with the Advanced Wellness product in the blog message. Their C/S rep was tough on defending the company's position and doesn't even offer partial refund.

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donna
Beltsville, US
Apr 12, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

I also had a similar situation. I ordered the product on 3/21 as a result of a woman's testimony about how wonderful the product was. Nowhere on th site where I ordered the product was there any indication of a 14 day free trial. A few days after receiving the order, I called to cancel because the package indicates that if you have periodontal disease not to use it. The first time I called, Shawn just kept asking me for more information. When I told them I was not giving them more information, he told me that he couldn't cancel the order unless I gave him the information. When I requested to speak with a manager, I was told that unless I gave them the information, there was nothing they could do to help me including transfer me to a manager. I hung up and called back. The second time, I could here two men discussing something in the background before they came on the phone. I could not hear what they were saying. When they did come on the phone, I was told that the free trial was not cancelled within the free trial period and my card was charged for $79.99 on April 6. After trying to persuade them to give me a refund, the gentleman told me that they could only refund $40 of the $79.99 charge to my credit card. When I requested that the full amount be returned, I was told that I should have cancelled within the 14 days. He went on to tell me that a lot of folks order as many as 5 free trials and then call to cancel within 2 days and they get a lot of product for free. To that, I responded "so I have to pay for what other people are doing". His response was "it is just business."

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Leigh
Hartville, US
Apr 07, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

I had a similar situation occur. I ordered my product on 3/23...did not receive it until 4/1, called on 4/6 to state I was dissatisfied with the product and calling to return the product, was instructed to call back the next day due to errors in their system...then had a very unexpected charge debited for $78.93 the very next day. I called and was told they could not stop the charge since it was initiated that day cause my trial period had expired. I was instructed to call back the next day and they would refund part of it ($40). I requested that they forward me to their supervisor, the man (Alex) stated that he was the superior and refused to transfer me to his supervisor, their billing dept, etc. I called back and again spoke with Alex who after I gave him the order number began stating that there was some error in their phones and that he couldn't hear me and to call back when their systems were better preferably on the next day. I called back and used a different option spoke with a woman who stated that they could cancel my order but would not refund my money to me that they were charging. I then asked her "so you're charging me $78 for nothing?!" to which she responded that the money they were charging was paying for the product that I received from my 14-day free trial...a little vial that I had paid for in good faith that I was paying the shipping and handling to try the product not get raped with a $78 charge on my account and had they listened and actually cancelled my order like I was trying to do prior to my period being up, this would not have happened.

I read up on this, am filing a Federal Regulation E form with my bank as I was under the impression that it was a 14-day trial period. I attempted to contact the company and let them know that the product was hurting my teeth...was told to call back the next day and that someone would be there to help me. I was not aware or made aware of the $78 charge nor was I informed that this was pending as I'm sure they could tell on their screens in front of them. I intend to also file a complaint with the BBB and with any other outlets. This is a scam and the company running this should be stopped.

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kme1971
El Cajon, US
Apr 04, 2009 2:03 pm EDT

I fell victim to this company and also South Beach Smile because I read some lady's blog about her experience. I guess that is part of the scam.
I ordered a free-trial for $6.95. I did not receive the product until 7 days into the trial period, it hurt my teeth, and NOWHERE in the confirmation email or packaging or even the order form online did it say anything about an automatic $79.99 charge to my credit card. All they could do was lecture me on reading the terms and conditions, if the question I asked didn't fall into their scripted response, they just rattled on and didn't even address my issue. Well I had to go to my dentist yesterday and he advised me to discontinue use of the product because it made my teeth hurt. I also noticed the charge on my account dated Monday 3/30/09. That is when it posted, so it was initiated AT LEAST 2-3 days prior, on the 27th or 28th, which means I really only had 7 days to test the product before they charged me. I ordered on 3/13/09, received 3/20/09 and was most likely charged on Friday 3/27/09.
SO, here is my plan:
I am going to submit a complaint to the BBB. I suggest anyone who has been scammed by this company, or others like Advanced Wellness, do so also.
I have also consulting an attorney. I know this is not a huge amount of money, but these companies are banking on the fact that no one will actually DO anything about it. The charge to my debit card overdrew my account, so I have overdraft charges to contend with as well. What they are doing is false advertising at the very least, fraudulent and possibly criminal. If anyone reading this would be open to participating in a group lawsuit (the term class-action has NOT been thrown around yet) or would like to help at all with information only, please let me know. teethwhiteningscam at yahoo dot com. I am collecting information to present to my attorney so he can decide if this is worth pursuing. No personally identifying information is required at this point.
I have had it with these companies ripping us off, forcing us to deal with foreign customer service reps that either don't speak english well or clearly are only reading from a script and have no idea how to actually serve customers.
My last step is to contact a local news agency that does reports on injustices and scams that target regular people. If I can’t reach the worls, I’ll reach a large portion of Southern California.
My voice will be heard, darn it. This has really made me angry and I want to do something about it!

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Advanced Wellness Research pure acai berry = pure scam

The pop up ads are extremely convincing, sponsered by Oprah... stories of huge weight loss results from people in your own neighborhood, teamed with Total Cleanse, most likey another "Total Scam". Advanced Wellness Research issues a "Trial Period" but they dont tell you that after your trial period they will send you another shipment, charged to your provided card number automatically. They will also tell you that it is a non-refundable product because you did not cancel before the end of the trial period. I called to cancel but did not have my order number, so i gave all of my information ranging from address, name, email address, and even phone number. The customer service representative, hardly english speaking, told me he had no records of my name or any other information i had provided. I called back that afternoon, order number in hand... The representative i spoke with this time told me the system was down, he said he would cancel my account but could not refund my credit card for the product i unwillingly received. After nearly an hour on the phone he said my account was cancelled but he could not provide me with a cancellation number because...you guessed it "The system was down." I called back a week later requesting a cancellation number to be sure i would not recieve another shipment and charge. On this ocassion i spoke with a woman who told me i had never called before according to her records. She told me there was no cancellation request ever made to my account. After another hour on the phone she said my oredr was cancelled, but... if i wanted a total confirmation on my cancellation i would have to email the company. Very inconvenient in my opinion, im am forced to cancel my credit card in order to be sure i am not further charged by this company.
Furthermore, the personal information i had provided was passed along to another company.. Buyers Edge who enrolled me in yet another trial period in which i would be charged a fee each month to the credit card number i had provided to Advanced Wellness Research only. Obviously this company is also sharing personal information with other scandalous corporations and companies.
Please be very suspicious of this company. My recomendation...Do not buy their product.
Thanks for reading,
A concerned buyer

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Twice burned
, US
Apr 22, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

Dear Informed Person,

I guess you are a liar and a cheat as well. After getting caught by the Advanced Wellness Institute scam back in Feb and taking several phone calls to my credit card company and to the Wellness company, I finally stopped it with threatening the cancellation of my credit card. Then, a couple of months later I get two charges on my credit card from the same company who charged for the original Acai berry order UMG, United Marketing Group for two other scams I never signed up for. Now, either AWI is in cahoots with UMG or they are idiots because they didn't know UMG was taking orders for Acai berry and signing those credit cards up for another scam. Which is it? And, as far as reading your terms and conditions, I went back to the website you just posted www.pureacaiberrypro.com, which is the site I ordered from originally and read again those terms and conditions. Nowhere does it say that by buying this product you are also signing up for Simply Mine and MyAd? whatever, but that is who charged 19.99 for each to my credit card again, through UMG. I intend to file fraud charges immediately because I am sure my card was used without me signing up for anything and I have proof.

