Worst. Groupon experience. EVER. (Final Update: ATOT wins!!!!!)

[zinfamous]

Got the ball rolling on three things:

1. Filing a formal complaint with the Attorney General.

2. Writing a letter to the collection agency sent certified mail requesting formal proof of debt.

3. Contacting Groupon to file a complaint about the service provider.

Question: Should I e-mail Heather Lounsbury directly to inform her that I will be filing a formal complaint against her for extortion with the AG, Better Business Bureau, etc.? I'd be happy if she just dropped it and moved on with her life but from our exchanges so far, it's pretty evident she's going to pull out all the stops in terms of shadiness, lying, and stealing. I'm willing to go as far as I need to in order to expose her complete lack of business ethics.

She has your SSC. Nail her to the wall.

:thumbsup:

Beauty of it is, if anything shady comes your way in the near future regarding ID theft, you might be able to pin it on her. Ask the lawyers here, but there might be enough reasonable association to track these things to her.

lol

 

[richardycc]

you need to send out the debt validation letter via register mail ASAP, you have 30days or the bogus debt becomes a valid one, and they will come after you after your 30days is over. It sounds like you have been in touch with the collection agency, stop it, they might act like they want to help you and they are your friend, just send them the debt validation letter, tons of example on line, I like the ones that ask them to provide tons of proofs and information, use it, it only takes 5mins to add your name and your case # to the letter. good luck!

 

[MrsBugi]

you need to send out the debt validation letter via register mail ASAP, you have 30days or the bogus debt becomes a valid one, and they will come after you after your 30days is over. It sounds like you have been in touch with the collection agency, stop it, they might act like they want to help you and they are your friend, just send them the debt validation letter, tons of example on line, I like the ones that ask them to provide tons of proofs and information, use it, it only takes 5mins to add your name and your case # to the letter. good luck!

Got it, thanks for the info. I'll be going to the post office tomorrow and sending it USPS, certified mail w/signature confirmation. No hesitation on this one!

 

[BoomerD]

Got the ball rolling on three things:

1. Filing a formal complaint with the Attorney General.

2. Writing a letter to the collection agency sent certified mail requesting formal proof of debt.

3. Contacting Groupon to file a complaint about the service provider.

Question: Should I e-mail Heather Lounsbury directly to inform her that I will be filing a formal complaint against her for extortion with the AG, Better Business Bureau, etc.? I'd be happy if she just dropped it and moved on with her life but from our exchanges so far, it's pretty evident she's going to pull out all the stops in terms of shadiness, lying, and stealing. I'm willing to go as far as I need to in order to expose her complete lack of business ethics.

Do a google search for "debt validation letters" and you'll get plenty of examples to use for a proper letter. You want to make sure you dot your t's and cross your i's...

I would NOT contact the acupuncturist again. No sense in giving her warning that you're filing a complaint. Just deal with the collection agency via letter for now.

File the complaints with the state's AG and Groupon, see if there's a state agency that regulates the acupuncture trade in your state, if so, file a complaint there also.

 

[MrsBugi]

Do a google search for "debt validation letters" and you'll get plenty of examples to use for a proper letter. You want to make sure you dot your t's and cross your i's...

I would NOT contact the acupuncturist again. No sense in giving her warning that you're filing a complaint. Just deal with the collection agency via letter for now.

File the complaints with the state's AG and Groupon, see if there's a state agency that regulates the acupuncture trade in your state, if so, file a complaint there also.

Thumbs up... Will do. Thank you.

Interestingly enough, I just attempted to look up Heather Lounsbury's license number at the State of California's Acupuncture Licensing Board's website.

Her name doesn't return ANY records and her license number isn't listed on her website. I wonder if she's even licensed to practice in the state...???

 

[vailr]

You should request a full refund from your Groupon purchase, due to the overall unsatisfactory "experience" with the vendor.
Might be a good idea to also request a new credit card number from your bank, just to be on the safe side.

