Pimsleur Approach
Reviews and Complaints

Was your learning experience from the first 4 CDs or how many CDs did you go through to get this benefit? Did you get prficient in the language in 10-days?

Thanks, finally some feedback on the product!

The Pimsleur Approach program is not a scam or fraudulent. Most of these comments don't even comment on the product itself, just issues people had with shipping, billing and things of the sort. If you want to comment on problems with that then there should be a separate topic based solely on that. I find it very ridiculous how people order things off the Internet without reading the terms and conditions and the fine print. IT"S OFF THE INTERNET PEOPLE! You should take the time read them for a lot of the things your purchase. If after reading the terms and conditions, it would have been known that after purchasing the offer you would later be charged for future shipments and so on and so on. Don't just order things off the Internet just according to how you perceive it to be without actually reading the terms and conditions and say that you have been deceived or it's a fraud. Also when it comes to ordering products on line from the Internet or by call and pay by phone, I don't recommend it since too many people have issues. Which is why I recommend just getting it from Amazon or eBay. You get what you ordered with a greatly slighter chance of shipping problems and you don't have to worry about automatic recurrent payments.

Now to talk about the product and my personal experience with it, the Pimsleur Approach is real deal. It does exactly what it says it does. When I began taking French in high school i quickly saw that it was not very effective when it actually being able to use and communicate in the language. At first I decided to take french since it was a language I needed to learn and was thrilled at the opportunity of being able to do so.
Being Congolese, I come from a french speaking family and culture. Unfortunately, my parents never really spoke to me in french or in any of the other languages they knew. A reason for that would be for some reason there are some American doctors that tell foreigners not to teach their children their native language, because this is America they must speak English and too many languages being spoken at home will delay a child's development. And being foreign and seeing that this is being said by an AMERICAN doctor, they must be right therefore some comply.
So within the first few months of class I could pick up the material a little better than the others because I was already accustomed to hearing french so some of the stuff just clicked. But, it still was not enough. So I began searching for language learning software and programs that could help me out. None of them seemed to be efficient. Finally I came across Pimsleur. After trying it I could actually start conversing with my dad in french. My classmates began to see that I was actually somewhat of a french speaker and my teacher even commented several times that I should be in French 2 not French 1. Also on my trip to visit family members in Congo, many of them were surprised on how well my french was for an American and with no accent. Here in the states I attend mass in french, and even the fellow french and french speaking church goers noticed how well I am able to speak in french. Pimsleur Approach is definitely a great program, and I would highly recommend it.

It is not the Pimsleur product that we are complaining about it is the deceptive billing and adverting practice performed by their reseller www.pimsleurapproach.com with the company named Stroll.

This company is a reseller of www.pimsleur.com. Their name is www.pimsleurapproach.com and use the name Stroll on the billing.
I was first approached to purchase a trial CD for learning Spanish. The cost was approximately $9.95 which I paid online via a virtual credit card that expires after one month. They received the $9.95 payment. I received the single trial disk. I then received another package from them with the Spanish 1 level and this had a 30 day return policy. In the letter it did not mention the total cost of 4 X $64 for a total of $256. It did not mention any cost.

I received an email billing that stated I owe $64 for the Spanish 1 package. The billing did not mention that this was a partial payment. I thought that $64 was the total cost for the received package. I thought it was a good deal so I made the payment. Nowhere did it say I was making a partial payment. I paid this with a virtual credit card that is only good for one month. I then received another email stating I own $64 with no other information. To me it looked like a rebilling. The bill made no reference to the first payment or that this was a partial second payment. I check my credit card and saw that I paid the $64 – the first payment. I called the number on the email billing and this is when I realized the total cost. I explained to them the deception and they said I still owed the money and the bill would go to collections.

I have disputed the original first payment of $64 with my credit card company and will not pay any more to this deceptive company. I have not returned the Spanish I package – I will wait to see the outcome before returning it.

Also, had I continued to make the other 3 payments they would have sent me the next Spanish II package and then followed by the Spanish III package; Each at a cost of $256. That would be a total cost of 3 X $256 or $768.

I am not saying that the product is not worth it, I just don’t want to be deceived into thinking it is much much less and then not being able to return the product for a refund.

I talked to the main company www.pimsleur.com and told them about their reseller Stroll, www.pimsleurapproach.com using deceptive selling practices.
Pimsleur should not deal with this reseller, Stroll www.pimsleurapproach.com, now that they know it is using deceptive billing practices.

Am I the only person who is happy with Pimsleur? I received my dics for the $9.95 and found them wonderful. I was speaking Italian (very limited sentences mind you) within three days and am now on Disc #5 and learning the language very quickly - enough to get me through my vacation in Italy. When I read the packaging material enclosed with the dics and discovered that they were going to send the complete course to me within three weeks, with a "trial period" and charge me for the course if I decided to keep it after a thirty day trial period, I sent an email to the president of Pimsleur and told him I was not at all interested in the complete course and that I am happy with the $9.95 course. If the "complete course" were to be sent to me I would only send it back unopened. I have not yet heard from them and the course had not been sent to me. That was about a month ago. If, in fact, the course is sent, I shall return it. I have taken the complete Pimsleur Spanish course, paid for by the government, and it is absolutely wonderful. It is, by far the best language course on the market. I have used many other courses including Rosetta Stone. Pimsleur is worth its weight in gold if you need the complete language course for business or if you are going to be living overseas. For traveling purposes, I found the $9.95 Italian course sufficient, especially since I already speak French and Spanish.

The same thing happened to me and I filed a report to the Better Business Bureau and they have a LONG history of complaints.

It is true. This company--PimsleurApproach, located in Philadelphia-- seems to be trying to defraud its customers. Unbelievable. PimsleurApproach sent me this sizeable package, informed me that it was my obligation to call some number *anytime* to arrange to return it or else they would continue sending me more language discs and bill me $59 for a total of times, which comes to $236 if my addition is correct.

I called the number. It is not available anytime, but only M-F, business hours. That is 25% of the time, not *anytime*. I don't know what is going on with this company. It feels like they are running a scam. That is just speculation on my part, but such speculations come to mind.

What an incredible hassle for me. I order and paid for a product I wanted a month ago and then all of a sudden this. I myself personally will never have another interaction with PimsleurApproach. I personally would not trust them with my personal information. If they didn't have my credit card number that I provided to purchase what I wanted a month ago, I wouldn't now have to worry about them billing my credit card four times. They wouldn't have that leverage on me.

I personally am telling my credit card company and the Federal Trade Commission. Here is their mission statement and contact info:

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, identity theft, and episodes of violence in the media.

Why: Your complaints can help us detect patterns of wrong-doing, and lead to investigations and prosecutions. The FTC enters all complaints it receives into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database that is used by thousands of civil and criminal law enforcement authorities worldwide. The FTC does not resolve individual consumer complaints.

I sent my package back to them and they say there is no record of it. Now thy want me to pay them 256.00, I don't have the CD's and they want there money. I sent it back with their instructions and they can't find it. I would not deal with these people if my life depended on it.

Has anyone been sent to collections for this yet? I also "Owe" $256 for something I did not order, nor want. I am tempted to pay so this isn't reflected on my credit. However, I'm curious if I should pay or if this is something they don't follow through on? Feedback would be appreciated!

Cancellation & Return Policy
Your use of the Internetorderllc.com and PimsleurApproach.com Websites constitute your agreement with the cancellation policy ("Cancellation Policy") set forth herein as well as within the fulfillment materials in each product shipment, and Acceptable Use Policies ("AUP"), which are also deemed to include any other terms and conditions stated herein, Internet Order LLC’s Privacy Policy, other stated policies and any applicable laws. This Cancellation Policy is subject to change without prior notice. If you do not agree with these AUPs, please do not use or access the Website.

You may cancel a shipment by speaking with a Customer Service Representative ("CSR"), anytime before it ships, at [protected]. Please note that a shipment usually ships within 24 hours to 48 hours after placement of an order.

You may return a product within thirty (30) days of receiving the product, on condition that you follow the proper steps set forth below.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO RETURN YOUR ORDER:

If you decide to cancel a trial offer, you must follow the following steps in sequential order:

First, you must contact our Customer Care Center to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number ("RMA") and arrange a return. Our Customer Care Center can be contacted via telephone at [protected].

Second, you must clearly and legibly print the following shipping address on the outside of the shipping box containing the product you are returning:

Internet Order LLC
2811 Southampton Rd
Philadelphia, PA 19154
Attention: Customer Care Center
RMA No. ___________________
Third, you must clearly and legibly print your RMA on the outside of the shipping box, below the address, as indicated above.

Fourth, you must ship the package within ten (10) days of receiving the RMA.

Timeliness and Shipping Method
Be sure to ship the package in a timely fashion. Your RMA will expire ten (10) days after it is provided to you. After the ten (10) day period, your package may be refused by our warehouse and installment payments may resume.

We suggest that you use a reputable shipper who can supply a tracking number. Otherwise, you may be liable for the entire cost of the course if it is lost in transit.

IMPORTANT NOTICE AS TO REFUNDS
Unless you specifically request otherwise, all refunds will be credited to the same credit card or bankcard used to initially charge the product. Please be aware that it may take up to thirty (30) days for a refund to post to your account.

If you receive another charge, or if your refund is not credited to your account within thirty (30) days for any reason, please contact our returns department directly at [protected]. This will allow us to provide you with proper and expedient service.

