WordSmart

Deceitful Telemarketing Practices

16th of Aug, 2011 by karinminna

During the audio-recorded transaction, I asked if I could receive the initial set without the subscription service. A former WordSmart employee posted that if you don't want the subscription service or a continuity account -- say I DO NOT WANT THE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE. Eventhough I asked the telemarketer if I could get the first set without the additional ones being sent, she did not alert me of this option. It's on the recording.

WordSmarts telemarketing practices are deceitful and misleading. The caller will begin the conversation by saying that WordSmart was at a college day at your sons or daughters high school and that your child stopped by their table and this is a follow up call. The caller will tell you that high school that your child attends endorses them. I checked our high school principal of 20+ years and she said, I have checked in with everyone I can think of and no one knows of this group.

Before you purchase anything from WordSmart, please read reviews at these websites:

download.cnet.com: 13 out of 17 user reviews gave them a terrible rating (1 star)
ripoffconsumer.com: 29 scathing reviews their products and services
complaintsboard.com: 14 unfavorable reviews
pissedconsumer.com: more reviews by dissatisfied customers
bbb.com: 20% of the 256 complaints are unresolved and most of the complaints are about problems with products and services.

After my horrific customer service interaction with WordSmart and reading some reviews, I canceled my credit card and signed up at donotcall.gov to be added to the National Do Not Call List. Unfortunately Im out $375. Worse yet, I feel incredibly stupid for having been duped by WordSmart. I thought I was too smart to be scammed.

What I learned from this $375 lesson is to research before buying and use a single purchase, one use credit card for phone or website purchases if Im not sure of the company or institution. If I had signed up at donotcall.gov, I would never have received a cold call from WordSmart and I wouldnt have lost the money. Hindsight is 20/20.

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