 

[MrsBugi]

You should request a full refund from your Groupon purchase, due to the overall unsatisfactory "experience" with the vendor.
Might be a good idea to also request a new credit card number from your bank, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for your feedback vailr. To be fair, she did provide me with an acupuncture service... It was mediocre, but I'm not sure whether I'm entitled to a refund for the poor service. It's definitely turned into an incredibly uncomfortable and very much unsatisfactory "experience" with the vendor... Wouldn't hurt to try, I look forward to speaking with someone on their customer service team tomorrow. And thanks for the tip about requesting a new credit card number from the bank...

 

[OutHouse]

You're absolutely right. She has NOTHING on me but she DOES have my social security number (she claims to be a "doctor of acupuncture" and required a SSN on the paperwork - stupidly, I wrote it down when I was filling it out).

Define "screw her shit up." I'm open to suggestions.

i never give out my social. hell my vet even asked for my social, employeers address and phone number. the ONLY reason somebody below a MD wants your social is to sicc a collections agency after you if you dont pay.

 

[Barfo]

acupuncture

Let me tell you about this great homeopathic medicine that will make you feel much better.

 

[zinfamous]

Thumbs up... Will do. Thank you.

Interestingly enough, I just attempted to look up Heather Lounsbury's license number at the State of California's Acupuncture Licensing Board's website.

Her name doesn't return ANY records and her license number isn't listed on her website. I wonder if she's even licensed to practice in the state...???

Don't be too shocked

http://www.limelife.com/blog-entry/...Injecting-His-Penis-With-Silicone/138201.html

http://www.aggregateresearch.com/ar...ects-Cement-for-a-more-curvaceous-bottom.aspx



oh, and any time you go beyond pain management as an acupuncturist, you can't really be trusted.

 

[OutHouse]

I explained that I never agreed verbally or in writing and demanded proof. They responded the "client provided enough proof to them to open the claim" and that "my credit will be compromised in 45 days if I don't pay."

god damn that sits pisses me off. people work hard to keep their credit clear and all it takes is some fucktard to send a collections agency out and they can completly undo all your hard work. putting something negative on somebodys credit report should be a LOT harder like a court order. and the person making the black mark has to pay for it.

 

[drebo]

Remember, there are three things that a debt collection agency needs to provide in order for any debt to be validated:

1) Original invoice totalling amount being collected,
2) Original copy of your contract with the company allowing them to assign debt to a third party, and
3) Original copy of the company's contract with the debt collection agency assigning them your debt.

Without all three, a debt is not validated and cannot be reported on your credit history. If the collection agency does report it, all you have to do is write a letter to the reporting agency telling them that the debt was never validated and they'll take it off.

 

[Slew Foot]

Also, look up your local news should have some consumer watchdog type of thing. Sic them on her as well.

And post this on 4chan and let them at her.

 

[BoomerD]

Thumbs up... Will do. Thank you.

Interestingly enough, I just attempted to look up Heather Lounsbury's license number at the State of California's Acupuncture Licensing Board's website.

Her name doesn't return ANY records and her license number isn't listed on her website. I wonder if she's even licensed to practice in the state...???

A quick phone call or two should give you the answer to that.

From the state law:

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
SECTION 4935-4949



4935. (a) (1) It is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less
than one hundred dollars ($100) and not more than two thousand five
hundred dollars ($2,500), or by imprisonment in a county jail not
exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment, for any
person who does not hold a current and valid license to practice
acupuncture under this chapter or to hold himself or herself out as
practicing or engaging in the practice of acupuncture.

(2) It is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one
hundred dollars ($100) and not more than two thousand five hundred
dollars ($2,500), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding
one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment, for any person to
fraudulently buy, sell, or obtain a license to practice acupuncture,
or to violate the provisions of this chapter.

Make the calls. If they say she isn't licensed, file a complaint. At that time, also file a claim with Groupon for selling the services of an unlicensed practitioner. I'm sure they're not legally liable, but they certainly should refund the money to any/all customers who bought the service.
It's worth trying.

 

[Fayd]

Also, look up your local news should have some consumer watchdog type of thing. Sic them on her as well.

And post this on 4chan and let them at her.

not your personal army. she'd have to post tits to get action on her behalf.

 

[Doppel]

You're absolutely right. She has NOTHING on me but she DOES have my social security number (she claims to be a "doctor of acupuncture" and required a SSN on the paperwork - stupidly, I wrote it down when I was filling it out).

