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) Fri, 07/30/2010 - 13:36

HEY CHRIS PLEASE PASS THESE COMMENTS, I TRYED NOT TO CUSS AND IT DOES SAY HOW I FEEL AND THANKS FOR THE PLACE TO VENT. THE BEST THING IS MAY BE WE COULD GET A CONGRESSMAN IN VOLVED ON SOMETHING ABOUT CHARGING YOUR CREDIT CARD WITH MISS INTENTIONS. CONGRESS COULD MAKE THEM DISCLOSE ALL POSIBLE CHARGES IN THE FIRST OF THERE ADDS NOT HIDE THEM IN THE TERMS AND CONDITION ON HOW TO STEEL YOUR MONEY LEGALY.

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 07/30/2010 - 13:25

IT SHOULD BE " I'M GONA BE A GREEN MILLIONAIR BY STEELING YOUR MONEY "

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/30/2010 - 13:53

True I did read the fine print of 14 day trial however be warned that it is not 14 days for you to read the book and return before you are charged it is from the date you order your book. In our case we received the book (which very unsatisfied) on the 16th of August and tried to cancel the 30th of August and was charged 89.95 and were denied due to being over the trial date. We ordered on the 11th and that is the day calculated. In addition was told we were being charged for emagazines which appears to be my fault for not receiving due to the fact they appear to have gone into my spam box. The agent was a very nice young lady that I can't complain about however, if i'd have known it was 14 from order date I'd have canceled sooner she refunded half and canceled. I am still out 39.00 for a emagazine I didn't read or want and a book not worth more than the 1.00 advertised. So moral of my story is read everything 2x over contact a lawyer and have them go over thoroughly before any purchase from here on out. (sarcasm)

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 07/30/2010 - 12:38

thanks for the warning!

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 07/29/2010 - 21:35

So I went to my bank today and told them to close my card and issue me a new one, they worked with me after I showed them printed from this website that I was not the only one. They also gave me a number that was related to the pending charge. They suggested I call it an ask why did they charge me and to credit my account back. Also get the name of the person I spoke to and my bank would follow up or stop any future debits from that company. The number is 877-213-8238, doesn't that sound like a cell number to you. I will call and post what happens next.

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/12/2010 - 13:00

You know Brenda, your final statement would be good advise to anyone and everyone, That being I'm not buying anything online,ever again. Thats the best advise you could give to everyone who uses their PC to shop or buy anything. It's really a shame how the internet lends itself to shams etc. The internet could be so useful in so many ways but "no" a person must even guard his or her identy for example just to check out such an offer. Of course any mature adult knows better but like yourself "one keeps hoping" and because of that we keep on trying don't we?

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 09/11/2010 - 16:01

I just called and talked to a man named Richard. I canceled with no prombles. Richard was very nice, and he made me feel ok about my canceling this. It was fast and easy. Thank you Richard

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/27/2010 - 10:39

GM Agent is unprofessional is also wrong. This is unethical and break DMA rules, as they are not clear. I have been in the Direct Marketing, magazine publishing and emagazine publishing industry for over 20 years. DMA and ABC Audit rules require you to be clear. THere were many complaints years ago about trial issues and subscriptions, so they made strict rules. Obviously GM is not audited, so they are not caught this way but it still breaks Direct Marketing rules. I recommend everyone complain and write to customerservice@the-dma.org, and let them deal with it. However, on the defense of GM. It does note their process, so they do detail what you will be charged. But they are misleading. They need to be clear, right up at the top in the payment section, or exactly where it notes the $1, and it doesn't. Even as a 20+ year veteran in publishing, if I wasn't looking for the terms (which I would have, as you can't trust anyone anymore), I would have missed it.

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/14/2010 - 00:56

Oh for the love of Pete! I says that you are billed if you do not cancel. Dont you read!!!! The guy have to make a living to and the print shops dont print for free, the publisher does not publish for free, the editors do not edit the book for free. The author is just trying to help everyone out from wasting away their money on crap. If he gave it away for free he would loose his house. Start reading and maybe you dont have to leave such mean messages on the internet about someone. Be nice.

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 09/26/2010 - 23:39

Thank for the heads up, i juat saw the commerical. Decided to investigate before buying. Thank for all the information. It did sound to good to be true. Pam G.

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