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Seattle Direct Coffee

Seattle Direct Coffee review: Excessive charges 68

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Author of the review
12:00 am EST
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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Like the other person listing on this site, I foolishly signed up for two lbs of coffee and a grinder for $9.99... imagine my surprise when, like that other person, I was charged $34 and, like them, have received two more shipments in the space of one month. The base price is reasonable, but they kill you on shipping and handling...each shipment costing $34 for 2 lbs or less of coffee. I've called 4 times trying to get my name off their list, called my credit card company (who says I have to give them 30 days to give me credit on the original charge... while they continue to pile up further charges.

Please tell everyone you know, let's put these jerks out of business.

68 comments
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B Bricklin
Mar 07, 2007 9:11 am EST

Same thing happened to me. These guys need to change their tactics.

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Terri Levine
Mar 12, 2007 8:25 am EDT

I'm going through this right now! ARrrrggg! Tried calling them but having an extremely difficult time in getting through to the customer service to HALT my subscription. This will probably mean another month of charges and several packages more a month instead of 1 package a month as advertised! I wish I never fell for this in the first place!

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Joe Smith
Mar 15, 2007 6:22 am EDT

I got suckered into this and it seems that the customer service department has gotten a bit better. I just phoned up and canceled my subscription and it only took a couple of minutes. Is this just the first round of difficulties?

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F. White-Poe
Mar 15, 2007 11:02 am EDT

Yes, i too got taken. When i sign up for a free camera. They shipped me 2 shipments within the month of march. $36 a piece. I did not even get the right color. The first time i called the phone went nuts like it was not available phone number.

I called them again and they told me i was on the 2 weeks shipment. I told her i never signed up for that. I did not have that option nor did i have a pass word to get on their site. I checked back the same hour and it looks like they canceled. But $71 for 4 bags of coffee that dont even last is highway robbery. They need to be out of business. They are located in my STATE OF ILLINOIS, not even Seattle now doubt. THANKS, FAITH FROM CHICAGO

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Jed Smith
Mar 27, 2007 5:35 pm EDT

I signed up for the grinder and coffee for $9.99. WELL, I've cancelled and got a cancellation number, BUT I have received 3 shipments in 1 month. On their website it says 1 shipment per month. Almost $100 dollars for a freaking grinder! Is there no recourse for this crap? I don't even remember stating that I would WANT a shipment every month. These crooks should be run OUT OF BUSINESS!

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Michael Decker
Apr 04, 2007 2:51 pm EDT

This gets even better... I've never heard of them or even ordered from them, im not even a coffee drinker. I've called the number several times to find out why and to make sure they put no charges on a card number they shouldn't even have and cant get an answer... as im typing they called back and the rep from the company said that they track the response from a laptop giveaway and get the card number and start charging your card with no authorization, the 9.99 grinder was charged at 36.95 to my card and the next shipment was charged at 34.95... I informed her very loudly that if my card wasn't credited and membership cancelled immediately that i would sue their ### off at which she stated that i need to dispute it with my bank... are you kidding me... I say we group together on a class action law suit or we drive up there together and kick their ###.

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William Paul
Apr 07, 2007 4:11 pm EDT

Seattle Coffee Direct should be run out of business. They are scammers and crooks. I didn't order anything from them but they have charged my credit card for $34.00. I could say a lot more but I just want to warn others not to get involved with them. All of us that have complaints should get together and sign a petition against them.

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Pam Richmond
Apr 08, 2007 11:11 am EDT

I was also scammed with this deal. Deal my ###! Within 1 week of the first charge $34.00 I was billed $36.95. This company is a joke. They should be put out of business. Why doesn't the government do something about these scam artists?

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Michael Burks
Apr 20, 2007 4:34 am EDT

Seems to me we should all be filing complaints with the attorney general in the state where they exist, and with the FTC, and with the Better Business Bureau online. Anyone have an address?

Mike B

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Lewis B. Plummer
Apr 21, 2007 11:15 pm EDT

I don't know what kind of a business this is (or where they are at) but I got the $9.95 teaser rate too and now I can't turn them off either. Coffee is coming two or three times a week and there's no one around here that can drink the stuff that fast. The only way to dump the stuff is to set up a free coffee shop. I haven't gotten through the first shipment yet and I've got a garage full of bags of coffee. i think that someone must have inherited a warehouse full of beans. Anyone want to come over for coffee... and... coffee?

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Jed Smith
Apr 24, 2007 3:07 pm EDT

Without boring you with the duplicate details of my experience with Seattle Direct Coffee, I just wanted to urge all of you to contact the BBB Online and file a complaint. I just did and after the second notification to the company by the BBB Online, they have responded. I'll let you know how it turns out.

