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HotMovieSale.com Complaint - Total Scam - Beware - Stay Away - Movies - DVD
Movies - DVD - Complaint
Please do not buy anything from [this company] and if you do, be very careful. This is my story of a very frustrating day I had yesterday that included 3 hours on the phone.
Yesterday I sat down to do some online banking, update checkbook and pay bills. I receive most of my bills online instead of on paper, so I must admit I have neglected really looking at them in detail. Well, big mistake. I just happed to thoroughly check out the charges on my credit card. I came across this weird 9.99 charge from a company called smartsavingscenter.com. Upon a little more research I noticed that this company has been deducting this 9.99 from my account since Sept 2007. It was just such a small charge, I guess it never threw up a red flag.
I called the company and asked what the charge was and how they got my credit card information. The first 10 minutes of the call the representative kept avoiding my question and insisted in telling what a great service I was getting with my membership. I finally had to get very rude and yell at him to tell me how this charge got on my credit card. He finally told me that when I purchased a movie in Sept 2006 (yes I said 2006, 1 ½ years ago) from HotMovieSale it automatically signed me up for a membership at SmartSavingsCenter.
I was so mad I thought my head was going to explode. I told him (in a very loud voice) that I never gave them permission to change anything on my card. And most importantly WHY would they start this so called membership charges 1 year after my purchase. I am sure they do this so people like me miss the charge until it has already cycled on your account a few times.
He told me that he would refund $30 of the $80 dollars they have deducted from my account. I told them that I had already talked to my credit card company and they are ready to dispute the charges, I just need to say the word to get the ball rolling. In addition I told them I was going to report them to the BBB and find some federal department that I can file a fraud report.
The representative put me on hold for a second time, then came back on the line and told me he would refund my entire $80. I asked for a cancellation number and a refund confirmation. I was told it would be e-mail to me in 24-48 hours. As of 10pm tonight I have not received any e-mail. I will give them to Monday, and if I don’t hear from them then jump back into this horrible situation with both feed.
I know this is long winded, but I wanted to inform everyone I can about this scam and hope I can save someone the trouble I had to go through.
Yesterday I sat down to do some online banking, update checkbook and pay bills. I receive most of my bills online instead of on paper, so I must admit I have neglected really looking at them in detail. Well, big mistake. I just happed to thoroughly check out the charges on my credit card. I came across this weird 9.99 charge from a company called smartsavingscenter.com. Upon a little more research I noticed that this company has been deducting this 9.99 from my account since Sept 2007. It was just such a small charge, I guess it never threw up a red flag.
I called the company and asked what the charge was and how they got my credit card information. The first 10 minutes of the call the representative kept avoiding my question and insisted in telling what a great service I was getting with my membership. I finally had to get very rude and yell at him to tell me how this charge got on my credit card. He finally told me that when I purchased a movie in Sept 2006 (yes I said 2006, 1 ½ years ago) from HotMovieSale it automatically signed me up for a membership at SmartSavingsCenter.
I was so mad I thought my head was going to explode. I told him (in a very loud voice) that I never gave them permission to change anything on my card. And most importantly WHY would they start this so called membership charges 1 year after my purchase. I am sure they do this so people like me miss the charge until it has already cycled on your account a few times.
He told me that he would refund $30 of the $80 dollars they have deducted from my account. I told them that I had already talked to my credit card company and they are ready to dispute the charges, I just need to say the word to get the ball rolling. In addition I told them I was going to report them to the BBB and find some federal department that I can file a fraud report.
The representative put me on hold for a second time, then came back on the line and told me he would refund my entire $80. I asked for a cancellation number and a refund confirmation. I was told it would be e-mail to me in 24-48 hours. As of 10pm tonight I have not received any e-mail. I will give them to Monday, and if I don’t hear from them then jump back into this horrible situation with both feed.
I know this is long winded, but I wanted to inform everyone I can about this scam and hope I can save someone the trouble I had to go through.
Comments:
Posted by Ponie on 2008-03-08:
You've been charged almost ten dollars per month since last September and just discovered it yesterday? My, my--you must indeed have a very busy social life. I would notice a $9.99 unauthorized charge the first time it hit my statement. I'm surprised you aren't asking someone to start a class action lawsuit.
Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2008-03-08:
Ponie, I agree the OP should have checked the credit card statements more closely. That still does not excuse this company from from placing unauthorized charges on the credit card.
Posted by yk1080 on 2008-09-17:
I do believe hotmoviesale.com is fraud.
