Acai Advanced review: Unauthorized charges 219

I wrote a letter to cancel, because of the unprofessional matter in which this company is handled. I waited on the phone for 1 hour and 35 minutes . I would still be on hold if I didn't write a lettler of cancellation, which means nothing to this company. Very unprofessional is you ask me... I will not pay for any more shipments.

I have been trying to reach Acai Advanced at the toll free number for two days without an answere. Thank you for posting your complaints and helpful information. Wish me luck, I am going to try to cancel.

After receiving 2 additional charges and NSF resulting from them I have had to cancel my credit card causing more hardship. I agree to the free trial paying ONLY the shipping charges and low and behold I got additional charges - I told the lady that I didn't agree to anything extra, I made sure to uncheck any boxes that were checked so that no extra fees were attached. She said it's not really written it's just there in the terms and conditions and that it's near the bottom if I read it completely. Who reads all the way down to the bottom - well I guess I do now! CHAULK THIS UP TO A LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND HOPEFULLY I WILL GET THE $65.00 BACK

I totally agree with "Angree" and Karen! THIS IS TRULY A SCAM! The monthly charges will continously appear in your statement so IT IS BEST FOR YOU TO CANCEL YOUR CARDS!

I agree with the complaints. I know personally that this is a scam. I like many others, paid the $5.95 for the trial in hopes that it would help me. Needless to say, the company charged me $24.95 after having the vitamins less than a week? I guess they must have multiplied the odd days of the week twice or something. They charged me so fast that I hadn't even opened the bottle yet. I got my credit card statement to make sure I was correct and to have proof just in case I needed to fax them a copy or something. Needless to say, they started counting my trial days from the day I placed the order instead of from the day the item was shipped or received? I was paying for days that they were still processing the order which was just crazy. Even as I present my evidence the operator was still reluctant about crediting me back my money. After asking to speak with a supervisor, I was swiftly given a credit and received it in about 7 or 8 days. While on the phone I canceled my trial and was ready to send them their stuff back. I was told that my trial had stopped and that my account would never be charged again. I was told to keep the bottle because there was no RMA number to give me therefore they could not take the vitamins back. Needless to say, about a week or 2 later, I was charged $64.95 for a product I never received because it was never shipped and I still have not been credited my money back. After going through all the crap they told me to do, sending back the trial vitamines and all, postal confirmation shows that they received the vitamines back but my money is still in their pockets weeks later. I had confirmation numbers, cancellation numbers and it did not matter because they were still going to charge me in hopes that I would not fight back or dispute it. This company has a Scam! going on and it's sad how they make their wealth by being deceitful.

~Nita Mae ~

I wanted to add that I read the terms and still got scammed. I'm glad that you got your money back Marcia. I am going to complain and take further action against this Acai Vitamin company as well.

~Nita Mae~

I have experienced the same mysterious charge. When I spoke to the compnay representative he claims to have cancelled my order but could not refund me for a product I dod not authorize or receive. I spoke with a superviosr who told me I had to call another company as well. I have also disputed it with my credit card company. In my opinion, the Acai Advanced was so called free trial was not free, as they charge you for the entire bottle once you accept the package and continue to send them and charge outrageous amounts for the monthly subscription.

Jenny Y

I phoned the customer service number only 4 days after receiving the promotional 'free' product in the mail. (I only was obligated to pay for shipping and handling.) After being on hold for nearly 30 minutes, I spoke to a representative and requested my name be removed from any future deliveries. She told me that the promotional period was only good for 15 days - starting from the original date that the order was placed. I told her I was not going to pay for any future deliveries or orders, and that I did not feel it was good business practice to suggest a customer be obligated for a period of the 15-day trial, when they did not have the product in their possession. (How can you try a product when you don't even have it?) She told me that I would not be charged for future deliveries, however, there was already 1 automatic delivery which I would be charged for.
I was given a bogus website, and I was told this website would contain directions for return instructions, so that I could return the unused portion of the product I had received only 4 days ago (www.support@acai-advanced.com), which I am unable to access, therefore, unable to contact a person.