Exchanges are Fair and Simple
If you receive a defective product, we will gladly exchange it within 30 days after shipment of your order. However, you will need to first obtain an RMA number by calling us at [protected]. Your replacement will be shipped to you once you call us and obtain an RMA number. You will not have to wait until we receive your defective product. We reserve the right to bill you for the reshipment if your order is not received within 10 days of issuing an RMA number.

Restocking Fees
Per our cancellation and return policy, items returned without an RMA, or more than ten (10) days after the RMA was issued, may be refused by our warehouse. In certain circumstances, our warehouse may elect to accept the return past the ten (10) day period for a 25% restocking fee. Orders that are returned after the 30-day trial period is over will be subject to a 25% restocking fee. Returns that are not in re-saleable condition will be refused.

I also ordered $9.99 for 1CD for learning Spanish & that was it. Some time later I found
a package which to me had no name and Idid not know who sent it so to see I opened it
& inside were bunch of CDs but no Phone No. to call or any other info about the Company who sent it I checked my Bank Acct. and there was no charge soI did not know what to do. After a month a charge of $64.50 appeared and said Internet Order I was perplexed. Then another package came and some how I found the No. to call. THIS IS WHAT IS TOLD THAT I WAS SENT AN EMAIL THAT THEY ARE SENDING THIS PACKAGE & I SHOULD CALL THEM, IN THE SAME CONVERSATION I WAS TOLD THEIR EMAILS GOES INTO SPAM FOLDER, SO HOW IN THE WORLD I COULD HAVE CALLED THEM.IT IS A WELL THOUGHT OUT SCAM TO RIP PEOPLE OFF. They need to be Criminally prosecuted for intentional Fraud it also comes under inter state mail Frad.

Ordered the $9.95 CDs and received a Gold set short after ($256).They keep sending letter to collect on the $256 that I didn't pay for (card got canceled). I just called them to ask if I can return the CDs as I did not order them. The lady on the phone told me that it's impossible to order the $9.94 CDs without also signing up for the Gold CDs! She insisted that I would have had agreed to receiving the Gold CDs and this statement was in three different places on the website when I checked out (I do not recall this). She said I could not return the CDs because it's been more than 30 days since I've received them. I'm now tempted to just send a cheque to be done with them. In their latest letter they also said they might send my account to a collections agency.

Same with me! I couldn't get a label, so I paid myself to send the unwanted cd's to the address they were sent from. I even sent the first cd's. They gave back the original $9.95! Then two days later I get a bill for $512 for the other cd's I sent back. I called and asked if they received them, they did! The total of all the cd's have been returned and they have records of them being returned. I also sent them registered and insured to make sure they got there. Here's the kicker, they say I am still resopnsable for the total amount! Even they are back where they came from! I will not pay!

I put refuse on the package at the Post Office. They still haven't taken of the charge for the CD. In fact, they sent me another package, and when I get to the post office, I will do the same thing. Their advertising is false, just a way to lure you in!

Absolute fraudster Company. Isn t there a Federal Criminal Agency at Philadelphia, to indict them and penalize the Directors for Fraud? They robbed my daughter of $256 and want to charge $256 more - all for two junk CDs. These blokes rob people and on top of that issue threats. It is time that FBI / Philadelphia Police take a good hard look at this company and jail the Directors / Promoters.

I want to thank everyone on here for the feedback, I just saw the info on aol and it sounded great, so prior to ordering I did research and came across this page and I am glad I did or I too would have been a victim of the same situation.

Well guys looks like I'm not the only one, I'm also a victim! I have a letter demanding me to pay $256 for something I didn't order. I purchased thier $10 MP3s which I downloaded but had no idea they were gonna send me package. I didn't ask them to send me anything... Can anyone tell me who to complain to. I am thinking about the Federal Trade Commision. Also, what are the consequrences if I don't pay... Thanks

I will be returning the Pimsleur Approach. I did not agree to get the Gold version. It was charged to my credit card. I used the address listed above. Please notify that this is the appropriate procedure for return.

Regards,
Scott Little

roylittle2963@yahoo.com

They got me too. Are billing my credit card for a "trial version" that I never ordered. What a ripp off.

