john P.

Beware when order products from this company. I responded to their ad for Platinum Orthotics, purchasing a pair for my wife and myself ($19.95 / pair) plus postage. Additionally, the company offered a free bonus with my purchase and was only required to pay postage for the gifts (foot care system - plastic foot brush and lotion. Joint Support Formula - 30 day renewable supply of pills for joint pain, and one pair of special comfort slippers). I found it odd when checking out that there was no mention of the postage cost on the order. However, I was certain that everything combined would be in a small box that didn't weight much and shouldn't be expensive for postage.

When receiving the products after a week in transit, they arrived in an over-sized box (6" x 12" x 24") mostly filled crumpled brown paper, I removed the purchased items and free gifts. The product was not at all what I expected and the gifts - well let's just say the slippers didn't look bad. Then upon reviewing the packing list, I was shocked to find that postage costs were as much as the purchased products ($39.00). The company offers a 30 day - money back guarantee - minus postage, but I was not prepared to pay anywhere near the $78 that I was charged for this purchase. For example, the comfort slippers can be purchased at Wallmart for < $5.00 - these were a free gift, but the postage for the one item was $9.95 - each line item indicating the same cost assessed - as if shipping individually instead of together in one container at approximately 10" x 10" x 10" in size.

When I contacted customer service today for return shipping instructions, the representative offered me $20 credit to be returned to my account and stated that I could keep the goods and not worry about spending money for the return postage. He reasoned that after spending money for postage (approx $15.00) to return the goods, my refund of $40 would actually only net $25 anyway - so accepting his offer was better than going through the hassle of repackaging and going to the post office. Can you believe this?

We "chatted" for 1/2 hour about the postage costs and his company policy - he alleged that the company has no influence in the cost of postage and could only settle disputes with the products themselves. Yeah, right! As time went on, I got him to agree on $30 instead of the original $20 he offered earlier... but I'm still out $50 and have "stuff" I don't want. He actually suggested that I give them to other family members or friends who would appreciate and get relief from the products.

I will never do business with this company and urge others to steer clear of their sham.