Free Focus Factor Review - Do Your Homework
Before Buying.
Many of you have heard Vital Basic's marketing
pitch for free Focus Factor. Read the following Focus Factor
review complaints lodged against the company before falling for this
pitch. These complaints are found on the ConsumerAffairs.com, at
www.consumeraffairs.com/nutrition/vital.html.
Not only do Vital Basics' business practices
leave something to be desired, the Focus Factor formula is
substandard. If you need a safe and effective Attention Deficit
Disorder supplement, look no further than
Attend.
Vital Basics - Focus Factor
Vital Basics Complaints
Lynnette of Thorofare NJ writes
(3/18/03):
As an avid talk radio listener, I’ve heard
the Focus Factor ads and always wanted to try them. Then when I
heard the ad for a free bottle for only $4.95 in shipping and
costs, I called. What I got was this sales person who, after I
gave her my credit card (debit) number, started this stupid sales
pitch that said I would automatically be sent my next refill. I
told her, NO, I only wanted to "TRY" the vitamins, as the ad
indicated, for the cost of shipping and handling.
She then went into a sales pitch for another
product, having to do with savings bonds. I finally told her to
stop, and once again told her I only wanted what was advertised. I
told her I didn’t want any more vitamins, unless I authorized
them. Luckily, I talked her into giving me a contact number. Much
to my horror, they did not listen to me and hit my bank account (I
used a debit card) for $149.90 last Friday. I was very upset by
this because my mortgage payment is automatically deducted from my
bank account on the 15th of every month, and this deduction would
have caused my account to be overdrawn.
After a three-way call between the bank and
Vital Basics, they agreed to take the charge off my account. I
verified this a few hours later, when I re-checked my account
online and found the money was back in my account. Today I check
my bank account once more, as I do almost every other day. Vital
Basics took the money out of my account again! This resulted in an
over draft of my bank account. I was very upset to say the least.
Once again I had to call them and ask them to take it off. What is
going to prevent them from doing this again?
I had to call my attorney, who is going to
draft a letter to them giving them notice that they do not have
authorization to take money out of my account. I just checked
their rating on the Better Business Bureau site and they have an
unsatisfactory rating. I just thought you should have this
information. I cannot find a listing in Maine or Florida for this
company. I would like to talk to someone "higher up".
They said they will give me a refund within
48 hours, but they also said they would take the charges off last
Friday and all they did was put them on again. They caused my bank
account to be overdrawn, and I don't know yet what the
consequences will be with my mortgage payment. I could be hit with
a returned check fee and late charges.
Brenda of Zanesville OH (11/10/03):
My husband had seen the ad for a bottle of
vitamins called "Focus Factor" that were to supposed to help your
memory and concentration. The ad stated that you could receive a
no risk trial bottle of Focus Factor for $4.95. He called and
asked numerous questions. They stated that only $4.95 would be
withdrawn from our debit card - no other funds would be withdrawn
without his authorization, and he could call to cancel at any
time. His vitamins came and he noticed no difference.
After 2 weeks another shipment came in the
mail and they had taken $159.95 out of our checking account (from
our debit card number they kept on file). He called and demanded
to cancel, and to receive a refund. He was argued with, but after
25 minutes they agreed to cancel all future orders, and to
redeposit $149.95 ( making us still pay for the shipping and
handling!). This took about a week to happen. Then, a few days
later, they once again took out $199.95. My husband called them in
a rage, and demanded to speak with a supervisor. He was put on
hold, and then told that the supervisor did not wish to speak with
him!
He told them he was seeking attorney action.
They finally agreed to put the money back into our account again,
but in the mean time it caused us to bounce two checks. He was
told that they would fax the bank and let them know the refund
would be in 24 hours. This is five days later and we have not
received our refund!
Melissa of Houston (2/19/03):
I responded to a radio ad for a free bottle
of Focus Factor for $4.95 (shipping). After I requested the
special and gave my credit card # the sales person asked me to
join their monthly delivery club. I declined and said I wanted to
try it first. She persisted, and I kept declining. This was on
1/27/03. On or around 2/2/03 I received my package, not 1 bottle
but 3. I checked my account and I had only been charged the $4.95.
