Unhandled Perception: ThinkAll.com = Think Again

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

ThinkAll.com = Think Again

ThinkAll.com may not be what you are expecting. Although the CD's are sent to you free (pay shipping only) your CD's must be sent back to them within 10 days or your credit card will automatically be charged. Not only that you are signing up for a membership where they automatically send you CD's and charge your credit card if not returned after a very short evaluation period.

So, watch out for this company or you may find unexpected charges on your credit card and canceling the account may be difficult (so users have told me)

From their Terms of Service (which people rarely read):
"7. Membership and Billing. THINK ALL provides numerous products, services, and software in connection with its business. With respect to software provided hereunder, there is a non-refundable shipping and handling fee for the initial complete four (4) CD software set. You may keep any two (2) CD’s free of charge. The other two (2) CD’s are yours to review during a ten (10) day trial period. If for any reason you decide the complete set is not for you, simply visit us at www.thinkall.com/freeCD.html before your ten (10) day free trial expires. You will need to follow the instructions at such web link to indicate your intention to return two (2) of the CD’s, and you will not be charged for the complete 4-CD set. If you elect to keep all four (4) CD’s or you otherwise fail to comply with the foregoing instructions, you will be billed the discounted price of $19.95 (which is up to 80% off the store price) for each of the other two (2) CD’s. Every four (4) to five (5) weeks, you will receive four (4) new THINK ALL software CD’s based on your preferences with the same ten (10) day trial terms as your first shipment described above. You may discontinue shipments any time by visiting our web site at https://www.thinkall.com/freeCD.html, for more information and filling out the appropriate cancellation information therein contained.

10. Authorization. Unless and until this agreement is cancelled in accordance with the terms hereof, you authorize the company to charge your credit card to pay for any charges previously agreed upon as described in Section 7. You hereby further authorize the company to charge your credit card for any and all products provided by the site. You are only allowed to have one membership per website at a time."

Updated - I will be posting links to software alternatives to what they are selling:

234 Comments:

Thanks for the warning. I was looking at their website and the too-good-to-be-true offer is so attractive. But not to put upfront that this is a subscription is not far from being dishonest, even if the prices are still attractive.

Plus to say that the offer is only for today is another deception.
And then, not being able to know exactly how to cancel is one more problem. I think I'll pass this offer for now. Thanks again.

By Anonymous, at 9:59 PM EST
Thanks Chris,

Wish I had read this before I went ahead and ordered. THe website to cancel does not seem to exist and so I have mailed the 4 discs back to them, by registered mail. If it comes down to the wire I will change my credit card.
Pat Doyle

By Pat, at 7:16 PM EST
This is the reason I do extensive searches on the too-good-to-be-true deals.

Goog luck and post back here if it doesn't work out - I will happily post a follow-up with your story (you can email me)...

By Veign, at 7:38 PM EST
Thanks for the warning, it is just too-good-to-be-true.
Think Again, Thanks again!

By Anonymous, at 10:11 AM EST
I just got this "deal" and I definitely want to return 2 items..but when I type in the web address I only get your page instead..how do I contact this outfit? I have 8 more days..fredcullens@yahoo.com

By fredcullens@yahoo.com, at 3:04 AM EST
I have no idea since I am no way connected to the ThinkAll company.

Typing there URL in does go directly to their website..

All I can say is follow the instructions carefully so you have a better chance of not getting charged.

By Veign, at 11:00 AM EST
Thanks for the warning, alas, I got it too late. Just discovered the charge on my statement. Went to your link and called the customer service number: 1-800-462-8144 Got a real person atleast. Cancelled my "surprise" membership and explained in no uncertain terms how shady I thought their tactics were. Also, informed them that they are in the blogsphere and it isn't pretty.

My case is especially annoying because I got the Gimp software I could have gotten for Free by downloading!
But at the end of the day, it was still way cheaper than buying Photoshop!

By Alicia St. Rose-Pastel Artist, at 8:48 PM EST
Glad people are getting use out of this post and realizing what they had actually signed up for...

If anyone wants help in locating free versions of some of the software they offer post a comment here and I will generate a post of free alternatives or download sites for the software.

By Veign, at 9:58 PM EST
Think Free Problem you said
Writely
Zoho Writer
GOffice
Num Sum Just spread sheets

These may help and would put url's in but have to be some where in five.later. They are just one of many that are hard to cancel and in all categories.

By Gary McCurry, at 8:48 AM EST
ThinkAll is definitely underhanded. I just sent them a letter outlining my anger with their FREE software. I have had shipping and handling charges reversed on my credit card for the second set of CD's that they sent me. I too will try to call them and get my name off their list. I am very angry with them and also told them that their name is getting bad press in the Blogsphere. I wish that I had looked for them here before doing my original order.

