The Green Millionaire : Buyer Beware!

* Update - 4/16/12 - FTC orders Green Millionaire founder has to pay 2 million in damages!
I recently had a friend and reader suggest I check out this great new free book he found called The Green Millionaire. He said I could get a free copy at the website (I'm not even going to link to their site because it's too close to a scam for my taste). When I went there, I saw something that looked very "scammish". Anything promising "free" anything immediately sets off my alarm signals. So I did a little digging (a.k.a. google) and found this article from Fibomercials and Scams.

Basically, you sign up for the "free" book and they need your credit card for the $1 "shipping and handling" charge. But the devil is in the details! The fine print says:

*Start your free trial today and we will also send you a free 14 day subscription to The Green Millionaire eMagazine. Just pay a $1.00 processing fee. You will have 14 days to try The Green Millionaire eMagazine and discover how to become wealthier while saving the planet. If you like the simple, powerful solutions presented in the program, do nothing. At the end of your free trial period you will be charged the discounted price of $29.95, and every 60 days thereafter.

And then gives you the number to call to cancel your subscription. I wonder how hard it is to get through to a live person?

After doing my research I asked my friend to check his credit card bill and guess what? Here was his reply:

Argghh!!! Looks like I’m in the scam wheel. I didn’t even know it was from an infomercial (which I never watch). I think I found the link through another referral.

Well I got the book, and it’s OK. Nothing earth shattering, but some good ideas. I’ll give you my copy if you want it… I’m too pissed to hold on to it. They did charge me $29.95. I will dispute with my CC company, and maybe cancel my card.

So, if you need some green tips then go ahead and get your "Green Millionaire" book, pay $29.95 every 60 days or take the trouble to cancel your "subscription". Or you can read this blog and the other great resources that are out there that cost you nothing. I won't say it's free though because I do "force" you to glance at ads. Hey, a guy has to eat (I just bough some nice grass-fed steaks) doesn't he?

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 08/01/2010 - 05:16

You don't have to scam or cheat people to get rich. There are plenty of honest companies out there that make MILLIONS and never scam people. How many times have you been scamed by Wal-Mart? Believe it or not, there ARE honest people running honest companies out there and making lots of money from it. If you have half a brain, you could make a good living without cheating people. As a matter of fact, if you want to be RICH, good luck doing it by scamming people all your life.

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/05/2010 - 00:17

Darn! I was sure looking to see what kind of "free" stuff was going to be in there but, I'm convinced, I won't waste my time or money. I tried but, my debit card kept getting declined and I don't know why!TIP... ALWAYS use a "pre-paid" Visa/MC that you load money on. They cost about $5-$10. For things that I want on auto-pay, I use pre-paid cards. If I don't have the money on there yet, you can't get yours. When I check my account online and see where someone has tried to debit my card but, it was declined, I "LOL"! Then, I call the preditors and tell them that I cancelled, I'm not interested, and to stop trying to debit my card. I have a few cards that I toggle between but, I stay away from my bank account. That is one sure way to piss me off... trying to debit my bank account for something I don't want and messing me up with other financial matters. TIP 2... ALWAYS look up the company online before your purchase to see how the buying experience went for others. I threw that one out the window because it was only $1.95 for shipping but, you guys are right... they love to try to tack on more charges when you least expect it.

ckmapawatt Wed, 07/21/2010 - 07:19

Cory, That is a little negative. I suggest just doing what you love, and the money will come!

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 08/22/2010 - 16:17

I am glad an unknown co-worker has decided to check out this blog as well. I for one am glad one of us feels the same way and it is the customer's responsibility to read over everything. And to be honest with you Audacious, I really couldn't care less if you decide to do business with us or not. Again, it is your choice. And we have thousands of customers who actually do follow the program, know what they've gotten into and are satisfied in the end. So choose what you will people.

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/19/2010 - 20:45

We were $89.95 & they are only willing to reimburse us 1/2 with a year's subscription still there. Our minor child ordered the book think it might help us out! Yeah right into a bounced checking accounting due to the additional charges, 2 over draft fees! What a SCAM! BBB needs to do something!

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 08/21/2010 - 12:17

Do you keep your Credit Cards out for your kids can use them? How did the minor get a hold of the money should be the questions. And Social Service should investagate you. That clearly is parental error. So take the half and run. ( with your purse )

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/04/2010 - 14:56

Hey people please do not give up and fight back with your Bank,Ccredit Union and BBB Facebook, Twitter what ever you have. Do not take being ripped off. The TV and radio stations or anyone who helps the crooks also need to be brought on on lie or fraud charges. Any way Like most of you, who knew that buying a book had terms and conditions. Like you I have purchased many books and this did not happen. These company's should ask if it is ok to proceed with taking our mony other wise it is stealing. I fought back and I won. you should too.

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/04/2010 - 23:56

i doubt you won. you just didn't bother reading the terms and conditions and we more than likely credited half of it back.

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/03/2010 - 22:19

Thank you, sounds like a lot of folks were caught up like I nearly did.I don't think i'll become a millionaire going green, but it would be nice to save some $ and do my part to help our abused planet/home.filled out their little form, but saw a red flag when they wanted a cc# for a $1.95 s&h fee??? which brought me here. it is too bad our country does not have the political will to move away from fossil fuels and the problems they create(you'd think gulf crisis would help focus,but??) and now the scammers have found "us". too bad it is a good cause in so many ways.good to see so many like minded folks.

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 09/03/2010 - 12:15

GM misleadingly (as most 'good' advertisers do) exaggerates the value of a product, but actually sells (in the fine print) something else altogether. That does not make it illegal, just deceitful, immoral, & unscrupulous. I have not seen a meaningful critique of the eZine, but the hyperbole/exggeration about the book is a demonstration of almost every advertisement I have bothered to view in my entire life. I am saddened, but also entertained in a cruel way. I am incessantly surprised at the gullibility of the American public that keeps these scammers in their lucrative businesses. Obviously, I did consider the advert enough to look up this sort of critique, so thank you for this dissuasive blog.

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