Global Nutrition Sciences Proves Free is Still a Fake
Consumer Complaints Continue to Pass Judgment on Internet Company’s “Free Trial” Offer
Austin, TX – August 5, 2009 – The allure of getting something for free can be very tempting for consumers striving to save every penny in this soft economy. However, consumer complaints against Arvada, Colorado Internet-based Global Nutrition Sciences (GNS Inc.) illustrate a need for consumers to do their research before finding out what they signed up for, isn’t what they are going to get.
Consumers claim Global Nutrition Sciences offers them a "free trial" of a product (mostly diet related) and they only need to pay a shipping charge. They allege that the following conditions are not made clear to them in the company's advertising: The "free trial" only lasts for a few weeks and then is automatically billed. In addition to billing after the trial period is over, consumers complain they are enrolled into a program where they are shipped and billed for a new supply of the product every month. This, "Auto Ship" program can also apply to regular orders outside of the "free trial" offer.
Consumers from across the nation have filed a total of 1,229 complaints against Global Nutrition Sciences over the past 36 months. The company has a rating of F due to the number of complaints filed, advertising issues found by BBB and the length of time Global Nutrition Sciences has taken to resolve complaints. Click here to view the company’s full BBB report.
Joyce Reichardt of Belton, Texas saw Global Nutrition Sciences’ offer for a free trial on the Internet and after speaking on the phone to a representative from GNS, she was convinced to try it out.
“They said they were BBB Accredited,” said Reichardt. “That’s also how I knew who to contact when I had a problem.”
Global Nutrition Sciences tried to bill Reichardt after her trial period was over, but she had received a new debit card making that impossible.
“I didn’t realize they were going to keep charging me,” said Reichardt.
Reichardt eventually paid Global Nutrition Sciences but says she has learned her lesson when it comes to accepting free trials.
Amelia Watts of Austin wanted to try out a diet supplement from Global Nutrition Sciences after seeing their ads on Facebook and their endorsement from Oprah. The sample was supposed to be free with a small $3.97 shipping charge. She ordered on January 11th and by the end of the month, she was fed up and told GNS to cancel her order. On February 1st however, Watts received something she wasn’t expecting.
“I got an e-mail saying they charged me for what I never got…I looked at my bank account and saw they took $75!” said Watts. “They even sent confirmation that they were not going to bill me as I did not receive the product." Ms. Watts was billed anyway.
What Watts did not know was that by accepting the free trial offer from General Nutrition Sciences, she agreed to be on their “Auto Ship” program and would be billed $75 per month. After contacting General Nutrition Sciences several times over the next month to fight the charge, Watts was refunded her $75.
BBB warns consumers that while offers for “free” products can be enticing, they need to be cautious before signing up for one. Consider the following tips:
- Be clear as to when the free trial starts and ends.
- Read the terms and conditions carefully for any hidden information that may not be communicated directly.
- Know exactly what will be charged if the product is kept.
- Find out if accepting a product at the end of the free trial automatically is transferred to a continuity plan.
- Check the company’s reliability report on www.bbb.org.