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concern informed person
, CA
Mar 24, 2009 9:54 pm EDT

i would like to comment of this person statement, and as someone who know first hand that advanced wellness research dont not have a pop up's when you get to place a order, advanced wellness advanced has there own website, i can tell this client hat if you order any product thur a pop up that they are not ordering it from the company. these pops up are put there by other people, the advanced wellness research website and the product website is www.pureacaiberrypro.com and that is a secure website, if you order any product thur a pop up or a blog you are not ordering the product direct from website, people places these ads and put advanced wellness research order form on there links pop up and blogs, and as a result of ordering any product this way you open your email and mailing address to all sorts of junk mail and junk email, , i also know advanced wellness research is in no way related to Total Cleanse they are there own company, also buyers edge is in no way related to advaned wellness research, , if customer who want to purchase this product should really take the time to read the TERMS AND CONDITIONS THAT ARE POSTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE WEBSITE, , WWW.PUREACAIBERRYPRO.COM. CAUSE THAT IS WERE MOST OF THE PROBLEMS WITH CLIENTS LIKE THIS PERSON THAT DONT DO ALL THERE RESEACH, IF THERE HAD READ THE CONDITIONS POSTED THERE THEY WOULDNT BE POSTING COMMENT LIKE THEY DID, , i also know that in order to receive total cleanse product you have to had placed a order thur them, not us, so if people are going to be posted comments on here place i wish they get there story straight and not write just want they want to say, , personal infomation with advanced wellness reseach is not shared with other companys, the reason why other company got her credit card info was cause she order product from another company, and because she ordered thur a pop up window she expose her infomation to all types of junk / i hope that when people reads this they know that a big company like advanced wellness research would not give out someone credit card infomation, that would be business sucide. thanks for reading, , i hope this answers some peoples concerns,

very informed person

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Advanced Wellness Research forced to pay to cancel free trial

I saw an ad online for a free trial of the "Bright Teeth Whitening System" which says that all you need to may for is the shipping and handling. I read through the entire terms of use and contract to make sure that there was no way they could charge me anything above the $4.99 shipping charge if I cancel within 14 days. The first problem that occurred was that they charged me $6.99 instead of $4.99 for shipping...not a huge deal just misleading. I received the product on March 6, 2009. I decided to call the cancel the free trial on March 7, 2009. When I called, they said that I would have to pay close to $100 for returning before exactly 14 days. They also said I would have to return everything I used. Then they offered to let me keep everything I used and cancel as long as I paid a $9.95 fee and then my contract would be cancelled. The contract did not say anything about this fee and I tried to argue but the guy was from another country and it seemed like he was intentionally speaking quickly so that I couldn't understand him. I got frustrated and said said fine but I don't think I need to pay this but I just needed to get off the phone.

I looked the company up online and found countless people complaining about the same issues and saying that they had been charged huge amounts of money and that the company actually operates illegally, claiming that they are in Florida but in fact the company is overseas and is not authorized to do business in the US. They also said that even though they were given cancellation numbers (like I was) they they still keep getting charges. I am upset about the $9.95 and worried that I am going to get charged money in the future. All of the other people complaining said that they were never able to get their money back and I am very worried. It seems like this company should not be in operation and should be investigated thoroughly.

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toni
Charlotte, US
Mar 24, 2009 8:54 pm EDT

The exact same thing has happened to me. I wrote them today expecting to get a phone call within a few hours as their website states in the billing section. I guess becasue when I emailed them I told them I will never do business with them again and they better not take money out of my acct again etc. I wanted to see too if they would call me as many times as they did when I initially placed the order a few days ago. Nope, not a phone call. All the foreign speaking people they had calling me trying to get verification on this and that not a one has called me back today. They are absolute scammers and should not be allowed to take advantage of innocent people. I was told too that all I had to pay for was shipping fees of $4.99 then down to $1.99 well they charged me $6.99 then immediately took out another $69.99. If I could get a hold to one of their fingers I would be as bad as they are because I would try my best to break it and knock their teeth out. Devils of this nature should not exist, or if they do only with their own kind. Not speaking of the fact that they are foreigners but just the utter ignorance of people desiring to get over on other people. Be honest employees, don't scam people. You heart people when you misrepresent. You're nasty ********@@@@@@@@###########%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%.

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toni
Charlotte, US
Mar 24, 2009 8:39 pm EDT

Very upset, I understand why these people are also. Companies like these should be raided. They are scammers and will not prosper due to the fact of how deceitful they are. The employees know they are lying to customers. They'd better get out of these forsaken hellish positions before they are destroyed by reputation and spiritual default. I hate companies like these, I hate it, hate it hate it, stop taking advantage of people, because one day yours is coming, when and how we do not know but just know God don't like ugly.

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Advanced Wellness Research unauthorized debit of credit card

I odered a free trial of Acia berry from Advanced Wellness Research and I authorized the use of my credit card for the shipping cost of $4.99. Approximately 14 days later my credit card was debited in the amount of $78.81 and an additional chanrge of $2.35, for an out of country trasnsaction fee. I did not authorize either of these debits. I have tried to reach the above referenced company three times by phone in the last 16 hours. I was placed on hold for over 7 minutes before the first call was terminated. During the last two calls I was transfred to an extension to "terminate my home delivery" and these calls were also terminated by Advanced Wellness Research (AWR), thereby making it impossible for me to cancel any services that AWR may contend I authorized. I have lodged a complaint with the bank that issued my cedit card and have requested a reimbusement of fees charged by AWR. However, I was not able to reach anyone with AWR to demand that no future use be made of my credit card. Stephanie Knapp

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Christine Bever
Red Oak, US
Mar 07, 2009 1:17 pm EST

I also have agreed to the 4.99 shipping charge and am sure my credit card has been charged. mI received a second shipment without a reguest.

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Advanced Wellness Research false advertising/fraud

I ordered ACAI Pro from an internet ad that stated this was among the most potent formulas and had been approved by Oprah and Dr. Mehmet Oz, from a reputable site. The next morning, I felt uncomfortable about the order and attempted to call and cancel. I was cut off twice after waiting at least 10 minutes each time, then got someone I could barely understand. This person stated I had to have an order number, which I was never given in the first place, and that my name did not appear in their database. I told him that this was unacceptable and sounded suspicious. I knew then this was nothing but a scam. I asked to cancel the order, which he refused to do and stated I would have to call back when I received the order. The company name is not even on the internet site, but from their phone number [protected]) they were identified as Advanced Wellness Research. Five days later, I received an order from some outfit called FWM Laboratories for ACAI Berry Detox, which I didn't even order. My credit card had been charged on 2/23/09 for $2.00 and $1.95 from "ACAI Elite Bushey GBR, " and another for $4.99 that said "Acai Diet Today Cambridgeshir GBR." Concerned that my credit card would be further charged, I immediately called and canceled the card, especially after I found all the complaints about these two outfits on the internet. I believe this is false advertising and nothing more than a scam to bilk money out of people and I can't believe I fell for it. Nothing is free, either. You are charged for the bottle they touted as free within 14 days of your order. They only $8.94 total from me, and I will just have to chalk that up to a lesson learned. They won't bilk me for anymore!

