Columbia House / Edge Line Ventures review: This company is a SCAM! 72

Concerning columbiahouse.com DVD club. I have been a Columbia House member off and on for several years with very few problems. But the last few months I only received one correct order, and it takes many many contacts and weeks to get even a remotely satisfactory response to a problem. First, I placed an order with the wrong credit card. I called immediately and asked to change the card I was billed with. If the person I talk to had informed me that this involved them canceling the order and re-placing it I would have just done that myself. Instead, I received an order that was several movies short and cost more than it was supposed to. For example: I was charged 29.95 for a 19.97 DVD. When I called again I was told that 29.95 was the lowest this DVD had ever been priced, but when I looked on the website it was still selling for 19.97. Eventually I just re-ordered everything and sent back the items from the first order that multiple calls and emails had been unable to get corrected. Next I order 12 movies. 4 of them were shipped separately and when they billed my card the charge didn't go through for some reason. They sent me an email saying to send 19.04 and they would ship the 4 movies. I sent the payment with the email. They applied the payment as a credit to my account. I emailed about getting the movies and received a response that I had a credit on my account. I emailed again and someone sent me the movies, along with a bill for 2.00. Since I had already paid for the movies, I sent several emails protesting this charge. About the 3rd time, I got an email back saying they were sorry for the inconvenience and were sending me the movies, and charging my credit card 25.08 for them. I contacted them right away and said don't send the movies, I already have the movies, I just wanted a charge taken off my account. I was told it was too late and to send them back when they arrived. I have yet to be refunded for these titles, which I never ordered in the first place. In the mean time, I had ordered 5 movies for a total of 33.75 (4 @ 6.95, 1 @5.95). After a week and a half, they shipped them and charged my credit card 51.87 (4 @ 7.98, 1 @19.95), so I sent them all back. I only received credit for 2 of the movies I sent back, one which had been in a box by itself, and one which had been sent in a big box containing the other 4 movies. I sent this email: "I sent back the entire order [protected] only 2 of the DVDs were credited, even though I know you received all of them because there were 3 other movies in the same box with Lilith, and Lilith was received by you. There should also be credits for Kitty Foyle 7.98, An Awfully Big Adventure 7.98 and The Burbs 19.95. I know you received them all because they were rubber banded to Lilith and you got that one. All I did was write return to sender on the box and take it to the post office, so if 43.89 worth of merchandise was sent to me, then 43.89 was returned to you. Please credit the rest of the order, which you received almost 2 weeks ago."

I finally got this response: "Thank you for providing information about your returned shipment. Although we did not receive the return of the selections noted below, we are crediting your account. If this was a credit card purchase, we will apply your credit to the card you used.

LILITH $6.95
AWFULLY BIGADV $6.95
BURBS $5.95

Please allow one billing cycle for the credit to appear on your next credit card statement."

As with most of the email responses I get, the person sending it does not appear to have actually read my message. I try to make them a s clear and straightforward as possible, with all pertinent information. But I get replies that make me want to tear my hair out. I know I should have done this sooner, but if I can ever get this matter resolved, and get my credit for the other movies I was sent that I didn't order, I will never order anything from these people again. They screw up the orders and you can't get hold of anyone who speaks English to get things fixed. Jill.

I received a collection notice claiming that Columbia House had filed a complaint against me in the amount of $29.83. When I called the Collection Agency, they said that I owed Columbia House for a video ordered in October 2004 and gave me an old work address that I supposedly ordered this to be sent. I retired (permanently on disability) and have not worked at that location since May 21, 2003. I tried to explain that to them but the Collection Agency said there was nothing they could do.

I also tried calling and emailing Columbia House even though the Collection Agency said they now own the debt. On the phone, I was unable to speak to anyone and kept getting cut off. By e-mail, I just got a reply that they needed my member number to review my order.

I DIDN'T ORDER, DON'T OWE AND NEVER DID OWE THIS BILL.

They were after me for over a year for money I didn't owe. Here's how I stopped them cold with one letter:

Send a letter to whomever sent you the bill (a collection agency or Columbia House itself) by CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUIRED (this is your proof they received the letter). This will cost you about $5, but it is worth it. When you get the green slip back, staple it to the letter and store both safely for at least three years.

