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CB Language Learning Pimsleur Approach Deceptive/Fradulent Business Practices
Pimsleur Approach

Pimsleur Approach review: Deceptive/Fradulent Business Practices 21

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Author of the review
7:34 pm EDT
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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

A trial offer I paid for with a gift card. I never accepted to enroll in the program contrary to what they say. I even returned the product that was sent to me unsolicited at a charge of $200. They lied and said that the product was not received. They are threatening to report to a collection agency but when I locate the tracking ticket with proof that it was received by them they will be in deep s**t.

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carole
Harriman, US
Jan 28, 2009 6:45 pm EST

I also didn't realize I had signed up for the $200+ package. I returned it and Pimsleur is saying they never received it. They are threatening me with a collection agency. I don't know what to do as I returned the package via US Postal Service book rate. I have no proof I sent it.

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Pimsleur Scam
US
Mar 09, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

I tried a free Pimsleur Trial with knowledge of the full cost of the program, however after receiving the program and finding it to be unworthy of the price tag..I sent emails attempting to cancel, i received no response, I attempted to call, and was on hold for 20 minutes. I called back and attempted to access the sales lines (this was on a weekday, during their stated business hours) and was onhold again in excess of 20 minutes without a pick up.

This happened several times over the course of two weeks...I have spent literally hours attempting to cancel...two days ago I receive a charge on my cc for the program, I try to call and cancel and explain my efforts and failures in cancelling, still no answer!

Hell of a free trial...call and cancel..yeha right!

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kim
Marysville, US
Mar 09, 2009 8:32 pm EDT

hey, im in the same boat. I filed a complaint with the attorney general in washington state, but pimsluer didnt respond to email or phone calls. i just got a little card from them saying i have until the 13th to send them a check. i didnt send mine back, because i didnt want to be stuck in the same boat you guys are in. please file a complaint with your attorney generals office with me, hopefully if enough of us do it we can kick theyre ###. email me privately at fishingirl89@yahoo.com

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John Doe
Cabot, US
Mar 14, 2009 8:04 am EDT

Wow, these guys are a work. I have same story - didn't sign up for free trial, and additionall, never received a product in the first place! Pimsleur claims it was received FedEx but that's pretty interesting since we were out of town most of December and I think I would have known if I signed for it! I got that same nasty letter saying "things would get complicated" if I don't pay. I have contacted an attorney and will pass along information as I receive it. My credit is worth any price - but I'm not paying them for a product I didn't order or receive. Any newest resolution for any of you about this? Kurtk41@msn.com.

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John Daily
US
Mar 30, 2009 9:45 am EDT

Dont be confused. It's not Pimsleur who is ripping you off. There are other companies out there who sell the Pimsleur product and are fair. Internet Order LLC is the company who is ripping you off! Do a google search for "Pimsleur". They will come up under www.pimsleurapproach.com. Look at all the information you fill out. CC number and all that! Then there is the "submit" button. But look UNDER that button. Yeah. That's how they get you. They are jerks and very money hungry.
Best thing to do: Since they will make you wait 45 minutes to speak to customer service make sure you have a bluetooth or some type of hands-free headset. Do your laundry, type a paper, watch some TV, or read a book while you are on hold (it's gonna be a while!). Ask for a manager FIRST THING! Be nice but firm at first. If they do no comply, YELL AT THE MANAGER until you get what you want. Threaten with BBB and Attorney General (they don't want that). Usually they will suddenly "find" your package lying around.
JERKS!

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BHFITYF
Lake City, US
Feb 26, 2010 8:02 am EST

When I ordered the pimsleur Spanish I subsequently received a series of CD's whit shipped without charge. Later received another set. Then got a charge of $59 on my credit card. I went back and looked at the enclosed letter telling me what a great set of lessons I was recieveing ( not really born out ). I also found I was to be charged not $59 but 4 X $59 for each. Icalled the phone number and was informed that they were sorry but it was too late to cancel. Lessons not that good and billing practice is very subversive. Thank You, Upset

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jt1949
US
Apr 20, 2010 10:28 am EDT

One more sucker! These guys are as deceptive as they come. I did not even bother opening the the box when it arrived. By the time I got around to noticing that they were billing me each month it was of course too late to return for a credit. These guys should be put out of business! Thieves ... nothing less.

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pkbklyn
Brookl, US
Jan 13, 2011 7:17 pm EST

I too have been taken by Internet Order LLC. Back in March of last year I was planning a short trip to Berlin for a job interview. I wanted to just learn a few German phrases for the trip. I had used a Pismleur course before for a trip to China. I was very happy with that and thought of Pimsleur again for this trip. All I believed I was purchasing was their Intro German course. Then these boxes started arriving. A total bait and switch. I have been unemployed for a year and in no way would I ever sign up to spend $700 (their fee for the whole course). I just got off the phone with their rep, who was incredibly rude and argumentative. They are sending this to collections, threatening that this will hurt my credit rating. Man they are good at their deception and tactics. I will be taking the advice of others on this site and call again to speak to a supervisor as well as write a letter to both the BBB and my State's Attorney General. Happy to know I am not alone and find their site and tactics reprehensible.

