Seattlecoffeedirect.com

On Dec. 3, 2009 I was charged $79 for items I did not order. I called the company and talked with Tameka, was told there had been a computer problem and I would get a refund of my $79. To date I have not received refund and all phones I had are not working.

In September, I ordered the five dollar trial coffee. I sent it back unopened at the PO. On 9/18, I was billed on my debit $39.70. On 9/23, I was billed another $39.70. On 10/05, I was billed another $39.70, including on 10/01, 10/06 and 10/09. In November, another $118.70, this is a total of $356.90 for coffee that I never received. Not one drop sipped.

I have called their number several times and no one is available. Now their number is temporarily disconnected. Have I not been robbed? I have bounced check charges because I was not aware of the discrepancy until I combed my account paperwork and discovered the amounts that they have stolen from me.

I sent a previous request. Then I found my copy of my original complaint. I submitted my complaint to Complaints Board. I will submit one to you also. I need all the help I can get. I received a package in the mail with a sample of coffee and a cheap mug. It had a note inside, "Thank you for your order". I did not recall ordering anything so I called the number on the note. I only got an answering machine.

I left a message stating that I did not recall placing any order. A couple of weeks later, I received an overdraft notice from my credit union. I was charged $79 for coffee, $27 overdraft fee, and $3 because my account balance fell below $50. I have left 9 messages. I spoke with my credit union. They advised me to cancel my card, which I did. I sent a letter to the Illinois Consumer Fraud Bureau as well as the Illinois State Atty General. I have left 3 refund requests on the Seattle Coffee website. What more can I do?

I ordered coffee from Seattle Coffee Direct (under Peel INC) beginning 2009. I then cancelled my membership with them soon after that. November 24, 2009, a company called Publicationsmax.com deducted $79.00 from my bank account. I have never heard of that company before. I did an online search and found it was a magazine subscription company. I tried calling their contact number but was unsuccessful as all agents were busy all the time.

I then searched online for an alternative contact number and got it under Peel Incorporated. I called Peel Inc. and chose to speak to customer service. A lady answered from Seattle Coffee Direct and I said I was looking for Publicationsmax.com. She said I am at the right number as they belong to the same sister company. I told her about the money and I said I want money back. She said that I will get it back within 1 - 2 billing cycles. I asked how they could take my money when I have cancelled my membership months and months ago. She said that had never been cancelled.

A few days later, I got a coffee and flask from Seattle Coffee Direct and I called them to ask what was happening as I never ordered anything. She said not to worry because that was for the refund they were sending it to me and said that I will still be getting my money. They sent another one 2 days later and I called them to tell them to stop sending me coffee.

December 9, 2009, I called again asking them when I am not getting my money back. The lady said I will get it within 3-5 working days and she sent me a confirmation email and also an email to confirm she cancelled my membership. I called back after 5 business days and told them I have not received my money yet and this lady said I will receive it in 5 - 7 business days time.

I called more than 7 business days later, that was yesterday, January 4, 2010 and a lady by the name of Sarah said they will pay it in 20 days from January 4, 2010. If I will find out they didn't pay it in, they will send me a check as payment/refund. I cannot wait that long. My bank account went into overdraft. I am terribly upset with these people. I don't trust them one bit. I am constantly struggling to get hold of someone to speak to. Please help! I think 60 days is what I have with this company for a refund. After 60 days if you don't get your money you will not get it.

I ordered a coffee mug and sample coffee and was charged $2.00. Two weeks later, I was charged $79.00 for coffee I didn't order. I returned it via UPS and still have not received a refund. I am finding out now that it is all a big scam and don't know what else to do. Household bank is my credit card and they won't credit my account when I explained the situation to them. I only make minimum wage and cannot afford this expense, especially at my age.

In early August, 2009 I signed up for a free sample from Seattle Coffee Direct. All I had to pay was $2.99, which was charged to my Eppicard. In late August, I noticed a transaction on the Eppicard account for approximately $38.00 from Seattle Coffee Direct, however they were using a different name to identify the payee. I immediately contacted Eppicard, and was told to call back to file a dispute when the charge cleared. I did call back and requested to file a dispute. The Eppicard agent told me that they would mail the form to me, but I should contact the retailer, as Eppicard would take 60 days to investigate, and at least another 30 days to return any funds due me. I had no contact info for Seattle Coffee Direct, as I had yet to receive any product not even the free sample.

