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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Category:

Education

Comments

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/15/2010 - 16:53

Amanda, I have an idea. I am willing to bet that this blog that myself and others have been building for well over a year can help you much more than "Green Millionaire". You know they are sneaky, so why do you think the information could help you anymore than this totally free site. Check out the categories in the upper left. Have you switched to CFLs? Do you use programmable thermostat? Have you insulated around your windows? If you send me more information (info@mapawatt.com) I can do a quick analysis on how you can save more money. But I'll probably make it into a blog post!

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/31/2010 - 15:15

Yep, saw this infomercial last night. So checked it out today. Hit terms and condition, should have known, as always nothing is for free. 1.95 to ship except it's an email(ebook)and 89.95 a year. Exit.

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 07/31/2010 - 18:40

Ordered book whent to cancel 2 days later still charged $1.95 then called 6 day later to cancel then charged $89.95\Book tell you nothing new

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

gm agent, if you actually represent the company then you are doing more harm than good. Your comments are abusive and rude. If you are a customer service person you need some serious training. If your boss finds out you are talking to customers the way that you are you will probably be fired, if not then your boss should probably be fired. You are a poor representative for your company and are doing your company a great disservice by posting in this manner. I will never do business with your campany because of you.

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 05/15/2010 - 10:57

The govt can't stop them easily....cause as soon as they bust one, there are atleast 5 others that spring up....its like trying to get rid of rabbits....it'll never happen cause they F so much

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 05/15/2010 - 12:23

You're exactly right. This is why we started the blog: to be an honest broker of energy information. Please let me know if you find any questionable "opportunities "

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/14/2010 - 10:54

Folks wake up and smell the coffee!! Read ALL THE ATTACHED material before you press the "I AGREE" button and place an order on ANY WEB SITE. When you examine the "terms and conditions" and the "privacy policy" of the company you are ordering from for a "free" offer you will see how slick they operate in the background. Their modus operendi is to have you agree with their terms without reading them. When you do this you have agreed to cancel the not-so-free add on items like a newsletter subscription, revolving monthly charges for access to their "private" web site or other recurring monthly charges that if you don't read all the material you will find out later on you montly credit card bill. To combat this nonsense you may complain to the Federal Trade Commission. Also if you call your credit card company and state you card has been lost and the charges you have on your bill are not yours. They will send you a new card with a new account number and chances are they will collect the money from the scam company, refuse payment to them or access an escrow account the company has to refund unauthorized charges. In any event the credit card company/bank will not loose money and your new account will prevent the scam company from charging you monthly. NEVER give a company your checking account number to one of these companies as they will empty it out before you know what happened and there is little or no recourse for this. Remember: "buyer beware".

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/04/2010 - 23:52

As a green millionaire agent... let me say WE ARE NOT A SCAM! I take countless calls from customers like yourselves every day bitching of how they were charged and scammed. If only you would take the time to read our terms and conditions on our website which is clearly marked in large, BOLD print as saying The Green Millionaire Emagazine Terms and Conditions, convienently placed right before you enter your credit card information. Also our terms and conditions are printed on the invoice sent with your book. Do you take the time to open the package the book comes in, or do you notice a charge on your bank statement and then realize you were charged and call us to complain? more than likely it's the latter. Also there isn't a point in trying to report us to the bbb, Attorney General, your bank or credit card company. The reason that is, is because these company's all have their investigative teams who will investigate our terms and conditions, call us to confirm the terms and conditions that you didn't bother to read and will side with us. Therefore you will feel like an idiot for ordering something you didn't bother reading in the first place. So to save yourself aggravation... as a general rule... ANY website that asks you for your credit card number should be a red flag to read the terms and conditions. Please do this before you call us to order and waste your time. Go green!

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/16/2010 - 17:30

whats ur name i want to speak to you when i call ?

ckmapawatt Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:52

GM Agent, I appreciate your comment. And I will agree that Green millionaire are not a scam in the traditional sense. But, will you agree that you market the product in a misleading way? Just because you put something in the terms and conditions doesn't absolve you of the responsibility to be up front and honest with your customers.

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