I had an unexpected charge of $79.95 show up on my account from Acai slim. Then another unexpected charge from "Fit Factory."

Anyone know of any other surprises coming up for me? I really don't want to have to cancel this card!

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND I FEEL VERY STUPID.

NEVER AGAIN!

I HAD TO CHANGE MY BANK ACCOUNT!

Yea, the same happened to me, I ordered both the colon cleanser and the Acai berry products, which arrived a month later.

So I naturally got charged $89. I called to cancel, and got a confirmation number saying they would refund the amount, but it has yet to happen.

I also got charged 29.95 for three different products including, Fit Fact, Health Options, and two others. I just got hit with another charge of $79 dollars today, for TCleanse.

I'm calling and calling, but of the line is busy or they put you on hold. I recommend you cancel your card ASAP... which I have just done .

I signed up for the Acai Burn free trial. Some free trial, I was charged $89-37 and how does one cancel when the phone number doesn't seem to exist?

My bank said it wasn't fraud but I have opened a dispute with them. It will be interesting to see if I get my return of money. Sucking people into getting their credit/debit cards and charging them a high amount of money is not the Australian way of doing things.

If you are so confident that your product does work then why are so many people disputing your company's charges and canceling credit/debit cards? Yes, I have been caught but I have now canceled my card with a sigh of relief.

The only way I can look at this is once you get caught the first time is a mistake, use this as an experience. I feel for you all as I know what I am still going through but I will fight this one to the end.

Take care one and all. Shame on the companies doing this!

I ordered online and then read the contract, and realized that there was no way to get a "free trial" because even if the product arrived IMMEDIATELY I would have to return it immediately in order not to be charged for subsequent shipments. That's not a "free trial" because there's no time to try it!

Fortunately, I ordered late at night on a weekend, and I assume the system was down. I called my credit card company immediately and canceled the card itself. They said the charge still might go through.

I also wrote to the company and told them to stop the delivery of my "free trial." We should know what happens in a few weeks.

TERMS AND CONDIDTIONS @ FRONT PAGE OF WWW.EXTREMEACAIBERRY.COM

I understand that by ordering Extreme Acaiberry, I am agreeing to receive Extreme Acaiberry for a free 14-day trial period (days of availability for actual usage could be less depending on shipping time) beginning on date of order. $3.95 (non-refundable) for S&P.

I understand that unless I cancel by calling 1-877-350-8480 within this 14-day period, beginning on the 14th day my credit card will automatically be charged $92.58 (Free Shipping) for a 31 day supply of Extreme Acaiberry to be shipped at that time to my door.

Thereafter, until and unless I cancel, my credit card will automatically be charged an additional $92.58 every 31 days for a new supply of Extreme Acaiberry.

I understand that I may cancel any future shipments Monday through Friday by calling 1-877-350-8480. Our hours of operation are from 8am to 5pm MST. We do not accept returns on any products that have been shipped.

Extreme Acaiberry 4650 SW 51st Street Suite 711 Davie, FL 33314

Editor's Comments: Jmay, we appreciate you posting the Acai Berry terms and conditions here.

While we're of the opinion that selling a product via a recurring billing program is misleading and benefits no one but the retailer, we agree that the onus is one the customer to read the terms and conditions.

We'd suggest, however, that you make clear that the 14-day trial period starts on the day you place your order. Your comments "days of availability for actual usage could be less depending on shipping time" does not make this clear.

Additionally, if you review the feedback below, you'll see that your customers allege that...

1) They are being added to the recurring billing programs of companies not mentioned in your terms and conditions.

2) Your company is not abiding to its own terms and conditions, and is adding customers to the recurring billing program prior to the 14-day grace period.

3) Your customer service is severely lacking.

4) Refund requests are not being honored.

None of these things are adequately addressed by the posting of your terms and conditions material. Also, just for your information, the Federal Trade Commission is beginning to take action against companies using this marketing tactic!

Why is it when something good is found in this world that so many people want to find reasons why you should not use it.

In this case Acai delivers so much goodness without the side effects from natural sources it makes you wonder if the anti Acai groups are paid from the pharmaceuticals companies.

Sandra & Ted

Editor's comments: A few things about your comments, Sandra...

First, we've removed your promotional link from your post. If you read the terms and conditions of this web site, you'll see such links are not allowed.

Second, if you review the comments on this web site, you'll see the majority of visitors are not discussing Acai, but the deceptive billing practices of this company.

Third, although on one is disputing the fact that Acai offers great value as an antioxidant and is a rich source of fats like oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acid, there is exactly ZERO credible, clinical evidence that it "detoxes the body" or "helps you lose weight" - some of the most common claims for this product

Forth, are you seriously suggesting the "pharmaceutical industry" has hundreds, if not thousands of employees whose only job is to sift through the billions of web pages online, posting negative comments about products for which no proof of effectiveness exists? Or for products sold using deceptive billing schemes? What evidence do have of this?

Fifth, you are actively promoting an Acai product yourself. You therefore have a financial stake in the positive presentation of Acai. Please explain how the financial conflict of interest that apparently applies to the "pharmaceutical industry" does not apply to you.

The idea that the those involved in the manufacturing of prescription medications are inherently evil, while those selling natural products are on the side of "good" is ridiculous, and not borne out by the facts.

Check this blog post for more information, and learn how hundreds of individuals and companies have used the "relaxed" supplement regulations to royally stiff their customers. No one is going to argue that the drug companies haven't made mistakes or aren't motivated by profit (as are you, with the sale of Acai) but they also do a lot of good.

From what we've seen in 10 years online, the "pharmaceutical industry conspiracy theory" is used by folks who would like to prevent others from thinking clearly and critically, and taps into the preconceived conception that pharmaceutical companies are bad.

OMG!.. another one?

Mr. Mack, your daughter was charged by those other companies because she failed to read the TERMS and CONDITIONS. The T and C explains everything!. ALL WEBSITES HAVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS!

Even the NBA website has T and C at the bottom of the webpage and it's even smaller than the T and C of this EXTREME acai berry company.

Editor's comments: Dwayne, for an individual with no declared connection to the Acai Berry web site, you seem to be awfully interested in defending the "indefensible."

If you read through the comments below, you'll see evidence of "less than ethical" behavior by this company. For instance, using the free trial offer to add customers to the recurring billing programs of other, non-related companies is unscrupulous and underhanded.

There are also complaints of customers being added to the recurring billing program long before the trial period is up. In other words, the company does not appear to be honoring its own terms and conditions. If this is true, what is the point of reading them and abiding by them?

Last time I checked, the only way to receive the product was to sign up for the trial; you couldn't buy it directly. It certainly appears therefore, that this company uses this trial to "rope" customers into a long-term contract with the company.

Additionally, you seem to have forgotten something Dwayne; good companies thrive on selling quality products, delivering stellar customer service, and being attentive to their customers' satisfaction - not trying to trick them into signing up for a regular monthly supply of a product they do not want.

You seem to think that having a "terms and conditions" page somewhere on the product web site is license for the merchant to treat his/her customers like sheep and indulge in unethical business practices. Sorry, but it's not. This is not a sustainable business model.

A total rip.

The US Attorney General's office is "quite familiar" with the "deceptive practices" of this company. My daughter ordered the product and canceled within the proper time. Although she canceled within the proper time, her credit card was still being charge HUNDREDS of dollars from other companies (actually it's the same parent company) for products that she never ordered nor authorized.

A phone call to these companies (the ones I could actually reach) yielded results such as : "Well you have to cancel with us too."

QUESTION: How can one cancel something that one has never asked for, and how would one know that you were being charged until you receive a bill?

She received charges from companies such as : TCLEANSE, PRICELIMBO, MY VIP FIT, CLEANSE, NETPURCHASE, for well over $200.00 by the time the first statement came!

They are still trying to charge the card (it's been canceled and is being "investigated" as I type this.

I URGE everyone here to PLEASE contact the Attorney General's office ASAP! It will be worth your while.

Editor's comments: The US Attorney General web site can be found at www.usdoj.gov/ag/. We also recommend contacting the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.

To the editor:

Why didn't you publish the one I sent to you?

Editor's Comments: Dwayne, your comments are posted - see below.

I have been ripped off too, and you would think someone could do something about this. If we all got together and sued them as a group it would make a bigger statement.

Personally I am tired of being made a fool of.

I was charged before I got my products too. I called the company before 14 days were up but they would not budge, they kept telling me they were not going to do anything to settle my claim.

Actually, it's really the customer's fault because they failed to read the terms and conditions.

Customer's are "OBLIGED" to read terms and conditions when they buy or order products. Even if its just a free trial. Every literate people knows that!

Editor's Comments: We agree, customers should read the retailer's policies. But frankly, some retailers hide these away in dark corners of their web sites, where they are nearly impossible to find. So they aren't really playing fair.

Additionally, the "free trial" offer only exists for one reason: to add customers to a recurring billing program. In our opinion, such programs are not representative of ethical, and customer-focused companies.

My husband ordered the free trial also. Even though we have yet to receive it, our credit card was just billed $89.13.

I called the credit card company and they stated that it is not fraud because my husband gave the company our credit card number. They said we could dispute the charge if we did not get any results from the company.

I will start calling the company tomorrow. I wish I had found this site prior to my husband ordering this product.

The customer service number I was given does not exist. I have tried many times and the number just disconnects. I have been charged over $180 in 10 days and had to cancel my credit card. And the product, waste of time. Please do your due dillegence. I wish I had.

I just called Extreme Acai Berry to cancel and try to return the two UNOPENED bottles they sent me but they said that all sent items are not refundable and that it says so on their site. I go on their site and it says that they're not returnable. Okay, fine. So their loss right? I just want my money back, I'm going to call them again tomorrow. To top it all off, they never even sent me a free bottle! That was what started this hot mess, signing up for their so called "free trial." I should have looked into it more instead of making such a hasty decision. :(

If any one reads this information please listen to this: I tried it before I read the comments and they are correct 100%.

This company is a big rip off. I received the pill the day of my cancellation date. I was trying to honestly give the pills a chance to see if they worked before I canceled my subscription, but they took away that chance for me.

Then on top of all my card was charged for pills that don't even work. I wouldn't be upset if I could return them but you can't even send them back to get your money.

Times are hard and they are cheating people out of the little money they have. Shame on the owner of the company and the rude customer service people that work there.

I searched online and been looking how the Extreme Acaiberry works and how much it can actually help you lose your pounds.

It has been effective on me and I have no problems canceling and reading their terms and conditions.

I have canceled before my 14 days period ended and also read about the $29.95 charge that I canceled within my given 7 days period.

I'm sorry to contradict your claim but when you read the terms and condition carefully, you could have canceled so you won't have the monthly shipment.

The same thing goes to a friend. She said she can't find the terms and condition, I pointed out to her that by the time you have put your in your credit card #, there is a "terms options" that you can read and cancel the subscription at that time if you don't want to have all the hassle.

Editor's comments: Emmy, we're a bit confused. The product worked for you, but you canceled your subscription - that's what you said (you also contradicted yourself; is it a 7 or 14 day grace period?). How did you come to the conclusion of the product's effectiveness if you only tried it for a few days?

And if it worked so well, why cancel further shipments?

Additionally, if you review the visitor feedback here, you can see that this "customer service issue" is not an isolated one. We would also argue that adding people to a recurring billing program is not a good business practice. Nor do we agree that a "terms" option should only be available for review only after you enter your credit card information. All visitors should know what the terms are before entering and personal information.

A definite SCAM, and so is Colon xR aka total cleanse aka TCleanse. I did finally speak to Mallory @ 877-317-0189 but had to wait a long time. She said the pending debit against my account of $79.95 would be credited in 6-12 days.

I'm not holding out much hope. In the meantime I have canceled my debit card, a pain, but who needs to be out more money.

If I don't get the credit the bank will file a claim. Has ANYONE received a refund? Makes me wonder what exactly is in the pills. Mine are going in the trash untouched.

I've learned my lesson!

I too had the same problem, the "conditions" did not show up until after I entered my credit card information, and then they charged my card 79.95 as well as sold my credit card information to a company called Fitfit.com who then charged me $19.95!

DON'T BUY THIS!

After ordering and canceling the Acai Slim, I'm now getting an email from www.bromalite.com stating that I signed up at their website for something and they're processing my request. It doesn't even say what I requested. I did not ever go to that website and sign up for anything.

They don't give you any phone # on how to contact them. Has this happened to anyone, and how do I contact this scamming company? PLEASE HELP.

