Seattle Coffee Direct review: Rip off! 683

BEWARE! Did not receive any e-mail notification of a delivery. Was under impression, coffee was a monthly delivery, and could be changed. Could not find original website offer was made on. Went to website of CoffeeRoastersDirect.com and could not register. They gave a password. Could not change anything but coffee flavors. Never received any kind of invoice showing the automated amount, not even with package. Did call today, 21st of June to cancel any further orders.

This company is a piece of work. My adventure initiated with TrialPay.com and I was offered the coffee as a means getting a free download of a software for converting music files to mp3s. I agreed to a $25 charge for 5 pounds of coffee that turned out to be undrinkable. Seattle Coffee then made several charges of $38.95 to my credit card. Once I discovered the charges, I emailed TrialPay and then called my credit card company. Both entities were great at getting me a refund. But then I found that the charges have since resumed (4 more charges of $38.95 in the past 3+ weeks). I was faced with a similar scam when I lived in Florida and filed a complaint against a New Jersey-based company through the Federal Trade Commission. Several months later, I received a letter from the Florida Attorney General to let me know that they were investigating the company and wanted me to fill out an affidavit. I am filing a similar complaint about SeattleDirect and might also contact the Illinois Attorney General's office directly.
In the meantime I suggest that any one else do the same, but do call your credit card company immediately. Let's get this company out of business!

My initial contact with this company started with a survey. The ad stated 5 items for $5.0o. I later found I was charged $5.00 for each item totaling $25.00. I chalked it up to my own stupidity and vowed to never use Internet surveys again. Two days later a charge of 38.95 and then two more charges of $38.95. I called my bank after the second charge and filed an unauthorized claim. Since I received nothing from the company I had no phone number to call. First shipment came with a phone number. I called and was told I could not return the introductory merchandise, but my subscription was cancelled, and simply return subsequent shipments. On the third charge I called again, no supervisors available. After the survey the company never sent a receipt or any type of confirmation or any explanation of subscription charges. My bank stated that I need to submit to them proof of return of merchandise and a letter explaining the charges. What a waste of money $141. 85 and time. I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I will look into other avenues to stop these crooks and refund the monies stolen.

In December right before Christmas, I received two unauthorized shipments of coffee from seattle coffee direct. I called the number on the package several times and was asked to leave a message. This company is a scam and the Food network has them on their website. Their billing for the coffee is unhbelievable. I believe they charged me 79.00 I am at my wits end to try to get a refund for this coffee that I never ordered. What a scam. I am reporting them to the attorney general and and to the better business bureau in my state to see if any action can be taken against this disgraceful company and their unlawful business practices.

Approx. 1 year ago I did order coffee from these people not realizing I would be getting a shipment every two weeks. When the second shipment arrived I called and requested that all future shipments be cancelled. This was taken care of. I had paid for both shipments with my debit card. Nine (9) months later I received a charge on my checking accout in the amount of $79.98. Not having ordered anything I immediately called them and they agreed to credit the money back but I was told it took 30 days to process a credit. I waited for 31 days and called again and was told it took 30-60 days to process a credit. I now cannot get to a person on the phone - it is always a recording and then you are requested to leave your name and number and someone would call you back. I have never received a call back and it is now almost 90 Days. I would not recommend this Co. and I don't think their coffee is any better than Chock Full of Nuts.

All I ordered was the original two bags of coffee and grinder. Since then, I have received a total of 8 more bags of coffee I DID NOT ORDER, my husbands checking account has been debited for all of these without OUR PERMISSION! I have called and been left on hold forever. Cannot find an email address to contact them that way (WHICH RIGHT THERE TELLS ME THEY ARE CROOKED). YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ONLINE SITE WITH NO WAY FOR CUSTOMERS, ETC. TO CONTACT YOU BY EMAIL. My husband has already been to his bank and filed a formal complaint against these charges and they are looking into it for us. Also, I am returning all shipments and WE ARE NOT PAYING FOR THE RETURN SHIPPING! WHAT A HOAX OF A SCAM!

EVERYONE BEWARE OF SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THEM AT ALL!