I have had the same problems as everyone else. I ordered it on 6/2 I recieved it on 6/17 . I called and cancelled it well today there is a charge for 64.95 on my account. I call them back and was on hold for 20 min before anyone answered. She tolod me that was for the trial bottle not the next shipment. Will not refund my money. The pills don't work. Same thing with Living Lean. It says it's free but come to find out only for 20 days, then they charge you the 24.95. They won't refund your money either. I told them they are rip offs. I had real bad cramps with them also. I should have posted this a week ago but I have been working. (with the bending over about to die cramps) I hope others reads these before trying.

I wished I had read the comments above before I ordered! What a scam! It took two weeks to get the bottle but it only took them a few days before they billed my account! now there are charges for $24.95 and 3 days later $64.95 ! What a scam! Called them and they said sorry - you can't get your money back! You can't cancel during the trial period bacause you ca't get them on the phone! They said they don't have a phone number fot the company but gave me an address, hope it turns out to be the right one! Here it is for anyone that doesn't have it!
Acai Advanced
PO Box 17855
Portland, Maine 04112

First of all, there is no free trial with this product. They charge you about $66.00 at the end of the trial period for that bottle sent as a free trial. I received it four days before the end of the 'free trial' date. Then they charge you for the next shipment, same price. So you are out a $132. the first month plus that shipping and handling. If you cancel and return it you also pay shipping and handling.
Attached to this is a membership that is about $25. a month.
I'm also experiencing headaches and stomach cramps after three days of use.

The old Free Trial Scam. Get product sample for shipping and handling. Cancel within 15 days and get you money back. Problem is that they bill your credit debit card immedately but wait several days to ship the product which arrives on the 14th or 15th day. If you are fast enough try and reach them before the 15th day is up. Good Luck. The lines are always busy or "all circuits are down" recorded message is played. I have been trying to reach these people for three days, but already my credit card account has been billed $64.95. Also this company is associated with some other company that sells some weight loss program under the name Vit*Live Lean for $24.95. Suspect another scam, they don't answer their phone either. I've had experience with this type scam before. Their Terms and Conditions are onerous and backed by tight restrictions developed by their lawyers. You're going to be out at least your $4.95 plus the cost of one month's supply. It's a shame that these people can get away with sort of thing. I wonder if Oprah knows that they imply she approves their product? So live and learn and READ THE FINE PRINT!

I tried to call ACAI but they did not answer the phone. So I couldn't cancel them. The credit card company said they couldn't do anything. I was charged $24, 95 and then 64.95. Help! California woman.

[protected]

Do not buy from this company. It is a total scam. I am sending a complainant to the Attorney General of Maine because of this. I said i wanted a free trail and then i cancelled it. Then they sent me another bottle and charged me for it. So i want to present this issue to the Attorney General of Maine. When i called them i couldn't talk to the president or supervisor, i could not talk to ANY boss. Than i asked the employee on the phone for his name and he would not give me it. He wouldn't even give me his name.

This is a scam. They advertise risk free trial for 30 days just pay for shipping. Then when you receive the item you are told in this large marketing brochure you will be billed for two different things. You must return it before the 15 day trial period. What happened to the 30 day trial period advertised on the website? I would have NEVER signed up for this. Try calling their [protected] number it's busy all the time. Once I finally got through they would not do anything for me other than to write their corporate office to complain. This is a horrible way to do business.

How can Customer Service be helpful when they do not answer the 888 phone number provided in terms and conditions? This is where the scam happens. If you're a consumer who reads terms and conditions carefully, this product purchase "appears" safe. However once you try to exercise the right to cancel after the free trial, this company is mysteriously unavailable to handle your call. Do not agree to the free trial of Acai Advanced, it will cost you a minimum of $69.00.

I have not purchased this product. I am thankful for those who have shared warnings. Thank you! My complaint is that the links to these online fraudsters is on websites like Weather.com. That is where I launched my inquiry into this type of product. First the link lists a person in your area that has lost weight with a note below the link that it is affiliated with a star like Rachel Ray. Once you are on the site via the link from Weather.com...it says it is Alyssa's Rachel Ray Blog Site. That alone is fraudulent. Then there is a link at the end of her weightloss story to the Acai Advanced website where you are sure to be trapped unless you investigate…which I did by first googling the product name...Acai Advanced. Then I saw the complaint board link below the Acai Advanced company weblink and began reading the posted complaints. Thank goodness the complaint link is right below. It pays to read the complaints to avoid the folly. I am sorry for those who are fighting this...but thanks again for sharing a warning. I feel that websites like Weather.com who permit these fraudulent links to be on their website should be accountable. I will email them. Others should do the same when they experience bad links within a reputable website. This links are misleading and hurting the unsuspecting.