By rick, at 10:29 AM EST
I also fell victim to the sneaky way this firm set a trap for us. The terms of use are made extra hard to read by putting them in a window to small to see the complete line so you have to use the sliderbar all the time to go through this lengthy contract. By the time you think it is a standard bla- bla contract they throw in the line you are not supposed to read.
If you contact them you get incredily friendly answers and wishes that you may enjoy their software .
I am afraid I fell for it and have to pay the $47.09 over the $5.92 I payed already for some very mediocre software I will never use. To say the least they are very dishonourable

By Anonymous, at 5:37 PM EST
I found your site by typing thinkall into the Google search. Thanks for your good work. I too was "taken." And I really know not to trust "too good to be true" sites. But as you say, they don't make their terms of service plain or clear. Well, they will reap what they are sowing. Is there anyone monitoring these practices so we can put a stop to them?

By ElizaK, at 11:51 AM EST
The problem I see is they are not doing anything illegal just very underhanded. For this reason I don't think they can be shut down and the main reason to spread the word about what you are actually signing up for.

By Veign, at 11:55 AM EST
I'm usually pretty careful, but I got bit on this one. The price and terms are also not in the invoice or confirmation email, nor do they tell you that you have to get a pre-authorization number from the website to return the software, or they can continue your subscription until you comply precisely. They told me they have an iron-clad no-money-back policy based on the Terms of Use (sucker!). However, they violate their own Privacy Policy: I'm getting tons of offensive porn spam since signing up with them, and this is the only place I've ever used this email. Definitely shady and dishonest. They agreed by phone to issue me a full refund of all charges: but their subsequent email indicated it was only the shipping, and they then charged me an additional shipping. GRRRRR!!!! Know any other places I can blacken their name?

By Anonymous, at 3:11 PM EST
This is something that needs to be spread around. Anyone with a Blog should link to this story and help protect someone else.

Hopefully, this will get more exposure and the links to software will help people get the software they want for free.

If you can't download the software because of bandwidth issues then use a download site like Snap Files and fill a CD with software of your choice - use the ThinkAll guides I have been publishing to get some ideas for software.

By Veign, at 3:20 PM EST
Well, my dad got suckered by these guys and I found your article too late. Also it took 14 days to get here so I suppose he will be beat on the 10 day trial. As with others, the irony being that he wanted "open office" which is available for free download.
The address for the hidden "unsubscribe" page is as follows:
https://www.thinkall.com/cancelsubscription.php
There is no way to get there from within the thinkall website!
On the upside: We are in Canada and the customs form they filled out claims the package is "commercial sample CD, value $0.00"
Filling out such forms incorrectly can be a crime. I will be contacting the appropriate authorities.

By Anonymous, at 10:20 PM EST
Thanx for posting the Cancel Subscription link.

Also, keep me informed about what happens with the customs issue (feel free to email me and I can create a post about it)...

By Veign, at 10:48 PM EST
Followup (call me GRRRRR). A customer service rep agreed by phone to give me a "full refund". This is what the confirmation email said: "We apologize for any inconvenience. We have processed a refund back to your account on 02/13/2006 for $4.95." They did indeed access my bank account on 2/13... with an additional charge of $4.95. 24 hours later, that was the only activity from them. Obviously, they've redefined the word "refund". Isn't that openly fraudulent?

By Anonymous, at 3:16 PM EST
You may want to submit something to the state of their LLC with the Secretary of State of Better Business Bureu.

After looking at their security certificate they claim to be:

Think All Publishing LLC from Plano, TX

I tried to get more detailed information from the TX Secretary of State but they want a fee to access the information. In case anyone wants to persue this here is the website of the Secretary of State.

Good luck and let me know what happens.

By Veign, at 3:44 PM EST
They are slick! But go to info@thinkall.com and tell them you want to cancel. They sent me a link and canceled the bullshit!!!

By Anonymous, at 11:38 AM EST
First, thanks to all those who participated in this conversation on 'thinkall'~
I, too, was taken in by the subterfuge. When I called the 800 number, Amanda explained patiently that I should have understood that these products were not free-with-shipping;
She reassured me that, when I receive the products, I should call the 800 number for a return authorization number, return the products, and expext no further hassles from the company. We'll see. My bank (bankofamerica) reassured me that they could block any further charges from 'Thinkall' after the 4.95 charge posts tomorrow. Thanks again for the alert, and lesson learned: that all those little tags on the website, the testimonials and the plain language of a website can be a smokescreen for less than honest transactions.
jeroboambramblejam

By jeroboambramblejam, at 8:52 PM EST
When I get mad, I get information. J ThinkAll hides behind informed consent (and the “informed” part is your problem), but check out the FTC brochure; on page 2, under “It’s The Law”, the company must “clearly and prominently disclose the material terms of the offer” (including all those little surprises we’ve seen), prior to consent. (Did you see anything clear and prominent? Me either.) Violations / consumer complaints can be reported at https://rn.ftc.gov/...Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

ThinkAll is under the jurisdiction of the State of Texas, whose Deceptive Trade Practices statue is found at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/....htm. Look at sections 17.12 (the fake “today only” statement), 17.45 (5), and 17.46. Complaints can be reported to the Texas Attorney General at http://www.oag.state.tx.us/.... If the AG deems their practices deceptive, Section 17.42 specifically nullifies the sacred Terms of Use consent “waiver”.