On 2 occasions I have been assured my credit card wouldmbe credited for a cancelled order and it was not. I notified Evanston Police

I signed up for the Introductory Offer of $25 for 2 bags (12oz. each) of coffee, and 4 mugs. The website claimed it's a monthly program. However, on day one, I was billed for the introductory offer plus first month shipment of $38.95. And then one week later, I am billed again for another $38.95. When I called the representative, they claimed I have signed up for a weekly program. The company is apparently engaging in a highly misleading practice and ripping off consumers.

I entered a trial offer with the seattle coffee company. Received my 2 mugs and 2 bags of coffee. Next thing I know my account keeps getting debited 38.95.. I called the company and canceled. No problem. Now it is November and they are charging my account $79.00. Called the company, the lady said she would credit my account when I return the order. What order? It has been almost 2 weeks and I have not received any order. Filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the coffee company responded that they would refund me within 72 hours. It is hour 56, not refunded yet, but then they have 16 more hours. Do NOT ever use this company. Hopefully, I will receive my refund, if not on hour 72, I am filing another complaint with the BBB.

I ordered advertised samples and two days later I was charged $39.00 and a few cents. I was never given a chance to sample the products and make my decision about further purchases. When I called the company to get some information I was treated rudely and before I was able to ask questions and get answers I was told my membership was cancelled. Even if I wanted to purchase coffee from Seattle Direct it is too expensive : almost $40.00 for 2 small bags. I had to destroy my credit card and have a new issued.

BEWARE, BEWARE... I cancelled from this company years ago and just found another unauthorized billing to my credit card for $78... This company and their counterpart World Tea Direct are both the biggest rip-off companies on the internet... I heard of them by via a Wal-Mart prize giveaway "pop-up" and figured they would be safe and boy was I wrong.. they are one nightmare after another... I agreeded to a $2 sample and they have cost me over $150 and have never credited my account with the returns... talk about a band of thieves...

I was going to try out Seattle Best coffee for a $9 fee. I entered my info., including my credit card info. and clicked to the next page to auth. the total bill (Up to this point I had not been informed of any other charges like shipping etc.) the page never came up. I waited 15 min. The page specifically said to not click back or it might interfere with transaction. After waiting another 5 min. I could wait no longer and closed out the page. The rest of the computer was working fine. I never completed the transaction since the next page never came up for me to complete it and I never received an email saying either way. I have now been billed for $34 when my orig. transaction was only suppose to be for $9 and was just billed again for$48.95 and I haven't even received any product on a transaction that wasn't authorized in the first place! They couldn't pay me to drink their coffee now and I am a coffeeholic!

I made a mistake and responded to a promotional offer for 2 bags of coffee and two mugs for $2.00. I received this and a day later was hit with another charge of $38.95 on my credit card. I called to get a refund and was told they had already shipped out a big package. I was told to refuse the package and they would refund my card. That was on 08/17/09. On 08/19/09 I refused the package and it was returned. Today I get a statement and no only did they not refund, they billed me again for $38.95. I called and was told they had it "in process" and I should see a refund for the second order and they would refund the first one when my box turned up in their warehouse. What a rip off. I don't believe I will ever see a refund from this scam company and will be disputing the charges via my card company.

I responded to a FREE offer of tea bags and was signed up for a monthy club without my knowledge...I was first charged 2.00 then 38.95 to my checking account. I was told it was needed for verification purposes only. I called in august and was told it would take 30 days to process a refund. called in 30 days and told it was going to takke 30 to 60 days...called in another 30 days and haven't been able to get through at all...anytime any day...I have found 3 different phone numbers for this company and they all divert to the same voice mail, saying all reps are busy. because i waited 60 days trying to solve this my bnak can't do anything...if you get bilked by these crooks call your bank right away to stop payment, I wish I had Amber Elliott Riverside CA

I ordered from the Seattle Cofee Direct on August 2nd then aweek later I recieved another order, so I called and explained the problem and thought it was handled then a third one came in yesterday where they had shipped another order " being the third shipment in one month totalling on my CC# a whopping $114 olus shipping atotal of $124.00. I called again and she said ' Well if you don't want the coffee just send it back, click! I am reporting this company to the BBB and my advice is DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM SEATTLE COFFEE, period. I hope I can get this off of my CC who in their right mind would even order $124 worth of coffee in a 6 month period?
CLG

Online offer claimed 5 varieities of cooffee, 2 ceramic coffee mugs, and coffee cups would be shipped for $25.00. Two shipments came. The first shipment had 2 varieities of coffee, 2 coffee cups, and 2 coffee mugs one of which failed by cracking due to thermal shock shock of pooring hot coffee into mug. The second shipment arrived with only two more bags of coffee (same variety as was received in first shipment). I was then billed four times over the next few weeks for amounts of $25 and three additional bills for $38.50. These guys are crooks and need to be thrown in jail!

