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Prado Electronic Cigarettes

Prado Electronic Cigarettes review: Deceptive Advertising 16

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Author of the review
5:25 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Received an email offering free product if you paid the shipping. Website said same thing. Received the item without any literature or phone number. Two weeks later, they debited my checking account for $149.90. No where was it disclosed in their advertising that this was an evaluation and if you did not call and cancel, they would charge you $149.90. I got a phone number with my statement and called them. It was a fulfillment house. When I explained that their advertising did not state any of these facts and that I had not even used the product, I wanted to return the item for a full refund. After some haggling, they offered only a partial refund. This is clearly a case of false and misleading advertising. I will never fall for this type of offer again.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

16 comments
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dhlevine
Scotch Plains, US
Mar 22, 2011 9:30 pm EDT

I purchased a sample electronic kit from them for 12.95 and charged it to a credit card. A couple of weeks later when I got my credit card statement I saw that I was charged 12.95 for the sample kit and 149.50 for other merchandise which I did not order or agree to order from them.
I checked Prado Electronics out on line and after seeing that there were other complaints of fraud against them, I called my credit card company to stop further illegal access to my account.

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Mosscitoo
, US
Mar 09, 2011 11:44 am EST

I saw an ad for Prado e-cigarettes the price was $5.90 for the starter kit, Then they charged my account for $149.90 I did not agree to $149.90, this caused my bank account to get messed up by the time it was over I had incurred over $400.00 in fees for returned checks and overdraft fees. I called the call center i was told that they could not process my account, I was told that to return the product I had to have their permission and they had to give me a number. If you just returned it they would not accept that unless you had permission and a number. Needless to say you could not get a number and permission to send it back. They refused to answer my questions and then I was told that if I contacted them again they would charge me with harassment and have me put in jail. I don.t scare easily someone who will not give their name sent me the e-mail, no telephone number. no e-mail address and they did not give their job title. I will call back and I just hope they try to have me arrested. Spineless wonder wants to pick on little old ladies. Don't give up call them every time you can e-mail them. let them know they can;t push us around anymore. After telling me not to contact them I was sent an ad for Prado e-cigarettes. they got nerve.

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MKristek
Anacortes, US
Jun 23, 2011 10:23 pm EDT

If you read the terms of agreement it says that they will charge you the $149.90 and then $69.90 each month thereafter until you call customer service and cancel the agreement. I just called them today, June 23, 2011, and told them to cancel my agreement with them. I'm waiting to see if they did. I'll see next month if my debit card gets charged. If I am charged again I will be writing a certified letter to them telling them to stop. I'll keep you posted on the outcome...Good Luck.

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Arlis Johnson Jr
Valparaiso, US
May 19, 2011 3:41 am EDT

Congratulations! You've just made a decision to purchase the Prado Electronic Cigarette, a decision that will save a pack a day smoker $1, 000’s of dollars a year! An average pack a day smoker spends over $250 a month. By making the choice to switch to the Prado Electronic Cigarette a pack a day smoker will save an average of $200 per month. If you choose to exercise your right to keep your starter kit you will realize the savings immediately!

If you need customer service call [protected]

This charge will appear as Electriccig-[protected] on your billing statement.

Below are the terms and conditions of the agreement and legally binding contract you will be entering into by making this purchase.

WARNING

If you are under the age of 18 or under the legal smoking age in your region (under the age of 19 and you live in Alabama, Alaska, New Jersey, Utah and New York) please leave this Site immediately. By entering this Site, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age, or 19 in those jurisdictions mentioned above.

If you are under the age of 18/21 (depending on individual state laws regarding access to adult subject matter) or if it is illegal to enter this site in your community, please leave immediately. By entering this site, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age, or 21 in those jurisdictions in which 21 is the age of majority

Member User Agreement

You must read and agree to these Terms and Conditions before placing your order for the Day Trial Offer of Prado Electronic Cigarette. By placing your order for the Trial Offer of Prado Electronic Cigarette you agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions:
The Prado E-Cigarette is intended for use by adult smokers and not intended for pregnant women or those who are sensitive to nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and may be dangerous to your health. Prado E Cigarette is not intended as a smoking cessation device. Prado E-Cigarette offers smokers a tar-free way to enjoy smoking.

SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING:
Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy.

*LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY

The product will be repaired or replaced if any components of the electronic cigarette are not functioning correctly as long as the customer has paid for the product and is enrolled in the Refill Value Plan for at least one full month. Please just send the damaged component to:

Independent Warranty Facility

14301 North 87th Street

Suite #107

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

General Agreement
By clicking to order, you agree to our terms and conditions and are enrolled in the Cartridge Refill Value Plan. Your credit card will be charged the trial amount indicated at check out and shipping and handling of $14.95 (or the promotional shipping amount charged) to cover the shipping & handling of your Trial of the Prado Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit, the trial fee and S&H fee is non refundable. Your products will typically be shipped within 24-48 hours excluding weekends and holidays. The products you order will typically be shipped to the address you designate within three to five days. If after 14 days*** of your order you keep your Prado Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit and have not returned the item with a valid RMA number, your credit card will be billed for the full purchase price of the starter kit and 20 cartridges ($149.90). The fourteen day Trial includes transit time. When enrolled in the Refill Value Plan we will ship you 20 refill cartridges every 30 days until you call customer service and cancel. The monthly charge for the Cartridge Refill Value Plan is $59.95 per month plus $9.95 shipping and handling for a total cost of $69.90. Once your refill cartridges are shipped they cannot be cancelled or returned. As long as you are enrolled in the Cartridge Refill Value Plan your Prado electronic cigarette is warrantied for life! Just send in any damaged component and we will replace it for free! No questions asked.

RETURNS: No starter kit will be accepted for return if it is not accompanied by a valid RMA number. An RMA number can be obtained by calling our Customer Service Center within the trial period, no RMA numbers will be issued outside of the fourteen day trial period, however we will issue up to fourteen days to return your starter kit and 20 cartridges from the date the order was placed with a valid RMA number, restrictions do apply. If an item is returned without an RMA number then your item will not be accepted for return or refund. The day you order the product counts as day one of your free trial regardless of the time of day. You, the consumer, are able to use two (2) of the initial twenty (20) cartridges that you receive with your starter kit at no charge in order to decide if you like the product . Each additional cartridge that is used and not returned in its original un-opened package will result in a charge of $5 per cartridge. No returns will be accepted after the fourteen 14 day trial period. All items must be in working order when returned or the return will not be accepted unless it is determined that the items were originally shipped in a damaged or malfunctioned condition. This determination will be made at the sole discretion of the Return Center. Accessories purchased on this website are non-refundable.

If you do cancel your $14.95(or discounted price) S&H fee, rush shipping fee, and/or shipping insurance fee will not be refunded. TRIAL ITEMS: The free trial applies only to the Prado Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit as outlined in the Terms and Conditions. The trial period for the starter kit is fourteen days. All other products purchased on this website are non-refundable including the car chargers, additional cartridges, carry cases, additional batteries, atomizers, chargers, accessories, rush shipping, upsell items and monthly supply of cartridges that have already been billed for. The Cartridge Refill Value Plan is a VIP discount cartridge program, offering huge savings of up to $1000’s per year depending on your tobacco usage! You will receive 20 cartridges shipped monthly (equivalent to 3.00 per pack per day each month). This is equivalent to a $5.00 per day savings compared to traditional tobacco products based on an $8 per pack cost. As long as you remain enrolled in the Cartridge Refill Value Plan your electronic cigarette is warranted against any defect for life!

Please note once refill cartridges are charged for they are placed in queue and are non-refundable.

** If your Trial Starter Kit and one month supply (20 cartridges) of cartridges is not returned within fourteen days, your credit card will be billed the purchase price of $149.90. Upon placing your order, you will be enrolled in the Cartridge Refill Value Plan, which will automatically send your refill cartridges 30 days after you order the starter kit (20 cartridges) and every thirty days thereafter and bill your credit card $59.95 plus $9.95 Processing and Handling.. Simply call customer service at [protected] to cancel enrollment at any time.

Please note that the price of the Prado Electronic Cigarette starter kit and cartridges may be lowered at our discretion.

***Days calculated include transit time.

TO REPLACE OR RETURN YOUR PRODUCT, PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION BELOW:
Pack the items to be returned securely (Shipping charges are your responsibility).

Please write your valid RMA number on the exterior of the envelope along with your name, address, telephone numbers, email address and enlose your reason for returning the item.

Please send the return items to:

Attention: Prado Ecig Returns

14301 N. 87th Street Suite #107
Phoenix AZ 85260

Product Disclaimer

By placing an offer, you agree to the following statements: • Prado E-Cigarette is intended for use by adult smokers and not intended for pregnant women or those who are sensitive to nicotine.
• Nicotine is highly addictive and may be dangerous to your health.
• Prado E Cigarette is not intended as a smoking cessation device.
• SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy.
• Warning: CONTAINS NICOTINE - KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Liquid harmful in direct contact with skin. Immediately wash affected area with soap and water upon contact. If liquid is swallowed or even placed in mouth seek medical attention immediately for possible nicotine poisoning.

The information contained in the web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional.

PRIVACY
Please review our online privacy policy for information about our collection and use practices with respect to your personal information provided through use of this site.

