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JC Penney

JC Penney review: sneaky enrollment tactic! 29

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1:28 pm EST
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Buyers beware when placing an order on www.jcpenney.com - i've ordered from them in the past without a problem. Today I placed an order in my bosses name for items we need at work and at the end of the transaction is says something like "click here to sign up for a free newsletter and receive $10 off the order you just placed" - so I figured it was worth some email junk mail to save $10 for my boss since times are tough... After you enter your email address, a page flashes (Read it fast because it doesn't stay up long and you can't get it back!) saying i've just enrolled in a $9.95/month shopping program! I couldn't print it because I wasn't hooked up to a printer and I can't get the page back so I can't pull up the terms... I immediately called jc penney's 800 number and they said they couldn't do anything about it and I had to call jc penney perfect home rewards at [protected] or visit their website: www.perfecthomerewards.com. I asked to speak to a supervisor and they just put me on hold forever until I gave up and hung up. I called the 877 number and was told I wouldn't show up in the system for a few days and that I would have to call back then. So now I have to put a reminder on my calendar to call them back using my cell phone minutes to try and stop them from charging the credit card for something I didn't want in the first place because of their deceptive practices! On their website one of the faqs is "how did I enroll in perfect home rewards" - which means I am not the only one confused about how I signed up! English is my 1st language and I went to college and it was not clear I was signing up for a paid shopping program until it was too late!

29 comments
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Yonetta
Detroit, US
Feb 18, 2014 10:57 am EST

I agree with everyone complaining about perfect rewards and stone bridge insurance. I do not recall turning perfect rewards back on but there it is on my bill. I believe JCP should stick with selling close because I have been calling Perfect Rewards for two weeks to cancel this service and when I press the option to cancel...ha ha they are experiencing difficulties please try your call later. I will be canceling my credit card it used to be my favorite store. If JCP is going to do business with people they know are scamming their customers they do not deserve customers!

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Louise mary o B
Little Egg Harbor Township, US
Nov 11, 2011 7:03 pm EST

Beware of filing a complaint with stone bridge or JCP as I believe they train their employees at the customer complaints department to lie to customers about solving any issues.I was told i would hear back in 10 business days on every phone call i made which have been numerous! I have been told the same thing over and over that" their looking in to it"forget about even contacting the cooperate office as those employees are told to tell the consumer it is been investigated.All I wanted was receipts for gas gift cards i purchased as when one purchases them their is no receipt with the gift card numbers in case they are lost or stolen.One exon gift card was swiped by the attendant at the Tiger Mart gas station In Lakewood NJ this was on June 17 2011.He informed me there was $o dollars on it.I said it had to be a mistake as i just purchased it along with the quarterly allowance of 3, so I used another which was fine.I called stone bridge benefits an hour later and was told that they would issue me a new card and that I should dispose of the one with the 0 balance so I will not mistakenly use it also this conversation as they tell one this conversation is recorded for training purposes and customer assurance, what a joke!As they could investigate this and hear there employee tell me that not to worry as she was getting a new one sent out..I did as they told me and never received a replacement card. Months went by. When I called to see what happened I Was told I used the card at the gas station. Then in July a Charmaine from customer service left a message on my phone that one could not understand, no phone number or case number to verify her calling .When i called customer service they has no idea who this was. Unfortunately I had thrown out the receipt for the good gas card I used .I purchased only $25.00 of gas that day not$50 which would have been the total of 2 gas cards for exon. I believe they cant be bothered and would prefer to lose ones business than sort things out.All i wanted was a copy of the cards serial numbers that I purchased, but they failed to do this. My Family friends and I have spent thousands of $$ at JCP each year as we really did like there goods but now we will be taking my business else where and all because they could not refund the gift card or the $20 I spent.It is very sad that now one has to record the conversation with there complaints department because they are untrustworthy.I am very disjointed how they handle complaints and I find a number of their customer service employees to be quite rude and have problems even speaking in a civil tone.If it wasn't for US LOYAL CUSTOMERS they would not have a job I guess they forget that and they don't care.With so much competition out there they should take care of the customers they have! it is now november and im still waiting so much for their promise of receiving a replacement card or even a receipt of the 3 allowed amount exon cards i purchased in the second quarter of the year. I guess we still live in the stone ages as they cant retrieve the serial numbers on these cards.
From now on with gift cards I will be making sure I make a copy of the serial numbers.