Same complaint as others below. I ordered online in May 2009 and cancelled within the 14 day trial period by phone. When my credit card bill arrived six weeks later in June, they had charged me an additional $65, plus an unexplained $25. I mentioned I had received a package recently, and had returned it to sender unopened. "Kerbie" said it was going to be charged to me anyway. This last conversation was with the credit card company listening in. I was given new cancellation numbers.

I e-mailed them right after not getting the pills for 3 weeks and told them to take me off of their list, not to e-mail me anymore and I never got the pills.

The sent back a not 2 weeks later that they were deducting $24.95 from my credit card. The next day the added a $64.95 charge for what ever. I called my credit card company and 1 - got the charges taken off and disputed and 2 - blocked that company from ever charging my card again.

These guys should go to jail.

I also e-mailed intelicast.com and told them about the fraudulent advertisement they had on their site. I will keep you posted

I did purchase the free trial for $5.95. I immediately received a call from the company saying that they could not access funds from my account. I told them that I was having some problems with me account and to cancel the order. They said that they would. I did not receive the product so I thought it was taken care of then, 1 month later it is in my mail box. I called them right away and explained that it had been canceled. The girl told me just to keep the pills and there should not be any more orders and NO monies should be taken out of my account. That was yesterday 7/1/09. Today 7/02/09 I saw that $69.95 was deducted from my bank account.

I have discussed this with my bank and they said that I MUST send back the product no matter what the company says in order for them to help me. I am going to contact them again and write the Boston BBB as suggested by someone on this site.

cc

I am so thankful for the power of the internet and this site. I almost fell for this company's scam as well. In the never ending quest for the quick health fix too many of us fall for this garbage and end up with regret. Thank you for all who shared.

I agree about the alternate website here, but come on people, don't WE ALL KNOW TO READ THE FINE PRINT? If you didn't know before you tried this product, you surely would have had the same experience with almost ANY other company on the internet. People confuse FREE TRIALS with FREE SAMPLES. These are two completely different things. I tried Acai Advanced as well and had very pleasant interactions with their Customer Service. The product didn't work for me and I was provided with return instructions immediately. I sent it back and was never charged. I knew about the Live Lean site because they sent me an email about the instant I signed up for Acai Advanced. So, if you read your email you would have known about it. Sneaky, yes, but in the end we as customers are ultimately responsible. Now I have dealt with many sneaky companies, but in all honesty, I think this business is legit. If their product worked better for me I would have stuck with them for sure

THIS IS A SCAM! When you call the customer support number that they provide to send back the product you are just left on hold [protected]). The phone number listed on my Amex statement [protected]) doesn't work. The statement also listed a "doing business as" section which stated www.vytalis.com which when you go to that website it brings you directly to a screen which is looking for your credit card info to get place an order. Thankfully I used my Amex card, so I just got off the phone with Amex and explained to them that I can't get in touch with anyone to cancel my order so I was able to get Amex to block any future charges from Acai Advanced.

I feel this company is very sneaky and their objective is to unfairly trick the customer. They say that you have a 20 day trial period BUT it is from the date that you order their product. So you wait for it to come in the mail and this counts as part of your trial time. I lost 8 days of actually trying this product while waiting for it to arrive. So after trying it for "my" 20 days with no results, as promised, I call to cancel and they have already charged my account $64.95! So I actually had only 12 days before I was supposed to call them and cancel. This is unfair to me when I am searching for a healthy way to lose some weight. They say that all of these details are noted in their disclaimers but seriously, why can't they just be fair to the consumer. That is what I teach my 1st graders, to be fair and kind, and that is not the way this company treated me with their "fabulous" product. They track when the product is delivered to the customer, as they told me, so why couldn't they start the 20 days from then? I am very unhappy and upset about losing the money especially with the economy in the shape that it's in. Things are very tight in my household and I was just hoping for a chance with this product and I didn't get it.

perhaps you should have read all of the terms and conditions. i know i did when i orderd it and i have never been happier about a product like this before. thank you acai advanced :D

i disagree about the company being sneaky.when i ordered this product, ill admit, i was skeptical. When i was ordering i read my terms and conditions. when the pills didn't get to me within a week i called the company and they extended my trial period. I'm so happy with this product. it gives me amazing amounts of energy and I'm already seeing results :D the Live Lean for Life website is so helpful. Sorry you had such a terrible experience.

