Wallingford, CT – May 12, 2011 – People trying to give up smoking say that stress is often a factor that prompts them to light up. Complaints to Better Business Bureau about a website selling so-called “electronic cigarettes” show stress is exactly what they got when they signed up for a “free” trial.
More than 467 consumers in 44 states including Connecticut, have complained to BBB about unexpected charges on their credit cards after taking advantage of the offer.
The company cited in the complaints is
Direct E-Cig, Naples, FL. It has an “F” rating with BBB, the lowest possible rating, in part for failing to respond to 171 complaints.
A Meriden, CT, resident says he got burned when he turned to the company to help him give up the habit.
“I didn’t read the fine print. I have learned from my mistake and now pay close attention to terms and conditions. If it sounds too good to be true, read the fine print. ”
Though the trial’s terms and conditions are posted on the website, the man said he never expected a $4.95 free trial to turn into a subsequent charge of more than $100 on his credit card.
The victim blames the Direct E-cig website for not making the terms more prominent, especially during the checkout procedure when consumers are asked for their credit card number.
Direct E-Cig describes its product as a “revolutionary smoking device designed as a…smoking alternative” that allows users to smoke “virtually anywhere without the flame ash, tar or carbon monoxide.” The site also contains fine print stating the product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a smoking cessation device.
Direct E-Cig, which lists the alternative business names DirectE, Inc. and Smokeless Direct, is among a number of companies selling e-cigarettes online.
The company’s website explains that consumers have fourteen days to cancel “to avoid being billed the full price of the kit of $109.95 and future monthly shipments.” However, in complaints to BBB, several consumers said they received direct email solicitations from the company and never saw the cancellation policy. Even if they follow the cancellation policy, consumers may still have to shell out $7.50 for each opened or missing e-cig cartridge and a $10 restocking fee.
Consumers should consider the following tips before taking advantage of free or low-cost introductory offers: