A warning tonight from the Better Business Bureau about a so-called "free" acne product. The BBB says a free trial of Striaex has prompted a rash of complaints.
Striaex is an on-line company based in Vancouver. It has an "F" rating with the BBB after it received 126 complaints. Here's what the BBB says is the problem --the Striaex website offers a free two month trial of its acne scar ointment. You pay shipping and handling of $2.95 payable on your credit card. The fine print says the product normally sells for $115 dollars. What you don't see is that this is a 25 day free trial and that if you don't return the product in that time you're charged the full amount --$230 for the two months. We tried calling the Striaex's toll free number a got a recording which said all customer complaints are now handled online. We sent email asking about the complaints and where the trial period is explained and haven't heard back.
Before you give out your credit card number, read terms and conditions on the site very carefully. We didn't find any on the Striaex page. Check the company out with the BBB, you can even search their URL on the BBB webpage.
Look for a physical address. Try the phone number. Google the company name and the word "complaint" and see what turns up. Since many web companies pop up and disappear quickly you need to be cautious. It's anything but convenient to fix a problem if you buy into the wrong product.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen.
