boycott-riaa.com - Article: VIDEOProfessor really taught me something!

VIDEOProfessor really taught me something!

Posted by Mike (Shmoo) on April 20, 2005 at 10:27 AM (printer friendly)

I am not intending to use this forum to bitch about how I was stupid once again "and got took" in regards to the company VIDEOProfessor (you've probably seen the TV commercials for their product a zillion times.) But it was a recent experience involving that company that prompts me to give this rant!

I became the admin/mod for this site a couple of months ago and immediately discovered that I needed to learn HTML markup lingo to be more effective as the "web-meister" here. (Well, it is an ongoing process.)

I am well aware that there are several FREE online resources for learning the HTML skills, wonderfull sites like Webmonkey and Dave's Site, and dozens of others. I have visited those places (and continue to do so) often in my quest to get better as Boycott-Riaa's administrator.

But paying $5.99 to cover "shipping and handling" of a quick and easy tutorial set of free CDRom's sounded good. The VIDEOProfessor advertised that that was deal. "Pay for the shipping and we send it to you to keep for free. How can we do this? We think you will like our product so much that you will buy from us again." ...or somesuch pitch.

Well, a couple of weeks ago I recieved my "Learn HTML" CDRom's in the mail. I didn't open it right away as I have been very busy. Perhaps I should have, because yesterday, when I did open the package and looked inside I found the following:

"KEEP any two CDs FREE!" [um, there were 3 CDs]

"Thats right. Two of the three CDs in this
complete HTML lesson package are yours to
keep FREE, whatever you decide. You
recieved one CD free when you contacted
us, you recieved a second free CD when you
agreed to review the complet 3-CD set.

Now, during your 10-day FREE trial period,
you can fully explore all THREE CDs. Learn
as much as you can from them. Take the
tests. Have fun.

We're sure you'll find these HTML lessons
to be filled with anll the information you"ll
ever need to become proficient with this
popular programing language.

But if, for any reason, you decide you want
to return ANY ONE CD, just give us a call at
1-800-525-7763 on or befor the 10th day
of your trial, and you won't be charged."

[wha??? I thought I only had to pay the shipping... and CRAP, it had already been more than 10 days from the day I recieved it and just now opening it up. I immediately developed a sinking feeling in my gut.]

Reading the fine print INSIDE the CD package, I discovered the price was $69.95. Well, DAMN IT ALL! I am below the poverty line and live by the "skin of my teeth" with my checking account. I had authorized the initial $5.99 to cover shipping with my Visa checking acount debit card. Immediately I went online to my bank account and found that sure enough, VIDEOProfessor had deducted the $69.95. It caused 2 then outstanding checks to bounce, so I was out another $68 on overdraft fees. (Thank God my bank was kind enough to honor the rent check even though it still puts me in the hole.)

It REALLY pisses me off when companies use such deceptive marketing tactics. I did not even have option of deciding if I was willing to pay the $69.95 or not. (I have not even stuck the CDRoms in my computer to see if it is a good program or not even still!)

Hell, I am tempted to throw them out the window. But if/when I do decide to view them, by God, it better be the best learning experience I have had in my life. (And I am NOT refering to the "If it sounds too good to be true" part...)

Folks, PLEASE be careful who you do business with. (AND read the fine print BEFORE you order/sign up for something.)

User Comments (These do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of this site)


independentm...	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 10:31 AM "I am not intending to use this forum to bitch about how I was stupid once again "and got took" in regards to the company VIDEOProfessor" I am sorry, that statement is a LIE. I guess I AM using it for such.

goldenpi	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 10:35 AM You could try complaining to someone - over here I would try Advertising Standards first, but I suspect there is less regulation in the US. I dont see what good it would do though. All that small print as a reason - that is why it is called 'legalised robbery.'

CodeWarrior	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 10:41 AM Any CD pretending me to teach anything about the web, typing, etc.,. is useless to me. I can't sacrifice my built in cupholder to play CDs on it! :)

independentm...	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 10:54 AM lol at that Code! (I only use my cup-holder to play indie CD's and my own bands CD's... but otherwise, yeah, ditto. It's part of the reason why I waited over 2 weeks before opening this package.)

stevebugge	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 11:04 AM This sounds familiar as a marketing ploy, where have I seen this before....Oh yeah on College Campuses people signing you up for that stupid BMG Music Club that sends you a lame CD every month and charges you 2 bucks over retail plus shipping to pay for the 5 free you get at sign up.

stevebugge	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 11:07 AM Another site to add to your list of free web resources http://www.w3schools.com I've found it very helpful

independentm...	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 11:15 AM hey, thanks!

Lothar2	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 11:38 AM There are so many resourses on the net to learn HTML. My favorite is http://www.htmlgoodies.com. VideoProfessor, and damn near every other program like that has major drawbacks, including the 10 day trial that you mentioned. What they also didn't tell you is that teh 10 day clock probalby started before you even recieved the package, and based on the terms you agreed to when you ordered, you have no legal leg to stand on. It all comes back to "Let the Buyer Beware" and always read the fine print. BTW, you also need to call them and cancil your account, or your going to keep getting the programs on the same terms as your first shipment ($69 every 5 weeks).