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MitchAnnArbor
Ann Arbor, US
Apr 26, 2011 8:55 pm EDT
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I have horrific experience at J.C. Penney - Briarwood Shopping Center in Ann Arbor I asked for General Manager Mark Hollenbaugh but he will not available all days, for all day meetings (to play golf), that sucks, And I will never shop at J.C Penney again.

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nducre
Slidell, US
Mar 14, 2011 7:40 pm EDT

and also stonebridge tried that with us too but i didnt buy anything online..this was by getting the jcpenney credit card from the store...they automatically inroll u in that..so it sorta is jcp as a company because they allow it to happen

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nducre
Slidell, US
Mar 14, 2011 7:37 pm EDT

im also filing a complaint against jcpenny..not only as a customer but as a recent employee for 3 yrs..they are very incompetent and they care nothing about they're employees nor their customers

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texastopaz
Floral Park, US
Feb 12, 2011 12:58 pm EST

We ordered men's pants online - had a problem getting them, and saw the screen flash with something about a "membership", but we couldn't get the screen back! We didn't check ANYTHING that said we agreed to a newsletter, membership, coupon etc.! I saw the $$ come out of our bank one month, then didn't see it again, but apparently it came out. When I called our bank, I was immediately refunded 4 months of charges! Not only will I not buy from them online, I will never, ever shop there again...plenty of other stores with good deals (and truthfully, better product). JC PENNEY, I don't need you to dress my family!

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USA2011
El Dorado Springs, US
Jan 10, 2011 8:36 pm EST
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what will they think up next? i am really upset that it involved jcpeneys. i order from there and i will be preinformed, thanks to you and this site.

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Retail101
Cape Girardeau, US
Jan 10, 2011 8:29 pm EST

For one thing, this is not JCP procedures! Stonebridge is their own business and they are the one scamming people, not JCP! I was signed on with stonebridge by ordering something through another company which was to only be 11.95, when I checked my bank acct they had taken $50! I called and cancelled whatever it was that I was to be signed up for yet two weeks after was dealt another blow when $30 was taken out of my acct again! Anyways, these companies buy space on these sights in order to get people to sign up by using incentives for that sight! I have placed many orders with JCP and within their actual site there is no way to get $10 off your purchase unless u have a promo code which is usually on coupons received in the mail or newspaper! Any pop ups that may appear are not affiliated with JCP! if u fall for a "popup" then that is your fault! A better way to place an order is to go to the store and let any associate order it for u, and most the time (atleast in my store) the associates can get better savings than ordering in your home! Also can usually get the product even quicker that way, and no rip offs!

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Retail101
Cape Girardeau, US
Jan 10, 2011 8:07 pm EST

First of all I am a jcpenneys home associate, there has been ALOT of problems with phillippe Richard rebates, the main cause of this is that a year or two ago the Phillippe Richard company filed bankruptcy! They for some reason were not liable for rebates during this time period... Although jcpenneys has sold these products they are in no way responsible for Phillippe Richards business practices... Knowing this I refuse to recommend any of their products in my store! These products are poorly built, and never worth the price! You can find other products that are better quality and close to the same price with out the hassles! If jcpenneys sells less products by this company they will eventually stop carrying them.

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bah humb
Montreal, CA
Dec 13, 2010 6:56 pm EST
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Our business has been getting a lot of calls from these guys. They are asking questions about our interac machine and other sensitive information. We have not had any problems beyond this because we have not given out any info for them to use. They have been calling from a local Montreal number that appears like this on the call display: RTS INC [protected] it is listed to the same address in the original complaint. Arrgh

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jcpscam
Clarksburg, US
Dec 09, 2010 4:25 pm EST

Obviously they know they are doing something wrong. I just noticed I had 3 months of charges on my card. So I called the company today and told them that I have no idea what I paid for these 3 months and if I was signed up for something, I should have received a confirmation email or some list of benefits. And she was quick to refund my money. They know they are pulling a scam on people and don't want to get caught. They are probably making good money on the people who just cancel the account and don't fight the previous charges.

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bubbamax
Broken Arrow, US
Dec 06, 2010 4:55 pm EST

I have now filed complaints with my bank, JCP corp, BBB Dallas and the FBI. These are deceptive business practices and will not be tolerated so grab all you can AEGONE USA aka Stonebridge your days are numbered. Maybe you should check with the Obama administration for a new job.

