Beware of Optionetics Bait and Switch

Discussion in 'Options' started by Phlub, Jan 17, 2008.

  1. yeah, call your CC company and simply tell them you did not sign up for that. it's easy.

    if they press you for details, let them know you signed up for a 90/month plan and not the one they charged.

    credit card companies are on your side. in fact, they will make more money with a chargeback after the chargeback fees the vendor has to pay.
     
    #11     Jan 17, 2008
  2. That is pretty shitty in general. You sign up for a 4 week $90 usage and in two weeks they hit you with $995 for a year non-refundable.

    On their side they do have the fine print on the bottom of the page which is cleary placed and not buried in a lot of text.

    On your side, the whole order form specifically states a Platinum 4 week form for $90 so it is a reasonable expectation to be charged $90 for a month and at worst be renewed automatically at $90 a month. There is not way a $90 month subscription should morph into a $995 charge in two weeks.

    I think the form is misleading and in no way conveys a logical correlation or connection to how a 4 week $90 subscription should become a $995 annual non-refundable charge in 2 weeks. Sneaky as hell and why Optionetics makes my skin crawl.
     
    #12     Jan 17, 2008
  3. Get the name of person you spoke to at the company with date and time
    Write out a review of what you expected along with copy of web page.
    I suggest you snag snap the page in case they change the page.
    Call your CC company and dispute the charges ASAP. They will ask you to fax in all documents
    pertaining to your case. They should charge it back no problem
     
    #13     Jan 17, 2008
  4. Phlub

    Phlub

    Thanks, I did start the process with my CC company. They will reverse the charge for 60 days while the claim is investigated.

    At first, Optionetics would NOT respond to my emails - only call me on the phone (which I found rather suspect). Finally they did email me back. So, I took the opportunity to detail the entire process to them. I expect that they will email me back with the same lame excuse that the rude customer service people gave me. This way, when my CC Company asks for documentation, I can show that I attempted to get them to resolve the problem.

    Who knows - maybe if Optionetics monitors ET, they could get themselves some positive PR by resolving this issue with me rather than give traders more and more chances to bash them relentlessly!
     
    #14     Jan 18, 2008
  5. dsss27

    dsss27

  6. Joab

    Joab

    Been there done that, these education companies are pond scum.

    Cut your loses and try and learn your lesson.

    If your going to learn from anyone try and learn from a real trader NOT an education company.
     
    #16     Jan 18, 2008
  7. Phlub

    Phlub

    Well - I needed access to an options database. I run a long/short portfolio and I am investigating option overlays to reduce vol and aggregate beta. I originally purchased raw historical data, but it was in .txt files. So - finding prices was like looking for a needle in a haystack. My choice was to either do the cheap $90 Platinum deal or have my programmer build a SQL or Access database. So - for now - I went with the 'easy' route.

    To Optionetics credit, the Platinum service is actually pretty good in this regard. Another option was to buy it from these guys (they are affiliated with the CBOE). http://www.marketdataexpress.com/servicePriceList.aspx

    Now - as far as actually purchasing trading 'education', I am in complete agreement with you. 90% of the stuff out there is all sizzle with very little steak (if you catch my drift)!
     
    #17     Jan 18, 2008
  8. If you already have the .txt files, putting together a relational database (actually more of a "querying database") in Access isn't that difficult, I use to do it all the time at my pervious job.

    Do it yourself (or have a programmer do it) and you'll find that you'll be up and running in no time, and with a much better result than what these hucksters will give you.
     
    #19     Jan 18, 2008