In the letter tell them:
The account number listed
The balance they indicate you owe
"I do not believe I owe this debt"

Enter this paragraph, word for word, except for changing the info in brackets [ ] to fit your particular state:

[begin letter]
Section 805 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that you provide me with ALL of the following information:

The name and address of the original creditor
The date of the original transaction
The amount of the original transaction
The date you acquired this debt
The amount you now claim is owed
The names, addresses, telephone numbers and social security numbers of all parties associated with this debt
Proof that I owe this debt
A copy of my State and Federal rights concerning this debt, including information on how to dispute it
Proof that you are licensed in the State of [your state], as well as providing me with your [your state here] license number.

You are aware, of course, that you cannot contact me further until this information is provided in full.

[end of letter]

after your signature add:

cc: [name of your state Attorney General]
Attorney General
State of [your state]

I cannot get ahold of this company and they are continuously taking money out of my credit card. If you have any information on this company please notify me as soon as possible. Thank You

I received one dvd in the mail and I did not order it. I sent back the bill with a note saying this was never ordered and to cancel.

They sent me a bill for $48.88 and as of May 4, 2007 they say they are going to report me to a national reporting agency. What a scam!

BEWARE! Do not, do not, do not use this company for any reason whatsoever. I ordered 5 movies for .49 cents each plus shipping. The total came to less than 20 bucks. A few days later and my account gets hit for 109.70! This is a major scam! BEWARE!. There customer service number is very hard to find, but I got it after an extensive google search. It is [protected].

Hope this helps!

Columbia house sent me a dvd i never ordered and expect me to pay by a certain date or i'll have to pay a late fee. now i have to spend my time and money to return dvd.

I am being sent a bill for 43.86 for Dvds that I did not sign up for. I have not joined this club and I have returned the dvd that was sent to me. My account still was not refunded!

Beware of this scam company!

I agree, unfortunately I used a debit card and they withdrew my account and I am paying $35.00 for each overdraft fee they cause. I can't close the account because of the direct deposits coming in. I so want to get this company for this.

I have tried to reach Columbia House Video Club several different ways, but cannot give an account number and therefore cannot contact anyone.

I have been charged for something, but don't know what it is.

I have put the charge in dispute with my credit card company, and now must figure out how to contact these people without my account number.

I ordered one free video, which cost $5.00 shipping and handling, and now have larger charges on my credit card.

Thank you,
Eileen Posner

I paid off my debt to Columbia House in 2001 before purchasing my home. Now, I am being stalked by a collection agency that says they have purchased "the debt" yet they will not send proof of the debt. Here's a link to their website if you've been getting the automated calls as well:

http://www.kcafs.com/newsite/management.htm.

I have also had a hard time figuring out why I'm shipped movies I did not order and why I am overcharged for movies priced at 1/4th the cost billed. I need a response or ship my correct order or refund.

Columbia House is notorious for sending people who have never signed up with them DVD's they didn't order, and then charging for them. They don't put their name on the package so you will go ahead and open it. After it's opened...you can't refuse it. I'll be darned if I'm paying one red cent to this scam of a company even to ship back their stuff.

If this happens to you, call: [protected], which is their management phone line. Someone WILL actually answer this, unlike the rest of the phone numbers you try.

I had written them 3 different times about the problem, and they didn't respond other than to continue to send me overdue invoices.

I called the above number, told them I was NOT paying them a dime, and they could cancel my account, wipe off the balance due, and lose my address or I would be contacting my attorney. I did also, and recommend everyone that has trouble, TURN THEM IN TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU! Just do a google search for better business bureau in whatever state you are in. Maybe after so many people actually stand up and refuse to pay for this scam and turn them in... the authorities will do something about their evil, dishonest marketing practices!

I ordered several times from Columbia house. After some time has passed, I asked Columbia House why my obligation, the amount of dvd you have to buy in a 2 year period, is going up not down with my purchases. I purchased more than the amount required to fulfill my obligation. I wrote them many months ago and asked them what is going on with this account. I have heard nothing until today, where they sent me a bill for $87.76. They are crazy! I have every intention of fighting this, this includes attorney and dept. of justice.

