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

[BoomerD]

It doesn't take a lawyer to see the obvious. She was trying to railroad you into making an error by signing that agreement and I wouldn't be surprised if she was aware of this ongoing thread so she could attempt to bring legal proceedings against you.

Honestly, you should get a real lawyer on your side. Get a consultation, you may even be able to get a free one, because a real lawyer should be able to absolutely bitch-slap that woman into reality.

Last resort...Judge Judy. I'd love to see this on TV. It would be the ultimate resolution to an ATOT thread. :biggrin:

:biggrin:

Next up on Judge Judy, ATOT vs. Fraudupuncturist.

Maybe Judge Joe Brown would be a better venue than Judge Judy. He's more fun when he gets pissed.

 

[edro]

I'm sure Guyver01 already sent this thread to the stabber.

The new mystery is why Guyver01 hates MrsBugi.
We need to find the thread where Guyver01 and MrsBugi had a falling out.

 

[highland145]

I'm sure Guyver01 already sent this thread to the stabber.

The new mystery is why Guyver01 hates MrsBugi.
We need to find the thread where Guyver01 and MrsBugi had a falling out.

Hop to it. ATOT needs to know.

 

[guyver01]

Why are people jumping on guyver for quoting that?

because they're all suckers who fell for Dezign's "boo hoo hoo poor me... a girl got taken advantage of... won't the big strong internet come to my defense?"

 

[guyver01]

We need to find the thread where Guyver01 and MrsBugi had a falling out.

not gonna find one... cuz it doesn't exist...

 

[purbeast0]

i still don't think it is fair for you to have to update your review just to get her to own up to her fuck up, let alone you lying in your updated review that will state how she handled this professionally. she has been anything but professional. i would have never made that an option.

 

[Aharami]

not gonna find one... cuz it doesn't exist...

so you just hate all women equally?

 

[Thebobo]

I just sent her one final e-mail:

"Heather,

After reviewing the document with my legal counsel, I have been advised not to sign it as is essentially a gag order. If I sign the agreement, I would be waiving all rights to proceed with any actions against you and protect myself in the process. Worst case scenario, suppose paperwork gets misplaced between you and the collections company and their harassment continues. If I signed the agreement, I would not have any recourse. Right now, the document is 100% in your best interest, not in mine. I would like to request you come back with a more fair agreement for both of us that protects each of us equally.

At this point, I have put any further action on hold (i.e. I am refraining from sending a formal letter with copies of all correspondence to the California Attorney General, etc.). I really don't want to escalate the situation any further, and I really do want to work with you to come up with an amicable solution. I would like to propose the following:

I would to respectfully request you to withdraw the bogus invoice for which there is no proof of debt from the Rash Curtis collection agency and to have Rash Curtis cease all collection efforts. When I receive confirmation that the invoice has been withdrawn and collection efforts stop, I will immediately update my reviews to accurately reflect your ultimate helpfulness and professionalism in handling the matter. Right now, my experience has been a negative and stressful one so I have honestly expressed it in my online reviews. When things are resolved amicably and my experience is significantly better/stress reduced, I will update accordingly.

Does this sound fair to you? I welcome your response and am glad that we are communicating and attempting to resolve things together. I hope that we can happily resolve things to move forward in the new year in a positive way, toward success, peace and joy, and leaving negativity behind.

Regards,
Ivy"

Curious to see if she will respond. I'm praying for something to the effect of: "Okay, sounds good, bogus invoice removed, please update your reviews to reflect that."

If it's anything other than that, I won't be contacting her again and if I do, with certified mail. Right now, I have copies of EVERYTHING, from letters sent and mailed to the certified mail receipts.

I can feel her sweating and almost feel a little bad for her. It's the holidays, stressful enough as it is, and it was her choice to go this route but I did go guns blazing (thanks to ATOT!). Hopefully she realizes she was in the wrong and sets out to do right.

If not, I'll be waiting for the validation of the debt by the credit collection agency. I'll keep a copy of the legal agreement and if necessary, send it to the BBB, etc. I don't know any attorneys personally but I will look into low/no-cost options if it's necessary.

At this point, I know it will take some time if she doesn't immediately revoke the claim. I'm getting to the point where I'm trying to let go of the stress and just let things take their natural course to resolution. I'd love to fast track it as evidenced in the e-mail I wrote, but if that doesn't work out, then I'll just sit and wait.

Thanks for the strong feedback, duly noted. I will be keeping copies of everything, and certified mail it will be from this point forward.

wow all this for $113

 

[Brainonska511]

Last resort...Judge Judy. I'd love to see this on TV. It would be the ultimate resolution to an ATOT thread.

That's the last thing I'd want if I was in the OP's situation. CBS pays for the trip plus you split the remaining part of the money pool after the 'judgement'. I wouldn't want the other party to get a cent.

 

[blackdogdeek]

That's the last thing I'd want if I was in the OP's situation. CBS pays for the trip plus you split the remaining part of the money pool after the 'judgement'. I wouldn't want the other party to get a cent.

but the acupuncturist gets all that negative publicity in front of a huge tv audience. that's even more powerful than the negative reviews on yelp.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Is her return policy clearly posted? If not, tell her you'll buy it and immediately return it.

 

[ShawnD1]

but the acupuncturist gets all that negative publicity in front of a huge tv audience. that's even more powerful than the negative reviews on yelp.

Something tells me NOBODY CARES. People can be repeatedly shown that things like acupuncture do nothing, and it never sinks in. It can be repeatedly shown that psychics are full of shit, and it never sinks in.