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Missy
Elmira, US
Feb 28, 2009 6:58 pm EST

THIS IS HOW I HOPEFULLY TOOK CARE OF THIS::: I got caught up in the Acai Berry - Colon Cleanse scam as well. I had three $83.00+ charges on my credit card before I realized what was happening. The following is what I did and so far it is has been successful. I started with contacting the Better Business Bureau in Florida for FWM Laboratories. Then I contacted my credit card company and submitted fraud alerts for the three charges. I also had my credit card comany issue me a new number (as if I had lost my credit card) I then called the numbers listed on my credit card statement for each company (2 charges were same company and one charge was the other company) and was able to get through to a person on each of the two numbers and received a cancellation number on the one (from a very foreign sounding person) and was told I would receive an email confirmation on the other one. Never received it - ended up calling back and getting an email address. I emailed the company to confirm my cancellation and to get a return address to return the product. After getting a lecture by email on how I had agreed to the auto delivery program they told me they would reimburse me $41.00 of the 80 something charge and I could keep the product. (Yeah like I would ever take any of those pills now!). To date, my credit card company had deducted the three charges and the one company actually credited my account the $41.00. However, I am still going to check my credit card online daily just in case. That's how I did it. I covered as many bases as I could. Good luck to all. FYI - The two numbers I called ((Acaiberry&lifecleans [protected])) and ((Ids*max Colon [protected] Ca))

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mavric
Murray, US
Feb 27, 2009 7:11 pm EST

I absolutely agree - I did the free trail and they auto-enrolled me in some home delivery program for $80/month... they didn't even send an additional email before they charged my card - every single auto-delivery program I have used in past always notifies by mail or email when a charge is going to happen, I found this behavior to be very shady and upsetting. I had to call the same # to cancel and I am not even sure it is cancelled, I have disputed the charge with my credit card company...but beware beware beware...the product is actually quite good - the behavior of the company is reprehensible.

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Advanced Wellness Research major league scam! do not order!

My husband ordered the trial bottle of the acai tablets. Web site states NO RISK OFFER. If you read their terms of service you get their privacy policy instead. When you click on the acai berry ad it takes you to a different site that states if you don't cancel within 14 days you will be charged $78.81. Not only were we charged but we were again charged on 2/17 for another $82.80 for a product we did not order nor want. We called the company and got some guy who couldn't speak English, definitely called India. Only thing he understood was CANCEL but refused to give us a refund.

Called credit card company and boy are they aware of this company. Filed a dispute and charges are removed pending follow up. Had to close my account to so they couldn't charge us again. What a royal pain.

My shock (or maybe not) is that Rachel Ray has her name attached to these people. Someone really needs to give her a wake up call. There's no way to contact her unless you send an email to her [protected]@rachelray.com.

DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!

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Claudia Lewis
, US
Feb 27, 2009 4:07 pm EST

CLAUDIA md

I called the toll free number and was placed on hold for 15 mins with music in the background, the rest of the 40 mins i could clearly hear people speaking in the back. My call was finally ended after 45 mins unanswered.

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Advanced Wellness Research SCAM

They do not answer the phone to get your RMA and cancel your trial. I am very angry right now... i've called 6 times already and they put you on hold for a few minutes then hang up on you. is there any way i can get this straightened out? please help.

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Scammed and ripped off
Salt Lake City, US
Jun 19, 2009 11:16 am EDT

PLEASE BE AWARE...I ordered this product under the belief that I would be charged no more then $5.00 for Shipping/Delivery...imagine my surprise when I got a bill 2 weeks later for almost $80 ($78.93). When I called I got some dude in India who I could barely understand and proceeded to argue with him for the next 30 minutes. Long story short, they will NOT refund your money, you CANNOT speak to a supervisor, You CANNOT cancel the next shipments until you've received the shipment for that month...this means you must make yet another call to India and suffer through an additional 10-30 minutes of them trying to convince you to NOT cancel. THIS IS A SCAM...do NOT buy this product. Mine was delivered under the name of "BrightTeeth whitening System"

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K-10
, US
Nov 30, 2009 10:00 pm EST

I was stupid enough to go for this scam too. Unfortunately, I went for 3 separate "free product Trial" through three different companies to compare products. THis specific company sent me the free trial and also charged me about 2 weeks later. They were also charging me extraineous fees for other services they said they were providing me as part of my membership. Luckily I caught it, but not before this specific company had gotten their teeth into about $300. I went to their biller's website and cancelled my order; I was given a cancellation confirmation number. Of course I wrote it down. Then after I recieved another box of the whitening kit i figured perhaps it was an overlapse in cancellation and something they'd already charged me for...I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. But then I got another one so I called the company and called to no avail at first. One day, I finally got a spokesperson from India who went through all of my order information and had me verify all of my account info and charge details that I'd given originally. He told me that I would be recieving another shipment in a few weeks. THen I told him I wanted him I had cancelled the product and then supplies my cancellation confirmation number. I asked him if I had cancelled the product, why they were still sending me the product. All of a sudden, he blurts out that he no longer has access to my account information and that its locked. He then tells me that he needs to hand the matter over to his manager and tells me that I should recieve a call in a few days from an assisstant regarding the cancellation. I never got the call. Ever. A few days later I get another box in the mail.
I finally had to call my bank and tell them to deactivate my debit/credit card number and to issue me a new card. I then had to call Mastercard to report my card as lost/stolen with possible fraudulent activity. THey identified all the eroneous charges. UNfortunately, what we call fraud is not what the bank calls fraud. If you provided your charge details and received a product then it wasn't fraud. It's only fraud when you don't provide your details, and/or you don't receive a product. Furthermore, it was explained to me that since they had called, and recorded me verifying that I actually did want to recieve their trial product with the option to continue receiving their product...I consented. This is regardless of the fact that I had a cancellation number.
Thankfully, I had homeowners insurance, and this theft/loss was covered by my insurance company. It was difficult at first to get this all to stop...as they would change the name of their company on my bank statement every time they charged me. It always had something to do with bright teet, white teeth, white smile, bright etc...The insurance company stated this was typical of a scam...a bank will block a name, but it filters charges by specific name, not always generalities...so the next time that scam artist charges it gets through again and again.
The best thing you can do, if you want to try a free product trial offer, and you aren't sure if you'll want the product or if it's a scam, get one of those prepaid charge cards that you can pick up at walmart. Put the exact amout you need for the trial product onto the card and use the prepaid charge card in the order process. You get the product at the agreed to price, and you won't keep getting over-charged, or scammed since all the money allocated to the prepaid charge card number you used will have been exhausted for it's inital use. Go out and get a new one for something else rather than recharging the card with more monies so the scam company doesn't keep charging you.

It was a hard lesson learned, almost $1, 000 later. Fortunaly I got it all back by filing that claim with my insurance company through my home-owners insurance policy

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Gloria Livai
, US
Aug 08, 2009 5:17 pm EDT

oh if only i could tell people before they went on that stupid site for bright teeth but your're only going to find out if you have been sucked into the scam. I just recieved my free trial kit today, but then i stumbled onto this site and found out a big mistake. YOU KNOW WHAT I DID? Instead of crying over my future $80 gone to waste i took some action and called my bank. I bought my free trial with my debit card in which a credit card can go over it's limit when it comes to money. thats why you should never have a credit card to begin with...DEBTS. BUT ANYWAY i called my bank and ended up closing my DEBIT CARD and warned them of the merchants from PUre essentials (company of bright teeth products) that may try to take my money. So im getting a new card in the mail with my same pin number but a different card number. I hope this helps out for people who got into this mess and one day this company shall get sued for their poor skills in the field of business.
dONT COMPLAIN TAKE SOME ACTION!
its YOUR MONEY!