Thank you for your time!

My name is Trishanna Thomas and my account number is [protected]. Around May to June of 2007 I received my DVD of Freedomland the only one which I choose. I sent it back before time of being charged. So I wrote a letter to them many times saying that I did want to cancel my account because I was expecting a child in July.They have now sent another letter saying that I owed 9.95 with two late charges of 3.00. My account has now reached 95.88 for selections I haven't received. The statement on my account purchases as far as Sept.14 is now 111.83. I feel they are not a good company bc now they are trying to put it on my credit report.

I had 30 dollars on my prepaid card and from them moment it took me to put it on my card to the gas station it was gone. 5 minutes max. Good thing I had my rent money with me. Now Im short on my rent. Im very angree with columbia house they never told me that they were going to give my card number to someone else.

I was a member of Columbia House DVD Club for 3 years. According to Columbia House, I was a member in good standing. At the beginning of my membership, I was exempt from shipping charges, but the rules changed, and I had to pay for shipping. At the same time, a strange thing happened: I stopped receiving the DVD's I had ordered, but was charged for. I would contact Columbia House about not receiving the order, and they would send me a new order (which I would receive), and charge me for both orders until they got an affidavit from me stating that I had never received the first order.

This happened about 4 times, until I started using the expedited shipping for an extra $4.99 per order. As I write this, it sounds like a scam in order to force more money out of me to get an order. I eventually joined the Columbia House DVD on TV Club and cancelled my other membership. I have had no problems with new club, but I am on pins and needles every time I place an order. I always use expedited shipping.

The post office put a watch on my mail to make sure that no one was going through my mail and stealing my DVD's. My mail carrier walks all my packages to my door now, and makes sure I get everything. I don't know if someone was stealing all my DVD's, but they must have been disappointed in the selection since my tastes are not the more modern types of movies. I suspect that my DVD's were never packed or shipped, and my order forms are in a shredder somewhere. I do every transaction with them through the internet. How is it that 4 original orders never made it to my door, after I had to pay for the shipping?

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

I am being billed for items not ordered

I am a member of Columbia House, membership # [protected]. I called them on Dec. 17, and told them not to charge my credit card again. They said they would start billing me. I found out today that they charged my credit card for $37.96 without my permission. I want that money put back in my account immediately. I tried to call them today and was on hold for 2 hours. I am very very upset.

It does about 4 or 5 months I received an email, that said wins gains a computer Mac, I began to make the application, wrote my direction two or three times, the application was very long and n or finishes it, I decide to me to have appearance the company Columbia House video, at no moment I I had the intention to buy something. For my surprise I received a DVD by a value of 11,34$, my intention was to pay it, but as I had not requested east product, I said myself I am going to wait for a little so that they do not feel attempted to return to send other products, in less than 4 months the sum has raised 79,10$ this is without to have received nothing else. This is aberrant, to be robbed by a company with as much powerful money and when I am poor.

About three years ago I opened an account with columbia house where they claimed that i would only have to pay 49 cents per DVD. WELL... lets just say that was a big mistake, I would send the DVDs i didn't want back and they would claim that I had never sent them, in the end I had to pay FULL price for all my DVDs and cancel my account. I thought that I was finished with this ordeal until one saturday morning THREE YEARS LATER, when i get a call from a collections agency telling me i owe columbia house money. The problem is I cant get in touch with a human at their company to resolve this issue, and reading the posts on this site I see that I am not the only person who has had issues with columbia house! This is ridiculous I don't see how this site is still in business. Please if any one has ANY type of information on how i can resolve my problem email me, I would really appreciate it.

I returned a movie that was sent to me by Columbia House. It was never opened so I am not sure what the movie is. They sent
me a postcard saying they couldn't credit my account without knowing the name of the movie.

What do I do? I no longer have the cd!

