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Seattle Coffee Direct

Seattle Coffee Direct review: Rip off! 683

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Author of the review
12:00 am EST
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Seattle Coffee Directly RIPPED ME OFF! It took me nearly one month of digging, but I uncovered the "Wizard behind the curtain". His name is Brian Dale. "President" of peel inc.

990 Grove St. Suite 204
Evanston, Il. 60201
[protected]
[protected]@peel.com

Check out www.peel.com
Click his link for "Commerce".

It's all right there! Seattle Coffee Direct; Shop Dani; Poster Pass

File complaints at: www.ftc.gov, www.chicago.bbb.org.

I got My MONEY BACK! YOU CAN TOO!

Update by Nancy Ross
Feb 10, 2008 4:18 am EST

Seattle Coffee Direct is owned & Operated by

Peel Inc.
990 Grove St.
Evanston, Il 60201
[protected]

briandale@peel.com

www.peel.com

This is a big-time SCAM & everyone needs to unite against this guy!

I got my $$ back by filing complaints w/ www.ftc.gov &
www.chicago.bbb.org

Also disputed charges on Visa through my bank.

See /link removed/
My report is #303323

Good Luck to Everyone!

Update by Nancy Ross
Feb 17, 2008 4:55 am EST

Contact info for SeattleCoffeeDirect is

www.peel.com

briandale@peel.com

Check out www.chicago.bbb.org for info on Peel Inc.
You are not the only victim!

I filed with BBB & also

www.ftc.gov

I finally got my $$$ back:)

He is also responsible for

ShopDani.com & PosterPass.com

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683 comments
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Christine
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Sep 06, 2008 2:12 pm EDT

Seattle Coffee Direct was an offer I was linked to from another site. They advertised that for $5 I could try two of their coffee products and receive 2 coffee mugs and 2 travel mugs. Seemed cool and I'm a coffee lover so I purchased. Later when I was reviewing my credit card account summary, I found that they charged me $25, then two more installments of $38.99! I called the company and they asked me if I knew I had signed up for membership. "No, " I replied. He told me that if I wrote "return to sender" that they would refund me the charges. Later I read someone else's complaint that even AFTER returning the products they weren't refunded their money! So I called my credit card co. and reported it, and they told me I should report it as fraud and shut down my current account, so that they can't continue to charge me. They marked the 3 payments as fraud so it appears that I will be reimbursed.

I suggest anyone who gets stuck in this trap to do the same. Down with Seattle Coffee Direct!

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Mike Saunders
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Nov 18, 2008 10:58 pm EST

I signed up for this through a survey. I was under the impression that I would pay $25.00 to initially try the product/services. I received the two mugs as described along with two bags of coffee. I have since received two more bags of coffee but have been charged $38.75 TWICE. I am now out $102 and have received 4 bags of coffee. This is a ridiculous website and a big scam. Hopefully you are unlike me and it seems a few others that have been completely ripped off. What a terrible service.

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Lynda White
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Apr 09, 2008 4:48 pm EDT

I signed up for the monthly coffee on the first of March. The agreement was the first shipment was $14.95 and a free coffee pot. One shipment per month. It is now April 9th and I have received 4 shipments for $38.95 each and no coffee pot! Went online and now the email addr I have does not bring up the web site!

I was able to cancel by the above phone number, but after I did cancel I received another pkge. I am very disappointed in this company.

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Patricia Snook
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May 21, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I am relieved to find out I am not the only one that was bilked by this company. Great offer, $9 for two bags of coffee and a grinder. But they fail to mention that they are taking $34 from you. There is no initial statement telling us that we must pay $25 to join their lousy club or whatever you would like to refer to them as. Now they seem to be getting away with continuing to charge people for unauthorized products. I am searching for an answer to stop this company from preying on others. Their coffee is not anything to get excited about. DO NOT GET SUCKERED BY THESE PEOPLE.

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Eileen Houghton
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Apr 30, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Like others on here, I have have nothing good to say about this company. After receiving my grinder and two small bags of coffee for 34.00, two weeks later I was charged another 39.00. I called the company and got through to an operator and she said they sometimes ship more frequently than every 4 weeks. I asked to cancel my plan and she said I could not until I received four bags of coffee and the first two do not count. I just received in the mail one 12 oz. bag of coffee and I am thinking this was what I was charged 39.00 for. UNBELIEVABLE! I just called my bank and cancelled the card that I used for my order. It will create a lot of work and hassle for me, but I am not willing to lose 40 bucks every two weeks for a 12 oz. bag of mediocre coffee.