RJ
Las Vegas, NV

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Warren Hamm
Apr 30, 2007 8:02 pm EDT

AARRRGHHHHH! Somebody get me a name of a PERSON at Seattle Coffee Direct, so I can send a registered letter, return receipt requested, asking to cancel my account. I keep getting coffee at weird times, unordered coffee, bad tasting coffee. I have some ideas about what they can do with their grinder, but that wouldn't be nice to say...

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gail laudeman
Aug 10, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Ordered 2 bags of coffee plus "free" coffee grinder for $9.95. They charged my ATM card $34.00 for this, plus signed me up for their "coffee club" and in the past month have charged my ATM card $38.95 for 2 lbs. of coffee TWICE! I called the company and they canceled my membership. My bank advised that I cancel my ATM card to stop the charges. I filed a fraud report with the bank and they gave me a temporary credit for the two $38.95 charges while they investigate. DON'T GET HOOKED BY THESE CROOKS!

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Christopher Epps
Nov 12, 2007 10:29 pm EST

Yeah they got me to, they charged me 3 times in one month and this is only the 11 day, so if anybody has any good and legal way to get back please send me any email. With a good effort Im sure we can make them pay!

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Vicki Kolstrup
Nov 22, 2007 4:22 pm EST

They got me too. I would love to put them out of business. They keep taking money from my card and never sent me anything. Its been 2 months now.

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Tim
Dec 03, 2007 2:20 pm EST

I fell for this scam too. They charged $39.95 every time a package was delivered. I returned 3 packages and was told I would reveive a credit and a confirmation email. This was over 30 days ago and I checked my Visa Statement and no credit, further I am still waiting for my confirmation email. In additon, when i signed up for the coffee service, I also was told I would receive a $50 gift certificate to Ruth Chris's and I havent received that as well. In closing, the offer seemed too good to be true and we all know when something is too good to be true -it is usually not true.

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Stephen Tuell
Dec 04, 2007 12:00 am EST

Total rip off. Huge shipping costs. Coffee at about the going rate. NOT EVEN IN SEATTLE.

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Wanda G. Kindell
Jan 09, 2008 12:00 am EST

SeattleDirectCoffee has sent 3 shipments of coffee which was returned marked return to sender;however, they have debited my account for $48.95 three times. I never received an invoice or account number from these people. I am currently trying to recover my money.

Wanda Kindell.

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TimFerris
Jan 21, 2008 12:45 pm EST

I just got the same hustle. I feel as though I've been raped. The grinder, a Cuisinart, stopped working after a few days. I opened up one bag of the coffee, and it was terrible--I never would have bought such dry, tasteless crap in a shop. They also sent me some sort of Hawaiian Hazelnut frou-frou blend that I never would have selected on my own.

I'm blogging this, contacting the BBB online, and asking my state's attorney general to see what they can do about it. This is fraud, and it seems that it's been going on for a good while now.

This was one of a package of deals that offered Microsoft Office 2007 as the premium.

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Jackie Miteff
Feb 18, 2008 2:56 pm EST

The best thing to do when ordering something on-line is to use a credit card. Using a credit card will give you the option of calling your credit card so that they can reverse charges. Seattle Direct Coffee uses fraudulent advertising. They have unfair billing practices and everyone dealing with this company should file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau as well as the Attorney General.

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Got Ripped Off
Feb 22, 2008 1:01 am EST

These guys need to be shut down , as they basically are using fraudulent tactics IE saying that they will send monthly coffee shipments then sending 2-4 at 36 bucks a pop in the VERY FIRST WEEK! OMG thats over $ .144.00 PLUS Shipping & Handling.

The only way to get them to stop over charging your credit card is to cancel it or they will keep sending you shipments you didn't want nor sign up for. Everyone needs to complain and ESPECIALLY contact STATE OF ILLINOIS Attorney General to file a complaint for unethical business practices.

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Nancy Adams
Apr 13, 2008 8:17 am EDT

Me, too. I thank everyone is making me aware of this. I didn't realize that I was a victim, too. Now I know!
I, too, was suckered in and $9.99 turns into $34 + repeated shipments. I didn't even get a Cuisinart coffee grinder - some off brand that stinks. I guess I start the calling process, too.
Wish me luck. If there is a class action suit - count me in.
I will be returning all shipments and I will VISIT THIS PAGE before I jump off a cliff again!
Thanks for all the input.

