The Green Millionaire : Buyer Beware!

* Update - 4/16/12 - FTC orders Green Millionaire founder has to pay 2 million in damages!
I recently had a friend and reader suggest I check out this great new free book he found called The Green Millionaire. He said I could get a free copy at the website (I'm not even going to link to their site because it's too close to a scam for my taste). When I went there, I saw something that looked very "scammish". Anything promising "free" anything immediately sets off my alarm signals. So I did a little digging (a.k.a. google) and found this article from Fibomercials and Scams.

Basically, you sign up for the "free" book and they need your credit card for the $1 "shipping and handling" charge. But the devil is in the details! The fine print says:

*Start your free trial today and we will also send you a free 14 day subscription to The Green Millionaire eMagazine. Just pay a $1.00 processing fee. You will have 14 days to try The Green Millionaire eMagazine and discover how to become wealthier while saving the planet. If you like the simple, powerful solutions presented in the program, do nothing. At the end of your free trial period you will be charged the discounted price of $29.95, and every 60 days thereafter.

And then gives you the number to call to cancel your subscription. I wonder how hard it is to get through to a live person?

After doing my research I asked my friend to check his credit card bill and guess what? Here was his reply:

Argghh!!! Looks like I’m in the scam wheel. I didn’t even know it was from an infomercial (which I never watch). I think I found the link through another referral.

Well I got the book, and it’s OK. Nothing earth shattering, but some good ideas. I’ll give you my copy if you want it… I’m too pissed to hold on to it. They did charge me $29.95. I will dispute with my CC company, and maybe cancel my card.

So, if you need some green tips then go ahead and get your "Green Millionaire" book, pay $29.95 every 60 days or take the trouble to cancel your "subscription". Or you can read this blog and the other great resources that are out there that cost you nothing. I won't say it's free though because I do "force" you to glance at ads. Hey, a guy has to eat (I just bough some nice grass-fed steaks) doesn't he?

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 07/10/2010 - 23:33

Great. I just fell for the scam and ordered it. I will call first thing on Monday to cancel things. I usually don't fall for stuff like this but for some stupid reason I did. I hope that I can get things figured out and that they don't charge me for stuff. GGRRRRR

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 10/17/2010 - 00:03

THE GREEN MILLIONAIRE IS A COMPLETE SCAM...UNBELIEVEABLE THEY PUT THESE PEOPLE ON TV AND LET THEM RIP THE PUBLIC OFF...THEY SHOULD BE JAILED....THEY ARE THEIVES...

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/24/2010 - 14:40

Just to let you know. I ordered the "book" and the only way to stop the charges for the "magazine" was to cancel my debit card and get a new one. Good luck to all of you out there!

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/09/2010 - 10:33

Wow, let the reader beware!!! Before the end of my 30 day trial, I was zonked 89.05 onto my debit card! When I called to cancel, I was told 'too late - sorry' by a very pleasant woman ... I explained I didn't realize I would be hit with this amount and she said 'It's for a year, afterall'. The initial book was full of teases ... and all their 'monthly newsletters' are online. What a scam!!! Expecially when they hit your debit card before your 30 days is up!!! Decide for yourself.

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 07/30/2010 - 14:26

WELL NOW THAT I HAVE HAD TIME TO COOLDOWN AND READ AND THINK. STILL POST MY COMMENTS PLEASE. I CALLED THE NUMBER SOMEONE POSTED HERE, THANK YOU. WITH GREAT RESTIANT I TALKED TO HE PERSON ( DON'T KILL THE MESSAGER ). IN MY TALK, BECAUSE I DIDN'T BEND THERE EAR , THEY LISTENED. I THINK I GOT LUCKY , THEY REMOVED ALL CONNECTION TO MY CARD , REFUNDED ALL BUT THE FIRST 2.00$ CHARGE. AS I GOT UP OFF THE FLOOR AFTER FALLING OUT OF MY CHAIR, I THANKED THEM. I DO BELIEVE WHAT THEY TOLD ME. AND I WISH TO THANK THEM HERE. THIS SOUNDS CONTRAY TO THE REST OF MOST OF THE COMMENTS IN THIS SITE,I KNOW. BUT TRUE. THIS SHOWS EVEN A DUMMY LIKE ME THAT MAY BE I SHOULD BE A LITTLE MORE DILIGENT AND READ THE FINE PRINT. NO I DON'T LIKE WHAT LED UP TO THIS POINT BUT MOST OF IT WAS MY FAULT FOR BEING TO LAZY TO THINK OUT THE REST OF THE SITUATION AND NOT TO SCEEM FRAUD. I WISH TO THANK ALL FOR LISTENING TO ME CRY. AND THEN DOING A COMPLETE REVERSE. SO WHEN YOU GET EGG ON YOUR FACE, EAT IT, IT WILL FEED YOUR SOUL. THANKS EVERY BODY.

ckmapawatt Fri, 07/30/2010 - 14:40

Gerald, I approved *most* of your comments, but.....PLEASE LOSE THE CAPS IN THE FUTURE! We know you are yelling when you write it, but it makes it hard to read :) Glad you got your money back!

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/15/2010 - 12:44

I was just a hairs breath away from ordering this until my brain kicked in and told me to check it out to see what others had to say. Sure glad I did as my credit card is safely tucked back into my wallet. Usually I am so pessimistic about these things that I feel dumb for almost falling for this.....but I would have felt a heck of a lot more stupid if I did. Thanks for the great feedback....now I won't have to pull hubby out of the ceiling.

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 08/29/2010 - 20:16

Since there are 100's of complaints on this site alone I'll ask the GM Agents since they bothered to reply here. what did you GOOGLE to find this site? Why are there so many complaints? Why do you need a credit card to get a free book? It does say free right, well that what the TV add just said so dont come back with shipping fee's! If the warnings are so well posted then again why are so many people surprised to get charged weeks later? Face it, it maybe legal, but its still a SCAM

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 08/29/2010 - 20:09

Concerned Reader, how are we wrong when in big bold black print right next to where you enter your credit card info, it says EMAGAZINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. How can we be any clearer? And we are audited. It's a legal requirement for business. You as a supposed veteran of publishing should know this. You just didn't take time to read it. It's ok.

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 08/29/2010 - 17:35

I have read all the above complaints and comments. I was going to order the book from the website, but before I do anything on line I check sites like these, Google is a beautiful thing. Here is the deal, if you did not want to make a difference and you believe the book would help you do that and put a few dollars in your pocket you thought you were making the right choice, we all get sucked in one way or another by that one word "free", nothing is free and there is always a catch twenty two...always. I read all the fine the print on the website, and I saw the subscription for 29.95 every 60 days. Like you I just want the book, not a magazine. I am interested in saving this planet as much as the next guy, so instead of ordering it on line for "free" I will order it from amazon.com for $29.95 + shipping and handling, because I think it is worth reading, was it free no, is it a scam? maybe, maybe not I will see once I get the book, did I save myself a hell a lot of trouble, I think so. Have a blessed day.

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