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Cristine Shaginaw
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Jul 29, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Well, I too have been taken to the cleaners by this company.

I do, however, have an email address for them. I got it by asking them to email me my password.

The email address is info@coffeeroastersdirect.com.

I have called both numbers they have on record. During business hours it is not answered. After hours I get a voice mail. I have left messages on both of them. We'll see what happens.

I know the date and times of both calls and have kept a copy of the email I received from them and the email I sent.

The coffee is absolutely terrible by the way. Save yourself time, aggravation and money and say NO to this offer loudly.

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buckeye
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Oct 11, 2008 9:29 pm EDT

I signed up for a promotional offer and was charged $25.00. I was fine with that, as I requested it. But then just 4 days later I was charged $38.96 for coffee I did not order. They will not answer my calls and have no email address. I called and had my credit card number changed in order to avoid further charges. It appears they will keep on charging you until you cancel-- but they don't answer their phone to let you do so! In addition to having my CC number changed I disputed the $38.96 charge but I doubt that will get anywhere. Ohh well, at least I avoided a third and fourth charge by changing my CC#! What a scam!

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keith rawson
Grand Rapids, US
Jan 30, 2010 10:07 am EST

i was charged for two orders of coffee and two coffeee mugs for $79.00 ea for a total of $158.00
charged to debit bank account, resulting in my acount to overdraft and acure in another $66.00 in fees

i spent three and ahalf weeks calling them before seattle coffee answered there phone they said the orders were a mistake and they would refound me my money within in 30 days and gave me a confirmation number and e-mailed this information to me and my bank its ben almost 70 days sense and i have not gotten my mony back!
and i left a massage with them on there phone aswering machine states and no one ever calls me back as they say

if any one has advice please email me at klionspsm@comcast.net

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Nicole Lisecki
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Dec 23, 2007 12:00 am EST

Seattle coffee Direct promotes A free grinder and two bags of coffee for $9.00. What they don't tell you is that it really costs $34.00. On top of that it sends you two more shipments of coffee beans for $48.95. I didn't order any of this except for the $9.00 deal(A.K.A the $34.00 deal). They have now charged me a total of $131.90. What a joke, DO NOT ORDER FROM THEM AND GET THEM CLOSED DOWN. Do whatever it takes to do so. They are scamming way to many people. We need to stop them now before someone else gets scammed.

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Wes Dillon
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Oct 23, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Like every other post on this company, I foolishly responded to the offer for 2 bags of coffee and a grinder for $9.

Short story - I saw all the complaints on-line, called my credit card company and sure enough, I was charged $34 instead of the $9 in the ad.

I called the company the next morning and they canceled my membership and refunded me $15.

However, the coffee sucked and I ended up throwing it in the trash.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY.

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Kay Blackwell
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Jul 02, 2008 10:15 am EDT

I originally applied for an introductory offer of 2 packages of coffee, and 2 mugs for a minimal price. This offer arrived in a timely manner. Then, without any further direction from me, a coffee grinder and continued shipments of coffee arrived, for a cost of $25.25, and $48.95. I have not received any further communication from Seattle Coffee except for pre-printed notes to say thank you for placing your order with Seattle Coffee and a number to call from Monday through Friday Eastern time, 10.am to 6 pm. I am appalled at these unwanted shipments and will send back any further unauthorized coffee that come in the mail without payment.

Sincerely,
Kay Blackwell.

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Tbowman65
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Jun 10, 2008 8:02 am EDT

I ordered one of their specials which came promptly. I then immediately received a package with two pounds of coffee in it, WHICH i DID NOT order and was charged on my card $43.95. I can buy their coffee at the grocery store for $7.99 a pound and yet i get two pounds for 43.95 for the "luxury of having it delivered! I can not believe what a rip off this is. I did call which at my expense am sending it back and supposedly my account will be credited.

I will never buy their coffee again which I did like.

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Tammy
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Jul 21, 2008 9:18 pm EDT

I RESPONDED TO ONE OF THOSE RIDICULOUS ONLINE SURVEYS TO RECEIVE A SET OF RACHEL RAE COOKWARE. I HAVE NOT SEEN NOR HEARD A WORD ABOUT THE COOKWARE EVEN THOUGH I FULFILLED THE SURVEY OBLIGATIONS. SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT HAS DEBITED 3 SEPERATE TRANSACTIONS FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT WITHIN 10 DAYS. THE FIRST DEBIT WAS FOR $25.00, SECOND DEBIT WAS $48.95 AND THE THIRD DEBIT SO FAR WAS $48.95. TOTALING $122.90. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE COFFEE BEAN FROM THESE PEOPLE! I HAVE NOTIFIED MY BANK. EVERYONE SHOULD BE AWARE OF SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT! I DON'T BELIEVE THEY ARE EVEN LOCATED IN SEATTLE. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFORMATION AS TO HOW TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THESE IDIOTS?

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Nikki Lamb
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May 29, 2008 11:07 am EDT

So I looked at all of these complaints and, as I am prone to do when reading these sorts of sites, went to the aforementioned company's page. It took three mouse clicks before I came upon their "Terms and Conditions" link for the $9 deal, which outlined clearly all the things that people are complaining about here; the $25.00 initial shipping fee, the inclusion in a coffee-subscription program, etc.

Seriously people, don't hold it against a company if you FAIL TO SIFT THROUGH the site and read the terms of the product you are ordering. Don't immediately think you're getting a fantastic deal and blindly hand someone your credit card number. I'd have thought that after companies like Columbia House popped up, people would realize that a cheap deal usually means a subscription to a longer-term deal.

No, I don't work for this company, I don't even like coffee all that much. I post comments like this all the time, trying to get people to wake up and stop calling "SCAM" when they fail to read the clearly-stated company policies.

The only legit complaints I forsee for this company would be either trying to cancel the subscription and failing, or trying to return merchandise and failing. Other than that, it's YOUR OWN FAULT. Be a smart consumer.

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Cindy
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Oct 03, 2008 8:42 pm EDT

the company charged $125.00 to my Debit and told me they denied my card repeatly. They have not shipped any products at this time. These transactions occured on October 1, 2008

10/01/2008 PA-SEATTLECOFFEEDIRE -$25.00 $34, 804.98
10/01/2008 PA-SEATTLECOFFEEDIRE -$25.00 $34, 829.98
10/01/2008 PA-SEATTLECOFFEEDIRE -$25.00 $34, 854.98
10/01/2008 PA-SEATTLECOFFEEDIRE -$25.00 $34, 879.98
10/01/2008 PA-SEATTLECOFFEEDIRE -$25.00 $34, 904.98

These transactions have not been reversed at this time. Please help

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deallen5
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Jun 05, 2008 8:39 am EDT

I ordered some coffee and cups online. There was no indication that I was signing up for anything beyond that offer. I was subsequently billed 3 times by this company for items that I had not ordered or received. I called to find out what I was being billed for.
I was told that it was for coffee that I had ordered. I was told that it was for 2 twelve ounce bags of coffee. ($32.40 per pound is awfully expensive coffee especially if you didn't receive it and was billed 3 times for it!) When I was initially billed, I called and was told that I would receive a credit for the amount charged. Instead of a credit I received another charge of $48.65. I called again and was assured that I was to be credited. Instead, I was charged again $48.65 for a grand total of $145.95 for something I have not received nor do I want.

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Sue
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Sep 26, 2008 6:12 pm EDT

I signed up for a once a month shipment for coffee and within 3 weeks, I'd been sent 6 bags of coffee -after- the original 2 and billed on my credit card 4 times!
These people should be shut down! When you call to complain, they act like you're caller number [protected] and not important... A very bland "Just return to sender and when we get it we will refund your money." I'm not that stupid, however and intend to press charges against them for theft.

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Dan Burnstein
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Apr 26, 2007 12:00 am EDT

This company says their hours are 10-6PM EST and yet they never answer their phone no matter what time I have called (5 times so far). I am receiving UPS bags and bags sent from Evanston, IL and I never ordered anything from them and I don't even drink coffee.

Is anyone else getting this treatment? Solutions?

Thanks,
Dan.

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BJca
, US
Dec 03, 2009 2:56 pm EST

seattle coffee direct has supposedly just redumped all their old customers and charging them. In my case, the charge on the CC was $79.00. I terminated business with this company in March, 2008. And now they are attempting a charge again.

I spent almost 2 hours repeatedly calling [protected], leaving msgs since no one picked up. Finally on the 7th attempted, Pierre took the call. I have been sent a confirmation email stating the charge will be refunded but of course it will take 30-60 days.

Stay away from this company.