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rosie2551
Jun 18, 2008 11:16 am EDT

OMG! I have been suckered also, but my shipment is $48.95 a pop...I have been in this only since 6/4/2008 & have now been issued 2 shipments of $48.95 a shipment. My initial startup was supposed to be $5.00 & got charged $25.00 & I assumed the over amount was for handling & shipping. What are they shipping...GOLD? My initial shipment was supposed to be 2 silver travel mugs, & the grinder & 2 packs of coffee. I received the 2 silver travel mugs & 2 plain white mugs (that probably came from a $1.00 store) & 2 packs of coffee, which one of the packs is not correct...so my initial order was screwed up in the first place also. Now I am receiving 2 packs (still 1 is incorrect) of coffee every 7 days at $48.95. I am taking the advise of alot of you & contact the BBB & the Illinois Attorney General. I also want to be notified if there is a class action suit brought against them. I definitely want to be included. My only recourse right now is to stop my credit card & get a new one, that is taking time to now get, but at least the coffee jerks will no longer be able to use my card number.

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rosie2551
Jun 18, 2008 11:53 am EDT

After my last e-mail, I called Seattle Direct at [protected] & talked to a person (I won't even give her the courtesy of calling her a lady) name Linda at ext 3003 (hopefully, this will help someone else), that advises everything everyone here is complaining about is in the terms & conditions on the site. I don't know about alot of you, but I don't normally read (but now will start) the terms & conditions & usually just check the box to move forward. She advised I was supposed to be able to select my time span between the shipments & I advised her there was no where to make a selection & I was also asked for an account number. I noticed from my last shipment that there is nothing about an account number anywhere to be found & I advised her of this also. I advised her I wanted to cancel this all together & she advised me she has cancelled it for me, but we will see. I asked for her last name & she advised she did not have to give me her last name. I advised I wanted to know who I was talking to so when this did not get cancelled (as it appears does not happen from reading everyone else's blogs) I wanted to know who I reported to the Attorney General of Illinois & the Better Business Bureau as this was the biggest scam I had ever seen & have read about. So we will see if the cancellation goes through effective today.

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Nancy
Jun 22, 2008 10:35 am EDT

This company needs to be stopped! I used my debit card and was charged $158.00 in 1 week! No shipments received either! I will be changing my checking account so they can't continue to get ahold of my money! My question is, how can a company stay in business this long committing fraud?

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Alisha
Jun 26, 2008 10:37 am EDT

I did the same. 9.99 teaser rate and coffee grinder. I was charged 83.00 total for the first 2lbs and then the first month shipment. I immediately cancelled the day I was billed. I was told that I would have to pay to return the initial package since I opened the box so I decided, fine I will keep it.. lesson learned.. don't send anything else. I got the confirmation and then asked when they would take off the 43.00 charge for next months shipment. I was told they couldn't take it off because it had already shipped. I returned the second package two weeks ago. I called about getting the shipment credited back to my account and was told it would take 4-6 weeks for them to receive it. They are in Illinois, I am in Wisconsin... it took all of two days for them to send me the damned coffee but somehow it takes 4-6 weeks for them to get it back?

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Charles Green
Jul 16, 2008 8:18 am EDT

I ordered coffee and mugs for $25.00. 4 days later there is an additional $48 charge for something I have no idea what it is. I have not ordered anything else.

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Patricia Floyd
Jul 22, 2008 3:52 pm EDT

They got me, too - shipping out a second shipment within less than a week of my "trial shipment." In fact, the two shipments arrived within 3 days of each other. I am wondering - although they use the Net to set up their scam, they rely on the US Postal Service to deliver their parcels. Sooo - isn't there an element of mail fraud here?

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Michael
Aug 11, 2008 12:37 pm EDT

I am another statistic...I signed up for the trial offer. Thinking that i do like their coffee. why not try it whats the harm? Well I was billed about once a week. for $40.62. I have repeatedly called them to cancel this "Trial" membership. And Well as you can see i have found myself here. I had to go as far as canceling my CC. I started recieving 2 bags of coffee per week. One week i got 4 bags. I guess i didn't read the terms & conditions close enough. I know one thing. The best advertisement is word of mouth. And i will definately tell everyone that i know that. Seattle Coffee Co. are thieves and conartists. So thanks Seattle for making it absolutely clear with out a doubt how unscrupulous your actions and your company are. First time in my life i spent $250.00 for 8lbs of coffee. What a joke of a company.

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Janetlb
Bellerose, US
Sep 25, 2008 10:43 am EDT

This company is a real scam. The was suppose to get two
coffee mugs, two travel mugs and two bags of coffee of my choice, for $5.00
I got the both mugs and two coffees of THERE choice when I called I was told to return them I got the correct one three weeks later and then my credit card was charged $25.00. I called my credit card company they gave me credit for $20.00 but then reversed it because Seattle told them that was the price. I was scamed twice once my the coffee company and once by my credit card company.

