Dermitage free trial and the meaning of free

Beauty in Seattle on 17 Dec 2007 at 5:36pm
Dermitage free trial and the meaning of free

Was thinking about requesting free sample of Dermitage Instant Lifting Creme when after a Google search of "dermitage," I encountered plenty of posts complaining about Dermitage's meaning of "free".  That is, customers complained they were charged $69 after the free trial ended.

In the world of social media transparency, free trials that end with an automatic credit card charge are perhaps a thing of the past.  Or, at the very least, company's will be forced into moving fast to satisfy the customer.  This was my experience with the Consumer Reports health newsletter (they quickly reversed charges). 

Funny enough, I also noted Dermitage's announcement about venturing into a more social media inspired website. 

"We want to leverage this communication channel to provide detailed ingredient formation and clinical study data explaining how and why our products work so effectively."

Careful what you ask for!

 

Comments (13)

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nancy Aguilar (unregistered guest) 15 Jan 2008
I received my free trial and need to know what is the cut off date if i decide not to keep it? please advise.
Beauty in Seattle (16 posts) 15 Jan 2008
Hi nancy - I don't know the cut off policy. did they include a letter with the trial?
ms.dickson (unregistered guest) 2 Jul 2009
ordered my little sample of dermitage and the pump didnt work on one of them- secondly I just noticed 99.00 dollars deducted from my checking acct. Apparently I had joined a trial membership and wasnt aware of it!! Beware of these people.. they wont refund me the 99.00 and were not apologetic about the pump not working either!! ON TOP OF THIS- THE PRODUCT IS USELESS!!! Stick with Oil of Olay....
Jackie (unregistered guest) 30 Jan 2008
Hi... the free trial is 14 days. You have to call to cancel within that time frame to not be billed. You may have to return the sample, even if partially used.
Vi Sloan (unregistered guest) 21 Feb 2008
My credit card was billed for the shipping charges on 1/31/08, although the product was not shipped until 2/5/08. It arrived here on 2/12. After having the product for 8 days (not 14), I called on 2/20 to get an RMA number to return it, only to be told that they had charged my credit card $69.95 the day before and would now have to charge me a $9.95 "restocking fee". When I explained the dates, they seemed to back down and said they would issue a credit, but then I received a very confusing email, so I'm not sure yet how this will end.
Greg Catrambone (unregistered guest) 23 Apr 2008
Under no circumstances should anyone sign up for a "free trial" from Dermitage. They claimed I had called one day late and had billed me the day before, similar to the experience of others. I had no idea that a "free trial" equaled a $70 charge to my credit card.
BJR (1 post) 12 Sep 2008
I was tempted to request a "free trial" until I read several reviews pertaining to the credit cards being debited before the so-called "trial period" ended. Been there and done that with other online companies promoting their "free trial". BUYERS BEWARE...if anything is advertised as "free", whether it be samples, trial periods, or whatever, you can bet it is a ripoff. HOW DO YOU SUPPOSE THESE COMPANIES MAKE THEIR MONEY??? False advertising is big business today.
m barker (1 post) 9 May 2009
i was really tricked by the free trial. i guess there is nothing free. i tried to talk to the people at the 800 number and tell them i didnt want this product and not to touch my credit card but they wouldnt listen and said it would automaticaly be taken out of my account , how can i stop them?
s victoria (1 post) 25 Jun 2009
I was stupid enough to want the free trial as I was changing make ups ---and as the writings explain my credit card was charged $99!!! I do not want any more of this--it is absolutely NOT anything I would choose to use. I am calling my credit card company and refuting the charge.
Lizette Velez-Torres (1 post) 5 Aug 2009
Please let know the phone or fax to cancel the monthly charges & creams effective immediatley. Not happy with the results.
dannyuw2000 (1 post) 29 Aug 2009
Yup its a big con! Who reads the terms and conditions when it says "free trial!" However here is something you can do. Order your free trial, wait until the amount come off your credit card, then call up your bank and say your number has been compromised. Once your free trial arrives, phone up the company and cancel the re-occuring supply. Say your going to send it back. Don't send it back. There very little they can then do.
littleflame (1 post) 29 Jun 2010
I sent for Dermitage free trial..Had it for 3 days . It broke my face out in a rash.Had to go to the doctor and get cream to heal my face..I called the company on day 4 and canceled..It has been a month now since i sent it back i found out they are billing me 99.95..and have over drafted my account..What a crock.. now it will take forever to get this fixed and all i have is med bill and over draft fees to pay...wait till things get in stores to try it ...at least you can return to store for your refund .....
June Schmidt (1 post) 6 Aug 2010
I too was tricked by the "free" offer! I received two packages shipped to me which I refused from the mail. I called my credit card company and said don't pay. I called Dermitage and said you need to stop shipping me packages and refund my card. Was told "to late! You missed the cut off date! You cannot return the packages and you have to pay $115 for each package. If you want the product you have to pay to have it reshipped. Either way you pay!" I don't know if it will make a difference but I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

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