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Jennifer Bell
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Apr 21, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Like the other customers listed I have been charged unreasonable amounts for unsolicited product. Seattle Coffee Direct did not even fulfill its promotional promise of two bags and a grinder but have charged me for it anyway. I signed up for the $9.00 promotion of two bags and a grinder and was charged $34.00 on 3-19-07. I never received the complete promotion. Since then the company has charged me twice for $36.95 on [protected] and [protected].

That's a total of $107.90. I received to packages from them last week alone unrequested. I am thoroughly disgusted by their unethical practices.

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Randy B
, US
May 23, 2011 11:01 pm EDT

Billed me $79 for coffee I never ordered. Had cancelled with them a year ago and suddenly they bill me for coffee again. This was for a small bag of coffee too.

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Kimberly Kiser
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May 12, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I want to give a give THANKS to everyone else who provided information about their problems with this company. I too signed on through their ad that said it was $9 for the coffee and coffee grinder, thinking this is a great deal (April 24th), BUT today I received that first shipment AND when checking my online bank statement found they have already billed me for another month. Then when I went to their website their is no online method for cancelling and no method of e-mailing them (so that I would have a record of my request). Finally, I found the information others have posted about their experiences with this company.

I was unable to reach my bank to report this as a fraudulent transaction (It is Saturday night.) But, I was able to report my card as lost or stolen through the automated system so at least I won't have any more transactions going through until the bank and I get this squared away.

Again, to everyone who reported this - thank you, thank you, thank you!

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Valerie
, US
Feb 04, 2008 12:00 am EST

Seattle coffee direct sent coffee with a 'free' grinder upon my interest of their trial offer. Three withdrawals were taken on my acct., $34.00, and (2) for $48.95. When I received the grinder and (2) 12oz pkgs of coffee, which is actually less than 2 lbs, I barely had time to try them out before the second pkg arrived and I discovered the rapid charges on my account. I immediately called and canceled, the rep I talked to was rude and blunt. Even if I was to be charged for the grinder, say a generous $20.00 plus 48 oz of (poor) coffee it shouldn't be any where near $131.90. Now for a refund I have to pay S&H, drive 9 miles to the Post Office and who knows what that will prove to be since I can only send the unopened products back. Poor quality, underhanded practices, lousy customer relations. Need I say more...

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Arby
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Mar 07, 2008 9:32 am EST

I signed up for a low-cost promotional offer for a grinder and some coffee on Feb 24, credit card was immediately billed for $34.00 which included some other charges that were not mentioned in the promo offer. No e-mail or regular mail was sent to me that advised me that I had become a member of a recurring shipment plan, and no information about a membership number or how to contact them. Within 10 days, a second charge was made to my credit card of $38.95 without any explanation. The promo shipment had not yet arrived and already they claim to have sent a second shipment! I called the phone number on the credit card statement and received excuses. I said to cancel and demanded a full refund. So far, nothing received.

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Ottsone
, US
Oct 11, 2011 5:28 pm EDT

I cancelled a service with these sriminalls in August because I started receiving and being charged for coffee once a week at $38 a pop. Since I missed the part about the coffee being sent more frequently if supplies permitted, I took the resposibilty of the extra charges and cancelled any more service. Now 5 months after I cancelled, I get 2 $79 charges and when I called to get a refund, they initially told me there was a computer error and my account would be reimbursed. Ten days later and still no refund...so I called again and I amtold I wont be getting a tefund and my only option is to dispute the charges. I have since filed with the BBB and contacted the Illinois AGs office. These thieves need to be stopped and if I were an attorney, I would seriously look at a class action suit against this company...Peel Inc is the parent it seems...due to the multitude of people getting scammed!

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ralph chapman
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Feb 27, 2008 8:36 am EST

my wife and i are living on our huge soc.sec. retirement and decide to treat ourselves to some what we thought was a good deal and good coffee we were wrong on both counts
the 9.99 deal only cost 34. dollars we stoped the membership then today we recived a debit to our account that put us way over our balance 38.95 dollars as i said we are trying to live below the poverty level to start with then people like this have to come along
called them and they say you droped the club 4 weeks ago then why are you charging me thier responce is we are sorry for the trouble the coffee is not fit to feed to my worm bed the over charge fees at the bank are more than we can take when we did not order this trash they are a total rip
retired people beware if you are on a tight budget BE VERY AWARE OF THIS OUTFIT THOSE TWO ONE POUND ( MORE LIKE 12 OZ }PKGS COST ALMOST 100. DOLLARS BEFORE THEY ARE DONE

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dan
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Nov 10, 2008 11:53 am EST

Also like many others unauthorized charges. (Charged without finishing thier web page.) still waiting for refund, from a refused package. Stay far far away from this website/product.