Editor's Comments: Valerie, any company that engages in deceptive tactics like these is probably not going to be too easy to contact. Our recommendation is to have your bank/debit/credit card canceled right away!

I called the number 1-888-771-7029 and actually talked to someone who quickly pointed out the terms to me. Then I felt I was at fault.

I hadn't received anything yet except a charge on my credit card along with a charge for a fitness website for $29.95.

I called the fitness website and they said I would be credited their charge. When the product arrived the same day as the free trial, the free trial bottle was broken, so I opened the other one (big mistake).

Can't get a hold of anyone today!

I ordered the Acai berry trial.... makes me mad just thinking about it. Instead of taking 4-6 days to get to me like it said, it took a month.

Then by the time I got it and read their little note that said I'd be charged $89.31 after 14 days of ordering I freaked out. I had already been charged and didn't even know it would happen. I'm 19 years old and I for sure don't just have $90 to just throw away. I called them and they said they had a no return policy!

I also started getting phone calls from a telemarketer; who called me a million times. I looked up the number on the internet and it freaked me out when I read that other people had to get their credit cards changed cause they got random charges and phone calls all the time from rude people.

Anyways, the telemarketer called about giving me a free gas card, but of course there was a fee. I told him about what I read... he said he got my info from the Acai berry product.

I was so mad because the site said it was secure and this made me feel really unsecure.

Then just today I saw I had a charge from a "factory fit" for $29.95. Supposedly when I ordered the Acai berry product it signed me up for this program which is just access to an online fitness center or nutritional center or something. Had never heard of it.

Shouldn't they have given me some kind of conformation before just charging me for some crap I'll never use or wouldn't have even known about if I wouldn't have looked on my online banking.

The whole thing is messed up.... I wish I could tell the whole world about my experience... so ridiculous! DON'T BUY THE ACAI BERRY TRIAL!

I am in the UK and the same thing happened to me. I received the trial yesterday (which was the 14th day). I made the order on the 3rd Nov 08 and they only shipped it out 10 days later. I tried the online cancellation but it don't have the right link.

I will be pursuing this as I only paid for a free trial they charged me for the full month's supply before the trial period expired (charged me on the 13th day of the free trial).

This makes the Terms and Conditions null and void in my view. I paid for a free trial which I did NOT get.

I finally spoke to someone after trying 4 times, the person didn't speak very good English and I spent 10 minutes spelling out my name to him.

I was told that my credit card would be refunded after 14 working days but I have read that no-one has ever received a refund from your company. This was all after I was offered 'deals' to keep me enrolled in the program.

I have just received the 31 day supply and have returned it to the address on the label. I just want to know that I will be refunded for this and that my details have not be sold to other companies who are now scamming me money for products I don't even know about!

I fell for it too.

I was leery when first the free trial didn't show and then the charge on my card did not show up as they said it would. They claimed it would appear as "Online Health" and it showed up as DIET OFFER STORE 877-8590952.

I called this number and was told a new trial would ship 'free of charge' and I had until 11/22/08 to cancel. This trial did finally show up and it was not what I expected. The site I went to did not say it was a cleanse product.

Now, I have been charged $89.31 on my cc and they refused to refund me my money.

I called the number on the charge on my card (IP-HEALTHIERFORME- 8887717029, 877-350-8480 is the # on the bottle) 3 days after the 'trial' period and they said they DO NOT REFUND AND THEY DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS after the product ships.

I asked to speak to a supervisor and get this - she would love to let me talk to the supervisor but he was ill and on medication... and that he would tell me the same thing.

I don't recall seeing Terms and Conditions at all. I remember wondering how much the product actually costs. Now if you go to the site the Terms and Conditions are directly below the enter Shipping info area... was it there before? I don't recall.

I certainly do not recall ever seeing $89.31 anywhere on the page I signed up on... I never would have done that!

This company is bad news. Three different numbers, three different company names appearing on the charge..

STAY AWAY - Don't get screwed like I did. They bank on people not reading the Terms and Conditions and they are now laughing at me!

I too ordered the trail & did cancel within the 14 day trial period, then within a couple days of that I received another bottle (which I canceled!)

I called 1-877-350-8480: it worked but with a long wait!

