Central Direct Solutions - telemarking call resulted in $ 289.00 taken from 78 year old man's account

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on June 26, 2002:

From: Henderson, Linda [Email User]

RE: Central Direct Solutions - telemarking call resulted in $ 289.00 taken from 78 year old man's account

To the Postmaster General: Please be advised that on June 11, 2002, $289.00 was withdrawn from my father's (Jack Strickler) bank account by Central Direct Solutions. I contacted Central Direct Solutions [(866) 809-1818] the same day and spoke to Alan Lawrence. I advised Mr. Lawrence that my father was confused by the telemarketer who contacted him and he did not want to make the purchase. At that time, I requested the $289.00 be reimbursed immediately to my father's account.

Mr. Lawrence said he would call me back in 20-30 minutes with verification from the tape, and they had no problem reimbursing the money, they understood "buyer's remorse." He did not call back. I called Mr. Lawrence back at 1:28 p.m. PST and left a voicemail stating I would like to get the matter resolved that day. On June 12th at 9:15 a.m., I left another voicemail for Mr. Lawrence asking him to call me so we could get the matter resolved. I spoke to Mr. Lawrence called at 2:50 p.m. and said he had listened to the tape and my father did agree to purchase the product, but if I wanted a credit to my father's account, he would do that. He asked if I wanted to listen to the tape and I told him I didn't need to listen to the tape, just wanted the credit to the Account. He asked me to call back at 11:00 on June 13 and I agreed. On June 13th at 12:30 (approx.), I called and listened to the tape. I told Mr. Lawrence it was very hard to understand, that my father had told them he wanted a refund and we still wanted the account credited with the $289.00. He told me he had put in the paperwork that morning and that it should be there in 4-5 business days (which would be on June 19 or 20). Mr. Lawrence assured me there was no problem with reimbursing the Account. I checked the Account on the morning of June 20th and when the funds were not reimbursed, I tried calling Mr. Lawrence, but only got a voicemail. I left a message asking him to return my call. I tried again in the afternoon that same day, but again got the voicemail. No return call. I tried continuously throughout the day on Friday, June 21, left another voicemail asking him to please call back. On Monday, June 24th, I left another message asking Mr. Lawrence to call back and tried calling numerous times and at various times during the day, but only got voicemail each time. Tuesday, June 25th, I left a voicemail for Mr. Lawrence stating if I did not hear from him within the hour, I was contacting the Postmaster General and the Better Business Bureau. He called back and left a voicemail at 12:35 p.m. stating that even though he had put the paperwork in, the person who was supposed to take care of it didn't, and they now inform him that the funds won't be credited to the Account until after the first of the month. He suggested I go to my father's bank and fill out an Affidavit to Federal Reserve and that they would reimburse the Account and then recoup the money from Central Direct's bank. I called Mr. Lawrence back and told him that after the first of the month was not acceptable, they certainly didn't hesitate to take the money out and they could certainly put the money back in and that I didn't think it was my bank's responsibility or the Federal Reserve's to recoup the money from Central District. He stated that "they" only do these "credits" when the file "builds up" and that was the time frame they had given him.

He also stated that he was under no obligation to refund this money, that he was only doing it because I was a "nice person." I told him no product had been received, it had been cancelled the same day the money was withdrawn and there was no reason to delay any longer. He told me he would contact "them" the first thing in the morning (Wednesday, June 26th) and call me back. It is now 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26th and I have not received a call back. I have again left a voicemail for him to call. Central Direct Solutions has now had my father's money for 14 days. I think we have been patient enough. My parents are 78 years old and live on a fixed income. They cannot afford to have $289.00 taken out of their account. Please let advise me as to what recourse we have in this matter and if you require any further information to do an investigation. Thank you for your help in this matter. Sincerely, Linda S. Henderson