In September I ordered some tea from Seattle Coffee Direct. I got my sample of the tea. I tryed it and I couldn't drink it. I call Coffee Direct and told them that I did not want the tea. They said okay that they would take care of it. I got two more bags of tea after that and I returned it. Then on September 21st. $39.76 was taken out of my account. I kelp calling the numbers I had for the Coffee Company, once I talked to some one and explanied to them that they were not suppose to be taking money from my account. Again they said they would take care of it. I waited till November 27th, 2009 to call them again. On November 27, 2009 they took $79.00 from my account and on December 2, 2009 they took another $79.00 from my account for a total of $237.52 they took from me.I have called and called but get NO one on the phone. The last time I talked to they they said it would take two billing cycles for me to get my money. I am a widow and I live on Social Security. I am so hurt by this. What can I do?I have my bank statements as proof!

Seattle Coffee Direct my behind. Address is Illinois.Thought I would be charged 12.99 for first shipment of coffee (2 -12 oz. bags) with a coffee grinder and travel cup, I was charged $38.00. then in a couple weeks I was sent 2 more (12 oz.) bags of coffee beans and charged $34.00. RIP OFF. I called and canceled. I asked why i was charged so much, a Gal named Mia told me there was a $25.00 charge? That was news to me. Beware of this company. I did get a cancel confirmation # and will call my credit card company and tell them to stop any future shipments, just in case they try to rip me off further. Also the coffee tastes bad. The beans are light and the flavor wasn't good. YUCK!

i ordered a package with seattle coffee direct which consisted of two travel mugs, two coffee mugs and a bag of their coffee which was all available for $20 online. soon after ordering this, i noticed on my credit card statement that every month, sometime two or three times, i was being charged almost $40 each time for a coffee membership that i did not sign up for. i had this charge on one credit card bill four times! i called and demanded an explanation and a refund immediately. i had been sent bags of coffee, which i sent back to the company. i have yet to get a refund for the total amount of what was charged and when i looked on my credit card statement and called the numbers listed, the numbers are all disconnected so i can't even speak to someone to rectify this issue.

If you take any on line surveys & an offer to get Seattle Coffee Direct comes up, or their other name is Coffee Roasters Direct, DON'T ORDER! They advertise $9.00 a month, then charge a one time fee that is not disclosed for $25.00, then, even before you get your shipment, they are charging your card again for $38.95 within 6 days, not the monthly as advertised. BEWARE & DON'T ORDER, CANCEL YOUR CARD OR THEY WILL KEEP CHARGING IT, THEN COMPLAIN AT CHICAGO BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AT www.chicago.bbb.org. Their parent company is PEEL. INC. at 990 Grove St. , Evanston, Il, [protected]. I don't know who is in charge, but the Better Business Bureau will only forward your info to them, so far they are incompetent to shut them down, even for false advertising, fraudulent charges, so jam their fax lines, phone lines with complaints, too bad we could not picket them if they are real. Or more, pay a little visit in person. Seems like with all the complaints on line, the Chicago BBB is incompetent.

I signed up for an "introductory offer" of 2 bags of coffee and a grinder for $9.00. I have received nothing but they have already taken $72.95. I called and after numerous tries, did reach a live person. They claim that my order is in the process of being shipped... a total of 6 bags of coffee... due to some unexplained process that each person receives 3 bags of coffee a week! In order to cancel my 'membership' I have to send my order back - on my dime of course.

I want to start off by stating, "We are Seattle Gournmet Coffee...not SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT!"