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Niccola A. Hain
Rockwood , US
Jul 03, 2009 12:56 pm EDT

I, too, was suckered into this SCAM! I just received my credit card statement and was charged $192.00! I got through to cancel my "subscription", but they will not return any of my money. I even tried my credit card company, but they sided with them! I am absolutely LIVID and want to know if there is anywhere a FEDERAL SUIT against this company because I want on this bandwagon.

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X MasterCard Holder
Amityharbor, US
Jun 07, 2009 9:57 am EDT

I also was suckered it to the trial offer. I find several of BRIGHT TEETH AND EASY WHITES methods fraudulent. One is that the ad that states that if you use these two different products you will get these great results. The ad leads me to believe that they were two different companies and two different products when in fact they are one in the same. Probably the same product as well. I did not notice the additional 78 dollars they would charge monthly as well. It should be stated on top so it would have been clear to see. It is in the fine print. This is very misleading. Who in their right mind would agree to 160.00 in teeth whiting products every month? On my statement I am being billed from three different companies for this scam. When I received the product it did not have anything in the packaging to state that I agree for them to keep sending the product or a termination clause. Now to the most disturbing factor of the scam. My credit card - MasterCard will not allow me to dispute the additional charges. When did the credit card companies take this right away from me? This scam is reported to the FCC and the credit card company stated to me that there are many complaints to them (Many) but they will not allow me to dispute the charges. Why? Well my educated guess is that if they had to dispute all the cases being reported the credit card company would have to terminate the relationship with Bright Teeth and Easy White (The same company) losing that revenue. We as consumers are being scammed and our credit card companies are not putting a stop to it. It makes no sense, unless the credit card companies do not want to lose that revenue from Bright Teeth and Easy White. What to do. File a complaint with the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, FCC, POST TO AS MANT SITES AS YOU CAN WITH A COMPLAINT. SOMEONE SHOULD FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT. The most important cancel your relationship with the credit card company that takes your right away to dispute a charge. Especially a company that has so many complaints against them. MasterCard you should be ashamed of your stand on this matter. When did you stop backing your cardholders? When you got in on the scam? If any one knows of an attorney to take on this scam please post.

An X- MasterCard Holder - You should be ashamed - MasterCard

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Susan
Bakersfield, US
May 11, 2009 11:36 pm EDT

I also ordered the product. I called the Advanced Wellness Research @ [protected] and spoke to a man by the name of Nick Jones and told him that I wanted to cancel any further shipments and that I have not used the product. I received the same treatment and was told how good the product was and he would extend the trial to another 14 days. I told Nick no, not to extend the trial period and that I was going to send the product back and to what address could I ship it to . He asked me why I had not tried the product and I told him that I had thought about it and I just did not want the product and that I would ship it back to them. Nick told me that he would not charge my account the $78.93. I specifically asked him again and again about the $78.93 charge and he stated my account would not be charged and to keep the product and try it. I will be shipping the product back. I will wait for my bank account to come in and I will go from there to see if I have been charged.

susan

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Lori Hall
Salina, US
May 05, 2009 12:04 pm EDT

The exact same thing happened to me. What a scam. This company needs to be shut down immediately.

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whitening fraud
, DE
Apr 28, 2009 3:06 am EDT

Just by their sales method, i.e the count down whilst you're filling in the form, tells me they are bogus! If anyone wants to whiten their teeth, go to your dentist, where you will get professional advice. Furthermore, never give out your credit card details to an unknown company.

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2real4u
Tampa, US
Apr 27, 2009 5:38 pm EDT

I have also been suckered by this SCAM! I will never again attempt A FREE Trial Again. I received the product 12 days into the trial period! The next day I called the company I received no answer, the following day I constantly called till someone answered the man tried to convince me to keep trying the product for a discount rate, I kept saying no and that I request cancel immediately. This is when the Grand Finale of this Scam occurred. I was charged $ 78.93 because my trial period had ended according to them. I repeatedly explained that I just received the product and they know that. The idiot told me I should have called when I didn't receive it sooner. I explained that it came on the 12 day of my supposed trial period. He insisted that I should have called when I didn't receive it and that he would cancel further shipments but I would just have to eat the $ 78.93 plus the $5.95 Shipping and Handling!...
What a crock of [censored]...unethical and lousiness of a sorry @ss scamming company!

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Carol
Granbury, US
Apr 27, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

I ordered the free trial. When I received my credit card statement I was charged $78.93 plus $85.92. When I called to dispute the charges I was told that the website indicated the return policy which I never saw. There was no written return policy with the trial package. (No paperwork accompanied the trial package that stated it had to be returned and the order canceled in order not to receive further charges.) I was given a credit for the $78.93 but not the $85.93 because they said it had already been shipped and I could not return it for a refund. I feel they misrepresented their product by not including specific return instructions with the trial product. THIS IS A SCAM and I highly recommend that you DO NOT fall for this gimmick.

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Advanced Wellness Research canceling my trial and getting rma

I have called numerous times trying to get a RMA to return my free trial that I no longer want and every time I do I am put on hold for about 5 minutes then they hang up on me. there is no way to e-mail them to get the RMA and they do not answer the phone to give it to me. In order to cancel my trial they have to give me the RMA and if i do not get it by the time the trial is up I will have to pay for the full price of the product that i do not even want anymore. The syringes are too messy and hard to use.

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shakejake
Keokuk, US
Jun 10, 2009 9:16 pm EDT

SCAM I ordered a FREE TRIAL offer for their teeth whitening system, only paying shipping of $4.99. FINE print states that if dissatisfied cancel within 14 days. If you do not they will first then charge you $78.93 which is the difference of the regular price of $83.92 & the $4.99 you already paid. SO WHERE IS THE FREE PART? Also they actomatically start sending you & charging you monthly with no returns. Do to family health & work issues I haven't even had time to try the product but there customer service and diffiniton of FREE is terrible. The 2nd box of stuff I wanted to return they told me they will not take back any product but would credit my charge card a whole $40.00! They charged my card for the FREE TRIAL & the next months shipment total 167.84 pretty expensive way to learn a lesson.

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Elaine Nowell
Mena, US
May 06, 2009 6:59 pm EDT

SCAM SCAM SCAM! Con and rip-off artist. I paid via internet on my charge card, the $4.99 shp. fee for a free trial of teeth whitening product. I DID NOT ask for more, nor did I click on anything to keep it coming in future. A few days later, I noticed I was charged $78.93 four times on the same day- to my credit card for a product I DID NOT ORDER, and all at one time! This speaks a lot in itself. It was not even spaced out monthly! I did get to my bank in time, to stop payment on the charges pending, and to close my card out.
They DO NOT answer their phone number they give you, and it is just a recording that keeps repeating itself, even after giving you numbers to press to speak to someone, to order, or to cancel.
AND - if you decide to cancel orders you may have made, they are NOT going to be answering you phone calls, so you might as well close your credit card out.

If this happens to you, CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MAKE A COMPLAINT OR FILE CHARGES.
If it is an out of country operation, then contact the FBI also.
Elaine

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Sue
Lombard, US
Apr 02, 2009 1:22 pm EDT

The same thing happened to me----what a SCAM! I learned my lesson the hard way! Am trying to get the charges reversed through my bank/credit card company. This company should be put out of business or reported to the District Attorney's office!

