MS POOJA - SCAM ALERT!

On or around October 9th, 2013 my wife signed up our daughter for classes at Gymboree Play & Music. She discussed the terms with the owner, Ms Pooja, and requested that commitment to be of just one month, no recurring charges and no cancellation requirements of any kind after. My wife said repeatedly that she will not sign up if there is any kind of automatic commitment and or renewal policy in place. A friend of my wife was present when this conversation took place and she also sighed up her son for the same class on exactly the same terms. The owner, Ms Pooja, reassured both of them that they are paying for just one month of services and there will be no recurring charges afterwards.

On or around October 25th, 2013 my wife decided not to continue using Gymboree Play and Music, and once again spoke with Ms. Pooja about that. Ms. Pooja acknowledged that and again confirmed that there will be no additional charges after the first month. Again, the same witness was present when this conversation took place and can confirm it.

On May 4th, 2014 I discovered that Gymboree Play and Music kept billing us beyond the agreed upon first month. There were total of six charges in the amount of $98 from November 9th, 2013 through April 9th, 2014 that were not authorized. On May 5th, 2014 my wife emailed Ms. Pooja and questioned these charges. Later, over the phone Ms. Pooja said that no problem, she already refunded 80% of $588 amount ($470.40) claiming that there is a 20% “processing fee”. My wife politely disagreed with this and requested a full refund. Ms. Pooja responded angrily that she will be cancelling that 80% refund, hung up and did not pick up the phone when my wife tried to call back. After some emails she went back to us and said now she can only refund 80% of the four charges made in 2014 ($313.60), no refunds for 2013. Again, my wife disagreed and requested a full refund mentioning that both Ms. Pooja twice confirmed in a presence of another customer (who perfectly recalls these conversations) that there will be only one charge for the first month. We have not heard from Ms. Pooja since then.

Ms. Pooja is a dishonest person and uses unethical tactics to exhort money from the customers. She twice agreed to the terms that were discussed in a presence of a witness, and then denies what she said and refers so some policy of hers that none of us seen or signed. Obviously, we contacted the credit card company and disputed these charged.

Be prepared get you money taken from you without your permission if you deal with this dishonest and unethical business.