I had to call the freecreditscore people today, and I had to be a bully.
Ok, maybe I didn't have to be, but it was the only way to get a refund. The proof is in the conversation. Had I been nice, I would still be $40 poorer.
I needed my credit score to join mint.com (which is another story...), and I went to the most obvious place: FREEcreditscore.com. Now call me crazy, but they are blatantly advertising free-ness there.
While at times I can be naive, I do realize there is fine print everywhere, and yes I may have stretched the truth a little on the phone when I said I didn't realize I had to cancel after my free report or it would automatically charge me after the free trial.
However, I did somehow get tricked into (and yes I used that word, along with "deceived") viewing three credit scores online. I had no idea this would charge more, and I never even recall an option. I feel like the three scores just popped up...
So, I am on the phone with a nice woman who is just doing her job, obviously reading off of a script, and obviously working on English as a second language. She put her foot down and said they are not authorized to do ANY refunds. I asked to speak to someone because I felt deceived by their website, and did not wish to pay. At this point, she says she CAN refund the $12 for the membership.
Oh. ok. so you CAN authorize refunds. It's at this point that I realize she can refund the other $25, I just have to say the right things. I proceed with language expressing my discontent with the misleadings of the website, and who can I speak to about the second amount...to which I am put on hold while she "checks with her superior." I 100% believe this break was used to a. flirt with the guy in the cubicle next to her, b. take a smoke break, or c. pee.
When she returns she says the superior has authorized her to refund the second amount. Shocking. We just went from absolutely NO refunds allowed, to getting exactly what I want.
Bullying pays off. And that is your lesson today, kids.