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Lynne
Houston, US
Mar 20, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

I had the same problems as everyone else! I tried the so called, "free trial"... paid $6.99 instead of $4.99 for shipping... I cancelled the free trial, was given a confirmation number, then was charged the exact same day for $69.99! When I called to dispute the charge they said they would return the amount and to call the next morning if it had not been refunded. It was not refunded. I called back and was told they could only refund $60.00, not the FULL amount! When I threatened to speak to a supervisor and repeated my previous cancellation number, then I was told I could get the full amount back. Then they told me it would take 3 to 5 days to receive the refund! I'm about to call my credit card company now...

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Dan
Sahuarita, US
Mar 20, 2009 2:32 pm EDT
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I never even ordered a sample or anything-never even heard of the company, and had a $69.99 charge on my card. I called Visa to reverse the charge and cancel the card.

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Pamela K
Nekoosa, US
Mar 17, 2009 12:53 pm EDT

Not good when you google 'advanced wellness research RMA' to find if you can get one from the site and get consumer complaint sites instead! I had the same issues as you all. I think they have their phones set so if you hit option 1 ( to cancel a program with them) that it takes you nowhere. I called back and worked my way thru the options till I got a human. She hesitated when I said I was calling to cancel, then verified my info and asked if she could put me on hold. I told her it'd better be quick as I'd seen lots of complaints of this company putting people on hold for long periods of time or never coming back. All this time I'm picturing someone in her house acting like she's a company, putting me on hold to check on dinner, go potty or let her dog out! She came back and said it was set, after about 2 mins of terrible music. She never offered an RMA, just said it was cancelled. I asked for the number--she said "your cancellation number?"..I said "yes" and she gave me this real long number of letters and numbers. I asked about returning it. She said I don't need to return anything, I can keep it, and there would be no further charges. This remains to be seen. Hope it's the end of it. I used my Paypal debit with existing funds, but if they try to charge me it will go into negative. Not sure how easy it is to work with paypal on a dispute that is NON-ebay..sigh...

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Marcus Thompson
Tacoma, US
Mar 08, 2009 12:04 am EST

I was also ripped off.
I saw an ad online for a free trial of the "Bright Teeth Whitening System" which says that all you need to may for is the shipping and handling. I read through the entire terms of use and contract to make sure that there was no way they could charge me anything above the $4.99 shipping charge if I cancel within 14 days. The first problem that occurred was that they charged me $6.99 instead of $4.99 for shipping...not a huge deal just misleading. I received the product on March 6, 2009. I decided to call the cancel the free trial on March 7, 2009. When I called, they said that I would have to pay close to $100 for returning before exactly 14 days. They also said I would have to return everything I used. Then they offered to let me keep everything I used and cancel as long as I paid a $9.95 fee and then my contract would be cancelled. The contract did not say anything about this fee and I tried to argue but the guy was from another country and it seemed like he was intentionally speaking quickly so that I couldn't understand him. I got frustrated and said said fine but I don't think I need to pay this but I just needed to get off the phone. I looked the company up online and found countless people complaining about the same issues and saying that they had been charged huge amounts of money and that the company actually operates illegally, claiming that they are in Florida but in fact the company is overseas and is NOT authorized to do business in the US. They also said that even though they were given cancellation numbers (like I was) they they still keep getting charges. I am upset about the $9.95 and worried that I am going to get charged money in the future. All of the other people complaining said that they were never able to get their money back and I am very worried. It seems like this company should not be in operation and should be investigated thoroughly.

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Linda Barnes
, US
Feb 20, 2009 5:45 pm EST

Keep calling and ask for a supervisor. We did call and cancel and they still charged us 23.95 + 69.99. If you dont get a resolution from them contact your credit card company and they will dispute it for you and reverse the charge. They are a complete ripoff!

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Advanced Wellness Research return address and rma no. - hope this is helpful

This is the conversation that has taken place between myself and Advanced Wellness Research recently. Normally I am very kind in my emails, but they have really ticked me off. But at least I got some results.

Hi Gayle,

Thank You for contacting Advance Wellness Research - Customer Service.

We do apologize for the inconvenience caused to you. We've gone ahead and canceled your order, there would be no more future shipments or charges. Please return the unused bottle to our below mentioned address quoting RMA No. - RMA2443181VJ at the top of the package.

Our return address:-

Advanced Wellness Research Inc.
#3, 17th Avenue South, Nampa,
Idaho 83651

Make sure that we'll receive your shipment within the next 10 days.

For any further queries please feel free to call us at our toll free number [protected]

Thank you and have a nice day.

Regards,

Viv J
Advanced Wellness Research, Inc. – Customer Service

Original Message
----------------
Subject: Re: Reply from Advance Wellness Research
From: [protected]@wiktel.com
To: "Service"
Date: [protected]:21:11
well, Jessica (if that is your real name)

I did not realize people needed to give explanations for returning
products. I realized shortly after I ordered this product that it was a
scam. I have read many complaints against your company. I have tried
calling the number you listed, and have been hung up on. I get some gal
that sounds like she is from India, and can barely understand her. She
is rude and does not make it easy to cancel the order. I could go on and
on. I know your company has been reported to the Better Business Bureau,
along with some other companies who may end up investigating you.

I have not even opened the product, because then I know you will
probably not want to accept it back.

By the way, if you are going to get gals to model for your
advertisements, at least get a few of them. I have seen the same gal
with 5 different names. That right there tells me there is something
unscrupulous about this company.

Now send me the address where I can return this product.

Gayle Gustafson
>
>
> Hi Gayle Gustafson,
>
>
> Thank you for contacting Advanced Wellness Research - Customer
> Service. We do respect your decision to go ahead and cancel the
> subscription to our product, which may be due to some unexpected
> circumstances that you came across, however understanding the real
> situation behind your decision would not only help us to serve you
> better but improve our services as well.
>
>
> We would therefore request you to let us know the primary reason for
> cancellation.
>
>
> Please note that in any case the returned system must include the
> following –
>
> Pure Acai Berry pack – Unused portion
>
>
> To return your system, simply call us at [protected]* *
>
>
> *NOTE:* You are responsible for costs associated with shipping the
> items back to us and your initial shipping and handling charges are
> not refundable.
>
>
> Thank you and have a nice day!
>
>
> Regards,
>
> JESSICA WATSON,
>
> Advanced Wellness Research, Inc. – Customer Service

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JoAnn Lazane
,
Jun 03, 2016 8:14 am EDT

Always just a recorded message when trying to reach this company concerning my return of their product within the 14 day trial period. Emails from "customer service" stipulate that a Return Merchandise Authorization must be printed out and included on the return package even though I have already mailed the product back to the location from which it was mailed prior to finding out that they required this Authorization.
Their on-line advertising is obviously a scam designed to trap unwary consumers into additional charges. I will continue to fight this fly-by-night company which is out to defraud people.

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georgena rickey
, US
Feb 11, 2009 4:10 pm EST

THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF IT'S SELF. RIPING OFF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. NOT making their terms clear and misleading. opranh, rachel ray and the t.v.. networks should be more careful in what they endorse i had to contact my credit card to stop payment. they stated they have had many complaints about this company. please, people make sure you know what you are buying next time you see some thing like this. i have learned my lesson.

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dwalters
Duvall, US
Jun 03, 2016 8:14 am EDT

Advanced Wellness Research has a convincing ad for a product which turns out to be inferior. The order form on the website double orders; therefore, you are double billed. They promise easy cancellation, but that is not the case. They do not respond to requests for cancellation. I had to stop payment at the bank. I placed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I have learned my lesson. It's a shame to be scammed in such a way. Advanced Wellness Research is dishonest and untrustworthy.

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becky chavis
,
Jun 03, 2016 8:14 am EDT

i have had similar problems. what a crock of sh---- my bank is stopping payment on any more charges.