Within four days, I had another charge for $38 again, as Eppicard had not cancelled my card, even though I had informed them that this was an unauthorized charge. The day after the second charge cleared, I received my free sample, and enclosed was a number for "customer no service". These people were very rude. I was told that they had entered me in twice a month shipments of their product, when I requested the free sample. I requested cancellation, and was given a cancellation number. I was told to mail back the shipments unopened, and they would process a refund. When the packages arrived, one by UPS, and the second by USPS, the packages were damaged in, that the contents had cut through the cheap bubble mailers. I contacted Seattle Coffee Direct again, and was told if the packing was opened, no refund was possible. I then contacted Eppicard again, and was told the investigation was still pending, however, within two days, I received a denial letter that stated no error had occurred.

Fast forward to November. Suddenly, a charge of $75 to PublicationsMax.com appears on as pending on my Eppicard account. As soon as it cleared, I called Eppicard, and was sent the dispute form. Apparently, they still did not cancel my card, because I received another $75 charge fron Coffee House Direct. When I received the dispute form, I listed both charges. Again, Eppicard found no error. I have now payed nearly $200 for my free samples, and four pounds of coffee. I called every number connected with Eppicard that I could find. I eventually spoke to a lady who resubmitted my claim with all the information from the original free sample, to the fifth charge. She instructed me to hand write a dispute letter, and that she would send me another dispute form to file as well. She said maybe the dispute department would tire of me, and issue a refund. This resulted in bills being paid late, plus the late charges, a couple of missed meals for my family, and a boat load of frustration. If a person defrauded me of money, I could get that back or see them punished. Since I am being defrauded by a company and Eppicard, I am ** and helpless.

Fast forward to January. I just received my latest denial letter. This is my third denial letter for Seattle Coffee Direct, and they said that "no error has occurred". I must, at this time, agree. This is not an error, but outright fraud. I requested cancellation of my card, and received a replacement card two weeks later (3 to 5 business days, ha ha ha). Now, Seattle Coffee Direct, operating under the fourth name that I am aware of, wants my new card number, so they can issue me a refund, after they receive my return. So it appears that I spent nearly $200 for a FREE sample and what is now 6 pounds of coffee. Drink up!

I have had only one contact with the company. The other thousand times I called the lines were busy. Nervous anxiety, frustration, lowering of self esteem, anger, loss of sleep, depression, loss of countless hours of my time in trying to correct an error that I had no hand in creating.

On Monday, 12/14,my husband brought in a package left on the doorstep from Cafe Saporito. Upon ordering I recognized the Seattle Direct coffee company name on a bag of coffee and a mug. I DID NOT order anything from these people. Sometime last year, I ordered coffee from them, did not like it and found they were sending the coffee too fast and deducting money from my credit card each time. I spoke with a rep, cancelled and thought that was it. I was astonished to find they had the audacity to send this package and I am afraid after reading consumer report complaints online (and there are MANY) that they may continue sending coffee before this could be rectified. Please help.

In actuality, what you got was the 2 stainless steel tumblers and 2 ceramic coffee mugs and 2 bags of coffee for $25.00. I was duped. I thought you'd get 5 bags of coffee and the rest as free gifts. No, the "5 for $5 each" they promoted was ACTUALLY listing the mugs and tumblers as part of the 5
items you get for $5 each. Well, you may ask, but that's 6 items, not 5! They include the ceramic mugs as "ONE set of 2 mugs" - Thus 2 stainless steel tumblers + 1 SET of mugs + 2 bags of coffee = 5 items for $5 each. Go figure...

Now, that's only the beginning of my troubles. I was charged $25 to my debit card and received my promotional items in no time. However, not even 2 days after I got my promotional items, I also received TWO more packages from them. Each package was another 2 bags of coffee. I checked my bank statement online and found I was charged TWICE for $39.70 - That's $79.40 total for 4 12oz bags of coffee!!! What is this stuff, made of gold? That works out to be $19.85 per 12oz bag of coffee.

If I bought coffee direct from Seattle's Best Coffee, let's say (since that seems to be the site these jokers are imitating), they charge $26.25 for THREE 12 oz bags - that's $8.75 per bag. MUCH more reasonable I'd say! Plus, the generic foil-bagged coffee I received from Seattle Coffee Direct wasn't even that good. I shared it with a few friends and they all said they preferred Dunkin Donut's or McDonald's coffee to this stuff. Not exactly the "best world-renowned coffee" I'd think...

So, not being a very happy customer, I tried calling their customer service number. The lady I spoke to said I could write "Return To Sender" on the unopened coffee packages I received and send them back and I'd receive a refund when they received them. I also made sure they canceled my "membership" to their stupid club so I wouldn't be billed anymore. I sent all the packages back the next day. This was back in late September, 2009, mind you.