Any attack on the bullshit artist is seen as an attack by Big Pharma or Big Science or Big We-Require-Evidence-For-Our-Claims Illuminati jewspiracy masons (or whatever tinfoil hat conspiracy can be blamed)

 

[waggy]

i usually get a stick up my ass (yeah it hurts!) when someone tries to blackmail me. I would tell her to pound sand and talk to my attorney about filling a counter claim suit against her for everything i could.

that is not the best idea though.

 

[ShawnD1]

that is not the best idea though.

Depends how much money the OP has. If I made over 100k per year, I wouldn't mind spending a couple thousand to completely ruin someone's life, tarnish their name, have their business shut down, and ultimately push the person to suicide.

If I made only 30k per year, I would just want her to go away and leave it at that. No vicious attacks, no law suits or claims of criminal harassment, etc.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Fuck her in the ass then pay her that $75.

 

[waggy]

Fuck her in the ass then pay her that $75.

hmm depending on how hot she is that's not a bad deal..

 

[blackdogdeek]

Something tells me NOBODY CARES. People can be repeatedly shown that things like acupuncture do nothing, and it never sinks in. It can be repeatedly shown that psychics are full of shit, and it never sinks in.

Any attack on the bullshit artist is seen as an attack by Big Pharma or Big Science or Big We-Require-Evidence-For-Our-Claims Illuminati jewspiracy masons (or whatever tinfoil hat conspiracy can be blamed)

sadly, i'm inclined to agree regarding the audience. however, the acupuncturist herself may not realize that. she may just fear the publicity of having her BS exposed.

 

[Genx87]

What a mess.

About signing that letter. I would have a lawyer overlook it first. I think she got herself into trouble by sending you to collections without even discussing the issue with you. It is also possible this collections agency is a scam as well. Collections agencies can only affect your credit after they get judgement from the courts. Meaning you will have a day in court.
I am not entirely sure she can rescind turning it over to a collection agency once the debt is effectively sold to them. She doesnt own it anymore. So her settlement letter seems a bit premature and probably something she found on the internet and filled in the blanks without consulting an actual lawyer.

Right now the collection agency is going to have to prove the debt is valid. If they cant or is provided forgeries Heather just opened herself up to criminal charges along with a nice civil lawsuit from you for damaging your character.

At this point it becomes how much do you want her to bend over for her stupidity? How much effort do you want to put into making her bend over?

Also cut out the negative review crap until after having your day in court. It will only hurt your character when it comes to a judge determining who is credible and who isnt.

 

[sixone]

What a mess.

About signing that letter. I would have a lawyer overlook it first. I think she got herself into trouble by sending you to collections without even discussing the issue with you. It is also possible this collections agency is a scam as well. Collections agencies can only affect your credit after they get judgement from the courts.

Not true. They can list a collection on your credit report as soon as they become involved. You can ask them to remove it until they validate the debt, but then they can put it right back on.

Meaning you will have a day in court.
I am not entirely sure she can rescind turning it over to a collection agency once the debt is effectively sold to them. She doesnt own it anymore.

Not true. Collection agencies can be hired to collect a debt, they don't always buy it first.

So her settlement letter seems a bit premature and probably something she found on the internet and filled in the blanks without consulting an actual lawyer.

Right now the collection agency is going to have to prove the debt is valid. If they cant or is provided forgeries Heather just opened herself up to criminal charges along with a nice civil lawsuit from you for damaging your character.

At this point it becomes how much do you want her to bend over for her stupidity? How much effort do you want to put into making her bend over?

Also cut out the negative review crap until after having your day in court. It will only hurt your character when it comes to a judge determining who is credible and who isnt.

As long as her version is accurate, posting a bad review is free speech.

 

[SunnyD]

lol @ extortion and blackmail over $113.

I'd just hand the case over to the authorities as an extortion attempt, and let them sort it out.

 

[Miramonti]

Glad you didn't agree to remove your reviews, and only considered updating them. You clearly have been served an injustice and her legal approach is pitiful.

Do not agree to remove anything, as site scrapers can repost reviews elsewhere and a legal agreement may hold you liable for their content. Also in the future, you may wish to post a review in a future prominent site...ie 'tomorrow's yelp', and you should not be restricted from your free speech...certainly not without settlement terms that merit such restricted rights (for example: $)

Hope for the best, plan for the worst...be prepared to sue if she does not withdraw her invoice and rectify the collections effort. This may have already had a negative impact on your credit, which she is responsible for. Her holding the rectification of this hostage until you agree to her terms is only digging herself into a deeper hole, and is an attempt to gain leverage when she has none...zero.

I think your approach has been awesome so far btw...so many people ask for advice but don't take it (even good advice) yet you've done a fantastic job listening and thoughtfully following thru with sensible actions. Props and good luck.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I'd just hand the case over to the authorities as an extortion attempt, and let them sort it out.

Sure, that will work. Police departments have teams of detectives standing around waiting to get involved in $100 he-said/she-said cases.

 

[darkxshade]

You don't have to sign the document... she'll sign it for you on your behalf... just like how she decided to order the herbs without consent. With doc and signature on hand, now she can sue you... don't bother showing up for court, she'll plead guilty for you as well.

 

[Bird222]

Of course like many have said I wouldn't sign anything. IANAL, but I would just chill and wait on the 'proof of debt' which won't come and then just have the credit agencies remove it if it is on there. If she wants to continue to harass you after that then you will have to take the appropriate legal actions. That's the way I see it anyway.

 

[jlee]

Depends how much money the OP has. If I made over 100k per year, I wouldn't mind spending a couple thousand to completely ruin someone's life, tarnish their name, have their business shut down, and ultimately push the person to suicide.