Seattle Coffee Direct review: Rip off! 683

I finally did get ahold of them to cancel: it was my second cancellation. they kept billing my credit card and had not even sent any coffee. They said they had not received the coffee I sent back (several weeks ago). Yes this company is a MAJOR scam.

Within three weeks of joining this "monthly" coffee club, we received an additional two shipments of 24oz of coffee. This advertises they are a monthly coffee club, but the shipped weekly. They claim that the statement in their terms that "Monthly shipments are an estimate. They may be more or less frequent." allows them to ship as often as they like.

They also state that they will bill you monthly. They charged the debit card we used to join each time they shipped. No monthly bill! Before we could get our account in order we had $240 of NSF charges! They did reimburse us for the merchandise, but refused compensate us for the NSF charges we received as a result of their unauthorized charges to our account.

They do not conduct business according to what most people expect! They do not have a good record with the BBB, look under Peel, Inc. the parent company, same address and phone. Note they also do business under Vermont Roasting Company.

Has anyone been able to find an email address for Seattle Coffee Direct? It's pretty difficult to call during their business hours!

Like so many others I continue to receive orders from these people with no way to cancel. They give an 888 number that no one answers to cancel. I have instructed my bank not to except the charges. The coffee is not very good, the bags arrive burst open and it is outrageously expensive.

DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM THEM!

I want to start off by stating, "We are Seattle Gournmet Coffee...not SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT!"

We have been getting flaming emails and phone calls for well over a year regarding the company, SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT. We have spent countless man hours returning emails and phone calls to extremely unhappy customers that have been taken by this company. It appears that SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT attaches itself to a lot of different promotional or survey type websites and consumers are not paying close attention to the fine print before committing themselves to the offer. One scenario a customer told us mentioned a free coffee grinder if they purchase a pound of coffee for $9.95, only to find that they were charged $34 & the charges continued in spite of the fact that they cancelled their orders.

SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT is neither in Seattle, nor do I believe they are coffee roasters. Although we (Seattle Gourmet Coffee) have been in business for almost 14 years in the Seattle area as coffee roasters, and selling our coffees on line for over 10 years, we have suffered big losses due to the mistaken identity this company has caused. We know they used "Seattle" in their name to draw attention to their company in addition to drawing sales from our company.

My patience with this issue has about run its course, and I appeal to everyone reading this to find ways to spread our message far and wide. Seattle Gourmet Coffee has a long standing reputation to honesty, quality and service. We are not associated in any way with SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT!

So please, do not call us with issues regarding SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT.

Thank you,
Sean Grant
Seattle Gourmet Coffee

I signed up for the $9 offer as well, and was charged $34.00 when i called they said it was a $25 processing fee to cover shipping and membership fees. I told them to cancel it immediately and she says that my membership was canceled and i would have no more charges or get any further shipments, so i am hoping for the best but after finding this site (wish i would have before ordering) I have my doubts. I now know not to accept any online offers and if they charge my account again i guess I'll have to report my card as lost. I hope others find this page before they get into trouble with this company!

Boy I wish I had seen all of these complaints BEFORE I signed up for their promotion. I got the coffee and the grinder and they are great. But they are sending me unsolicited coffee for the past two weeks and charging my card. Luckily my credit card company likes me, and my business. I called them, disputed the charges and they closed the account so that the coffee company could not charge anything else to it. The attempts to contact the coffee company have resulted in a big fat zero. Isn't there a better business bureau for the internet?

I also have a few comments about these crooks!
I received two charges on my credit card and NEITHER of them were the $9.00 intro fee that I was promised.
One for $34.00 (included a $25.00 "membership fee") and a duplicate shipment of $38.95 (also includes a $25.00 "membership fee"). So...as I understand it, they think it's appropriate to charge me a "membership fee" each time they send me coffee? Which happens to be every two weeks.
I'm glad that I saw the comments on your website which alerted me to view my credit card statement. A representative for Seattle Direct Coffee says that they will be crediting my account for $38.95 and the coffee I'm about to receive needs to be refused. Who would ever dream about paying over $60.00 per month for coffee? These people are crooks! (We'll see if they actually give me the credit). I'm also wondering if Cuisanart is aware of who they are dealing with. In my opinion, they WERE a very reputable company. What a shame.

Like every other post on this company, I foolishly responded to the offer for 2 bags of coffee and a grinder for $9.

Short story - I saw all the complaints on-line, called my credit card company and sure enough, I was charged $34 instead of the $9 in the ad.

I called the company the next morning and they canceled my membership and refunded me $15.

However, the coffee sucked and I ended up throwing it in the trash.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY.

I can't get them to stop shipments.

I agree that the info about the additional shipping and handling charges are hidden and should be more visible. I called company customer service line and cancelled further shipments, complained and am supposed to get a partial credit on the shipping charge. I agree with another person, that we should contact the Chicago better business bureau to complain, maybe the Atty General's office to get them to change their practices.