In order to get your money back you need to send the product back & call them with a tracking number or confirmation number & they have to make sure they recieve the product before you get the credit!

They also said it will be 4-5 business days to process the credit card!

Just wanted to let eveyone know what to do if you were foolish like me & thought it would be okay!

I fell for it too... I called just today and spoke to someone who said they could refund my money IF I returned the bottle unopened.

Since this is the only bottle I received I thought it was the trial so I opened it. Big mistake, now they say I can't return it. They said they could cancel my account so I wouldn't get future charges, but they cannot refund my money.

I went to the bank and am working with them to get a refund AND had to cancel my credit card just in case.

I should know better... IF there was a pill that could help us get skinny I'm sure my doctor would've suggested it. The phone number to call for a refund is 1-877-350-8480.

Good Luck!

I too had ordered the trial. I did reach somebody by phone, don't know if it will do any good but here is the phone number: 1-877-350-8480.

I finally got through late this evening. He told me to send it back and call them with the tracking number.

I too ordered the Extreme AcaiBerry and like the person earlier in this list of unhappy customers, when I ordered the free trial, the Terms and Conditions did not show up until after I had placed the order. Had they shown up on the original order page, I would not have continued with the Free Trial purchase.

Also, like many others I have read about... I have tried various different telephone numbers and e-mail addresses and all of them appear to be bogus.

I've never had replies to e-mails, nor answers on any of the telephone numbers. It's a total and utter SCAM and they are stealing money right out of people's accounts! It's a total outrage.

I have spent hours trawling the internet for proof of this SCAM simply so that I can produce all of this to my bank to stop any further payments. Wish me luck. I hope to stop these criminals, Extreme Acai Berry, from taking more money from my account, illegally!

They are the lowest of low! BEWARE do not buy any Free Trial products from anyone. Listen to your Grandma... you don't get anything in this life for nothing!! Please don't get caught like me! I feel very stupid about this whole annoying episode! It's been such a waste of time and money AND, it doesn't work anyway! It's a rubbish product.

I too ordered the "free" trial of extreme acai berry extreme, only to be ripped off. Like everyone else, I attempted to cancel via phone with no luck. I just notified my credit card company that unauthorized charges were made on my account and closed that account. What they are doing is illegal. They will not get my hard earned money.

I ordered the free trial of Acai aslim. I also did not notice the terms until too late. I have emailed this company 3 times and after 2 weeks still have had no response. I can't get anyone on the phone # 877-317-0189 that it states to call. Does anyone have a phone # other than this that they've actually spoken to someone? Has anyone had this problem resloved, and how did you solve it? Please advise of any help you can offer. Thank you

I ordered this supplement with a $1 trial period. I understand that I had to cancel 14 days after I ordered it, not when I receive it. I have called numerous times and have not been able to get in touch with anyone! I get busy signals all day and am very frustrated! I have talked to my credit card company and they also tried to get in touch with the company with no success. Luckily, they are willing to help me, but i already am 89.33 short :(

I have the same problem!

When I ordered the "free trial" the terms and conditions did not become visible until AFTER I placed the order.

I tried 17 times via phone using 4 different phone numbers I found to try and cancel any future shipments. On the 15th day (yesterday) after my "free trial" was ordered, I was charged a total of $91.10 on my credit card.

I immediately filed a dispute with my bank. I have called the phone numbers all day again today and can't even get someone to speak with. All four numbers go straight to a busy signal after I hold for a while.

They even tell you you are number so and so in line to speak with someone, and then as soon as you are "next" it goes to a busy signal. I have never been able to reach anyone to cancel this order because nobody answers, but I do not intend to pay it.

I began researching this online and there are COUNTLESS complaints filed about it, which I plan to provide to my bank to support my claim!! I only wish I had seen them BEFORE ever ordering! I can't believe this.

I tried Acai berry for the trial period at 2.95 and I could not tell a bit of difference. I called and canceled my trial membership (took 27 minutes to get a person) and had a shipment sent out after I had canceled.

I sent it back with delivery confirmation and was told they would credit me when it got to them. The USPS delivered it on Sept 8 and as of Oct 15 I still have not received my refund of $89.31.

Stay away from this company and good luck getting a hold of someone. The average wait to talk to a rep is about 15 minutes.