Beware of this scam.
I ordered the free trail of the ACAI ADVANCED . The only thing they said you would be charged for is $5.95 shipping. I called to cancelled it within the trail period and could not get anyone to the phone .I call today and got this guy and he gave me two #'s that I cancelled but said nothing about sending the bottle back. I told him I was going to send this page and other pages to the BBB and to the site that I seen the advertisement on. He told me to send my complant to the Corporate office at P.O. Box 17855, Portland, Maine 04112. I was told to send a letter with my complant, bank or credit card statement and black out everything but the charges from ACAI ADANCED and LEAVING LEAN and a day time phone # and give permisstion to leave message. I do not know if it will work but I'm going to try. Lesson learned DO NOT USE BANKCARD so you do not have to close account and open new one. I also had the same problem with the Nature cleanse but they said they would refund half my money after I gave them a ear full (don't know I will see)they said it would be 7 to 10 days.

I have encountered the same problem. I did cancel the product, sent it back according to their instructions and over a month later saw charges on my card from Live Lean. I was able to get a full refund as the agent said my "account was created improperly." I purchased Nature Cleanse at the same time and my fight with Pure Nutrients is ongoing...with less success. I also have learned a valuable lesson about these internet scams. I thought I was too smart to get scammed, but apparently so are a lot of unsuspecting consumers. These companies should be fined for fraudulent business practices.

Ordered product on the 18 of June, their invoice said shipped the 26, post mark showed mailed July 1. Then I noticed I was signed up in some program and would receive product each month and would be charged $64.95. (Which I did not want) I called the number on the paperwork that came with it and got no response (like most everyone else that posted here). So I the called the number listed on my chargecard statement. WOW! a person, received return number and instructions. I will mail with return receipt so I will know they received the product back and I did call my card company and closed that accound and opened new to prevent them from charging any more then the $5.95 paid for shipping. Since everything is a learning experience, I have learned to check things more closely. I want to thank all of you that posted your experienc here.

I purchased this product thinking everything was going to be great for a trail free of only $5.95. The product made me break out in a really bad rash all over my body. I stop using the product called to cancel further service with them.

A lady name Joanna told me yeah sure but then let me know the had already charged me $64.95 for the stupid bottle. I was at a lost of words for the scam I had gotten myself into. Joanna gave me the address (Acai- Advanced p.O. Box 17855 Portland, ME 04112) to make a complaint or for request to return product.

That was at the beginning of June, it's now July. Still haven't heard back from them or recieve my return. The customer service just lacks.

Watch out, watch out, and don't do anything with this company. They will take all your money because they can. They don't care to be committed to providing superior products and service to their customers. They don't want to make anything right with there customers.

There is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Guaranteed with them at all. Yes, it's only about $70.00 bucks but how did $5.95 turn into that. If you are unsatisfied with something you should be able to return the product for half or all your money. I believe it's the right thing to do.

I hope this has made people think twice about this company and there product. Also, here is some of there contact phone numbers: [protected].

I am glad I read this as well. But sounds like there are so many companies involved using the Acai name, not just one. I have checked a couple of websites from different companies with similar products. And as consumers we all should be reading the terms and conditions and know what we are buying before placing any orders.

An offer of 15 day "risk-free" trial was illustrated with the only payment being the shipping and handling charge of $5.95, sure it may sound like a good deal, however "RISK FREE" has been anything but that. once you orde rthe product your 15 day trial begins at that moment, not when you receive the product. Once you receive the product that takes 7-10 days to arrive, you only have 2-3 days for an actual cancellation. Following the 15th day from the day you order your credit card will be charged for $64.95 for the remaining balance of the product and an additional charge of $24.95 from a VIT.Lean membership not illustrated clearly. They say this is a 20 day trial membership to an online group, however you never receive the website, email or password needed to use this memebership as the agent discussed on the phone when I questioned this charge. Then 15 days from the first charge you will be charged for $74.90 for the second months supply because the cancellation failed to go through in time. (Conveniant business practices for these scam artists). Min dyou a second month supply also fails to arrive in the mail, though charges have been made and there is NOTHING the company can do outside the 15 day trial period. If you get through to the phone number and receive confirmation numbers of your cancellations, charges will still appear. Best thing to do right away, if its not too late is cancel your credit card or debit card with your bank and give all information needed proving cancellation, phone, dates and charges. First - transfer accounts if possible (when using a debit card) and all funds in this account, therefore you will not have your account frozen during the investigation. Thus making it easier for the bank to catch these theives when they try to charge your old account. GOOD LUCK with these scam artists. BUYER BEWARE should be in place of RISK FREE trial.

