Just wondering. For those of you who ordered Dr. Ortiz's book, have you received it? Seems like it oughta be here by now, but I've not received mine???

Yep. That amount was held out in reserve, for authorizations. I FINALLY had it restored last night, after calling my bank several times and them telling me that the vendor HAD to call and tell them it was a mistake. Otherwise, if they don't see the paperwork for the charges it will hold your account for a minimum of 3 business days before it releases the charge. Randy Lutz <RANDYLUTZ@WEINSTOCKMARKETING.COM>is who I corresponded with and I do think he may have tried to return a call early this morning, but didn't leave a message on either my work phone or cell phone, which he called both.

Their number should be on your bank account where it was charged.

RandyLutz@WeinstockMarketing.com is the email I was emailing.

Thanks Leatha!

I have sent an email to him also. I have sent emails to three people and called the number Michelle gave to me. I don't know how this could have happened, did they give you any information on what happened? I really find it quite hard to believe it was due to a wrong key intry, $378.50 isn't even close to $16.45!

My bank is requiring that I come in and fill out an affidavit and have it notarized (sp?). They said this process will take 7-10 days. Looks like I won't be seeing my money anytime soon.

I have called 3 numbers, all of which I get an answering machine

949-715-7924

949-786-2552

949-394-8741

My bank also mentioned that I might need to fill out a police report. I hope it doesn't get to that point, but I will do it if I need to.

I just emailed Randy Lutz at the email Leatha listed above. I'll let you know if I hear anything back.

Thanks for all of your help everyone!

This smells of fraudulent practice and not accidental. I have no patience for this kind of fraud.

I am filing a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center and will be contacting both my local and the California State's Attorney General office to complain.

You can also add the appropriate BBB offices in both California and here in TN.

No excuses...

What Randy said in his email to me is that they ran an import file which somehow had this error on it. I'm no whiz, but I have seen data imports which do have bugs in them. My problem with the situation is how nonchalant they seem about the situation. However, I'm sure if it were THEIR money they were holding in limbo, they'd respond faster.

This is what his email said to me:

Dear Ms. Goldsmith,

We are part of the fulfillment arm of a publishing company which process your order.

While balancing the orders today we found errors that occurred during import which we have applied to our credit card account.

Because we found these error after the cut off time you will not see them until tomorrow which is the next business day.

For the inconvenience we have also credited your account an additional $16.45 so the book will cost you nothing.

- Customer Service

Thanks Leatha - It has been 4 hours and I still haven't heard a word! I am beginning to worry!

I just received this message, let's hope it turns out o.k.

We got your message...

We checked our records and your account was over charged. We did reverse the charges on the day that it was discovered and credit that, as well as the charges to your book. We also verified that we received no monies into our account from yours at any time.

We called the company who manages the e-commerce gateway, they received the monies from your account to transfer to ours and show our reversal. We inquired why those funds have not been put back into your account and they told us it will be another 24 hours before the batches will reflect that into your account.

We are very sorry for this confusion! Please email us back as soon as you see those fund available. We will stay on top of this company every day if we have too.

We are terminating our relationship with them because of this and other problems - I know that does help you now, but we will force them to comply immediately. We also will call end of day to be sure they have done it.

- Customer Service -

Thanks Leatha - It has been 4 hours and I still haven't heard a word! I am beginning to worry!

From what I gather, this error only causes the amounts to be 'authorized'. The actual money is not taken from your account. It is just held in limbo until the process confirms the purchase or releases the authorization. If you can find out a number from your bank, that the merchant can call. He will call them for you and clarify. That's what I had to do, anyway.

This really sucks. And, of course, right here at Christmas-time. Amazing. Good luck!

Leatha, I was a couple of days late contacting the bank and they paid them on the 19th. So, I have to wait for the credit to come through. Yeah, it is a really bad time for them to do this. I told them that in the email, that they messed up my Christmas!

This must be a form email response they are using as they sent the exact response to Tricia as well. Not sure that makes me any more comfortable that they already have a form email response...makes me wonder how many people have been "accidentally" overcharged.

I just received this message, let's hope it turns out o.k.

We got your message...

We checked our records and your account was over charged. We did reverse the charges on the day that it was discovered and credit that, as well as the charges to your book. We also verified that we received no monies into our account from yours at any time.

We called the company who manages the e-commerce gateway, they received the monies from your account to transfer to ours and show our reversal. We inquired why those funds have not been put back into your account and they told us it will be another 24 hours before the batches will reflect that into your account.

We are very sorry for this confusion! Please email us back as soon as you see those fund available. We will stay on top of this company every day if we have too.

We are terminating our relationship with them because of this and other problems - I know that does help you now, but we will force them to comply immediately. We also will call end of day to be sure they have done it.

- Customer Service -

This is so strange..I was not overcharged but it was probably becasue I used my credit card that only had enough credit left on it to cover the book LOL

I just emailed Sandy at Dr. Ortiz's office again and let her know of this matter and how upset everyone is. Just to let you all know Dr. Ortiz is also upset with this publishing company.

I'll bet he is.

I can't blame him, after all it comes back on his reputation. It is nice that you are letting them know all this is going on. I wonder how many folks are out that money and didn't realize it?

Here is a number to call 949-715-7924

different then the one I posted earlier.

The money actually was taken out of my account. I was in the bank filling out the fraud report when I got a call from a Keith Terry. He read me the little "We're sorry" letter that he later emailed me. I told him that "I'm sorry" didn't put the $378.50 back into my bank account. I also told him that I would be contacting Dr. Ortiz about this situation. He said that it wasn't Dr. Ortiz' fault. I told him that in a way it was, that Dr. Ortiz needs to know how the company he chose to market his book is doing business. Regardless if Dr. Ortiz had nothing to do with this major faupaux, which is not the first mind you, several people were over charged $164.50 a month ago, I think his reputation is taking a pounding, so I don't blame Dr. Ortiz for being upset, I'm sure he is and he should be.

So far I love the book, Dr. Ortiz is not my surgeon, but as I read the book, I'm gaining more respect for him, he obviously is a very skilled surgeon and very well respected. I just hope I can get this situation resolved sooner than later. It really took a bite out of my Christmas "cheer"