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rlode
San Diego, US
Dec 04, 2010 4:33 pm EST
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I would not have known I had signed up for this if I hadn't spotted a strange charge
in my AMEX bill.I disputed the charge and it was immediately removed.

I will never buy from JC Penny again and I love my American Express

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bubbamax
Broken Arrow, US
Dec 04, 2010 2:41 am EST

Why would people be submitting comments on this website if they are not employees of Sontebridge? Obviously they are trying to counter the complaints? Warnerrobins? Jenniamanda25? It isn't working and you are co conspirators. It is fraud and you are driving away JCP customers at a time when they need business.

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bubbamax
Broken Arrow, US
Dec 04, 2010 2:36 am EST

I contacted Stonebridge also, they refused to offer refund of more than one month, I have to cancel my credit card and get another one to stop this from happening again. I also called JCP customer service and filed a complaint. I also filed a BBB Dallas complaint. I did not enroll in this and did not receive anything after they started billing me. I made a catalog order around the time this started. No more and I suggest others stop shopping JCP if this is how they are going to operate. It is too bad since they have good products. I will be going to the local TV stations next since they love to expose consumer fraud and have helped many in the past. Shoppers beware. We should not have to read all the fine print on every receipt to see if something is hidden in the paperwork.

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Angry Mary Kirk
, US
Nov 12, 2010 1:35 pm EST

I just caught the charges today! I'm so angry, and when I call the office it is closed! if they do not refund the 2 months charges I will never shop at JCPenneys again! Nothing worse than someone taking advantage of you!

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Bill893
Reno, US
Nov 02, 2010 4:13 pm EDT

This happened to me too. I will never shop at JC Penney again because of this. It would be one thing if it was solely an issue of tricking people into joining by misleading and hiding what the coupon will cost you monthly, but their web site also has no way to cancel (if you can even log into it) so the only way to cancel is to call and sit on hold for over half an hour. Shame on you Stonebridge and JC Penney. This is terrible business practice. You just lost a shopper for life.

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johnskrb
Chicago, US
Nov 01, 2010 5:52 pm EDT
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I agree with the complaint. I went onto the Penney's website to buy a wedding gift for my nephew. I don't recall the popup, but I know myself: I would simply never agree to anything like this because I have no use for the actual program, and I know the headache and risk (it can end up costing much) is not worth it. I just noticed this $9.95 charge on my October statement, but I had been getting billed for it since April! $69.65! They agreed to credit $39.80, so they scammed $30 out of me.

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Tjbucks
Groveland, US
Oct 24, 2010 7:46 pm EDT

I agree with the others who have left complaints because I also ordered and quote, signed up for the rewards but I NEVER received any other information after this date only the ten dollar rebate check. I have been waiting for the mail and there has been nothing in my email nor the us mail...yes I agree this is a shady way to get people in and I also agree that there should be more information. I still called to cancel and I have not been able to get a live person on the phone but I won't give up until I am withdrawn from this program. I think it is always deceitful when there is a limited access to a program and the person who left the detailed message is wrong about it not being shady. It is a tactic they use in RETAIL to get you in and then never supply the information so you are able to readily cancel it. That is the major complaint! Some people do this all the time and make money on it...so you have to look at it that way too. I agree very shady for such a great company as JC Penny. I do love to shop in their store so this won't stop me but I know not to sign up for this kind of quick scheme again.

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sweye
Seattle, US
Oct 11, 2010 11:50 pm EDT

I happened to me as well.. I will not order from Penny again...

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WarnerRobins
, US
Sep 25, 2010 12:02 am EDT
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This Perfect Home Select program is straight forward with a little reading. You can't just take the $10.00 benefit with out reading about the trial period you did sign up for. Cancel within thirty days like is clearly stated and you won't have any charges. I'm just a customer and it is all spelled out in plain English.