A few days AFTER I canceled my subscription and sent the coffee back to them, I received ANOTHER package of coffee and another bill on my statement for $39.70! I couldn't believe it. This package seemed to come from a different company though, as it was addressed from "Metro Coffee Direct". So, I went on that website and called their customer service number. Come to find out, it's the SAME company - based, interestingly enough, in Evanston, Illinois. A far cry away from Seattle, Washington. I told them I canceled my membership and asked why they sent me more coffee. They said it "must have gone out before you canceled and you just received it now." They assured me I wouldn't receive any more shipments and I could most certainly return the coffee for a full refund, which I did (AGAIN!) I still find it odd they send out THAT much coffee so frequently for a "semi-monthly" membership program. I mean, you can only drink so much coffee - I'm not reselling it (not that I could make any money re-selling it with how expensive it is in the first place!) I already have been sent almost a year's supply for what I could use myself!

But the troubles didn't stop there! A week after I sent all the packages back, I still had not received any refund on my card statement. So, I called and inquired as to the status. They told me they had not received the packages yet and that it takes some time for them to be sent back, even
longer than it took them to be sent out because I sent them back "Return To Sender". I found this hard to believe as I'd think it would take the same amount of time either way, but figured I'd give them the benefit of the doubt this time.

Another week went by and still nothing. After the THIRD week went by since I had sent the packages back and still no refund in sight, I called again. I was told the SAME story again that they had not received the packages back yet and to allow more time. I told them there was NO WAY it would take 3 weeks to send a package back to Illinois and I wanted my refund now. They told me there was no way for them to process a refund before they received the coffee back and to allow more time. I found this even harder to believe, but after half an hour on the phone arguing and not getting anywhere, I hung up in disgust.

I waited another week and called again after not having received a refund only to hear the same lame excuses - a "Return To Sender" package STILL wasn't received by them almost a month after I sent it back. RIIIIGHT... Another half hour yelling on the phone STILL couldn't get their "customer service
rep" to issue me a refund and I was again told to allow more time for them to receive it before I'd get my refund. Well, by this time I knew there was no way to get anywhere with them over the phone. But, enough time had elapsed from the date of my initial purchase that now it was beyond the 30-day dispute window for my bank, so I couldn't even dispute the charges anymore. Now, I'm out $119.10 AND
I have no coffee even to show for it because I sent it all back!

I called and followed up several more times since, throughout the month of November, all to no avail. Then, all of a sudden, I couldn't even call them anymore! The number was disconnected! I called all the numbers they had listed on their website and every one was shut down! Now I KNOW I was taken by this fly-by-night operation! What reputable company for ONE has multiple websites that all look similar but have different phone numbers for ordering and customer service? Two, I noticed that, despite the multiple business names, they all share the same exact mailing address. Finally, their
shady business practices sealed the deal on this scam "business". Any decent, reputable company would have issued the refund after about my second or, at worst, third or fourth call just to keep up their customer service reputation. Obviously, this "business" doesn't care how many people they screw over and rip off or what bad reputation they are building for themselves.

I wish I could say my troubles stopped here, but sadly this saga CONTINUES! Months after my original purchase, months after I sent my packages back only to never receive a refund, and weeks after their phones were disconnected, I received ANOTHER mysterious charge on my card! Unbelievable! This one appeared from an online merchant called "Shop Dani" (www.shopdani.com). I went to their website and found it is called "Danielle Janine Jewelry".

Now, I KNOW I NEVER purchased anything from this site, so I immediately called the fraud line for my card and had my account disabled and a new card sent out. The charge, which was for $79.00, still hasn't been removed from my account yet, but the wheels are in motion and hopefully it will work out
for me in the end.

Upon doing more research into it though, I found this Shop Dani to be the SAME company that ran the Metro Coffee Direct and Seattle Coffee Direct websites! The phone number is different- but the mailing address was THE SAME address in Evanston, Illinois! I couldn't believe it! Plus, even AFTER canceling my membership months ago, they are STILL charging my card for purchases I never
made nor authorized? Who does that? It can't be legal!

Well, a few days after I disputed the charge, I received ANOTHER package in the mail. I opened it and found it contained another stainless steel tumbler and ONE bag of coffee! Wow, so that's what $79 buys these days? I know the economy is bad and inflation has been steadily increasing, but COME ON!!! This package also came from a FOURTH "business", this one called "Cafe Saporito". This site is an EXACT replica of the Seattle Coffee Direct site with just the name changed. They didn't even TRY to make it look different. They also have two different phone numbers for this business.

I think I will give these NEW numbers a try and give them more hell in an attempt to get my money back. I doubt I will succeed, but it's worth it to me just to be as much of a hassle to them as possible and let them know how ****** I am. Plus, it will be cathartic for me.