Define "screw her shit up." I'm open to suggestions.

No insurance claims means there is no reason AT ALl to give her an SSN, for future knowledge.

 

[Doppel]

you need to send out the debt validation letter via register mail ASAP, you have 30days or the bogus debt becomes a valid one, and they will come after you after your 30days is over. It sounds like you have been in touch with the collection agency, stop it, they might act like they want to help you and they are your friend, just send them the debt validation letter, tons of example on line, I like the ones that ask them to provide tons of proofs and information, use it, it only takes 5mins to add your name and your case # to the letter. good luck!

Wtf how does bogus debt become real after 30 days? This is simply nonsense.
If it were true you would end up with debt agencies shot gunning bogus crap to thousands of people knowing that some will just ignore and magically now you are owed that money after thirty days?

 

[gooseman]

Just a thought. I know that it would be a pain in the ass but if you end up with a ding on your credit report, you can file a complaint with the credit agency (and you should check all 3) and the credit agency will give them 30 days to provide proof of debt, non-payment, etc. If they cannot or do not provide that proof to the credit agency then it will be removed from your credit report.

 

[ponyo]

Just a thought. I know that it would be a pain in the ass but if you end up with a ding on your credit report, you can file a complaint with the credit agency (and you should check all 3) and the credit agency will give them 30 days to provide proof of debt, non-payment, etc. If they cannot or do not provide that proof to the credit agency then it will be removed from your credit report.

Credit agency basically sends out electronic mail asking if it's valid debt. A simple checkmark reply marking yes from the debt collector and that's good enough proof for the credit agency to keep it on the report. You do not want to wait til it's on your credit report.

 

[soulcougher73]

Just block the calls from the collection agency and go about your life. Your credit score is not that big of an issue in the real world. They just like to use it to hang over year head as a way to scare you.

Oh and dont call, but go back to Heather and punch her in the throat

 

[highland145]

you need to send out the debt validation letter via register mail ASAP, you have 30days or the bogus debt becomes a valid one, and they will come after you after your 30days is over. It sounds like you have been in touch with the collection agency, stop it, they might act like they want to help you and they are your friend, just send them the debt validation letter, tons of example on line, I like the ones that ask them to provide tons of proofs and information, use it, it only takes 5mins to add your name and your case # to the letter. good luck!

Wtf how does bogus debt become real after 30 days? This is simply nonsense.
If it were true you would end up with debt agencies shot gunning bogus crap to thousands of people knowing that some will just ignore and magically now you are owed that money after thirty days?

This. I remember it being the case but not why or how. Anyone know?

 

[richardycc]

This. I remember it being the case but not why or how. Anyone know?

The collection agency has to wait 30days for your response before any attempts to collect. They don't know if the debt is valid or not at this point, but if you choose to ignore the letter, they will treat the debt as valid after 30days. I don't know what they will do after 30days, maybe they will send you a 2nd letter or just show up at your door.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Heather Lounsbury

http://www.yelp.com/biz/heather-lounsbury-lac-santa-monica

Everyone else seemed to like and she looks innocent enough.

Is this the same girl?

Seems like a shady deal, and not worth all the trouble for $200.

Are you sure you didn't miscommunicate that you wanted the stuff so she thought she was being nice and ordered it? And now she's thinking you screwed her which pissed her off and made her go to a collection agency?

Not saying that's it.. just trying to wonder why someone would go through so much trouble to scam over $100 worth of stuff and nobody else seems to have complained about her.

 

[CPA]

You're absolutely right. She has NOTHING on me but she DOES have my social security number (she claims to be a "doctor of acupuncture" and required a SSN on the paperwork - stupidly, I wrote it down when I was filling it out).

Define "screw her shit up." I'm open to suggestions.

Ugh, I know it's water under the bridge, but never give out your SSN unless it's for government affairs or credit inquiries.

 

[BoomerD]

You might want to go back in and edit that review on Yelp. While it may be your opinion that she's a lying thief, putting it out there with all the details you did could cross over into the realm of libel or slander. (I'll let the legal minds deal with the difference between the two.)