In late June, Cheryl Isaak noted here in ne.food a promotional deal at Smiles Coffee.
Others had mentioned their microwave roast-your-own, and this seemed like a good time -- I could use a better cheap digital camera. (Although in checking my references, it appears they get more press for spam and abuse, and the microwave process is mostly reheating already-roasted beans.)
They didn't have Brazilian beans, but hardly anyone does -- apparently it's mostly a "filler" bean here, used to make more cheaply coffee which is not 100% Columbian. But I like it.
I have finally found a good source of Brazilian: Wal-Mart. (Which confirms my impression that it's a low-brow taste. The fact that I shop at Wal-Marts should confirm a similar impression others have a of me -- although as of last night we've sworn of Kahala.) A big can, 26 ounces weight, was under $3.00. I prefer whole beans, but at this price if it goes stale I can discard it.
Back to Smiles, the promos didn't seem confusing to me. There was (and still is) the free camera, "Click Here" for details. I clicked and read terms and conditions. "Free" meant $9.95 up front, and a $4.95 termination fee. I signed up and got a confirmation that didn't mention the camera, just the "free" grinder. (I've already got several grinders.) I immediately wrote back, asking about Brazilian, noting who'd referred me, noting that the termination fee is nasty, but if they'd said it was $14.90 up front I'd have signed up anyway, so no problem, and asking about the camera. They said they couldn't find my order, even though I was responding with the order and subscription number they'd sent me. I gave them some other emails I use, and they "double-checked" and a week later they sent me a note that since they'd only charged me $9.95 I wasn't entitled to the camera, but they would send it if I authorized an additional $10 charge. I wrote back before the end of the weekend and said to forget it, their web site was too messed up. (Apparently the GrinderCam promo's "click here" feeds to the same place as a $9.95 "free" promo. Well below the "clock here" for the Grinder/ Camera promotion is an indication that its cost is $19.95.) They mailed me the coffee, and emailed a note more than a week after mine saying that cancellations could only be handled over the phone. I called and explained the above. The CRS said she couldn't refund the amount they'd charged because it violated SOP. I asked who made the policy and who had the authority to override it? I got a supervisor, who told me she couldn't refund the money. (I told her I wanted either a refund, or the deal I'd signed up for. If there was a problem, they'd had ample time to clarify the deal, as I wrote to them immediately on receipt of the confirmation.) I explained that she certainly could give me a refund, but apparently she was choosing not to. We went around a few times, with no satisfaction. I protested the charge (noting the foregoing, with names, dates, and copies of emails), and my bank reversed the debit. A couple of days later Smiles charged the $4.95 end fee. I have no idea what their coffee tastes like: I'm still holding it for them unopened if they want it. But this is a company whose business practices tell me to avoid them, and advise others to do so.
-- - David Chesler Iacta alea est