Look out for Checks Unlimited

[amyjlf]

Dear friends,

I just wanted to make you aware of something you will want to avoid. A month ago I pick up one of those flyers in the Sunday newspaper that are for ordering checks from CHECKS UNLIMITED. They had some very nice checks available so I decided to order from them. The deal was 2 boxes for $11.00 and FREE address labels. Sounded good to me. The bank normally charges about $15 a box so I decided to try it. Two weeks later, my checks arrived (no address labels.) I have not used any of them yet, as I am still using the ones from the bank. A few days ago, I got a bill in the mail for $33.10 in addition to the $11.00 I had already paid. I called them to find out what the problem was and I was told that I must pay that amount because I was not a first time customer (I thought I was.) Apparently, I ordered from them over 3 years ago and therefore I could not get the flyer deal (I hear they bought out Current Checks and consider those customers, repeat customers, also). I was even charged for the FREE address labels. They told me I HAD to pay or it would go on my credit report. I did not even have the option to send back the checks (which I have not used.) I've not received the FREE labels, either. They could have told me before they printed the checks and I could have (and would have) cancelled. In today's computer society, can you believe that they cannot tell that I have ordered from them in the past until two weeks after the checks have arrived at my door? They just print the checks and mail them out. Then they pressure you to pay for them. What a crock! They should know as soon as they put in my info for check printing, if I have ordered before and notify me but if they did that, they would not get the extra money! Needless to say, I HAD to pay them. It ended up costing close to $20.00 per box. I didn't even get the REPEAT customer discount. PLEASE help me boycott this company. Remember, CHECKS UNLIMITED.


UPDATE:
Today, a supervisor called me and deducted $15 off my bill which brought the total amount down to $22 for 2 boxes of checks and the address labels (which are still not here). I went ahead and paid for it as it brings it down to the price I would have paid for at the bank. It is not worth messing up my credit if, in fact, they do report it. Believe me, I have learned my lesson with check companies. I will order from the bank from now on. At least I know they will keep my account information safe. I don't trust this company with my info. They are scam artists. Today, my friend's mother called their 800 # and asked if she had ordered from them before and they told her that they could not release that information to her. She told them she couldn't remember if she had ordered from them and they said it was her responsiblity to know and if she ordered, she would be taking a chance. This confirms my "scam artist" theory. I suspect they make a ton of money like this. What a horrible way to run a business. Please avoid them at all costs. That great deal may be more of a great headache to many people.

[Rockabillie]

sounds like a set-up.
They're threatening you with a bad credit report so you won't follow through on your rights.
It's called bait and switch and it's illegal. It's illegal to lure customers in with a low price and then say they can't get the low price and charge a higher price after you've lured them in with a lower price they had no intention of honoring.
Don't pay. Call them and tell them you'll report them to your state attorney general for BAIT & SWITCH.

[bestmidwest]

That is just a crock! I hope that you fight that and report them. I don't think they could put it on your credit report, either.

[kells3]

I have ordered checks from so many different places that I don't do any of the first time cust. specials any more just in case I used them years ago. I know that they would charge me full price if I hit one a second time. I ended up ordering from a check company online that charges everyone the same price. They also had pretty good prices. I think I paid around $45 total for 4 boxes of dup. checks.

[jorowo]

I just read a Checks Unlimited ad, it said it was only good for "first time customer's", so I called their 800# and gave them my account numbers. They verified I had ordered from them before and gave me their reorder special. i admit, not as good of a price as the first tiem deal but fair. First time prices are good the first time, period!

I just wanted to make you aware of something you will want to avoid. A month ago I pick up one of those flyers in the Sunday newspaper that are for ordering checks from CHECKS UNLIMITED. They had some very nice checks available so I decided to order from them. The deal was 2 boxes for $11.00 and FREE address labels. Sounded good to me. The bank normally charges about $15 a box so I decided to try it. Two weeks later, my checks arrived (no address labels.) I have not used any of them yet, as I am still using the ones from the bank. A few days ago, I got a bill in the mail for $33.10 in addition to the $11.00 I had already paid. I called them to find out what the problem was and I was told that I must pay that amount because I was not a first time customer (I thought I was.) Apparently, I ordered from them over 3 years ago and therefore I could not get the flyer deal (I hear they bought out Current Checks and consider those customers, repeat customers, also). I was even charged for the FREE address labels. They told me I HAD to pay or it would go on my credit report. I did not even have the option to send back the checks (which I have not used.) I've not received the FREE labels, either. They could have told me before they printed the checks and I could have (and would have) cancelled. In today's computer society, can you believe that they cannot tell that I have ordered from them in the past until two weeks after the checks have arrived at my door? They just print the checks and mail them out. Then they pressure you to pay for them. What a crock! They should know as soon as they put in my info for check printing, if I have ordered before and notify me but if they did that, they would not get the extra money! Needless to say, I HAD to pay them. It ended up costing close to $20.00 per box. I didn't even get the REPEAT customer discount. PLEASE help me boycott this company. Remember, CHECKS UNLIMITED.