INeedAlover	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 11:56 AM Report this to the Better Business Bureau. Return the CD's and DEMAND a refund. If they don't refund your money, then make such a big stink (like you are here) about it that they will return your money. Get the local news involved. Show them the deceptive advertising about their products. Many local news stations have "problem solvers" or such task forces. If I was you, I'd fight with every ounce of my energy to not only get a refund, but to make them pay your overdraft fees.

stevebugge	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 12:03 PM For scam busting trouble shooters, Herb Weisbaum at KOMO Channel 4 News in Seattle is a good one. http://www.consumerman.com

jsk2001	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 12:53 PM Do what INeedAlover said, use the power of public opinion and get the justice you deserve.

crazydaisy	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 1:01 PM Actually, you can easily get your money back, if you just ask for it. According to the Better Business Bureau, the company has had over 500 complaints, but has resolved them with the customer. Check out the BBB site and lookup Video Professor: http://search.bbb.org/results.html It also has contact info for the person who can refund your money. BTW, Never trust anyone.

independentm...	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 2:23 PM "BTW, you also need to call them and cancil your account, or your going to keep getting the programs on the same terms as your first shipment ($69 every 5 weeks)." Hey, are you sure about that? (I was afraid to call them because I thought that by doing so I would just be opening myself up to even MORE unintended purchases... You mean I even STILL have to opt out???) If so, now I am REALLY pissed.

independentm...	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 2:29 PM Even though I am busy as a beaver fighting the RIAA and trying to get my band's business jumpin, maybe I SHOULD take the time and call the Better business Bureau. I know ONE damn thing... I am calling my BANK and telling them to NOT honor any more requests for payment from VIDEOProfessor. I obviously and unfarily got suckered.

independentm...	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 3:00 PM Get THIS!!! I called my bank to dispute the $69.95 and found out that ANOTHER $5.95 charge is pending to be posted. I had no choice but to have the bank cancel my debit card completely.

independentm...	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 3:02 PM ...and I was gonna just overlook it all. BUT NOT NOW!

Capt-n-Jack	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 3:25 PM Mike, since you didn't open the package immediately, it's obvious you weren't aware of their terms. People talk about fine print, but I say, what fine print??? The programs might actually be good, but with all the fees that have been charged you, it wasn't worth that. I'd fight it. Try and recover fees on the overdraft too!!!

Capt-n-Jack	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 3:28 PM One more thing, if you send the CDs back, make sure you send it registered mail or certified (forgot which), one of those will make sure you have proof that they received it back!!!

wet1	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 4:10 PM You now know part of the reason I am so against much of the advertisements that are used both on the net and through snail mail. There are simply to many shady practices out there and too many scams to get you to buy what you don't really want or need. Since you can't read through the package contents without opening them, they really take advantage of the situtation at times. Being as they already have your data for charging your credit card they basically have a blank check to send to your account for billing till you cancel their ticket. No one that does business in this fashion deserves repeat business. I long ago gave up on any sort of help from such companies as far as learning something goes. Mostly they teach you part of it and then leave you hanging without really going into the rest of the more complicated stuff. The "For Dummies" series are a good example of that. Fine if you just want to know how to open and use basic features but don't expect it to teach you the fine points. They leave you hanging if you want to learn the more technical aspects. I did learn you can get it on your own if you want it. Just takes time and determination to do so. As Capt-n-Jack has said, you can't be aware of the fine print till the package is open so that is an attempt to make you feel responcible for payment inspite of the false and misleading statements made in their advertisements to get you to bite to begin with. If taken to court this one part of being unaware of the fine print would hold up I am sure. However they depend on the customer thinking that it is far more costly to fight than to pay. Sound familar as a tactic someone else we love to hate uses?

Lothar2	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 10:10 PM "Hey, are you sure about that? (I was afraid to call them because I thought that by doing so I would just be opening myself up to even MORE unintended purchases... You mean I even STILL have to opt out???)" Yes, I'm sure. It's on their website under terms of service. If you "keep" all three CD's they send, they asume that you want to continue getting shipments, and wil bill you $5.95 for shipping, and $69 for the CD's unless you send them back (at your cost again) and cancil your account with them. From what I've heard, it's teh same racket that Girl's Gone Wild follows as well.

Lothar2	Date: April 20, 2005 @ 10:14 PM It's up to everyone to make sure that they understand the agreements that they get into when they order anything. You have to read all the terms, even if it takes getting a magnifier out to read it. Same with Credit Cards. The terms are listed, but you have to make sure what your agreeing to. The terms are avilable, you just need to look for them. I was able to find them on VideoProfessor's website, but I had to look for them.

dubbsakk	Date: April 21, 2005 @ 12:57 AM yea that happened to me too but i returned it... and for them being dicks i copied the software and the cd key for it... and not only that i copied hella copies for my mom here firends and then some.... thats what they get for lying to us....

mmnuc3	Date: April 21, 2005 @ 5:17 PM actually, the girls gone wild thing doesn't go like that...i've bought several of them and been happy with em (other than the free one i got with snoop dog...he just shouldn't be in the sexy girls video)