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Kirk from Texas
Moody, US
Mar 02, 2011 1:42 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I orderd the Spanish $9.95 CD on the PHONE after hearing a radio add. I also did not recieve the CD for weeks, and was needing it for a special trip. The product was well below my ability need as I already spoke some Spanish. I didn't use it. About a month later I get this oackage with the FREE off that if I don't return in 30 days the will charge me three payments of $69.95 (something like that. On;y one problem. The shipping they sent it by already took one MONTH! How do they know when I will recieve it? No matter, because I did NOT order this product and they confess to this in the documents they sent me, which I have scanned all for keep sake. When I called to complain I was talked down to and put down for "not paying attention to what I ordered ONLINE". One problem. I ordered this over the phone? So this is an OBVIOUS scam this company is pulling off and somebody needs to stop them. No one here is mentioning your AGE. I am 60 years old and it is possible they are trying to do this to a certain demographic of people and just say that we are senile or something. I detest the U.S. Government for allowing companies like this to obviously smear innocent people. The company is even using the "FBI" as their "witness" of being a presumed great "approach". This is just wrong and need to be stopped. I have a good lawyer and we will be approaching this. Kirk of Texas email:tokirk@ymail.com I have all of the ddocuments they sent. I will return this via secured and signed proof of delivery. Screw them!

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Kirk from Texas
Moody, US
Mar 02, 2011 1:59 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

By the way the company doing this is called STROLL and Internet Order LLC. There is a picture of the so-called employees you are speaking with, IF it is a true photo? They are all dressed up real pretty like they are just soooo sweet, you know? They are all a part of the scam and they know it. Crooks! Liers! Thiefs! Go to jail! I am starting a web site now that will direct everyone that looks for their site to these complaints. I am an Internet Security Expert for a national company and have all the resources to deal with this. For now I suggest you return your product via proof of signature, which will be cheaper than $200 right? Also keep all of your documents they sent you. You can arrange for a block payment at your bank as well, which is what I will be doing.

http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/aboutus_rdv3.asp#ContactUs

Internet Order LLC
1600 JFK Boulevard
3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103

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Paul - Santa Fe
Santa Fe, US
Apr 25, 2011 5:56 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got their email ad via NEWSMAX and was going to sign up for their Spanish class. Then I decided to do a Google search on Pimsleur and found this site with the comments above. Then I read everything on their offer documents and found I would be on the hook for 4 "easy" monthly payments of $64 per class and they would be sent every 60 days! Get real! The above stories convinced me not to sign up for this scam. Internet Order LLC is a crooked company that wants to hook you into their automatic order system and then won't let you out of it without a huge hassle. Don't get taken by these crooks!

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Paul - Santa Fe
Santa Fe, US
Apr 25, 2011 6:03 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got the ad from NEWSMAX (won't get anymore from them now) and was going to sign up. I decided to check Pimsleur out with a Google Search and found this information. Thanks to all who sent their complaints to this site as that was what I needed. Internet Order, LLC is obviously a scam outfit that hooks you in with the $10 trial and then automatically commits you to another "Gold" course for $64 per month for 4 months. If you don't return it via a method that guarantees delivery (UPS or FedEx, or USPS via Certified, Return Receipt) within 30 days, you will be stuck for the price. If you read EVERYTHING on their site BEFORE you provide your Credit Card, you will see what they are doing. If you read ALL the messages above, you'll see that they are scamming you. Don't get taken by these crooks!

Sorry if this is a repeat, I thought I had to register first.

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CraigS
South Lyon, US
Jul 08, 2011 8:54 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I also had a similar problem with the deceptive billing practice.

This company is a reseller of www.pimsleur.com. Their name is www.pimsleurapproach.com and use the name Stroll on the billing.

I was first approached to purchase a trial CD for learning Spanish. The cost was $9.95 which I paid online via a virtual credit card that expires after one month. The received the $9.95 payment. I received the single trial disk,

I then received another package from them with the Spanish 1 level and this had a 30 day return policy. In the letter it did not mention the total cost of 4 X $64 for a total of $256. It did not mention any cost.

I received an email billing that stated I owe $64 for the Spanish 1 package. The billing did not mention that this was a partial payment. I thought that $64 was the total cost for the received package. I thought it was a good deal so I made the payment. Nowhere did it say I was making a partial payment. I paid this with a virtual credit card that is only good for one month. I then received another email stating I own $64 with no other information. To me it looked like a rebilling. The bill made no reference to the first payment or that this was a partial second payment. I check my credit card and saw that I paid the $64 – the first payment. I called the number on the email billing and this is when I realized the total cost. I explained to them the deception and they said I still owed the money and the bill would go to collections.