You register for a free trial period because they offer you first DVD at discounted price + free shipping. Towards the end of the trial period they tell you the DVD is not in stock and they will ship it later on. If you forget to cancel, they start charging you the monthly subscription. If you cancel, you get nothing out of the "free trial".
You register for a free trial period because they offer you first DVD at discounted price + free shipping. Towards the end of the trial period they tell you the DVD is not in stock and they will ship it later on. If you forget to cancel, they start charging you the monthly subscription. If you cancel, you get nothing out of the "free trial".
Posted by kyoung on 2009-04-24:
Yes, I agree with all three previous posts.
I am a recent victim.
My credit card company is not on my side and still wants me to pay for this unauthorized membership.
I think credit card companies are with them.
I am still fighting though.
Sucker!!!
I am a recent victim.
My credit card company is not on my side and still wants me to pay for this unauthorized membership.
I think credit card companies are with them.
I am still fighting though.
Sucker!!!
Posted by sjw on 2009-07-13:
Thanks! I googled the company and found your post after suspecting the prices too good to be true. It is very easy to overlook small payments for quite some time on a frequently used card.
Posted by Justadude on 2009-08-18:
It's all true. This online company that uses trickery to scam you into signing up for a $19.95 monthly membership fee without you ever knowing it. There has got to be a way to stop this scam. Anyone know how to shut them down? I almost got caught up in it. DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY!
If you did get caught, you can always take them to small claims court. If more people did this just for the principle of the matter, then companies would reconsider be so dishonest. I know I was planning on doing so until I convinced them to refund my $19.95.
If you did get caught, you can always take them to small claims court. If more people did this just for the principle of the matter, then companies would reconsider be so dishonest. I know I was planning on doing so until I convinced them to refund my $19.95.
Posted by eandl on 2010-01-07:
I am the latest sucker to fall for Smart Savings Center.com, LLC scam. I ordered a “cheap” DVD from their website HotMovieSale.com to try them out and was advised a few days later, the DVD was on back-order. A few weeks later a mystery $9.90 charge appears on my credit card bill that I thought was for the DVD. Not until I called HotMovieSale did I find out it was a monthly membership charge. I wasted my time talking to their rep. Brian (probably fake) and got the run around…you were advised, we sent you emails, it was clearly stated in the micro print, etc. I have no record of any of these emails in my archives, although they were able to quickly fake one up and sent it to me. Note that they send you an email; they do not forward the original email. BTW, the DVD that I originally ordered was covertly cancelled by HotMovieSale so I wonder if they ever intended to sell any DVDs at all. Bottom-line, the rep. stated "we hear you" but there is no way we will reverse the membership fee charge.
Here’s the new twist. I called my credit card company to complain about the sleazy bait and switch tactics and initially they weren’t too receptive either. I pressed on about how many complaints there were about this company (my fault for not conducting a Google search first) and the credit card rep. finally stated that they would reverse the charge. Essentially, it was easier for VISA to eat the unauthorized charges rather than pursue/close-down HotMovieSale and all its aliases. That really annoyed me. How can society put a stop to these kind of cons if there aren’t any penalties…i.e., terminate HotMovieSale and associates from using the VISA charge system. The credit card rep. then asked, “Do I want VISA to reverse these charges or not?” I dismounted my soapbox at that point. But, it is still true; buyer beware because there are no enforceable laws to protect you.
Here’s the new twist. I called my credit card company to complain about the sleazy bait and switch tactics and initially they weren’t too receptive either. I pressed on about how many complaints there were about this company (my fault for not conducting a Google search first) and the credit card rep. finally stated that they would reverse the charge. Essentially, it was easier for VISA to eat the unauthorized charges rather than pursue/close-down HotMovieSale and all its aliases. That really annoyed me. How can society put a stop to these kind of cons if there aren’t any penalties…i.e., terminate HotMovieSale and associates from using the VISA charge system. The credit card rep. then asked, “Do I want VISA to reverse these charges or not?” I dismounted my soapbox at that point. But, it is still true; buyer beware because there are no enforceable laws to protect you.
Posted by justPOed on 2010-01-08:
"SCAM" "SCAM" "SCAM" Hotmovies.com "SCAM" "SCAM" "SCAM"
Ordered a game at the beginning of the year on the weekend.
Recieved email that it would be shipped 10 days after I placed the order and paid for 2 day delivery for an additional $5.99, so I called and cancelled the order and membership. Can guess what happened next?
They refunded the membership fee but they still shipped the game disc 3 days after I canceled the order telling them I found it localy.
I have called them 3 times already.
The first time was before it was even processed and shipped for cancelation.
The second was to ask when the money would be put back in my account.