On Oct/13th I bought four DVD at a Columbia House online offer charged on my credit card, an amount of US$13.44. For my surprise, on Nov/14th they charged on my Credit Card US$28.11. On Nov/15th, after lot of calls I asked to cancel the charge because I didn't accept to join their DVD CLUB that they promptly agreed; so, on Dec/4th I got a refund for this amount. In the meantime I received one DVD by mail that I have never asked for and I returned it. On Nov/30th Columbia House charged me again an amount of US38.95. I called my Credit Card Service to avoid any charges from Columbia House because it could be a fraud. Then on Dec/19th I received a refund for it.

On Dec they send me again one parcel with DVDs by themselves, I returned it unopened again. On Feb/5th I received a letter from Columbia House charging me an existing balance of US$ 118.88 for a service that I have never received or asked for; inside they included a threatening advice: “ UNLESS YOU SEND US YOUR PAYMENT PROMPTLY OR CONTACT US TO REACTIVATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP, WE WILL REPORT YOUR ACCOUNT TO A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY, WHICH WILL RETAIN THIS INFORMATION IN ITS FILE FOR UP TO SEVEN YEARS ”. If they keep their promise my financial score will certainly be affected soon. I think this is a fraudulent and unfair Internet business practice.

I would like that a Government Agency should close this company because of so many claims reported in almost all consumer affairs sites, avoiding more consumers would be damaged each day.

NEVER SIGNED UP FOR THE DVD THEY SENT ME---I can't contact them by phone or internet, Why should I pay postage to send it back when I didn't order it! I have no idea how they got my name or address-- I'm 72 yrs. old and if I was going to order a DVD it certainly wouldn't be MIAMI VICE----I am also on Social Security. I can't afford this club.

I received an e-mail that stated my dvd selection was mailed on 4/8/o8 Forest Gump was the selected movie. I did not sign up with Columbia House for anything at all. I received the dvd in the mail today 4/10/08. I am beside myself with anger. I don't know what type of scam you are trying to pull but you are barking up the wrong tree. Call me at [protected].

I joined columbia house and they said I would receive movies free for joining. I would get half now and the rest after I bought so many. I bought my movies and paid them off and still have not received my movies.
However they sent me a movie today 4-22-08 and want me to pay 27.00 for it. I sent it back...

I just want what they promised me. At this point they have not kept their end of our agreement which is false advertizement.

I tried to call but of course they have no phone for customers to call to settle things like this.
Please contact me ASAP at [protected] or my email
thanks Eduardo

I have called and emailed Columbia House DVD Club that I wanted to cancel this membership and they are still sending me the DVD's in the mail. I DO NOT want anymore so please stop sending them to me or I will not send them back.

I received a bill today from Columbia House for $117.70 stating that I need to settle my past due account by 5/18/08. First of all I haven't ordered anything from them or received anything from them. I am very upset due to the fact they have already turned me over to a collection agency. This is the first bill or anything I have ever received from them. I think this is a bunch of crap and a scam. I need to know what I can do to resolve this. Nor do they have a website that you can obtain any info regarding this. Please help me regarding this matter!

I NEVER SIGNED UP FOR ANY DVD AND I RECEIVED ONE TODAY IN THE MAIL I DO NOT INTEND TO PAY FOR IT AS I DID NOT AGREE TO PURCHASES ANY DVD NOR WANT TO. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO?

I don't believe I ever signed up for the club and yet I have received dvd after dvd. I paid for the first one but have returned them since then. Please remove my name and address from your system. Everett

I recieved a totally unsolicited DVD. I have not "joined" the Columbia House DVD club or solicited a product from them. I was sent a DVD titled "Georgia Ruls", which I have never heard of and do not wish to have nor other products from Columbia House period.

1st off I used to be a member of Columbia House back in 2001. I fullfilled my requirement and all was paid that was due to Columbia House. Last year about this time I received a letter stating the $32 had gone to collections.
After talking the the collection agency and Columbia House not having any record of my account or what the $32 was for the collection agency terminated the payment of $32. All was well until last week when I get a phone call from a different collection agency stating that I now owe Columbia House $150 and some change. Gas prices must have made the price go up. Not sure what is going on here but if this is not bad business I don't know what is.

