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?

Like what you read? Subscribe to Mapawatt Blog and get new blog posts in an email or in your favorite reader!

Tags:

freegreenwealth.com

freegreenwealth.com scam

Green millionaire book

green millionaire scam

green money book

green money book scam

my free green scam

ripoff report

Category:

Education

Comments

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/01/2010 - 23:18

I too was charged the $89.95 subscription fee. 8772138238 was the number that I called. The first lady I spoke with offered me a refund of $45. I asked for a full refund and she said she couldnt do it. She transferred me to a floor supervisor and the floor supervisor offered the same $45 refund. I persisted, saying I know they can easily refund the money now, or I will have the credit union or the credit card company do it. She agreed to cancel the subscription immediately and to refund the money. The $89.95 was back in my account 48 hours later!

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 09/17/2010 - 21:54

This IS a SCAM! They got me for $89.95 though instead of $29.95! I have called, of course they are not open! I am calling my bank and them first thing Monday. Don't give rip off artists your money!

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/17/2010 - 09:14

OK! Wow! I have been scammed and to boot I don't even recieve their emails every 60 days like they claim. I just called to cancel and I did talk to a live person named Sandy. She refunded the last 29.95 and cancelled (we'll see) my subscription. She was very pleasant until I told her that she should not be proud to work for a company like this. She has been working for them for 5 years. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures and if you really need a job this is the bottom of the barrell but it's a job.

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 08/22/2010 - 16:25

Kathi, my advice to you sweetie is to check your spam and junk folders and mark them as safe. Also the great part of you paying for the program is, if you miss the emails? Call us and let us know, we will be happy to re-send them to you. And it also isn't every 60 days. Based on your comment, you are/were on the $29.95 subscription. That means you'd get an email every week. You are billed every 60 days. Customer's on the $89.95 program receive 2 emails a week. It also depends on where you order the product from. For the price difference. But it is all the same as to what exactly you're trying to accomplish by ordering the product. So you in no way were SCAMMED. And I LOVE of how customer's say of how we should be ashamed to work for a company like this. Or God will tell you how it is on judgement day. Well,,, me,,, personally I am an atheist. I believe I was born, I'm living and I'll die. So as long as my loved ones cremate me as per my wishes, I'll be a happy camper. And it is a business. A BUSINESS! Not a charity. I am happy you were helped by a happy agent. And I highly doubt your comment about her job changed her attitude for the day.

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 08/21/2010 - 12:11

What a snob some people are! With the way things are you are going to come down on someone who answered your phone call and listened to your concerns. How dare you talk about another American's occupation. What do you do... I know sit at home while your husband work and order get rich scam's off the T.V. and on the radio. Huh? I know your type. Go back into the hole you come from and stay there and let the rest of us work.

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 08/15/2010 - 19:18

I wrote to Discovery Channel, asking them to read this blog and stop airing the GM. You all should do the same. Supply them with enough information to get to the comment field and type your displeasure with the commercial. http://corporate.discovery.com/contact/viewer-relations/ There is power in numbers. Remember, we are America Rising!!! If you saw it on another channel, find that website and make it available to everyone too. Good Luck, JUL

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:51

thank u so much 4 the info on BOTH ends,was goin 2 order the free book,but as usual,when something sounds 2 good 2b b true,it usually is,dont get me wrong,i weigh ALL my options,i would probably had taken a chance and then cancel..and might not got through 2 cancel,BUT would had 2 cancel my credit card,B-U-T-.i didnt hear about any helpful info they were talkin about on the t.v. commercial,so i will b passin on this,thanks 2 reading all these responds

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 07/31/2010 - 11:07

You know what I do to stop these (insert expletive here)? - I get an american express gift card...then use that to pay the 1.00 - if the card was say only 25.00 to begin with,the larger charge is rejected - end of scam.They really don't have any recourse...

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 10/02/2010 - 08:17

all you have to do is read, understand what you are reading, follow the instructions and you will not be charged unless you want the product being offered. Stop complaning and READ Happy customer:)

ckmapawatt Sat, 10/02/2010 - 13:04

What if the people behind Green Millionaire "conveniently" place text where most people don't look for it?

blog