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patricia mankel
,
Jun 03, 2016 8:14 am EDT

I have been scammed also. I have TRIED TRIED TRIED, to reach this company to no avail. I am out 78.81 Called the Attny General's office in Florida. Looks like they have phone offices everywhere. I thing they are only answering services and noone answers. I really want to send this back and I don't have a rma number or an address. I only have what is on the stupid package which looks like Id. any ideass?

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Donnie McIntosh
,
Jun 03, 2016 8:14 am EDT

ORDERED THE PURE ACAI BERRY PAID THE SHIPPING OF $4.95 THEN I FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE CHARGED MY CARD FOR ANOTHER $78.81 TRIED TO CALL SAID MAILBOX WAS FULL BEEN CALLING FOR SEVERAL DAYS SAME THING .WHAT A SCAM THEY HAVE AND ITS SUPPORTED BY A CELEB LIKE OPRAH WILL HAVE TO FIX THIS SITUATION BEFORE OTHER POOR SOULS ARE SCAMMED BY THESE JOKERS

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Thomas Marlo
,
Jun 03, 2016 8:14 am EDT

I am also on the unfortunate sucker lists. When I saw Oprah recommending this product, I fell for it. Now they are taking money out of my account for merchandise not received. I should've known better, but had a brain fart.

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Advanced Wellness Research rip-off

I too feel I've been taken advantage of. You are offered a FREE 14-day sample for $4.99 shipping and handling. I did not think the product did anything and when the package came it DID NOT say you had to call to not be charged $78.81 for the rest of the pills. You are shipped a bottle of 60 which if you're told it is a free 14-day sample why give you a full bottle - why? so the company can rip you off for $78.81. I think this really stinks. I hope these people can sleep at night ripping me and I'm sure plenty of others off.
VERY DISSATISFIED!

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cliff
, US
Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am EST

I think the whole thing is a scam. I was able to get a hold someone in India [seems to me that's their call center] Anyway after minutes of my ### he agreed to refund my $78.81 charge, which days later i was able to confirmed it with credit card statement. For all you guy got ripped off I have a working number.

Pure Acai Berry Pro™
Advanced Wellness Research, Inc.
Customer Care Team
[protected]

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Advanced Wellness Research funds illegally drafted from my accnt.

My name is julia lehman. I have an incurable disease, with 3 children. I am a single mom. The disease has now spread. I am on disability, and cannot even do sedentary work.
On the 29th of january, $78.81 dollars were illeagally drafted from my account, without my permission!

I don't know what company this is, I was also billed $4.99 from my account... On the 12th...

I have these packages and I didn't order them. They haven't been opened, I am sending them back. I am a very ill woman, and would never buy a product. I tried to go to a site to cancel..."no order placed." is what came up. The canellation number which they wanted... I didn't have one, because I didn't order anything. So! Now I don't even know how to cancel this.

My e-mail address is: [protected]@aol.com
Right now, with the help of my bank, a fraudulent investigation is taking place.

I want these funds returned.
I can be reached at [protected],
[protected]
[protected]@aol.com

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upset client
Port Deposit, US
Feb 04, 2009 6:24 am EST

I saw the free trial and like others thought since Oprah and other companies were highly recomending them to try the trial for the shipping cost only at 4.95. I received the Acai in the mail about 3 weeks later. I started taking them and nothing happened. I have had them for almost two week when I received a call from my Credit card stating that I was being billed for $78.81. I contacted the company and the woman who I could hardly understand kept me on the phone for 45 min. It went from you only have a 14 day free trial so if you dont send the product back within the 14 day you are automatically billed $78.81. I told her I had not had them for 14 days yet she said that it goes from when ordered date not when recived date. They she said if I would keep purchasing the product monthly that she would bill me $28.81 a month until I decieded to cancel the product. I told her to cancel I did not want them. She then said she would bill me 58.81 for the product if I cancelled it. I told her I never gave permission to bill me and that it was illegal! She stated that it was a know fact charge. I asked where it was written on my bill and she said nothing is in writting it is all just understood. I was told that I would keep being billed until unopened bottles were sent back being refused. Now I am in the process of cancelling my credit card and have to go through alot of paperwork with my bank due to this mess. I wish I would not have fallen for this scam!

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Advanced Wellness Research - acai berry order

I ordered the Acai berry product because of the 14 day trial period. After I received the product, I took it for a few days and decided to return it because I did not think it was worth the cost. Within the stated 14 day period I began trying to call the number they gave me to get an rma number and return the product. I started trying to call on the 11th...

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Advanced Wellness Research they will help you trust me!!!

Hi All,

I posted a complaint based on my experience; but the CEO responded to me immediately. The website and call center was having a technical difficulty, though no excuse he was sincerely apologetic and has refunded the fees and did so immediately. This was truly just one of those IT glitches and he is sincerely apologetic. Please go here to cancel and or obtain the information you need to get things straightened out.

I would delete my complaint or amend it but I can't figure out how. So I am posting a new one. Not to complain, but to say that this Company is not a scam. Other companies out there are scamming, but Advanced Wellness Research Inc. is not one of them.

Advanced Wellness Research Inc. has made good on the promise to me and anyone I have forwarded them to.

http://www.buypureacaiberry.com/contact.asp

CEO Nick Molina

[protected]@advancedwellnessresearch.com

Read full review of Advanced Wellness Research and 18 comments
Update by Shannon Ortner
Dec 09, 2008 5:45 pm EST

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND SOMETHING !

Advanced Wellness Research is not the only company out there selling acai berry other sites you may have ordered from are
http://www.beckysweightloss.com/
http://www.aubreysdietblog.com/?sub=y1-a

Advanced Wellness Research does not sell ACAI BERRY 500

This person mentions Acai Berry 500. We don’t sell Acai Berry 500 – that is another company. How is that for unfair scrutiny?

Before you post make sure you are infact dealing with advanced wellness research it shows up on your Credit Card statement as such if it is not then you are committing slander by posting it is this company that charged you. BE SURE WHO YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT!

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Mary Huberty
, US
Apr 23, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

Charged twice after the trial pragram for about $ 160.oo.
We want that money refunded.

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JamieCat
Sussex, US
Jun 26, 2009 9:00 pm EDT

SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM !
3 months of calling to cancel delivery i got 3 different cancellation codes and product return codes I returned the items and credit was never received on all 3 occasions 3 phone calls to the company amazingly enough all 3 times the "computer systems were down" i called again today and was told the system was only down for 10 days they don't know how it wasn't canceled the prior 2 times! when i requested the shipments be canceled for the 4th time and insisted to speak to a "floor manager" who spoke little English and i was told that "he feels my pain and understands my concern" and assured me if i sent the cancellation request in e-mail form i would receive a response within 48 hours BUT HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE WHEN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK!?. I called the credit card company and they said they cannot stop the future charges. I see no other choice but to cancel my credit card and hope the charges will stop! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!
I am sending an e-mail to Embarq thanking them for promoting this product on their website(NOT!) and suggesting they remove Advanced Wellness Research Pure Acai Berry from their website!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BUYER BEWARE!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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sharon
Houghton Lake, US
Apr 30, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

I too, have been taken advantage of:
The Advance Wellness Research Inc. is nothing but a scam. I seen the ad and order a trail size, the next thing I got was an overdraft charge on my checking account. I balance my checking account and couldn't believe this company had DONE THIS, NOT ONLY did they get $4.99 for shipping and handling they also took $78.81
I also had to pay $30.00 overdraft charge. There was nothing signed or authorizing them to touch my account for $78.81 . I could not afford that amount now I'm on a fixed income trying to make ends meet. My husband recently had a heart attach and a stroke and I have a handicapped son to care for.
I thought I was paying for shipping and handling charge of only $4.99 of the sample size.
I too, am reporting this to the Better Business Bureau and contacting the Attorney General and going to my bank and placing fraud charges against this business. Order Number 4261903
I had called this company and their spoke person just laugh, I asked to speak to the manager, she
just put another rep on and he just laugh, and told me they would not give me my money back.
So much for helping people in this crunch of time!