I have disputed the original first payment of $64 with my credit card company and will not pay any more to this deceptive company. I have not returned the Spanish I package – I will wait to see the outcome before returning it.

Also, had I continued to make the other 3 payments they would have sent me the next Spanish II package and then followed by the Spanish III package; Each at a cost of $256. That would be a total cost of 3 X $256 or $768.

I am not saying that the product is not worth it, I just don’t want to be deceived into thinking it is much much less and then not being able to return the product for a refund.
I talked to the main company www.pimsleur.com and told them about their reseller Stroll, www.pimsleurapproach.com using deceptive selling practices.
Pimsleur should not deal with this reseller, Stroll www.pimsleurapproach.com, now that they know it is using deceptive billing practices.

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Rob Germany
TJ
Jul 21, 2011 7:50 pm EDT

I was about to buy this product but your advice stopped me. Thank you! At least you know that you saved one potential customer.

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Ladydets
Henderson, US
Sep 28, 2011 6:06 pm EDT

I recieved an email from the Pimsleur approach on learning different languages. I listened to the 20 min powerpoint video which was conducted
by a very convincing, articulate speaking woman. The cost of the entire product was only going to cost me $10. (Which to me sounded pretty good). I thought to myself, this is an awsome deal...I THINK I'M GONNA DO IT! Well...judging from past history of jumping into something I new nothing about with other products and MLMs that were, "too good to be true!"; I learned to do my own lickin' and stickin'. This site is where I ended up! I want to thank each and everyone of you who took the time out of your busy schedual to expose the company, "Internet Order LLC" for what it is...an online ordering scam! I would like to know why these ligitt companies such as Pimsleur would contract out with these scam artists? Is there a way we can write or call this company ourselves without getting their scam affiliates? Please let me know, Thanx!

Sincerely,
Linda
ladydets385923@yahoo.com

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CraigS
South Lyon, US
Sep 29, 2011 12:17 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Linda,
It is hard to determine who is the real manufacturer and owner of the Pimsleur products. The best thing to do is only deal with any of these people if you are willing to pay the high price for the product. I cannot believe the real owners of the product are not aware of the deceptive selling practices. It looks to me that they are all operated by the same people and the more deceptive companies are to isolate the real owners of the product from the deceptive ones.

It would be nice if someone had the time, to present the problem to their state prosecutor for investigation.

I was able to get my money back from my credit card company through the contesting process. The www.pimsleurapproach.com company did agree to accept the return of the product, after I complained and contested the purchase with my credit card company. I did return the product. The www.pimsleurapproach.com also said they would give back the money I paid, the $64. I just let my credit card company return my money to me as I did not want to further deal the www.pimsleurapproach.com .

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ooolma
Boston, US
Oct 05, 2011 8:53 pm EDT

Thank God for Complaintsboard.com. I'm saved. And thank you all.

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randomuser12345
US
Oct 13, 2012 1:03 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We ordered a language course from Pimsleur. then they sent us a free trial that we did not ask for and now they wanted us to pay for returning the free trial, they want us to pay for the shipping. so we try to call them and we were on hold and on hold and spending a lot of time just trying to get in touch with them and when we finally got in touch they tried to trick us and said we had to pay the shipping to return the trial that we never asked for. finally now they They are sending a label for us to ship it back but still we have used a lot of our time with this scam. Pimsleur is a total scam do not engage with them they are scammers and they are not to be trusted

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najic
Norcross, US
Apr 04, 2013 5:31 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Have they actually sent any accounts with unpaid due to any collecting agency?

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NOTHAPPYGUY
Victoria, CA
Jun 05, 2013 8:16 pm EDT

I have never had to deal with such BS in my life. This company is a bunch of thieves and liars.
$9.95 LOL what is your time worth to you? cause you'll have to spend a lot of it on this ###.

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Rob2002
San Jose, US
Aug 19, 2013 5:35 pm EDT

I have similar experience with the same company. They practice deceptive business practices. I order their Pimsleur Quick course disc for $9.95, and without my full conscious consent they enroll me in some very expensive full courses in Korean, for $512.

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  1. Pimsleur Approach Contacts

  2. Pimsleur Approach phone numbers
    +1 (800) 831-5497
    +1 (800) 831-5497
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    USA & Canada
    +1 (800) 051-4293
    +1 (800) 051-4293
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    International
  3. Pimsleur Approach emails
  4. Pimsleur Approach address
    1230 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor, New York, New York, 10020-8510, United States
  5. Pimsleur Approach social media
  6. Jenny
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    Oct 14, 2024