We have been getting flaming emails and phone calls for well over a year regarding the company, SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT. We have spent countless man hours returning emails and phone calls to extremely unhappy customers that have been taken by this company. It appears that SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT attaches itself to a lot of different promotional or survey type websites and consumers are not paying close attention to the fine print before committing themselves to the offer. One scenario a customer told us mentioned a free coffee grinder if they purchase a pound of coffee for $9.95, only to find that they were charged $34 & the charges continued in spite of the fact that they cancelled their orders.

SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT is neither in Seattle, nor do I believe they are coffee roasters. Although we (Seattle Gourmet Coffee) have been in business for almost 14 years in the Seattle area as coffee roasters, and selling our coffees on line for over 10 years, we have suffered big losses due to the mistaken identity this company has caused. We know they used "Seattle" in their name to draw attention to their company in addition to drawing sales from our company.

My patience with this issue has about run its course, and I appeal to everyone reading this to find ways to spread our message far and wide. Seattle Gourmet Coffee has a long standing reputation to honesty, quality and service. We are not associated in any way with SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT!

So please, do not call us with issues regarding SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT.

Thank you,
Sean Grant
Seattle Gourmet Coffee

I too was tricked by answering a survey and it had in it 5 dollars for five items free shipping what a joke and i know i wasn't to bright either cause i believed they were reputable. I got the order with the 4 mugs and 2 packages of coffee and looked at the bill it said 25.oo then i called my bank right away to dispute the charges i called Seattle direct only after they tried charging my credit card another 48.oo this time i called company and told them that i did not want to be a member of a place that rips you off and the lady argued with me that it said 5 dollars each now the ad in the survey did not say that at all it said 5.oo and free shipping. I feel sorry for anyone that gets this coffee it does not even sit or taste right. I can buy from Starbucks a lot cheaper and it is much better coffee and they are not into ripping people off I hope no one else gets fooled like i was. I am more angry i didn't check the complaints about it first then this would not have happened I also am disputing the 25.00 that they charged that is so ridiculous cause they are mugs that only cost maybe at most a dollar apiece.

Ahhh... yes, I signed up for the $9.99 2 lbs of coffee and free grinder and found a $34.00 charge on my credit card, then another charge not 2 weeks later for $38.00. I quickly looked into this and saw all of your emails - sounds like this company is very good at scamming. I spoke with "Kelly" today and she assured me she would refund me the last charge and to put the unopened coffee package back in the mail with " Return to Sender" written on it. She also assured me she has deleted my account so no further charges can be made. However, I am still calling my credit card company to block anything from these people, thanks to someone else's email.

I ordered specialty coffee from this company after seeing their advertisement on Facebook.com. When I signed up to receive coffee each month, I fully expected to be able to visit their web site and update or make changes in my account...you can't do that. Even though they have your name, email address, mailing address, phone number and credit card info, you cannot view your account personally. I spoke with two Brian's and one Beverly today concerning this matter, and I decided to cancel my account immediately. Beverly said that she had emailed a cancellation email to my email address while I was on the phone with her...two hours later, it still had not come. I have notified Facebook and my credit card company of this situation. Lesson learned...Buyer beware!

I signed up for a (free) coffee grinder with coffee $34.00. With the understanding that it would be shipped once a month. I thought I would have time to decided if I wanted to continue before the next shipment was sent. My account was debited on 2/02/07 @ $34.00, 2/12/07 @$36.95, 2/27/07 @ $36.95 . I managed to opt out on 3/12/07 and on 3/14/07 one more was debited from my account @ 36.95. Each Bag of coffee was shipped seperately so I sent back 6 bags of coffee and so far my account was credited only 1bag @ $14.50 on 3/19/07. As a result of these debits to my account with out my consent I was also charged by my bank $29.00 x 3 for a total of $87.00 in overdraft charges. This is a scam and I haven't been able to get anyone to talk to me. Is there anything I can do. Terri Murphy.