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Amanda Gaber
South Houston, US
Apr 17, 2009 8:35 am EDT

MY name is Amanda Gaber I order the Pure Acai Berry on 03/15/2009 never recieved my free trial so I called on 03/25/2005 tp cancel my order, the customer rep ensured me my order was cancelled. Then I find that on 04/13/2009 your company withdrew 78.88 for a product I never recieved, never signed up to pay for and was told my order was cancelled. I called in to find out why and I was assured I would be refunded full amount of 78.88. 2 DAYS LATER! I am charged 83.80! For what? I called in very upset and the agent " assures" me again I would be refunded the full amount but as for the 78.88 there would only be a 50.00 refund, and the other agent did not refund me anything. I recieved a confirmation number but I will file grievances with the Better Business Bureau and charges will be filed with me bank. Cancellation Confirmation : CXN364530RR

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Hannah Kat
Houston, US
Mar 20, 2009 3:23 pm EDT

I just ordered both the acai and the total cleanse, and now i am just waiting to see what my story is going to be and like you Mrs. Mom i am crossing my fingers becuase i am out of ideas for losing weight, nothing seems to work for me. Please keep me updated at how things turn out for you.

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MRS.MOM
Salem, US
Mar 07, 2009 1:04 am EST

I ordered Acai Berry Pro through advanced wellness research, and they had it to me in like 3 days or so, I was shocked how fast it came. I called the 1-800 number to ask how to cancell this online dieting thing and they gave me a 3 month discount of 60 a month so I only pay about 24$ after S&H, and I got an answer when I called but the number I have for Wellness Research is [protected]. It took a few minutes but someone did answer. I have had the pills about 5 or 6 days and ordered it about 10 days ago, and the only charge on my credit card so far is the 4.99. So I still am keeping my fingers crossed after reading this, but so far they have been good to me.

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mary
Wahiawa, US
Mar 03, 2009 6:18 pm EST
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I can not get one on the phone. Every time I call both numbers [protected], [protected]), I get "all sercuits are busy". I am losing my mind. I have already been charged for a second bottle of the total cleanse and Advanced Wellness Research Inc. I don't know how to make it stop. Please anyone who has the right number or has actually talked to someone, please post it here so I can try and stop this.

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candice
Tracy, US
Mar 02, 2009 11:13 am EST

It's better to file Fraudulent charges with your bank and with the Federal Trade Commission and Attorney Generals office in the State you received the product. The Federal Trade Commission will go after them. That's a bunch of bull what happened to You!

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Tammy
Artesia, US
Mar 02, 2009 11:05 am EST

I have to say this has definently been an experience. I ordered the AcaiBerry 500 and the same thing. What they do is have all these other people with VIP programs and extra crap attached to their site and then they start charging the tar out of you. I have already paid over $300.00 in junk charges, they overdraft my account and have now charged me the $78.81 fee. This is ridiculous and the best way to combat it even for the people out of state and country is to file a complaint with the better business bureau. This will shut them down real quick and hopefully they will refund our money. Oh I emailed CEO Nick Molina too, we will see where that gets me.

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RoleModelMom
Granite Bay, US
Mar 02, 2009 2:50 am EST

Don't order from this company. They are perpetrating consumer fraud. My experience is the same. Ordered "free sample." Called to make sure no further charges. Called again to make certain and received a "cancellation verification number." Several days later, $78.81 was taken out of my account. Called to complain, received another absurd excuse. An email to the company resulted in "after an exhaustive search of our records" we can't find any record of your order ... blah, blah.
Everyone should file a complaint with the consumer fraud claim department of your bank card, contact the attorney general's office (consumer fraud division), the FBI (again online consumer fraud), and another other consumer fraud organizations and agencies in your state.
This is the only way to shut them down, possibly get your money refunded, and at least cause them a few more sleepless nights than us! I refuse to be victimized again.

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Advanced Wellness Research - billed for free trial product

I requested the Pure Acai Berry free trial supply which was supposed be shipping and handling only of 4.99 and then 14 days from ship date to cancel my trial without further product/charges. They shipped my trial product on 11/19/2008 and then debited my account on 11/26/2008 for $78.86. That was only 7 days, not 14. I have tried to call their toll free...

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Advanced Wellness Research acai berry overcharging

Do not buy this product what a scam!
I followed the online directions for the free trial of acai berry 500. I agreed to the s&h charges of 4.99. I was then told that if I wished to continue receiving this product my card would then be charged 78.16 per month. It was the same day that my free trial was orderded that they in turn charged me the 78. 16 twice and are saying that now I owe them a total of $157.00 and some change. What a joke, when I call to get my refund no one answers the customer service #, you are told to leave a message and emails are never returned it is a neverending nightmare. I hope to recoupe my costs. For now I have a headache

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pati_714
Fremont, US
Apr 24, 2009 12:52 am EDT

I ordered a free trial of Acai berry Pure from Advanced Wellness Reasearch center and paid 4.99 dollars with my credit card. I took 2 pills and was not sure I was feeling uncomfortable so I stopped taking but to my surprise, the next month shipping was mailed to me by charging around 79 dollars on my credit card. They refused me to return my money of 79.00 back. I do not want this product as I didnt even use my free trial bottle. What do i do now? Is there a fine pront that I didnt read which says that after ordering the free trial, I need to call and cancel otherwise, they keep sending the product and charging me for it every month? This is rediculous.

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taken
Dickinson, US
Apr 07, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

I also ordered the $1.99 trial. Less than 30 days later, I received a call from my Credit Card company about possible fraudulent charges on my account. When I checked it out, the charges are from Advanced Wellness Research for $83.80. I did NOT place an order for additional product. I also got an e-mail from Advanced Wellness Research confirming my order. I e-mailed them back & said I did not place an order & they should cancel it & take my name off of their list as I will not do business with a company like them. They sent a return e-mail to call their Customer service number to cancel any furture orders and told me to have a nice day. ###! Thank God the credit card company cancelled my card. If I ever hear anything from Advanced Wellness Research again, I WILL tell them where to go!

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Lauren Polson
Waterville, US
Apr 06, 2009 3:24 pm EDT

I have been scammed by this company too! I called and cancelled the product after I saw they had charged my debit card $78.81. I got a confirmation number and was told that I would be recieving a refund of the total amount, 3/26/09. I called back today, 04/6/09, angry that I had not yet received the refund and was informed by a woman who could barely speak English that it was against company policy to issue refunds. When asked to speak with her supervisor I was placed on hold only to be told that her supervisor was in a meeting. I am going to file a complaint with my bank to see if they can try to get this money back, but what a ripoff. I totally called within their cancellation period, but was denied. DON'T ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY.

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susan
Metairie, US
Feb 25, 2009 3:10 pm EST

I had the same bad experience, paid $4.99, then read small print saying would be charged $72.00 after 14 days, paid with my debit, so I had to cancel my debit card.
Called the 800 number 3 times and emailed them with no results.