In early August 2009, Seattle Coffee Direct solicited an introductory offer on Facebook where one would recieve two lbs. of coffee, 2 travel mugs, and 2 ceramic cups for $5.00. This ended up being a scam and I was charged $38.95 from an Urban Coffee Direct on August 07, 2009. Again on August 10, 2009 I was charged $38.95 for product as yet undelivered. I called and cancelled immediately requesting a refund. I was told that once the product arrived I should refuse it, send it back and would receive a refund in the next billing cycle. This of course never happened. It has now been 4 months and out of the blue on December 01, 2009 an unauthorized debit occurred on my account in the amount of $79.00 for product I never ordered nor received from Seattle Coffee Direct. I have attempted to call them three times and cannot get through nor have I received a message back from them. Since my hours at work have been drastically cut this is creating a financial nightmare for me. Can you please investigate and close these fraudulent scam artists down?

online scam, unauthorzed debit of my account, unwanted shipments, doubled billing fron Seattle Coffee Direct and java Direct continued charges to debit card even after i revieved a cancellation number 3 months ago

I had signed up to receive their coffee on the website June 2009 I was informed by their website that I would recieve a shipment evry month. On June 24, 2009 $25.00 was taken out of my bank account for the trail shipment which I recieve on June 26th. Then on June 29th there was another $38.95 taken out of my bank account and when I called them. I was informed that there was a drop down box on their website for me to say how often I wanted a delivery. I told them no there was no such thing. The person basically called me a liar. She did say that I could return the coffee and they would credit my account. I told her that I wanted to cancel my so called subscription. The second package arrived on July 1, 2009. I took it back to the post office on July 5th to return to sender. Two weeks later I called and was told that they never recieve the return package and it was most likely in some sort of warehouse and they are waiting for them to send it to them.

Two weeks later I called and was told that they did infact recieve the package and my refund would take place in the next few weeks. Did not happen. I called a month later inquirying about my refund and was told than that it would take two billing cylcles until my money is refuned. When I asked why this long I was told that is industry standards. I explain to them that is bull because I work for companies and as soon as something is return the person bank card was credited right away that same day. They went on to tell me that I will have to wait two billing cyles. Today I tried calling again and the phone just kept ringing. I want all my money refunded and I do think that they should pay for any non suffient fees that this mess cause for me and others like me. I should not have to wait forever to get my money.

I ordered Seattle Direct Coffee online several months ago. I got my first shipment which was great. Then every 2 days I started getting a package and they started drafting my account. I called to cancel immediately. Then I received 4 more packages and 4 more deductions. I called again and they said they cancelled it and that I could return what I didn't want and they would refund me. This was in August. I mailed 10 pages back to them at my cost and had a return receipt to verify they got it. I did this because I began reading all the negative reviews online about them. I called a few days after I received the return receipt and they stated they never got the shipment. I told them they were lying and told them who signed for the shipment. They then sent me to another person that told me it had been received and it would take 2 weeks. I called their corporate office and spoke with a person there that told me she would make sure the check was cut and sent that day. That has been over a month. When I called today they stated they did not receive the shipment until 9/24/2009 and that it would take 2 billing cycles to get paid which they said would be the end of November or the first of December. All I want is my money returned to me now.

I joined their coffee club in May 2009. The terms of the membership was that I had to buy two bags per month at the price of $38.98. I couldn't understand why for about six days, I would come home to an order of coffee on my door step. Until I went into my account to pay some bills, I realized that I didn't have any more money left. Two of the charges went into overdraft, which I had to pay the bank $70 in fees.

When I called to ask why they performed such actions, I was told that when I joined, there was a drop-down window to control the frequency of the shipments. There is no such window on their website Seattlecoffeedirect.com. I sent back 10 bags of coffee, which they received on June 8. I was told that I would receive my refund within 30 business days. Thirty days have passed, and I haven't received a refund.

I sent for a trial package of their coffee on 7/07/09. I received it on 7/08/09. I canceled my automatic shipment and membership on 7/10/09 (cancellation # **). On 7/14/09, I received another shipment which was left on my front porch (UPS track # **). I called at 2:55 pm on 7/14/09 and talked to Mark and was told that the order was shipped on the morning of the 10th, the day I canceled my membership, and that I could only get a store credit. This, I think, is terribly wrong, because I canceled any further deliveries and I should get a full refund. After talking to Mark, I went to the UPS tracking site and found out that the billing information was not received till the 13th of July at 9:16 am. So I called back Mark (3:05 pm) about the shipping date discrepancy and he insisted it was shipped on the 10th of July. The Seattle Coffee site says that the 1st shipment will be sent about a month after the introductory one. I think this company is a scam and I want a refund, not a store credit.

This is just a few of many companies that offer trial offers for the cost of shipping and handling. They in turn bill you and continue to send you products at the regular price. You have to be very careful what you are signing up for. It would be better if you could send a check instead of giving them your credit card number. It almost feels like they have carte blanche on your credit card. The only good refund I got was from Seattle Coffee but it was only after multiple calls to check up on my refund status.