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 [url=http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/index.html]Webmonkey[/url] and [url=http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html/]Dave's Site[/url], 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.)