This is an update on my dealings with this company.

Just like many of you, I fell for the free trial offer. When I received the package, I tossed it on the dresser and forgot about it. Life got in the way and I did not cancel during the trial 14 day period. The next thing I know, I've got a charge of $79.56 to my checking account for a 30 day supply. Like most of you I got very upset and called their customer service number. By the way, their marketing and customer service is being handled my a company called 'Netalab', Miami, Fl. The customer service number you call is for Netalab, not Advanced Wellness Research, the actual company behind Max White Teeth. When I called I was connected with a person with an Indian accent. I'm not sure if his name was Roger or Rajah. I expressed my concern and how upset I was about this charge. I was told I needed to read the Terms and Conditions. When I asked to speak to a supervisor I was told one was not available and that a supervisor would tell me the same thing. The CS agent was rude to me and stood firm that he was not going to give my money back. He made it out that it was my fault for not canceling before the end of the trial period. I canceled my membership them and there and GOT A CANCELATION NUMBER from him. I called back and spoke to a second agent. This one was much nicer and offered me a partial refund. A partial refund was not enough. I did not have the money to spare. Again I was told a supervisor was not available. Oddly though, the longer I complained, the higher the partial refund got. Not willing to accept the partial, I ended the contact.

I went to my bank and canceled my debit card so more charges could not be made on it. I asked about disputing the charges like one can do with a credit card. The bank said they couldn't withhold payment because it came through as a 'point of sale' purchase, just like making a purchase at a retail store. But I was at least able to have the bank waive the overdraft charges.

I checked with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB of South East Florida is the office handling complaints for this company. You can see their failing rating and the other things they are being investigated for at http://www.seflorida.bbb.org/BusinessReport.aspx?CompanyID=92012415.

Since they were so adamant about following their Terms and Conditions, I decided to go back to them. I FOUND A PASSAGE ABOUT RETURNS AND REFUNDS. THIS SHOULD HELP ALL OF YOU. WHEN YOU CALL, QUOTE BACK TO THEM THEIR OWN TERMS AND CONDITIONS - READ IT TO THEM! Under REFUNDS it says: "If You are not satisfied with the Product for any reason, ...To return the Product purchased after your 14-day Free Trial Period, please call Us at 1-866-964-1011 within 30 days of the ship date of Your Product. Refunds will be given on unopened Products only. Returned merchandise requires a delivery confirmation from the shipping provider. Refunds will not be given on packages marked “Return To Sender”. I called and just told Jason that I wanted to return for a refund the item purchased after the trial period and asked him to verify the address I should return it to. Should I send it to their warehouse address noted in the Terms and Conditions. Once I read it to him from the TERMS AND CONDITIONS, he put me on hold and a few minutes later told me he was ISSUING ME A REFUND OF $70.00 AND I DID NOT NEED TO RETURN THE PRODUCT. It was not the full amount but it was close enough for me. I suppose the $10 this is costing me can be considered the actual price of the trial sample - so it was not really free - or I can look at it as the price of an education. How many of us will jump on a free trial offer every again. I still have to see if the refund actually comes trough or not. I will keep you updated.

I wonder if I can declare the $10 on my taxes as an educational expense.