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) Wed, 09/01/2010 - 21:32

Just saw this while watching TV and glad you are right there at the top to discount it. Having said that, I don't know how many of the same deals I've run into about internet marketing and blogging. There's one that's advertised all over the internet when you are looking at SEO. Wordpress goldmine does the same thing and then charges thru paypal every month just to belong to their forum. It's hard to find out what it is because its thru a company called solhosting on your paypal account. I cancelled this three times and filed a complaint with paypal and I still was charged for three months 19.95 that I'll never see again.

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/02/2010 - 12:14

Glad I checked thia out first or I would have been charged also. Thanks to everyone who helps all others out by their posts. Not going to get the "FREE" book now for sure !

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/17/2010 - 07:29

I've read about all the monies that people are being charged. And individuals representing the company about reading the fine print. Bottom line is the Commercial that shows a man (who by the way, needs to get new glasses or the place he purchased them from should have told him the purpose of the ear pieces are to fit over and around your ears not 2 inches above your ears. Rather silly looking). But I digress, the commerical indicates the $29.95 charge for the book has been waived and the book is free. And that you have to only have to pay shipping and handling (S/H) on the book itself. So it doesn't not matter what the fine print says. The bottom line is the book is free only pay S/H. Why would your account keep being billed for S/H again. Unless the fine print sez something totally different then what the guy on the TV sez. Which means that the company is scamming you and no individual can say you didn't read the fine print. Shouldn't have to read he fine print since the commercial indicates you get the book free and all you have to pay is S/H. S/H should not be a reaccuring charge it should be a one time charge. So Scam, Scam, Scam, Scam. Anyone can write a book and promise the world that money will fall from the sky. All you have to do is write something that gives common sense ideas. Say it is free and pay for S/H. Add a little bit more that will allow you to pay for printing the original, package it and send it via mail. You make a little bit of money and you have done exactly what you promsised to do. This guy goes way beyond that by scamming and recharging your card.

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/16/2010 - 20:04

GM just how you are responding to everyone makes me not wanna buy the book you are very unprofessional. And if your company sent you to defend them they sure sen the wrong person.

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/16/2010 - 15:16

AVOID this Company like the Plague. The Green Millionaire is a SCAM. no wonder they are millionaires

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/31/2010 - 17:43

About 4 months ago I got on the net to get my free book for just a dallor shipping! Back in june, they just decieded to take money out 2 days ago for the $29.95. When I called them to ask why I was getting money taken out of my account they said for a electronic magazine that I was prob getting in my SPAM!! I had no warning no nothing! They said that they were only going to refund half of what they charged and that doesnt account for my over draft fee that I got curtesty to green millionaire. Once I got home from the bank I checked out these so called magazines, newsletters actully saying that you can save money if you download this and that to your computer. Green Millionaire charges you more money than you will prob ever save! Half of the stuff in there doesnt have anything to do with whats really going on in my life. I got there number from my bank a direct line to a REAL person, here it is 877-213-8238.

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/31/2010 - 17:58

If its not a scam than why are soooo many people having problems with this company? They agents are only mad because were talking about there paycheck...Dont buy (literally) into there B.S.

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/26/2010 - 03:58

Those scum sucking slimebags. Don't fall for that crap. You can just buy the book online. And skip their scam

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/10/2010 - 16:35

Well, I am glad I found this in google just in time , I think. I have 4 days left on my trial period and because when I tried to click on as the book instructs to Learn More, it kept putting me back to the order page?? I called them and they said the site must not be working. Dan was the rep and he was very nice. He did try to extend my trial period and is sending me the free solar report...He says. Anyway I THINK I am not getting any more charges. I will let everyone know after I get my credit card bill. He even sent me an email confirming my cancelation. The problem is just like you are all saying: WE MUST READ THE FINE PRINT . The invoice clearly states that you will be charged the 29.95 BUT it was NEVER discussed with me at the time I ordered the 1.95 book so that part is NOT RIGHT.I had NO clue AT ALL that there would be ANY further charges. If not for this site, and checking my invoice after reading all this- I too, would have been stuck. I did read the entire book and it is simple steps that I have already been doing all my life since I am a cheapskate anyway. There was nothing new and most of it our mothers told us or is common sense. By the way, the two newsletters that I received were of little value either. They went to my junk mail because I did not even know I was getting a newsletter and did not know to look for one! IT WAS NEVER EVEN MENTIONED. Buyer beware. They prey on the trusting.

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/25/2010 - 01:51

You can charge back these fraudlant charges by filing a claim with your card holder, if you charged it. (ie visa amex etc...) You must call these green scum bags and demand a refund. They will refuse to refund and try giving you a sales pitch and tell you its all your fault. Get the name of the person you talk to and log the date and time as well. Then also file a claim with the FTC. We can put these dirt bags out of business and you should get a refund of your money. I did.

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