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JenniAmanda25
Lewiston, US
Aug 23, 2010 11:32 am EDT

Oh also...I just recently was enrolled in 2 other programs like this and I received 2- $25 WalMart gift cards just for trying the memberships! One of them I cancelled but the other, SavingsAce, I'm keeping just for this month because I made a JCPenney online purchase through the SavingsAce site and I'm earning 20% cash back from my order! Plus I sent in a shipping rebate from my order to receive $5 back and another shopping rebate for $10 back! Then I'll cancel before I get charged another monthly fee and I'll get my first month fee refunded! You can really benefit from these programs if you know how to do it! :)

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JenniAmanda25
Lewiston, US
Aug 23, 2010 11:23 am EDT

I've got to say I disagree with these comments. Programs like these are not scams...you just have to read the fine print and be responsible enough to accept or decline, and if you accept you need to remember to cancel it if you don't want it after the free 30 day trial. It's very simple, you get a free trial which allows you time to claim the $10, they even send you an email with your membership info and how to log in with your membership number and login to claim the $10 and there's also a $15 utility rebate to claim. So I do all this within the 30 days...plus they don't even charge you the $9.95 until 45 days after enrollment, which is stated in the terms and conditions before you enroll, so this gives you extra time to receive the materials in the mail...which is better than other programs like this cuz they'll charge you right at the 30 day mark. I'm expericenced with programs like this...I enroll just for the perks then I cancel before I get charged...or if I do get charged for the first month it's easy to call and cancel and get a refund for that first month. How can you people not know that you've been charged for nearly 9 months?! That's your own fault for not being responsible enough to check your bank account! I log into my account everyday online...so if there's ever anything out of the ordinary I will know immediatley! Or if you have a credit card that you used, they have online access as well...I have 5 credit cards and have online access to all of them!
I don't work for JCPenney or Perfect Home Select...I'm just giving my opinion and saying that it's not the programs fault..it's the users. But I do sales over the phone and I have to offer a club where the customer gets a 30 day trial and the customer has to clearly agree to enroll or not...I have to get a clear YES!, in order to enroll them...so I can't see how someone can place an order over the phone and not know they're being enrolled in something when the rep is explaining it. Pay attention people...

I love shopping at JCPenney! :) I love the cute name brand clothes for my kids!

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JJBB12
orange county, US
Aug 04, 2010 6:02 pm EDT

JC penney USED TO BE my favorite online retailer because of their great prices. We've paid $50 so far before we caught the charges on our bills. After arguing with the agent at Stonebridge (aka JC Penney Home Rewards Program), she said she'd credit back 4 months --- the best she could do.

WHAT A $%&#@ SCAM!

I will NEVER NEVER buy from JC Penney again.

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WEGOT SCAMED
Panacea, US
Jul 24, 2010 12:28 pm EDT

I too got enrolled just trying to order bedding for my sons crib. Nothing about a membership on the website, it lures you in with a ten dollar coupon scam. I really think its unethical to sign customers up without their consent by advertising extra coupon off their order. The only thing that saved me, was I happen to read the terms and agreement and see membership pf 9.95 at the end of my order. That was the first time I have ordered from JCP and will be the last time.

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Lynne
Ripon, US
Jun 11, 2009 4:58 pm EDT

I spole to David at Stonebridge Benefits and discovered I had a membership number and had agreed to join a club, which costs $9 and change each month. He agreed I could cancel the 'membership' and JC Penney would return 3 months of payments. The trick on this scam is that it is not consistent. One month money disappears, then nothing happens for a while, then month goes again. Will I see my money returned? David says yes but I'm not holding my breath. I *do* know I'll never shop at J. C. Penney's again.

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young
Marquette, US
Jun 10, 2009 9:31 am EDT

This is a rip off I had know idea that I enrolled in this program almost 9 months ago I would like to see my signature! I will never order from Penny's again! They had better credit me my $9.95 from back to October! I am calling the better bussiness burea!

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young
Marquette, US
Jun 10, 2009 9:28 am EDT

I had placed an order to JcPenny's also and I have been on the rewards program 9 months without knowing and being charged $9.95! I am so mad what can a person do! I will not order from Penny's catolog again!

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Consumer Affairs
Plano, US
Dec 23, 2008 1:48 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

At Stonebridge Benefit Services nothing is more important than our customers' satisfaction and our Company's reputation. We take pride in researching and responding to customer concerns. If you would like for us to research your concerns, please forward your information, such as name, address, phone number or membership number to us at custrel@aegonusa.com, by fax to [protected] or by mail to 2700 West Plano Parkway, Plano TX 75075.