I had an account with Seattle Coffee Direct about 14 months ago for a trial offer. I cancelled the account after the trail period.
I noticed on my checking account a charge from Seattle Coffee for $79.00.
I cancelled the account 14 months ago and they heve debited my account for a product not ordered.
I tried calling them with no sucess and they never returned my call.
Whats with this company, I would never do business with them again and am currently trying reverse the charge. BAD BUSINESS

I also have a few comments about these crooks!
I received two charges on my credit card and NEITHER of them were the $9.00 intro fee that I was promised.
One for $34.00 (included a $25.00 "membership fee") and a duplicate shipment of $38.95 (also includes a $25.00 "membership fee"). So...as I understand it, they think it's appropriate to charge me a "membership fee" each time they send me coffee? Which happens to be every two weeks.
I'm glad that I saw the comments on your website which alerted me to view my credit card statement. A representative for Seattle Direct Coffee says that they will be crediting my account for $38.95 and the coffee I'm about to receive needs to be refused. Who would ever dream about paying over $60.00 per month for coffee? These people are crooks! (We'll see if they actually give me the credit). I'm also wondering if Cuisanart is aware of who they are dealing with. In my opinion, they WERE a very reputable company. What a shame.

My husband ordered this online. Their website said you get 5 coffees, 2 travel mugs and 2 regular mugs with your first order. We received 2 bags of coffee, 2 "very cheap" travel mugs, and 2 mugs (made in china), that you can purchase 10 of for 99 cents at the 99 cent store. They charged us 38.95 for this. I then received 2 more bags (even the same flavor), of coffee. Six days after the first charge, my account was charged another 38.95.
I called them this morning and was told: My husband got the first order for $25.oo which included the mugs. (She didn't explain why I paid 38.95, and only got 2 bags of coffee). Then she said that he ordered a "weekly" supply of coffee, which would be 2 bags for 12.50, which still doesn't explain why I was charged an additional 38.95. Long story short, I've paid almost $80.00 for 4 bags of coffee, and a few cheap mugs! What a ripoff!

I signed up to receive coffee and coffee mugs during a promotional offer with Seattle Coffee Direct. They said i would be receiveing coffee mugs and coffee for a discount price. i read through their policy and was hopeful. I was wrong. I just checked my bank statement and i have an extra charge from the company. when i went to the website, there were actually three orders listed and when i called them they said i had been charged again this morning for a third shipment of coffee. nowhere on the site did they say that i had to choose when i would be getting coffee or that they would be sending me shipments every week and charging me. this company does not communicate its intentions very well to consumers and should be reported for bad business practices. i drink coffee, but not 6 bags in less than a month. they ship the bags together and charge two shipping costs for the one box. the price is just ridiculous and its not worth the trouble and money.

unauthorized billing of $38.42 on a credit card weekly and a shipment of coffee. Who pays $38.42 for a pound of coffee? I am not Juan Valdez! This company can't be doing anything legal. I called and the lady answering the phone just laughed and told me to send it back and she would refund my account. Told me to write return to sender on it and any future packages I might receive. I told her I didn't want to receive any more packages of her overpriced underflavored coffee!

Seattle Coffee Direct advertised getting coffee, mugs & travel mugs for $5.00. Today I checked my credit card statement and i was billed on 1/18 for $25.00 under Seattle Coffee Direct and on 1/21 was billed $38.95 under the name Metro Coffee Roaster. both companies are the same. I have been charged $63.95 for a order that was suppose to be $5.00. Telephone number that I have for them is [protected]. I was unable to reach them in reference to these charges.

Yes, these people are crooks. They way overcharged and sent me several packages. I refused them all. I wasn't paying $49.85 for Coffee. no way. So, I tried taking care of this through my bank but they couldn't help because they had my personal information. I found this out 3 months later after their investigation. I got the correct phone number from my bank that they had used and called them. I got and instant refund. This must happen all the time because they didn't ask any questions.
So, the trick is to refuse the product as soon as you find out about the absurd charges and call them for a refund. I hope this helps some one because I have been going through hell because of this.

WHAT A RIPOFF! My credit card was billed TWICE for $79.00 for 2 unauthorized purchases of Seattle Coffee Direct (packages contained one 12 oz bag of "gourmet house blend" coffee and a travel mug). THAT IS WAY TOO MUCH $$$ FOR ANY COFFEE. I attempted to return the packages and one has been returned to me. This happened in late November and early December 2009. Return was attempted early January. My bank says it's too late to dispute the charges. Of course no one has ever answered a phone at Seattle Coffee Direct - there ids only a machine saying the call di not go through - try again later.