On 2/8/03 I again received a package. 3 more
bottles of Focus Factor. I checked the packing slip it nowhere
stated a charge said it was only a packing slip. I became worried
about the extra shipment so I called the customer service # and
asked about the extra 3 bottles. I was told no it was not a
mistake, I would be receiving 3 bottles every month at a price of
$149.90 charged to my account! I said absolutely not! I did not
authorize this. Cancel this immediately, and refund my account
immediately.
She then asked if I had opened the package
which I had not. She said to return it to sender and mark it with
a code she gave me. When it was received my account would be
credited. I returned it by US Priority mail, with a delivery
confirmation receipt. I received confirmation from the post office
that it was delivered on 2/14/03 at 9:03am. I called the 800 # on
2/18/03 to confirm my refund. The customer service rep. Juliana,
said I was mistaken the package had not been received. I told her
she was mistaken and should check again. She said she had already
checked twice, I was wrong.
I went back to my packing slip and realized
the address for returns is a company called Ship Right Solutions
in Westbrook, ME I called directory asst. and got the # and called
them. I spoke to a Kevin Simpson asked him to verify my package
had been received. He said no it had not come, again I explained I
had a US Postal confirmation that it had. He said Oh Yes, Friday,
the postman called to say the truck was not running so he would
not be able to make the delivery of mail that day. The
confirmation I had was because the Post Office had received it and
scanned it but I had not been received by them. They would get
delivery on Tues 2/18/03 because 2/17/03 was a holiday.
I asked for his contact and a direct # at
Vital Basics. He said he only had the 800 # too but Marilyn
Pellier(sp) was a supervisor. I called the # again and asked for
Marilyn Pellier, the same Juliana asked why do you want to talk to
her? I then said Marilyn Pellier PLEASE! She hung up on me. I
called back and was told she was unavailable, I said I wanted her
voice mail, she said she didn't know it and hung up. On 2/19/03 I
called the US Postal Service question line and spoke to Jean
operator #9470, and asked her about the confirmation, was it true
that when the package arrived at the post office it was then
confirmed delivered as Mr. Simpson told me. She said NO, it would
state that it was at the station, only when it was delivered to
the address I sent it to would it be confirmed delivered. I called
Mr. Simpson who was out for the day and referred his calls to Jack
Roach. Mr. Roach was not in either.
I called Vital Basics and again asked for
Marilyn Pellier, Juliana asked me 3 times How may I help you, at
which I just kept saying Marilyn Pellier please, she on the 4th
request said she was not in. I am so angry at the way this company
is conducting them selves and very worried that I will never be
refunded my $149.90. This should be a crime and their ads should
be pulled from the radio stations.
Telephoning is a waste of time. Melissa
should have sent a letter.
Jane of Uniontown PA writes (10/5/03):
I ordered one bottle of Vital Basic pill
products. On my next statement I was billed 119.00 for joining a
vital health club which I didn't and also 84.00 for joining a
vital home club which I didn't. This is taking much of my time
being wasted and hurting my credit because I refuse to pay for
someone basically stealing my credit card to improve their
company. I'm physically and emotionally stressed over this.
Steven of Crofton MD (3/12/03):
First of all it was a radio advertisement
that caught my attention. The company claimed to improve your
sexual satisfaction or your money back. After ordering the product
at a price of $179.90. Jan 14, 2003, they charged my account
$192.85. Once I tried the product and found it didn't improve my
sexual satisfaction I attempted to send it back for the money-back
guarantee.
What they don't tell you is what you have to
go through to ship the product back. After already paying for
shipping once at $12.95 for a box no larger than your fist, you
have to call a special 800 number and get a number to put on your
their package to send it back, at a cost you for $3.95 standard
mail. On my next statement I notice that Feb. 20, 2003, they have
charged my account $109.00 to join their VITALHEALTHCLUB
888-243-6184. Also on the statement they had a credit of $179.90
dated Feb. 21, 2003. When I called the 800 number to find out why
they charged my account $109.00, they said they would credit it
back to my account. But before she would hang up she began to try
and sell me a number of other products.
Once they get your to order they start
charging you for all kinds of things that have nothing to do with
their original claims.