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
By using this web site, placing a trial order, or participating in the Autoship Refill Value Program, you agree that the production company of the Prado Electronic Cigarette and our owner(s), parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, representatives, and employees will have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, claims, damages or any special, exemplary, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of any kind, whether based in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, resulting from any use of the web site, the trial offer, the auto delivery program, or any product or service offered on this web site, any failure or delay by us in connection with the web site, the trial offer, the auto delivery program, or any product or service offered on this web site, the performance or non-performance of the web site, the trial offer, the auto delivery program, or any product or service offered on this web site by us, even if we have been advised of the possibility of damages. This disclaimer of liability applies to any damages or injury caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation, computer virus, communications line failure, theft or destruction, or unauthorized access to, alteration of, or use of your information. Notwithstanding this disclaimer, if we are found liable for any loss or damage which arises out of, or is in any way connected with, any of the occurrences described in this paragraph, then our liability will in no event exceed, in total, the sum of $100.00.

We make no warranty of any kind regarding the web site, the trial offer, the Value Refill Autoship Program, or any product or service available on this web site, each of which is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. We expressly disclaim all warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, and those arising by statute or otherwise in law or from a course of dealing or usage of trade. We are not responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the web site, the trial offer, the Value Refill Autoship Program, or any product or service offered on this web site, including without limitation that they will be error-free, or as to the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of any content or information distributed with respect to them. Some states do not allow the limitation of liability and disclaimer of implied warranties, so the disclaimers and limitations above may not apply to you. The rush shipping purchase typically ships within 12-24 hours (weekends, holidays and non-business days excluded), however in rare occurrences may take up to 3-5 days to ship. Ships means that the order is packed and placed on the fulfillments house truck and in route to the designated shipping facility such as UPS, USPS or Fed-ex typically.

GOVERNING LAW
The laws of the State of Arizona, without regard to its conflict of law principles, will govern these Terms.

Negative Option Clause:
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONSUMER TRANSACTION INVOLVES A NEGATIVE OPTION, AND THAT I MAY BE LIABLE FOR PAYMENT OF FUTURE GOODS AND SERVICES UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR AN INITIAL AMOUNT OF $149.90 and $69.90 THIRTY DAYS AFTER AND EVERY THIRTY (30) DAYS THEREAFTER IF I FAIL TO NOTIFY THE SUPPLIER NOT TO SUPPLY THE GOODS OR SERVICES DESCRIBED, AND THAT IT IS NECESSARY FOR ME TO OBTAIN A RMA (RETURN MERCHANDISE AUTHORIZATION) CODE BEFORE RETURNING THE STARTER KIT.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT
These Terms make up the entire agreement between us and you relating to this web site and the products or services offered herein and replace any prior understandings or agreements (whether oral or written) regarding the web site the products or services.

NO RMA's ISSUED AFTER TRIAL PERIOD EXPIRES, NO REFUNDS ISSUED WITHOUT A VALID RMA.

This is an international transaction as the Prado Electronic Cigarette is available in Europe, North America and around the globe. YOUR bank may charge you an international transaction fee accordingly.

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rduckworth1230
, US
Apr 04, 2011 7:56 pm EDT

i think all of you are wrong it you read the fine print like your supposed to it tells you that you will be charged 149.95 after the (14 DAY TRIAL ) then you will be charged 49.95 A MONTH for the refills please stop hating and get your facts straight

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Ronald Dal Bianco
Stockton, US
Apr 01, 2011 3:55 pm EDT

I was ripped off the same way .thought it was free just pay shipping of 9.99 but that was 14.00.Then two weeks later 154.40, then70.00and again for69.90.I tried to get a refund but they refused. I never got any product at all from them.There must be some way to get to these people.

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I WON!!
Key Largo, US
Mar 24, 2011 6:05 pm EDT

I will make this very short...but after having the same exp. with Prado, I filed a complaint with the Phoenix Better Biz Bureau. To my surprise, almost a year later, I got a reply and a refund on my cc card for the total amt! Try it, it might just pay off. Of course they denied all of my allegations, but who cares as long as I got my money back! Good luck!
Better Business Bureau
Serving Central, Northern and Western Arizona
4428 N. 12th Street
Phoenix, AZ [protected]
[protected]
FAX
central-northern-western-arizona.bbb.org

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bluebus
, US
Mar 12, 2011 2:02 am EST

I also was billed $149.00, for this ripped off after two weeks, I called and got a partial refund, I wish I had read more before buying.

