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PC Tools Complaint - Unauthorized Credit Card Charge - PC Tools Spyware Doctor - Item # 300048107
PC Tools Spyware Doctor - Item # 300048107 - Complaint
I received an email today, 6/7/2009, advising me that my annual subscription was renewed. Quantity of two at $24.95 each for a total charge to my credit card of $49.90. I was very angry since I never reordered this product, did not like the product very much the one time I purchased it anyway. Furthermore, I don't understand why they charged a quantity of "2". Perhaps it is because I have two computers. Or perhaps it is because they are charging my account for "two" one-year subscriptions. The credit card I used had a two-year expiration date so that would put the expiry at 6/30/2009. So I can see why they rushed this auto-debit prior to expiration date - and charged me for a two-year term. Quite sneaky, I think. And quite unscrupulous !
I called my credit card company to dispute the charge and was advised to call back on 6/10/2009 to further discuss after the charge from "Digital River" will advance from a pending to a posted transaction.
I sent an email back to PC Tools to complain about the charge. I don't expect any comfort. I will also log on to the web site to review my account status regarding a "cancel feature". I see from my invoice today that the duration of subscription is "unlimited" and billing period is every 12 months. I have a suspicion that their billing department, in order to increase sales, just guesses at the expiry date based on the year previously given. Perhaps they repeatedly plug in an expiration year and hope it works. That's just my guess.
There are three companies to deal with here: PCTools in the United States, Digital River in Cologne Germany, and PC Tools Limited in Clare County, Ireland. Multiple entities in different jurisdictions to deal with is far too cumbersome - which is the way they would like it. Where to place the blame ???
Time will tell.
This is a SHELL GAME. What shell has the peanut (and my money) under it ?
I will Never buy from this company again.
I cancelled my subscription to PC Magazine a year ago.
I called my credit card company to dispute the charge and was advised to call back on 6/10/2009 to further discuss after the charge from "Digital River" will advance from a pending to a posted transaction.
I sent an email back to PC Tools to complain about the charge. I don't expect any comfort. I will also log on to the web site to review my account status regarding a "cancel feature". I see from my invoice today that the duration of subscription is "unlimited" and billing period is every 12 months. I have a suspicion that their billing department, in order to increase sales, just guesses at the expiry date based on the year previously given. Perhaps they repeatedly plug in an expiration year and hope it works. That's just my guess.
There are three companies to deal with here: PCTools in the United States, Digital River in Cologne Germany, and PC Tools Limited in Clare County, Ireland. Multiple entities in different jurisdictions to deal with is far too cumbersome - which is the way they would like it. Where to place the blame ???
Time will tell.
This is a SHELL GAME. What shell has the peanut (and my money) under it ?
I will Never buy from this company again.
I cancelled my subscription to PC Magazine a year ago.
Comments:
Posted by Ponie on 2009-06-07:
'I see from my invoice today that the duration of subscription is "unlimited" and billing period is every 12 months.' I think that's your answer right there. Looks like it's one of those 'we'll keep renewing unless you notify us otherwise.' It's not uncommon. Perhaps direct contact with the company can get you a refund. Doubt very much that cancellation of the magazine subscription also canceled your subscription to PC Tools.
Posted by indiana2009 on 2009-11-17:
This same thing happened to me as well. I was able to find an 800 number and complained. The operator explained that she will refund the money and I should wait for confirmation through my bank.
Posted by KenPopcorn on 2009-11-17:
They are very clear and specificwhen you buy it that it is an annual subscription, and they tell you up front when they will post the next charge. They also have a link embedded right there that will take you to a page where ypu can turn the annual billing off. This presumes, of course, that you actually read what they are telling you on the screen.
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