I fell for the 9.00 promise of a coffee grinder and 2 coffee samples, that 9.00 turned into 34.00 with three shipments to follow once a week at 39.95 each. That is over 140.00 worth of coffee in one month. I just got my bill and nearly has a stroke. I don't drink 140.00 in coffee in a year much less a month. There were no invoices when the packages arrived, I had no idea that 2 measly pounds would cost 39.95. I did cancel af ter the second package came as I knew this was an unusual practice and the last thing I needed was more coffee, they stated that the shipment went out the day before I called so I would have to pay for the third shipment. Never in my wildest dreams did I think they would charge me 39.85 for 2 lousy pounds of coffee.

This is a scam of the highest proportion and needs to be brought to the attention of the authorities. They did cancel all future orders when I called, I will wait for next month's credit card bill to make sure they are not still ripping me off. IN the meantime, it is time for the State's Attorney General to be advised of this bait and switch scam. Never again...My God I live one block from Starbucks and I would buy from them before I would buy this much coffee; to add insult to injury the coffee is bad!

I purchased some of the companie's coffee for $25. I did not authorize them to bill me 38.95 2 additional times. It does not say anywhere on the site https://www.seattlecoffeedirect.com that you agree to multiple charges. it mentions a subscription, but it does not imply you are signing up for it in any way shape or form. These people have overdrawn my bank account and I have incurred 2 $35 NSF fees because of these charges. They sent a release form to my bank yesterday for one of the 38.95 charges but never released the funds on their end. They refused to give me a number to contact their corporate offices or to let me speak to anyone higher than a supervisor. The supervisor I spoke to was Beverley, and she said they would not refund my NSF fees either. This company is committing devious acts to get people signed up for their services. I could buy kona for cheaper than what they are charging! 2 of the shipments have already been sent out, and I understand they must receive them back before I can be credited for those, but the 38.95 that was still pending until today should be returned immediately with the $70 worth of NSF fees.

stephanie_colvin81@yahoo.com

Add me to the long list of people who've been ripped off by this unscrupulous company and its "$9 introductory deal." After charging me $34 for this $9 rip-off, Seattle Direct followed up just 10 days later by sending off another two packets of coffee and charging me $38.95.

Is anybody going to do anything about this scam?

Just got off the phone with their "customer service" and was told if I return their products, they'll issue a refund. But I've read the other complaints and don't want to be ripped off twice by sending back the coffee then never hearing from them again. At least I'll end up with badly roasted coffee and a cheap grinder for my $72.

I signed up to try Seattle coffee for $9.00. Then I got the bill for $34.00. When I called to complain I was told it was a membership fee. I was quite upset about the hidden fee and about the terrible coffee. I was then told I could send back the unopened coffee for a refund of $12.50. And another package was on it's way for $42.00. If I wanted I could refuse that package as well. I would receive a credit when they received the coffee. Well it's been several months now and still no credit. Meanwhile I'm trying to figure out how to payoff my credit card for crummy coffee I don't even have.

Sounds like mine is the same as everyone elses! I signed up to get 2 coffee mugs and 2 bags of coffee for $5. I was billed $25 on 9/5/08, on 9/10/08 I was billed $38.95, and then on 9/16/08 I was billed another $38.95. Thats $103 in 11 days! When I called the number to cancel my account it said I was billed every week (more like every 5 days!) because my account was set up for weekly shipments. I never signed up for weekly shipments. This place is just a ripoff. They said my account was cancelled, said they will accept any coffee unopened to be returned. Well, it also says on their website that the two bags of coffee are $25 with a small shipping fee. I don't think $14 for a shipping fee is small by any means. I will try and keep you updated if I ever receive a refund as the website promises it will do.

This company warrants a congressional investigation! Don't feel bad people. I too have been duped by them. I fell for their offer of a free coffee grinder along with two packages of gourmet coffee beans. I received the little grinder and the beans which were less than 1 lb. each. My account was charged a whopping $34.00! I said nothing. Then with two weeks they deducted $48.95 out of my credit card FOR WHAT? I had ordered nothing or received nothing. I called them and demanded they close my account immediately and refund my credit card. They said they would close my account immediately and refund my money but they did not! I now have my bank, Wachovia, one of the biggest banks in America investigating this. I hope they can do what I can do.

Steer clear of these crooks!