Acai Advanced advertised a free trial period prior to charging my account; however, my account was charged prior to my receiving the product. In the fine print of the confirmation form there were additional charges from a company called Live Lean for Life. When I called the numbers provided in the small print, no one picked up the phone after I held for over 30 min.

I thought the company would be reputable since it was advertised on a local, reputable online news site as a sidebar. I was wrong and am paying $100 for it.

I have had to change my credit card number to stop the charges. First time I was scammed and boy am I angry.

you guys have skills. blame others when you dont read the fine print.

I wholeheartedly agree on the above as well - so angry after trying to satisfaction from operator and manager. i am shaking with outrage ! please let me know if a lawsuit develops - I'll sign any petition against this fraudulent company.

I can agree with everyone on this website complaints about acai advanced, they don't tell you that there will be any further charges up front they are all in fine print where your not looking, I called their number and got hung up on, called back and the girl said that they cannot give the money back for any of it, they charged my card $24.95 for some stupid subscription never recieved any information on that. I told the girl that I was reporting them to the BBB and she gave me info on getting a refund back with a long process to do so. I have called and canceled my credit card so they cannot take any more money from me, I suggest to anyone who is planning on getting the free trial stuff online, use a visa gift card not a bank card and make sure there is only that amount on card and dispose of it soon after for these reasons listed here and from other people above.
I have bought many of things online and have never had this problem before, who ever had or is having problems with this company call BBB on them after a while they can shut them down or fine them for it.

This company is scamming everyone. It takes about 2 months to catch up with their scam and then they have already charged your account. Then they hide behind their "policies" which are not clear and meant to mislead. I tried to contact them and gave me this same website, which was bogus. They are making cancelation so difficult that they get a couple hundred dollars from everyone. When you try to cancel they make it so difficult to contact them and provide no cancellation information on their website. Their customer service representatives are so rude and their supervisors are incompetent. There needs to be a class action suit to shut down slimy companies like this.

Add me to the list - a (former!) sucker for "free trial" offers. Another person who has two comments on here - Marcia - was totally right: file a complaint with the BBB of Eastern MA, ME, RI & VT (boston.bbb.org). I filed my claim YESTERDAY and the company has ALREADY SETTLED for the full amount I requested - $64.95 for the Acai Advanced and the $24.95 for the "Live Lean for Life". It probably helped that I had printed out/read the online order confirmation - where it said that you could return the unused portion during the trial period without any further obligation. Also a plus - I bought delivery confirmation from the Post Office when I mailed the product back.

If you do file a claim, be sure to request verification of the cancellation of any and all future billings and/or shipments. Just to be extra safe I also requested that after verification of same I would be removed from any/all memberships through that company and removed from the company's records.

Like I said, it only took 24 hours for the company to respond to my claim with a full refund and all the cancellations I requested. Stick up for yourselves, people! Once burned, twice shy.

Unfortunalty my husband and I have fallen victim to the same problem. I did mapquest the address I have on my shipping statement which is ACAI ADVANCED 41 Canal Street, Lewiston ME 04240 and it did come up. We have had the same problems and have not been able to get through to cancel our unauthorized enrollment with ths company. I knew right away when I received the inserts with the product that this was a scam because it stated we were "automatically enrolled" which stated previously by another victim was not on the website when you order online. I am furious and will be going to my bank tomorrow to block this merchant on my account. This has to stop. This is a crime and they should be punished!

I have also been trying to get ahold of an associate for 2 days and have been on hold for more than 25 minutes. I got suckered into trying the supplement. I haven't even opened the bottle because I want to send it back so they do not charge my account. I may just change my whole account like Rita did, just so they can't charge me and I will be done with this ridiculous scam. NEVER AGAIN...