I have been charge $40.00 in the last week twice for two shipments of coffee that makes a grand total of $80 in less than a week. I don't drink that much coffee also and Starbuck family size bag of coffee is that expensive at a Sam's club, BJ or Cosco. I contact the company I got a voice mail left message for some to call me back. This complaint needs to go to the Attorney General and to the Better business Bureau.

I do hope that someone from the company is reading this emails and do something about it because this is call fraud.

34.00was charged to my credit card when I ordered a 9.00 package from them. Can't get in touch with them and hav'nt even got the 9.00 package.

I purchased coffee from seattle coffee direct 2 bags and a coffee grinder for $9.00. When I received my billing it was 34.00, they charged 25.00 for shipping which was never disclosed. It is a complete rip off.

I ordered the two bags of coffee and the grinder from Seattle online for $9.00 for the coffee and the grinder was to be free.
I was charged $34.00 on my debit card and checking account.
That amounts to $25.00 shipping and handling which I didn't expect and they never did tell me that is what would be charged.
On 10-1-07 I was charged $38.95
On 10-10-07 I was charged $38.95
On 10-21-07 I was charged $38.95
On 10-31-07 I was charged $38.95
and On 11-12-07 I was charged another $38.95.
I returned two orders and have never received any credit so I haven't returned any other orders not knowing if I would get a credit or not.
Their refund Policy saiys return unopened coffee for a full refund.
I have received no refunds and they just keep sending this coffee after I have told them in two emails to STOP.

These people are criminal. They deserve to be put out of business and brought to court for unethical business practices. They are the ### of the world preying on innocent, good people who make the mistake of trusting. I hope the worst for all the people associated with this vile company.

I got the same complaint - but I put the complaint on here, also notified the BBB at the www.chicago.bbb.org to file another complaint and also my state for scams, and also every place I can find to tell them. I mentioned it to the tv stations too -
I have been scammed for more than one order of coffee and I have returned two orders and still no credit.

I was stunned when I got my statement and saw the ridiculous charges from this company. All attempts to contact them have gone unheeded. My card company has been notified as has the Better Business Bureau as well as the survey company who offered this 'promotion' in the first place.

If anyone has had success in getting a refund from these crooks, it would be nice to know.

Like a dumb-a i signed up with there online ad. was sent 2 bags of coffee and a grinder that didnt work. called them and complained and what did I get? 2 charges for $38.95. no product ordered and NO F-in product received. Im contacting the Attorney generals office tomorrow.

They did the EXACT same thing to me! I hate this company. I am never buying anything from them!

I too have fallen prey to this scam of $9.00. I called them and still no refund, I have sent their crap back, still no refund, I called back again and was told it takes 4 weeks to receive the returns...and yep you guessed it still no refund for 2 charges that equal almost $80.00. I also called about posterpass.com right after calling the coffee and it was the same girl...shady shady shady!

BEWRE OF THIS COMPLAINTS BOARD, THIS EXACT ONE YOU ARE COMPLAINING ON, AS THEY HAVE FULL ACCESS TO YOUR NAME & EMAIL & WILL POST IT ON GOOGLE, THEY ESSENTIALLY HAVE NO PRIVACY FOR YOU & WILL SELL YOU OUT.

t the thing that made me most unhappy was the total of 111.69 in charges in less the 3 weeks. They say I will get a full refund, but we will see... the bank will handle it as a fraudulant matter if i do not have a refund within the next 30 days... and it is fraud, I okeyed 9.00 not 34.00 and certainly did not expect 2 more charges before I said I wanted the coffee again.

AND IT IS NOT WORTH 12.50 FOR 12 OZ. PLUS SHIPPING. A TOTAL OF 34.95.

I to have a similar complaint about this company. I originally joined as a trial; 2 bags of coffee and a grinder for 9.95. I received the grinder and coffee and my account was debited 3 times in 5 days. For a total of $119.00. I have filed a formal dispute. I have not been able to contact anyone at this company to explain why this has happened and to assist me in the matter.

All I ordered was the original two bags of coffee and grinder. Since then, I have received a total of 8 more bags of coffee I DID NOT ORDER, my husbands checking account has been debited for all of these without OUR PERMISSION! I have called and been left on hold forever. Cannot find an email address to contact them that way (WHICH RIGHT THERE TELLS ME THEY ARE CROOKED). YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ONLINE SITE WITH NO WAY FOR CUSTOMERS, ETC. TO CONTACT YOU BY EMAIL. My husband has already been to his bank and filed a formal complaint against these charges and they are looking into it for us. Also, I am returning all shipments and WE ARE NOT PAYING FOR THE RETURN SHIPPING! WHAT A HOAX OF A SCAM!

EVERYONE BEWARE OF SEATTLE COFFEE DIRECT. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THEM AT ALL!

I was foolish enough to sign up for their $9.00 deal and saw a $34.00 charge on my bank account online a couple of days later. I just called them and they said it was $9.00 for the coffee and grinder and $25.00 for shipping. I told them I wanted to cancel and I wanted a refund. They said I can refuse the package and get a refund a few days later. We'll see...