The third was to ask them why they still shipped three days after I canceled, but the answer I got from them was " I will forward this message to my supervisor and they will get back to you whithin 48 hours."
I don't know what to do. Should I refuse delivery?
Any help would be appriciated.
I really don't want to do an "RMA" because this will cost return shipping and a minimum of 2 weeks to get my money back in my account.
Ordered a game at the beginning of the year on the weekend.
Recieved email that it would be shipped 10 days after I placed the order and paid for 2 day delivery for an additional $5.99, so I called and cancelled the order and membership. Can guess what happened next?
They refunded the membership fee but they still shipped the game disc 3 days after I canceled the order telling them I found it localy.
I have called them 3 times already.
The first time was before it was even processed and shipped for cancelation.
The second was to ask when the money would be put back in my account.
The third was to ask them why they still shipped three days after I canceled, but the answer I got from them was " I will forward this message to my supervisor and they will get back to you whithin 48 hours."
I don't know what to do. Should I refuse delivery?
Any help would be appriciated.
I really don't want to do an "RMA" because this will cost return shipping and a minimum of 2 weeks to get my money back in my account.
Posted by eandl on 2010-01-10:
For justPOed,
If you have proof that you requested cancellation before HMS sent the game then that is all you have to show/explain to your credit card company. If you don't have an email/written proof, I would simply mark the package "Refused" and request the credit card company to cancel the charges. I wouldn't hurt to hand the package personally to your mailperson and strike up a conversation about your problem so he/she might remember this return in case HMS claims they never received it.
If you have proof that you requested cancellation before HMS sent the game then that is all you have to show/explain to your credit card company. If you don't have an email/written proof, I would simply mark the package "Refused" and request the credit card company to cancel the charges. I wouldn't hurt to hand the package personally to your mailperson and strike up a conversation about your problem so he/she might remember this return in case HMS claims they never received it.
Posted by Makarov417 on 2010-04-06:
I join the list of victims of this $9.99 monthly scam. Luckily I check my account online regularly and spotted the charge the first time it appeared and had it reversed. I am now waiting to see if they actually refund my money as promised.
Posted by nidav on 2010-04-22:
Thank you for pointing this out, reneemb. I just cancelled a few minutes ago after re-checking my statement and was assured refund in the works (I'll believe it when I see it). Fortunately, I only started dealing with HotMovieScam a few weeks ago. Avoid these scamsters.
Posted by bsolorio on 2010-07-03:
Wow. FML. You have got to be kidding me. I read the fine print. I did everything. I ordered a DVD that I thought was too good to be true. Less than 4 dollars for a dvd I've been looking for, and no shipping? So, I ordered it. I was totally aware of the scam they were trying to pull with the 7-day trial of the BestBrandsValues membership for $1.00 and than after a $19.95 monthly fee for the service. I immediately, within minutes called the number to cancel this membership while I was still in the trial period. Does this still mean that I will be charged this mysterious $9.99??? I hope not. I ordered the Dvd last night. Should I call them and tell them to cancel my order and refund my money before they scam me?
Posted by tmn45805 on 2010-07-15:
Same thing happened to me. Yes, I missed the $9.99 charges as I do not have a social life and I use my credit card for business. I caught it in March 2010 and checked prior statements and had been charges $9.99 since Jan 2010. Contacted Hot Movie Sale and asked them why I was getting charged? I purchased a movie online and did not notice as I was checking out that there was a check-box selected that said sign me up for their service. I told the lady I did not even know what "their service" was. She asked me my email and she told me she could setup my account so I could access it. I quickly said No and asked why I have been being charged for a service I obviously did not use. She could not answer that. I asked for the service to be cancelled and for a refund. I have not seen a refund yet.
Posted by michaelak on 2010-07-28:
I am in the midst of an argument with the same company over the same issue. I am only out $30 now but they are refusing to refund the final sum. I have filed a Federal Trade Commission complaint, and a complaint here in Alaska, and will next address the S. Fl. Better Business Bureau.
Posted by dcollins77 on 2010-12-08:
was just getting ready to search for movies on line for christmas gifts for my daughter and came across this deal 'too good to be true'. thanks for posting this!!!! i just saved myself a lot of trouble. the search continues....very helpful.
Posted by Nvestig8or on 2010-12-09:
I want to thank all who posted their bad experiences with HotMovieSales.com on this site. I was about to order a hard-to-find movie for their unbelievably low price of $3.82. I'm so glad I searched and found these reviews, first. Hopefully, I'll be able to return the favor, some day. God bless!