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Nicole
Oct 15, 2008 3:33 pm EDT

my husband was being nice knowing that i love coffee, so he signed up for same offer as every one else, but mine cost me $48.97 every week and i had no idea! they took it out 7 different times! I have sent the products back unopened and was supposed to get my money back over a month ago and still havent received it! over $400 off of my bank account and now im being pentalized fees. i stopped the fraud charges because they said id have my money w?in 3 days...that was over a month ago. since i dropped it with bank i can not refile!

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Jeff Berman
Nov 04, 2008 1:24 pm EST

Dear Chris,

I apologize for any problems you may have encountered with our company, Seattle Coffee Direct. Here at Seattle Coffee Direct our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. Please call to speak to a customer service representative at 888-217-CAFE so that we may swiftly rectify this situation. By providing us with some basic information, such as your name and zip code, we can look up your account to clear up any problems. If you are unsatisfied in any way, we will reasonably discontinue service and provide return shipping information. For further clarification, please see our details and terms at https://www.seattlecoffeedirect.com/TC2.php.

Sincerely,
Jeff Berman
Direct of Customer Service
jberman@seattlecoffeedirect.com

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J. Barrett
Nov 08, 2008 1:51 pm EST

I called them. Cancelled my order. Then they charged me the following month. Is that legal?

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Seung Il
Centreville, US
Dec 23, 2008 5:23 pm EST

I thought I was ordering $5 promotion which included two bags of cofffee and two travel mugs. I find out later that they charged $25 and then $38.95 each month. They are total shameless scammers - when I called them and got a hold of a representative, he told me that I missed the fine print. Man, I never miss the fine print, EVER. And they don't know anything about how to select or roast coffee beans. Their coffee sucks. Seriously, how can they call themselves "Seattle" Direct?! STAY AWAY!

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ICAN
Sacramento, US
Jan 16, 2009 6:32 pm EST

thought I was to receive 2 one pound bags of coffee, two thermal travel mugs, and two cups for $4.99, but was charged .20 international fee, $25.00 the same day order was placed(Jan 7, 2009), another charge of $38.95 within three days (Jan 10, 2009).
Received coffee, mugs and cups without a statement enclosed.

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cmoon
Galena, US
Jan 24, 2009 10:21 am EST

I ordered two coffees, 2 travel mugs and 2 coffee mugs on another web site, and after I received those, I continued to receive coffee, getting charged $38 per week. I called and cancelled. The next day, they took another charge out, did not send coffee (not that I wanted it, it is not that great). I called again, and spoke to Angelina, who seems to be the only person manning customer service. I was to fax a copy of my bank statement showing that they did charge me. I did this on November 6. I heard nothing back, so I called again and again. Finally, during my christmas break, she said I would be refunded my money. Well obviously that hasn't happened. I am mailing out the coffee I received, a copy of my fax and the information, and I am returning it for a refund. I highly doubt I will get one, but I am attempting to do it anyway. By the way, anyone who has gotten the offer on another website, will have a hard time convincing Angelina that it did not direct you to the Seattle Direct website, which I did not see.

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Lisa Lee
Sacramento, US
Jan 30, 2009 3:58 pm EST

The same thing happened to me. I called them and they told me to return the coffee and they'd reimburse the $38.95 charge. I returned the coffee, they recieved it on 1/5/2009 and I'm still waiting for my credit card to be reimbursed.

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laurie92291
Aberdeen, US
Feb 06, 2009 2:23 pm EST

thats exactly what they did to me same promotion. now they debited my account and wont refund the returned coffee.

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rodiepode
Sheldon, US
Mar 06, 2009 5:34 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This is a letter that I wrote to these jerks. Obviously I left out my personal info for this post.

I called to cancel my account (the first time) after my first order. Someone apparently didn't care that I cancelled, and billed me for/sent me more coffee anyway. The second time I called to cancel, I was told to just ship the coffee back and I'd get a full refund. Well, I did that, and instead of a refund, I was charged a SECOND TIME! I have the credit card statements to prove it.

If I don't hear from you soon, I will report your company to the better business bureau, and refuse the charges on my credit card, and have bank of america go after you for their money.

To avoid bad publicity, I strongly suggest that you CALL me: or email me at my NON SPAM account:

Sincerely,

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Cindy Dunn
US
Mar 14, 2009 12:31 pm EDT

THESE GUYS ARE CROOKS! Neither my husband nor I drink coffee and neither of us signed up for anything. They still won't tell me how they got my bank card number but you can bet that I had it changed pronto. We have returned everything they sent us (three shipments in about ten days) over a month ago and we still haven't received our money back. We have had to contact our bank and get them involved. The company reps still claim that they have not received the packages we returned (unopened) and that it usually takes about four weeks when you return to sender. (MORE B. S.)

My husband likes the idea someone had of getting a group together and kicking their ### but that would only make a bad situation worse. Someone should tell the city of Seattle that these ###s give the city a bad name.