Seattle coffee Direct promotes A free grinder and two bags of coffee for $9.00. What they don't tell you is that it really costs $34.00. On top of that it sends you two more shipments of coffee beans for $48.95. I didn't order any of this except for the $9.00 deal(A.K.A the $34.00 deal). They have now charged me a total of $131.90. What a joke, DO NOT ORDER FROM THEM AND GET THEM CLOSED DOWN. Do whatever it takes to do so. They are scamming way to many people. We need to stop them now before someone else gets scammed.

Seattle Coffee Direct my behind. Address is Illinois.Thought I would be charged 12.99 for first shipment of coffee (2 -12 oz. bags) with a coffee grinder and travel cup, I was charged $38.00. then in a couple weeks I was sent 2 more (12 oz.) bags of coffee beans and charged $34.00. RIP OFF. I called and canceled. I asked why i was charged so much, a Gal named Mia told me there was a $25.00 charge? That was news to me. Beware of this company. I did get a cancel confirmation # and will call my credit card company and tell them to stop any future shipments, just in case they try to rip me off further. Also the coffee tastes bad. The beans are light and the flavor wasn't good. YUCK!

Seattle coffe direct is the reason people in America can't trust business in general. Their underhanded means of sales should be illegal! I'm sure drug dealers are more forthright. Good old American capitalization!
No wonder the rest of the world doesn't trust US.

On 2 occasions I have been assured my credit card wouldmbe credited for a cancelled order and it was not. I notified Evanston Police

Received through someone's fraud. I contacted Seattle Direct, they agreed to refund my charges. I returned their products, unopened, but have not received a refund... their charges caused me to overdraw my account.

I was going to try out Seattle Best coffee for a $9 fee. I entered my info., including my credit card info. and clicked to the next page to auth. the total bill (Up to this point I had not been informed of any other charges like shipping etc.) the page never came up. I waited 15 min. The page specifically said to not click back or it might interfere with transaction. After waiting another 5 min. I could wait no longer and closed out the page. The rest of the computer was working fine. I never completed the transaction since the next page never came up for me to complete it and I never received an email saying either way. I have now been billed for $34 when my orig. transaction was only suppose to be for $9 and was just billed again for$48.95 and I haven't even received any product on a transaction that wasn't authorized in the first place! They couldn't pay me to drink their coffee now and I am a coffeeholic!

From all I have just read - it appears that I am just the latest to be taken by these crooks! I am going to get with my Credit card and cancel this one - so they cannot keep charging against it. They are unreal - 2 bags of coffee for $48.00! And this was sent just one week after the first two and the grinder...

These people should be put out of business. Because of them, I will never order anything on line again.

I also was scammed by this company. Only I never received anything from them. No "trial offer". NOTHING. They charged me $72.95 for something I never received. I have been promised a refund and 14 days later, still no refund. I am comtacting the Attorney General's office in Indiana and Missouri.

Stealing is still against the law, no matter what you call it.

After recieving My first order at agreed price. I started rec'g shipments faster than I could open them. At much higher prices...

Basically a screw job. Same complaints as above. Advertised as $9, but charded $34.00, then they ship you another two bags for $38.00. This is just plain immoral. I wish I had know about this before I had ordered.

I order the promotion (one delivery of 2lbs of coffee and grinder for 9.00) and got charged 160.00 for 4 WEEKLY packets of 2lbs of coffee. I called and they said to send it back and they would refund the money. I haven't heard a word about it and charges are still on the credit card... no refund yet. I live alone and could never drink 2lbs of coffee a week. They said I should have gone to another area of the web site and taken off the request for weekly delivery. I never had the option to do that and feel they "ripped me off". I plan to get my money back as I have no product since I returned it all. However, I did send it back at my charge via UPS so I have proof... I had UPS pack it for me and I am going to continue to seek refunds. I am retired and on social security and I am going to seek help with those that go after companies that prey on the elderly. Wish me luck...

I ordered coffee from this company and received two bags and a grinder. My checking acct. was charged $34.00 on 1-8-08 and $48.95 on 1-23-08. If anyone knows what is going on with this co. I'd appreciate the info. Is it legit...

Their coffee, bean form, Ethiopian Harrar which came in an introductory offer, is probably the weakest flavored, blah coffee bean I have ever ground and brewed. My disappointment is extreme.

Actually I totally agree. I thought I was getting the coffee grinder and two packages of coffee. I got the grinder and 2pks. okay...since then, every 1-2wks, they have charged my account almost $50.oo. THEY HAVE ALMOST BY THEMSELVES, WIPED OUT MY BANK ACCOUNT. I'm retired, get paid beginning of the month, with all the charges I have to pay, I will barely have enough to pay my rent. No food, No heat no nothing for the month of Feb. I think internet businesses need to make their fine print readable. They are more than a scam artist...at least a scam artist most can recognize...if a person can't read the 'fine' print, that is fraud...they only advertised the $9.00 grinder and two pkgs. of coffee...where the membership was located, I don't have a clue.