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Smith,james L.
Bernalillo, US
Mar 05, 2011 4:39 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

The same happened to me, I am trying to find out if I can get a fraud or cumsumer thief charge against this company. There must be something we as americans can do together, to get our money back and get them shut down. What happened to Lawyers that fight for a cause, I think ripping people off is a righteous cause. If this was a big auto manufacturing company lawyers would be all over it. I am on unemployment and only receive 291.00 aweek. When they ripped me off for 149.90 it pretty much messed me up. This is also ran by an ex elected official, he is the vice president of the company. He should be put away!

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John Gasper
Beaver Falls, US
Jan 12, 2011 9:28 pm EST

I got ripped of too, by the Prado Electronic cigarette, free trail offer, plus $9.99 shipping, and there add saids Free trail offer, I thought this package was totally free because they make it sound like everything they are offering is FREE and now they took $149.99 out of my checking account and I called them to cancel and I wanted a refund, and to return this item which does not work at all, and they said it is too late, and they said it is too late, they don't even want to hear it about my complainment and there going to charge me $69.99 every mth for refills .This is nothing but a Ripp Off and they know it, those liars and ###, they knew excalty what they are doing, I want my money back they can have there dumb product back, it takes hrs. to charge it, and when you inhale the smoke or whatever I'm inhaling it doesn't do a damm thing to help me, all I want is too smoke even more regular smokes.. they should be Ashammed of there selved, this is a RIPP OFF PRADO ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE COMPANY, If I would haved know that they where going to charge me all that money I Would Have NEVER NEVER sent them one penny, they even ripp you off on shipping too saying 14.95 shipping act now and get shipping cost to 9.99 and get your free kit now! they do that so they can get your credit card numbers so they can charge you whatever they want too.what a bunch of LIARS, LIARS, you ###, .is there anyone that can help me on this, my name is John Gasper, jjogasp7@comcast.net, Please let me know, Thanks.

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Primo G
Santa Rosa, US
Jan 05, 2011 12:03 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This just happened to me, I canceled my card immediately and the bank launched a complaint against them. I am going to contact the attorney listed on this site to see what can be done.

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Courtney75
Woodridge, US
Dec 20, 2010 1:29 pm EST

PRADO ELECTRIC CIG COMPANY IS A HUGH SCAM!
I ordered the product on Dec 2, 2010 as a free trial under the assumtion that I only had to pay s&h of 14.95 plus being the holiday season there was a discount on s&h for 1/2 off. Great deal right? WRONG! I received the product on Dec. 15, 2010 and was billed 149.90 on Dec. 17, 2010. I called the company immediately and was told to send the product back and they would refund my money. So I sent it back in its orginal packaging and guess what! It came back! Address not found! yep yep so I started doing more research there is literally 6 different phone numbers to this company all of them with the same voice recording telling me the office is currently closed please call back during normal business hours and are you ready... I have found over 13 different addresses to this company all located in Arizona all in different towns! BIGGEST SCAM OUT THERE. On top of it all I woke this morning to yet another charge on my debit for 69.00. There is also people out there complaining they ended up in the hospital over this product. I will definatly join a class action suit if there is one happening PLEASE email me details and I will repost those details so other victims can also join.
Courtney Arrigoni
c_miller75@comcast.net

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Jonathan R. Koerth, Esq.
Pittsburgh, US
Dec 03, 2010 2:54 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

ATTENTION: PURCHASERS OF PRADO OR OTHER E-CIGARETTE "TRIAL OFFER" PRODUCTS--We are a law firm with attorneys admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New York, District of Columbia, Georgia and West Virginia. We have also appeared in matters in California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Ohio and elsewhere. We are interested in hearing about potential wrongfully charged credit cards or debit cards arising from the purchase of "trial offer" e-cigarette products which were supposed to be mailed to the buyer for $0.00 plus $9.95 or $14.95 for "shipping and handling". We understand from this board and other sources that purchasers of the $0.00 "trial offer" were subsequently charged $149.90 and then $69.90 every month for e-cigarette cartridges they did not believe they had ever requested. We may be able to represent you in a lawsuit against the responsible parties. There would be no fee to you unless there is a recovery. Please contact me at the email address indicated to discuss your potential claim. jonathan@steelcitylawyers.com

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madd
Bishop, US
Dec 02, 2010 6:43 pm EST

This just happened to me but cancelled my debit card, told the customer service banker about it and my card was cancelled immediately.
These e cig companies are a big scam!

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sunbird135
Edgewood, US
Nov 16, 2010 6:21 pm EST

They should be put outof business and made to give refunds to all who fell for their scam.

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sunbird135
Edgewood, US
Nov 16, 2010 6:19 pm EST

The same thing happened to me, but I was lucky and got the $140.00 taken off but they still charged me $69.60. Even if I sent the product back they will not give you your money back!

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