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Shannon Ortner
Davie, US
Dec 09, 2008 5:47 pm EST

Shannon,

Thanks for your post. I wanted to share something that is happening with you. There are other companies out there not fulfilling their orders. People are going to the marketing pages where they placed their orders… pages like this.. (http://www.beckysweightloss.com/ or http://www.aubreysdietblog.com/?sub=y1-a )

These pages are owned by marketers who sell us traffic. Well, they change the referral links to different acai companies throughout the day. So somebody that visited that marketing site, bought something and is unhappy, will sometimes go right back there, follow the link (which now may come to us instead of the company they originally bought from) and end up calling us.

I can tell you that about 15 – 20% of the calls we take are for people that never ordered from us. Here is an example -- Advanced Wellness Research — acai berry overcharging

This person mentions Acai Berry 500. We don’t sell Acai Berry 500 – that is another company. How is that for unfair scrutiny?

You will also see that many of these companies hide their identity. We don’t! We face our customers without hiding… even when we’re wrong.

I do appreciate your defense of us. We haven’t been perfect, but we always do the right thing in the end.

P.S. You may post this email online if you wish.

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Shannon Ortner
Davie, US
Dec 09, 2008 5:42 pm EST

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND SOMETHING !

Advanced Wellness Research is not the only company out there selling acai berry other sites you may have ordered from are
http://www.beckysweightloss.com/
http://www.aubreysdietblog.com/?sub=y1-a

Advanced Wellness Research does not sell ACAI BERRY 500

This person mentions Acai Berry 500. We don’t sell Acai Berry 500 – that is another company. How is that for unfair scrutiny?

Before you post make sure you are infact dealing with advanced wellness research it shows up on your Credit Card statement as such if it is not then you are committing slander by posting it is this company that charged you. BE SURE WHO YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT!

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Shannon Ortner
Davie, US
Dec 08, 2008 2:49 pm EST

Hi All,

I posted a complaint based on my experience; but the CEO responded to me immediately. The website and call center was having a technical difficulty, though no excuse he was sincerely apologetic and has refunded the fees and did so immediately. This was truly just one of those IT glitches and he is sincerely apologetic. Please go here to cancel and or obtain the information you need to get things straightened out.

I would delete my complaint or amend it but I can't figure out how. So I am posting a new one. Not to complain, but to say that this Company is not a scam. Other companies out there are scamming, but Advanced Wellness Research Inc. is not one of them.

Advanced Wellness Research Inc. has made good on the promise to me and anyone I have forwarded them to.

http://www.buypureacaiberry.com/contact.asp

CEO Nick Molina

nick@advancedwellnessresearch.com

A
A
Alexa
, US
Dec 05, 2008 6:20 pm EST

I have been going through the worst experience of my life. They are a total fraud and scam. Because of how they work, and they have done to me what all of you have gone through, they now have my cell phone number, my home phone number, my address, and my debit card number.

I canceled my debit card immediately after I found that they had charged me $78.81 after not returning 10 emails and 10 phone calls. I made sure to email them both personally when they responded, and to copy that email and send it to them on their website. I also wrote them letters about the subject but neglected to include a tracking number. I sent it to both the supposed "headquarters" listed on the site (thank you to the woman on this board who provided the street address) and to the place on the "invoice" or mailing receipt that was provided. In case you didn't get one of these, the address is:

Advanced Wellness Research Inc.
#3 -17th Ave South
Nampa, ID 83651

[protected]

It was right after I ordered it that a page then popped up listing illnesses that people have who SHOULD NOT take it. This was after I already gave them all the information. I called and for the ONLY time spoke to someone who ordered me to wait to receive the product and only then, within 14 days, could I cancel my order. Well, the order took nearly ONE MONTH to reach me. Therefore, I could not cancel my order within 14 days and they charged as of Dec. 1st $78.81 to my debit card.

I immediately called my bank, alerted the fraud department to get it into my account's notes, and closed the card. I told them I would send legal documentation including a copy of the invoice, all of the emails, copies of the cancellation letters I wrote them and sent to both addresses.

The bank's fraud department said that I could not yet file a claim (!) because they had sent the product I requested, even though they did not send it within the free trial period. Therefore, I had to wait for them to send me ANOTHER shipment and then I would return it and file the complaint with the bank's backing. However, if I do anything now, they can in return file a claim against me and the bank, costing us both.

I have called three numbers they have provided and they are not working numbers, all busy, or just voice mail.

I am now making copies of EVERYTHING. Their reasoning in not canceling my future shipments is that I did not receive the product yet. BUT, I have the shipping statement dated 11/25/08, and they emailed me that I had not received the product as of 12/2/08. But by then, I had had it for at least a few days.

I am using UPS and making copies of everything 3x and printing out every communication with them and sending it to their headquarters stating that I want to cancel all future shipments from them and that I am contacting them this way because I could not get a response from the phone, the website, or any other way. The UPS shipment will have a tracking number. I can prove that I have sent them these documents.

By the way, they at first said that I could cancel or slow shipment intervals by going to an account. To create an account, I had to enter my email and then they shipped me a password. I tried at least 8 times over 4 days to enter an "account" using their "password." It never worked. It said "invalid email address or invalid password." Obviously, it was the password that was invalid because they were communicating with me via email! They then started to say it wasn't working because I hadn't received the product yet. But I have that shipping invoice.

ADVICE: Cancel your credit card or debit card. Send them all documentation in a dispute via UPS and make sure you have the tracking number. Contact your bank to put a red flag for fraud on them.

HELP! Besides the Better Business Bureau, how can we stop them? Any ideas?

J
J
Janine
New York, US
Dec 05, 2008 1:26 pm EST

Unfortunately I ordered this today and then found all of the complaints .
Well after I read all the complaints, I tried calling the three numbers I have and they all have the voice
Of an Indian woman on the recording. Press1 for order Press2 for cancellation. Etc…..

I tried both just for the hell of it and if you press 1 it tells you to go to the website to reorder. Yeah sure go figure. No one wants to take responsibility. I guess they got hip to the complaints and everyone pressing 1 just to get a human voice.

My only consolation is that I did not use my debit card through my bank. I was then I erased it and said no I better not. So I Used my Mastercard. I went online to check my account. They have not charged me yet. I had gotten the special of $1.99 shipping, which pops up if you try to leave the website. then they will charge me $78.81 after 14 days. I am going to notify my credit card company and close it and get a new card. I cant believe how they do business. You would think that you would want to make money if you have a good product. They have the nerve to put Oprah and Rachael Ray on the site. I ordered my Pure Acai Berry Pro from this site.
www.trypureacaiberry.net

I then called back again to see what option 2 got me. Of course you get classical music then another recorded womans’ voice to leave a message.
Evidently they have many sites and many products. Disguising their treachery.

I wish I had looked harder before I purchased. I really wanted to try it. I am going to Oprah’s site to see if she recommends anything. Buyer beware. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. IF IT SEEMS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE... YEAH YEAH. IT IS! I WISH I TOOK MY OWN ADVICE FIRST... THEY JUST PREY ON THE HOPES AND DREAMS OF THE OVERWEIGHT

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Advanced Wellness Research - acai berry

Ordered Acai 500 never recieved product or refund Invoice 1737148 sent an email that states please allow 72 hours for response I gave them a week no reply. It was suppose to be a free trail was charged 45.82 the same day with the 4.99 shipping and handling. Still am waiting for the product that wasn't recieved and had to close my account to keep them from...

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