Advanced Grocery Saver/Grocery Saver Program
Complaint 96107 Details

Tonight I heard the tail end of a radio station ad on local 96.3FM/KSCS in the Dallas/Ft. Worth TX area, offering a $1000 worth of FREE GROCERIES if I called the phone number in the ad. I was put on hold for 2 minutes and then spoke to Nick who told me they were a marketing research company by the name of GROCERY SAVERS.

Nick asked some preliminary questions to see if I would qualify for their research program/offer:
1) How many days a week do I shop for groceries/household products?
2) How much do I spend per month on groceries?
3) Are at least half or more of my purchases name brands?
4) What grocery store do I shop most often?
5) How many people are in my household?
6) What's my zipcode?

The offer was to participate in a research program where my puchases would be tracked for marketing research, and for my participation they would give me $1000 worth of vouchers/purchase coupons that would be accepted AT ANY GROCERY STORE, they could be used just like food stamps...the only stipulation was they could not be used to purchase cigarettes, alcohol, or any fresh produce packaged without a barcode. There was a $19.95 processing fee, for which I would receive a REBATE CHECK from there partner company FREE SHIPPING.COM...he emphasized it would ALL ultimately be FREE.

To sign me up he needed my CC#, expiration date, CCsecurity code, address and daytime ph#. I was told I'd be receiving a packet with all the info from a place called DIRECT SAVINGS, and I'd also be receiving 2 FREE DVD'S related to FAT BURNING for which I'd only be charged $1 EACH for shipping. At this point, I asked how much he was actually billing to my CC...the initial $19.95 discussed, or $21.95. I told him I DID NOT WANT the 2 free DVD's for the additional $2 shipping charge and then he made it clear, I had no choice, it was part of the offer. He then informed me I'd also be receiving (as part of the offer) multiple vouchers for $40 gas, vouchers for discounts on GIFT CARDS at retailers like Target, Chili's, etc. Nick moved on to MAGAZINE subscriptions, I could choose 3 magazines and receive them free for so many months (3mos, I think?) and then I the cc# I'd just given him would AUTOMATICALLY BE BILLED $12.95 each UNLESS I CALLED TO CANCEL WITHIN 30 DAYS.

When I told him I DID NOT WANT ANYTHING AUTOMATICALLY BILLED to my CC and we should just CANCEL THE WHOLE THING RIGHT NOW...he seemed REALLY UPSET, and was even more high pressure. Finally, he told me he'd already processed the $21.95 charge to my card, I'd have to call customer service 9am-5pm EST. The customer service number was 888-416-7082 and he gave me this ph# after getting my cc. After hours customer service number recording indicates the company name is ADVANCED GROCERY SAVINGS.

I've immediately called my bank to report this transaction as probable FRAUD. I will be calling GROCERY SAVERS/DIRECT SAVINGS/ADVANCED GROCERY SAVINGS back in the morning to cancel and have them reverse the charge. I will probably have to shut down my card to prevent the fraudulent and automatic charges from occurring and will also be calling the radio station to let them know about there advertiser.

I googled ADVANCED GROCERY SAVINGS, and it's RIPOFF REPORT after RIPOFF REPORT, here's some of what I viewed:
1) http://www.ripoffreport.com/grocery-stores/-1000-grocery-giveaw/-1000-grocery-giveaway-radio-7ac2a.htm
2) http://www.scambook.com/search/reports?search=advanced+grocery+savers
3) http://www.ripoffreport.com/grocery-stores/advanced-grocery-sav/advanced-grocery-savers-charg-99e10.htm

Numerous complaints to the BBB are on record and the BBB has also issued a warning regarding this $1000 grocery coupon SCAM, view it for yourself @ http://www.detroit.bbb.org/article/bbb-warns-of-free-grocery-radio-ads-24359

I was gullible. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I have been unemployed in the current downed economy for 3 years. My husband works for a defense contractor. His current contract has expired and his union is in negotiations with his company on a new contract. He is facing a labor strike within a month that may last for 2-8 weeks. I thought $1000 worth of groceries would come in handy during this time.

Very unhappy in Grand Prairie, TX