Posted by ript on 2010-12-09:
I have been searching for "Boxing Helena" for years. Despite its poor reviews, that film haunts me.
Posted by Adding my thoughts on 2010-12-09:
WOW! I was almost duped. Looking to buy a Christmas gift for my husband and "Google'd" the dvd movie title. Saw that the movie had not been released as of yet, but still was excited at the movie prices and "free shipping" AND $5.00 off first purchase. Considering that the price was so low and that I had extra room in my Christmas budget, I decided to add another movie to take advantage of the great deal I was going to get.
Went to the end of my transaction getting ready to add credit card information when I spotted that they were tacking on an additional $2.99 shipping cost. "Hey, WAIT A MINUTE!" I say. I thought it was free shipping on first order. AND...."Where is my $5.00 discount?".
What they DON'T tell you at the beginning of their home page is....the price of the dvd is actually $5.00 more that what they say...but after the $5.00 discount....it comes to the price they are advertising. UGH! And...it's not FREE shipping on the ENTIRE order...just the first item, I guess.
Glad I took a second look and decided to check out this company on Google before buying.
Thank you everyone...for leaving a posting on this forum.
Went to the end of my transaction getting ready to add credit card information when I spotted that they were tacking on an additional $2.99 shipping cost. "Hey, WAIT A MINUTE!" I say. I thought it was free shipping on first order. AND...."Where is my $5.00 discount?".
What they DON'T tell you at the beginning of their home page is....the price of the dvd is actually $5.00 more that what they say...but after the $5.00 discount....it comes to the price they are advertising. UGH! And...it's not FREE shipping on the ENTIRE order...just the first item, I guess.
Glad I took a second look and decided to check out this company on Google before buying.
Thank you everyone...for leaving a posting on this forum.
Posted by KAMO on 2011-05-27:
I also thought that Hotmovies was a great place to get dvds, and I just checked my online account and found that for the past 8 months I to have been charged the 9.99 a month for something I never thought they could do since I never gave them the okay to charge this to my CC.Thank you for your 3 cents! helped me !!
Posted by Deliciamo on 2011-11-28:
I have reported these people to the Better Business Bureau. I purchased a DVD for my sick daughter in Jan 2011. I was noticing a charge coming out of my acct but I thought my bank was charging me because of all these new fees they started this year. Boy was I wrong. In Oct. 2011 I found out that HotMovieSale.com had been charging me $9.95 a month for ordering one DVD. I went back to the site to do a pretend purchase and nothing states that there is a mandatory membership trial with the purchase of DVD's. This is a scam. PERIOD! I have received $39.90 back but I am still fighting for my other $60 dollars. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!
Posted by Kelly Ann on 2012-01-06:
I bought the Butcher Boy for a .25 with no shipping cost. I knew it had to be too good to be true. I canceled my card as soon as i read this just so I don't have to go through what you did. Thanks for taking the time and posting this online, and enduring some crass remarks in the process.
Posted by serch209 on 2012-03-28:
thanks for the tips i almost make a big mistake buying 4 movies because of the free shipping thaks to all of you i save the money that cost me a lot to save
Posted by Beloved on 2012-09-13:
Thanks for all the postings! I order a DVD from HotMovieSale.com last week. I decided to buy another DVD today and did a google search for the company link. Your Scam complaint came up on the first page along with the HotMovieSale.com website link. Before going to the HotMovieSale.com website I checked out your complaint. Immediately I check my credit card account to see if I too was a victum. Sure enough there were two more charges (other than the first charge for the movie I ordered). One for a buck and a second for $19.99. Really? The movie I ordered was only five bucks! I called and canceled the membership immediately through their automated service. I then called back and spoke with a rep and was assured they will be crediting my account in full for the 19.99 amount. They said they will be sending me email conformation within 48 hours. I am calling an canceling that credit card in the morning, just to be safe from anymore attempts. Thank you for the heads up guys ... this could have been so much worst.
Posted by HALFBREED on 2013-03-11:
I GOT THE SAME DEAL. ORDERED A MOVIE, AND GOT CHARGED 19.95 MEMBERSHIP FEE FOR 6 MONTHS BEFORE I NOTICED THE CHARGE. MY CC CO IS THE BEST THOUGH. SHE CALLED THEM ANED RECORDED THE CALL, AND THEY AGREED TO REFUND 39.90, AND THE CORPORATE OFFICE IS TO CONTACT ME IN 48 HOURS TO DISCUSS THE REST OF THE FEE. I KNOW I'LL NEVER HEAR FROM THEM, BUT I INTEND TO RAISE ALL THE ---- I CAN WITH THE BBB, AND FBI.
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