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sondra Lohman
Fresno, US
May 10, 2010 2:53 pm EDT

I bought a sample for seattle coffee direct and then received four more shipments from the totaling the amount of $ 155.80. The surprised i received was that i returned all the shipments back to them and didn't get any money back. Here I live on a fixed income and needed the money to pay my bills with it. Now i find out that they are out of business!

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April23
, US
Apr 01, 2010 12:34 pm EDT

I cancelled my subscription with Seattle Coffee Direct because I was recieving more than one shipment a month and then a few months later I was chared $79.00 for nothing. I called them the first week of December to get my money refunded and here it is 3 months later and I still don't have my money back. The number that I was supposed to call to check the status of my refund is no longer in service. Stay away from this company!

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shuling
Rehoboth, US
Feb 26, 2010 11:57 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They took money from my debit account without authorization. I finally got a hold of someone and was told 30-60 days for a refund. I now can not get anyone to answer the phone, and I have not recieved my money.

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rarepunk
Santee, US
Dec 18, 2009 1:25 am EST

I closed my account with them over 6 months ago. Recently, I got two packages of two bags of coffee and two travel mugs, unrequested for 79 dollars! It's a ridiculous amount for coffee! I've been trying to contact them several times without being able to talk to any representative. All the messages I've left have not been returned either! They're a total scam. Good coffee, but they'll bite you at the end BIG TIME!

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Margaret Cullins
Fort Worth, US
Dec 11, 2009 10:43 pm EST

on 12/07/2009 I noticed a charge on my visa for $79.00 The bank said it was from a coffee co.On 12/10/2009 I received a coffee mug(travel kind) and 12 oz. Costa Rica Coffee.The mug you can get for $1.00 anywhere and the coffee I have bought many times for $12.00.My point is, I did not make his order and if I had I would have been ripped off for that much money

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pissed off !!!!
BATTLE CREEK, US
Dec 09, 2009 11:58 am EST

I'VE RETURN MY TWO ORDERS SINCE OCTOBER 5, 2009 AND ITS BEEN 60 DAYS ALREADY . TRIED CALLING AND STILL NO ANSWER.. WHAT THE ### IS GOING ON? I WANT MY REFUND BACK OR ELSE I DO SOMETHING STUPID THAT YOUR COMPANY WILL REGRET... EITHER RETURN MY REFUND OR ELSE! SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT OWES ME $ 79.40... I WANT IT NOW...

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7camel1313
Lumberton, US
Dec 08, 2009 4:45 pm EST

I was debited for something that I did not order or receive. After researching the scamming company, I discovered it was "Seattle Coffee Direct:, also Known as "Coffee Outlet Store" and also "Rich Cafe Direct". They all share the same phone numbers; [protected], and [protected], and [protected].

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zalaisha
Newark, US
Dec 02, 2009 8:41 am EST

I never give this company any authorization what so ever to charge my credit card for any coffee. i opened my statement only to find they took out $79.00 cash for an order that i never placed. And every time i call they dont return my call to let me know who authorize them. please have this company checked out. If i dont get my money i will sue...

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upset in Darien Center
Nyc, US
Nov 28, 2009 8:47 am EST

We have called and cancelled our membership twice and they sead they will, and refund are money, and to my disbaleaf they pulled again. Next time I will asked for a superviser and see if we can get this problem resolved.

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scooterrooter
Rockport, US
Nov 16, 2009 1:07 pm EST

Another rip-off from Seattle Coffee Direct...They owe me $116.85. in credit refunds...From the complaints it doesn't look like I will be getting the money...I am calling the police and then my bank...

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faithd
, US
Nov 10, 2009 6:22 pm EST

I have the same complains as others have had with seattle coffee direct. have been charged over $100 now. Can't seem to get a hold of the company to cancel coffee packages i keep receiving. anybody found any resolution?

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Art H.
Toney, US
Nov 03, 2009 6:51 pm EST

Beware dealing with this company! They ended up billing me for coffee and tea to the tune of $250.00. I refused shipment per their instructions after I complained. They have yet to refund my payments and this has been going on since August. What a rip off!

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decordiva79
Sunnyvale, US
Oct 20, 2009 1:16 pm EDT

I cancelled the account and they still charged my card! I have had to have my bank close the acount and issue me a new card. BEWARE! Do not use these people.

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