Scam and fraud! Beware all!

My boyfriend got a dvd in the mail from columbia house and they wanted $5 for it. my boyfriend (Ray) said he never ordered anything from them, but we decided to watch the movie and he sent the $5 for it. Now he keeps getting dvd's in the mail that he didn't order with a bill of $51. He sent back the dvd that was sent and there is 1 dvd they say they sent, but he never got it. I emailed them telling them to stop sending dvd's and have sent back any dvd's that have been coming. I hope that this works. From all that I have been reading on line about them I have a feeling it will not end here. They are crooks is what they are so I will let you know what happens. The fact that you cannot even talk to a human when you call them tells you that! That is ridiculous!

Thank You for your info on them.

Tracy

They send movies sometime multiples of same movie and I have to pay return shipping and the bill is always wrong.

They're trying the same thing with me, even though we've never belonged to columbia house. I notice it's interesting that the name they have is not our full name. If my name were John Q Smith, they are sending it to SJohnQ, even on the now "we're sending a collection agency to get you" letters. I wonder if they bought a mailing list that didn't include full last names.

When I called and gave them the account number on the invoice, they repeatedly asked for my full name which I was too smart to give them. They said I ordered something on the web. I pointed out that I went to their site and found no way possible to order anything without arranging payment first. They have no "bill-me" option.

I wrote on an invoice that nobody by this name exists at this address, they sent me a post card acknowledging they received my note and asked that I return the dvd they sent. So I wrote "return to sender" and stuck it in the mail.

So now they are sending collection notices for $130, without a full name. Make me laugh. I think I'll take some of their postage paid envelopes and put some heavy sheet metal scraps in them and send them so they have to pay the postage. HA.

What a bunch of losers. Yes YOU columbia house, I'm sure you've googled this and found these posts - How does it feel to have such a crappy job trying to screw people? I'll be you feel good at the end of the day when you've successfully scared some old woman enough to send part of her measly SS check to you just so you can probably continue to screw her for more.

Go home tonight, look in the mirror and say it out loud, LOSER!

it very simple accually you just need to call and say you did not sing up by law they will cancel with no charges and be carefull with the internet by you clicking on just a link you may sing for something so don't put everything on them you may have done it

I was out of country on vacation for little over 3 months, visiting my Aunt's & cousins in Germany. I went with my mom she goes a trip every other year. So it was my chance not working drawing unemployment. So I left for my Home Land. When I come back this company is threating me to turn there ### ### to the Collection agency. I paid for my DVD with it's late charge of $7.96.
Serial # of the money order from U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, on 2008/10/04. Clerk #0005, Post Office 60481. That's my reciept. There wanting to pay for the last 5 DVD's right now which I'm not. I've got 2 years plus I got Free DVD VOUCHER'S, buy one get one FREE. So many people have told me about this COMPANY FOR RIPPING THE PUBLIC OFF. There not going to do this to me. I buy my share, but I'm not paying$124.70 at once they can turn me into their COLLECTION AGENCY!If they can't act like a company is suppose to, THEN SCREW THEM. I DON'T LIKE BEING THREATED BY ANY JEWISH COMPANY. Make you mind up, Richard Staples...

some one else ordered using my name
sent to an address that i never lived at
i called to advise columbia house of my address info
they sent me to collections and changed the dates of delivery but still got it wrong
i did not live at the address when they shipped out the product. both times they indicated they shipped
again i did not order nor did i receive this product

I resolved any issues that I had with Columbia DVD Club over a year ago. At that time I requested and was informed that my account with the club was cancelled. Now one year later I receive a bill for $99.00 stating that I did not fulfill my obligations with the club to order and pay for selections. This is appaling because I never received anything from Columbia House DVD Club in terms of any communication whatsoever during this year nor did I receive any notification that I was a member---no selection cards---no bills---no anything and all of a sudden I received a bill for $99.00. I want this bill to be cancelled! I want my account to be cancelled Member number 50496491619D09976 298111. And lastly I want confirmation that you have cancelled my account.

Thank You,

Phyllis Diesel