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) Sun, 08/08/2010 - 12:57

First of all... "As a green millionaire agent…" WTH? What reputable company needs "agents" trolling the net for negative comments to dispute? Second of all, anyone who bought this book ALMOST deserves to get scammed. Think about it... "Green Millionaire"? Virtually EVERYTHING claiming to make you a millionaire is a scam, it's just plain common sense! Third of all,just look that the "Nigel" fellow in the commercial. It's clear that guy is a straight up schmuck. He must have lost his job selling used cars when all the dealers were forced to shut down. Really anyone who buys this is a pure sucker. Hrmm... lets take the "Green" movement and combine it the age old scam of "get rich quick"... Take some existing ideas, Bio-Deseil car conversions, Solar/Hydro/Geothermal power generation, federal grants, etc etc, repackage it all in a book, and market it as a "revolutionary breakthrough". Tell everyone they can save the planet AND get rich quick. Some suckers are sure to bite on that line. I mean seriously... even the big govt. bureaucrats haven't been able to "save the planet", so what makes anyone think someone is going to pay them to do it? There's a sucker born every minuite.... or ateast every 30-45 mins that the commercial airs around here. If you did get duped... take comfort in the fact that u aren't the only one. It appears they're reeling in all kinds of suckers based on the fact that the commercial is airing more & more frequently.

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/23/2010 - 13:05

Unfortunately for you, you will be considered a "scam" for the sheer fact you offer something "free"......for a price. If you are so interested in going green, why not send these people a book without all the gimicks and gadgets..... just a FREE book like you say in your ads.

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/06/2010 - 19:47

So I got the 'free book' with the cost of shipping....just to see a $89 dollar charge on my checking account 14 days later. Hmmm....so I went back and checked the fine print, yea $29.95 every 60 days for not cancelling your 14 day free trial of the e-magazine, because you love it so much, hehe. So the $89 charge must be due to, I don't know I was automatically added to the twice weekly newsletter because I might love the newsletter so much, I mean I didn't ask for it. Maybe it's my location, I think I saw a GM agent write something about that, maybe that was in small print on some other page that I would have had to transvers a few links to inspect. Anyways I'll call customer support tomorrow and cancel my subscription to those e-magazines that all ended up in my spam folder, so of course I dumped them and never even looked at them..oops. Ok, I'll just call it one darn expensive book and say Nigel, here is my money boy, go and eat out on me :) Yea so lesson learned, nothing is for free. Do your research first and don't rush any purchase. Check the fine print. I'm a little dismayed, most companies I would think to have the courtesy to send an email informing of upcoming charges...but anyways life is good, I'll clear this one up, take a lesson learned the hard way, and be on my way :)

ckmapawatt Mon, 09/06/2010 - 20:39

Thanks Mark, let us know how it goes!

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 09/26/2010 - 10:08

Hi, I guess I was stupid enough to fall for the TV ad and got the book for shipping cost only. Is there any way to make sure he doesn't bill me any more and how do i cancel.

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 08/07/2010 - 01:13

Chris your blog, saved a huge headache, GM is a scam, before I buy or sign up for something free. I always research ie google for whats been said about the place. After reading GM Agents first reply, I was convinced it was a scam, simply because legit companies do not go on blogs to argue about their company. Plus I already found some of the info for free through google and other blogs. Keep up the good work

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/06/2010 - 23:12

All I can say after reading newer posts is... WOW! LOL! People don't take the time to read anything before they put in their credit card information. Any website I buy things that are advertised for "free", I always, always, ALWAYS read their terms and conditions. That way I know exactly what I am getting into. That's a BIG red flag for me. Which a lot of you should be doing with the green millionaire website. That way you don't feel like a loser. And you save yourself and us grief when you call in. And BTW, your money doesn't pay our paychecks. So don't feel all high and mighty about yourselves. Because you're WRONG!

ckmapawatt Tue, 09/07/2010 - 07:48

Really? Who pays your paychecks? Is GM Agent just a front for a philanthropical organization backed by a generous billionaire? I guess those fees you hide in the T's and C's are going to feed the poor! How kind...

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 08/21/2010 - 21:08

If this is so obvious a scam........and on national television.....why isn't this man stopped???????

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/06/2010 - 23:17

Here are our 2 different terms and conditions this is from www.greenmillionaire.com Terms & Conditions Free Trial Offer Terms: When you order your free copy of the “The Green Millionaire” you are also subscribed to “The Green Millionaire” eMagazine. Each eMagazine is filled with information and links to keep you up-to-date on the latest green products, and ways to save you money and our planet. If you like the valuable content and receiving these eMagazines, do nothing and your subscription will automatically renew. After a 14 day trial period you will be billed the low price of $29.95 and every 60 days thereafter. If for any reason you feel the Green Millionaire eMagazine is not for you, simply call customer service 1-877-213-8238 during the trial period and you will not be charged. No obligation, no hassles. Customer Care: If you have any questions, please call us toll–free at: 1–877–213–8238. Green Millionaire Customer Care is open from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm (Pacific) Monday through Friday and 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (Pacific) on Saturday. Return/Refund Policy: All orders are subject to applicable sales tax. Shipping and processing fees are non-refundable. All sales after the free-trial period are final. The Green Millionaire eMagazine fees are non–refundable. All Green Millionaire eMagazine subscription fees after the free–trial period and any renewal date are final. This is from greeniswealth.com Terms & Conditions Free Trial Offer Terms: When you order your free copy of the “The Green Millionaire” you are also subscribed to “The Green Millionaire” eMagazine. Each eMagazine is filled with information and links to keep you up-to-date on the latest green products, and ways to save you money and our planet. If you like the valuable content and receiving these eMagazines, do nothing and your subscription will automatically renew. After a 14 day trial period you will be billed the annual low price of $89.95. If for any reason you feel the Green Millionaire eMagazine is not for you, simply call customer service 1-877-213-8238 during the trial period and you will not be charged. No obligation, no hassles. Customer Care: If you have any questions, please call us toll–free at: 1–877–213–8238. Green Millionaire Customer Care is open from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm (Pacific) Monday through Friday and 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (Pacific) on Saturday. Return/Refund Policy: All orders are subject to applicable sales tax. Shipping and processing fees are non-refundable. All sales after the free-trial period are final. The Green Millionaire eMagazine fees are non–refundable. All Green Millionaire eMagazine subscription fees after the free–trial period and any renewal date are final. SO... READ THESE BEFORE YOU ORDER! :)

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