Oct 27, 2009 11:32 pm US/Pacific
Call Kurtis: Real Talk?
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
Lee Duey heard the pitch for Real Talk Network on the radio promising to get families out of debt, and it intrigued him. He decided to check out their free March seminar in Sacramento.
"My thing was basically to find a way to pay off the house early," he said.
Lee says the seminar director told Lee he could have his home paid off in six years, so Lee signed up for Real Talk's coaching program, costing $1,997 on his American Express card.
"Personally, I knew what the law was," Lee said. "I could think about it, go home, I've got 72 hours to decide."
Uncomfortable with going forward, Lee went to cancel the next day, but the contract had no phone number or address, and it said, "All sales are final."
Lee called American Express.
"He made the suggestion that if you give me the amount and who it is we'll make sure to catch it and not process it through," he said.
Lee thought it was taken care of, but then that $1,997 charge posted. He challenged it, and when Amex contacted the merchant, they sent a letter saying the contact information was on their website.
"Please deny this chargeback on this case as this client does not deserve a refund at all," the letter said.
Lee tried four times to explain to American Express what happened.
"I'm relying on what you said, and because of that now the 72 hours are up and you put me in a bad situation."
He contacted us. Our calls to Real Talk Network were never returned, but after our call to American Express, they reopened the case and right away credited him back the $1,997.
They even through in hotel points he can use with the Hilton honors program.
"It's gone, I don't think about it anymore, it's over with and I appreciate everything you guys did and it was a good ending for everybody," he said.
When you sign a contract, you have a cooling off period – 72 hours – to cancel. The only exception for that is buying a car.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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