UPDATE:
Today, a supervisor called me and deducted $15 off my bill which brought the total amount down to $22 for 2 boxes of checks and the address labels (which are still not here). I went ahead and paid for it as it brings it down to the price I would have paid for at the bank. It is not worth messing up my credit if, in fact, they do report it. Believe me, I have learned my lesson with check companies. I will order from the bank from now on. At least I know they will keep my account information safe. I don't trust this company with my info. They are scam artists. Today, my friend's mother called their 800 # and asked if she had ordered from them before and they told her that they could not release that information to her. She told them she couldn't remember if she had ordered from them and they said it was her responsiblity to know and if she ordered, she would be taking a chance. This confirms my "scam artist" theory. I suspect they make a ton of money like this. What a horrible way to run a business. Please avoid them at all costs. That great deal may be more of a great headache to many people.[/QUOTE]

[verwon]

Actually, it is illegal for them to do that and you could have beaten them on it and not had to pay it or had them put it on your credit report.

They have been doing this to people for years, it has come up on many websites and their actions are illegal.

[imike]

yes that is too much..
__________________

[mmh6577]

Amy,
I wish you good luck with your situation.
However, I must say that I have been ordering checks from them for 10 or 12 years now including switching banks and account numbers and have only had good success with checks unlimited. I don't save a ton of money, but its still cheaper than any bank I've been with yet. The biggest issue I have with them is that they are SLOW, so make certain you give yourself enough lead time to get your new checks before you run out!

[katlnhats]

Hi,

Any check flyers that are in your paper or in other ads are good for first time customers. What you "do" need to do is call them, give them your account numbers as someone else already said, and they'll tell you at that time if you're a first time customer or not. It's not a scam, that's fair and the reason that they do this is that people order as first time customers over and over again - hence they ALL made that rule.
I order from them and another company (basically because I liked different checks on each) and got good deals on both and when they checked my account numbers, I "was" a first time customer with them both, so I got a great price - though I'd also looked at the re-order price and it, too, was much better and nicer selection than my bank had.
They've done nothing wrong, if they say, "first time customer" then always call in your order - once you read off you account number, they'll tell you. If you mail the form in, they print the checks and will charge you. It's fair to them, as if they didn't do that, people that took advantage of them in the past, and I am in no way saying that is you, as it's not, will just keep ordering different styles at first time customer rates, which drives up the price for everyone.
Sorry this happened to you, but please, if you ever wish to try a different mail-in company, call the order in. And my checks come in about two weeks, and as a norm, the address labels are always sent seperately.
Good luck,
Hugs,
Kat

[Debbie42]

I just go to my bank and tell them I want the cheapest plain checks I can get they cost me about $8.00 a box and last me forever because I pay for most things either with my check card or on-line.

[lisaren]

I just experienced the same problem. I ordered a box of checks for $6.95. I got the checks, then AFTER that I recieved a bill for $16, because I wasn't a first time customer. On my order form, I wrote my email address and phone number. They never made an effort to contact me to let me know the terms of our agreement had changed.

I am going to follow up on this issue. They are taking advantage of consumers and are conducting business dishonestly. Has anyone had success reporting them? If so, what did you do?

Thanks.

UPDATE: I just called the 1-800 number. My previous order was in 1999. I asked them how they expect me to remember that I ordered from them 8 years ago? I told them what they did was illegal and I would contact the Attorney General. I stayed calm and told them to do whatever they needed to do, and I would fight this and I would absolutely not pay thier bill no matter what. They told me they would erase the balance I owed since it had been 8 years since I had ordered.