On 04/03/2013, Pimsleur Language Approach has posted unauthorized $64 dollar charge on my checking account, despite been warned last month that I refused to enter in any business or association with it to buy any product (CDs ) that company is offering online. I sent several e-mail requesting to stop harassing me trying to sell its products; however, they insist and posted this charge which is a ring to extort money from prospective customers.
You have to stop this unlawful ring and order that company to refund the money unlawfully extorted. Please, respond this e-mail.
Gerson Rubianes
gerson77us@yahoo.com

I also "fell" for the $9.95 intro CD and thought that would be it. I even read through all the fine print to check for future enrollments and didn't see anything. I'm not sure if it was just not there or I somehow missed it during my multiple skim-throughs. Either way, I ordered the intro CD with a "shop-safe" CC number that I set to have a $10 limit. I received the intro CD and a month or so later I received the Gold package. I did not open this package as I wasn't sure what the deal with it was (there was no billing documentation). Next thing I know, I receive a notice in the mail from them stating I owed over $200! I called the number on the notice and explained that I never ordered the product and was willing to return the unused product. They flat out refused to work with me and said that if I didn't pay that I would be reported to collections. I simply replied that I will be taking legal actions against them (to which the operator replied "OK"). I ended up filing a few claims with the FTC and with the Pennsylvania Attorney General (since they operate out of Penn). I sent a followup email to Primsleur explaining to them what I did and that all I wanted was a prepaid return shipping label and I would send them their product back and not be charged. About 2 weeks after that email, I received an email from them that contained the prepaid return shipping label. I couldn't believe. I immediately printed it and sent the "gold" package back. That was the last I heard from them. I high suggest avoiding them at all costs (unless you feel like paying a company that is clearly out to exploit its customers).

I ordered cheap language CDs and paid for them. They sent GOLD EDITION and billed $256 that was NOT ordered. The gold edition was returned with their RA number on the box but they never gave credit for the return and continue to harrass with collection phone calls and threatening mail

I have to agree with most of the posts here. I ordered a Spanish course that I thought was $64.. They then charged my credit card another $64 then another $64 within a one month period. Then I started receiving more boxes from them. I called them and they said I owed 4 payments of $64 for each lesson. They supposedly sent me 4 lessons that's $1, 024. I never ordered anything, but the original lesson. They just want to bill your credit card as much as they can!

I ordered the $9.99 language learning CDs I was told that they would send me additional CDs and I had 30 days to return and cancel cost was $64 a month. For 3 months I received a package and was billed $64. I kept forgetting to call to cancel but finally called them and was told I owe $380 in addition to the $192 I had already paid. I asked why as I received 3 packages and was billed for all 3. They told me NO, each package contained 4 other packages that each cost $64. This was never disclosed and is a total scam

Ok, here it is...long time coming...Re: Pimsleur Approach...we sent the unwanted, and specifically requested NOT TO RECEIVE... Gold Course Back after some bantering back and forth, and a delay in getting labels, etc. Long and Short. They received their CD's back. We have heard no more from them nor seen any further charges to our account. Happy Ending. Finally. Note to the wise...this can be a hassle. If you order the basic CD's for $10.00 and specify you want nothing else...it has been our experience YOU WILL receive the Gold Course Next Along with a nice fat bill for the materials they sent you, that you did not want nor request. You will have to call, email, and be aggravated with this company if you want to safeguard your banking account! So...long and short of the matter..."UNLESS" you REALLY want the Entire Course and are willing to pay the fat fee for the course...DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM THEM...The Hassle is just not worth it. With that being said. It is a decent product, at least I felt it was. I just did not Want to go further than the basic CD set until I had mastered it and was ready to move on. Do not appreciate company trying to force something on me I did not request.

I actually loved the mandarin program, worked great for me, took the right amount off my cc, then I got a bill in the mail saying I hadn't paid it, I went smooth off, sent an email with edited copies of my cc statements, now awaiting reply

I ordered also, with the trial for 9.95 or something like that. I received the trial cd's, then received the first big package of cd's..which mostly had the same cd's from the free trial...they say equal 30 day payments of 64 bucks, but they start sending you the other cd sets BEFORE you finish paying for the FIRST SET. So essentially, instead of paying 64 bukcs a month..they started taking our two 64 dollar payments within 4 days of each other, EVERY month. So, it turns out to be 128 dollars a month being taken out, not just one payment each month. I called, I cancelled, griped them out, and will have to return the second set. I was told I would be getting a refund in the next few days for the first double payment for the second set of cd's and was sent a return shipping label to send it back. We will see if they refund my money and if they stop taking out anymore payments. If not, I will be contacting the Attorney General and any other legal action that can be taken against them.

All I can say is READ THE DAMN INFO ON THE SITE!
Different languages have more gold editions!
I paid $9.95 for the first one and I WAS peaking Vietnamese in 10 days
JUST LIKE THEY SAID I WOULD!
I had the option to cancel within 30 days, I did not cancel!
My credit card is being charged 4 payments of $64 JUST LIKE THEY SAID!

Vietnamese is only ONE gold course! $64 x 4
Other courses like Spanish are FOUR gold courses! $64 x 16,
JUST LIKE THEY SAID!
The problem is, people don't read the agreement!

Thank you all for your posts. I almost ordered it. Must be the same marketing people that did the 'learn the computer' with the video professor cd's years ago.