No one has yet made a complaint to the Texas Better Business Bureau. They don’t have any magic bullets and can’t force a refund, but a record of complaints may protect future consumers, and help build any other case against them. Check out ThinkAll’s profile at http://dallas.bbb.org/...; complaints can be made at http://www.bbbonline.org/.../complaint.asp.

I’m going to make my complaints by snail mail, so I can include a longer description of what happened, with copies of screen shots of the deceptive “today only” language and hard-to-find terms, the deceptive invoices and emails, etc., even the disks. (After the amount of spam I’ve picked up from them, and their Privacy Policy statements about information collection, I’m not even sure I dare load it onto my computer; it may be loaded with spyware.) If nothing else, I aim to cause some minor indigestion for my non-refundable $90…
Helen (aka GRRRRR)

By Anonymous, at 5:54 PM EST
I fixed the above comment to make all links clickable. That much easier to goto the sites.

Thanx for all the work in finding the sites!

By Veign, at 5:56 PM EST
Thanks Chris
you saved me a packet by reading all the comments Ihave returned the C/DS to ThinkAll.com and cancelled any further orders
Many Thanks again

John UNITED KINGDOM

By Anonymous, at 7:46 AM EST
The subscription cancelation can be reached at the following url...http://thinkall.com/cancelsubscription.php
I hope this helps.

Pat
Ontario, Canada

By Anonymous, at 12:10 PM EST
Thanks so much for this info! I just opened my mail, found the CDs and also the message that I was a member... I, like everyone else, could not pull the website, but instead got this link. Thanks to the person who posted the customer service number. I immediately called and cancelled it and they will be in the mail tomorrow. I think I will call my credit card company just in case and let them now not to authorize any charges to the company should they attempt any more shady business!

By Anonymous, at 8:31 PM EST
Like many others I was taken in. Only by typing a search on thinkall did I get your site and the real info. I had no idea it was a subscription until I opened the mail this morning.

How can they not specify that it is a subscription base clearly (not in the fine print)??? I am in Aus and I am sure that they have to do that here. I nkow they do with Doubleday books and cds.

Thanks again.
Tam
Australia

By Anonymous, at 10:30 PM EST
It is actually illegal under US federal law for ThinkAll to conceal the subscription nature of their offer in the fine print. The FTC (US Federal Trade Commission) participates in an international partnership that allows consumers from Canada, Australia, and I think other nations, to report this kind of deceptive internet practices by businesses based in other nations. It's found at http://www.consumer.gov/sentinel/index.html, if anyone would like to make a complaint or find additional information about international internet transaction fraud.
Helen

By Anonymous, at 5:00 PM EST
Thanks for the warning. I almost signed up and then thought, I had better check this out first. Found your blog on google and was really glad that I changed my mind.

By Anonymous, at 8:16 AM EST
The warning came a little to late,but thanks to the person for the phone number 1-800-462-8144. I called got a real person, told them to cancel my account. The person said she was. Gave me the information and address so I could send the CD back. Wasn't nice to the person on the phone.

By Anonymous, at 3:32 PM EST
It is very easy to cancel your account all you have to do is call and customer service will cancel, also though you may not read the terms of use (which by the way are not hidden they are are at the bottom of the screeen) in order to place your order you have to check that you have read and aggreed to them.

By Anonymous, at 8:41 PM EST
There is nothing to say except the whole thing is extremely deceptive. Just because something is hidden deep within a long Terms of Service doesn't mean the information is properly disclosed.

What Thinkall.com is doing is wrong, Period!

By Veign, at 8:49 PM EST
Its possible that the terms of use may be hard to find as well as to read if have trouble reading but from the home page as well as every othe page you get directed to the terms of use link is CLEARLY marked at the bottom of the page.

By Anonymous, at 9:48 PM EST
Also there are only 13 tems of use that is not a long form to read

By Anonymous, at 9:50 PM EST
Who are you kidding?

TOS's located at the bottom of the page are rarely read, by anyone. Thinkall.com knows this and relies on this to rip people off.

If they are doing nothing wrong then the page itself would contain information like "Sign up for our membership" or "Purchasing ours cds enrolls you in our membership". But they don't. Why? Because if you knew before hand you are signing up for a membership you would probably not purchase a CD. This way they can rip you off for additional money before you realize what the real story is.

About the length: 13 items spanning 5 printed pages and containing almost 2,400 words is not long?. Sure, I believe that. And what happends when English is not your native language? Come on.

Thank You for posting comments as this just provides additional reading for those who want to find out how much a rip off ThinkAll is.

By Veign, at 10:14 PM EST
THANK YOU!
I almost fell for it. However I always check wether the page has a public adress in contactinfo before I giove cardinfo away...and this one didn't...so I googled! The missing terms of conditions link was also a trigger when I was about to pay!

You just saved another one!

By Anonymous, at 3:05 AM EST
If you wish to end your relationship with these crooks I reccomend asking your credit card company to cancel your card and send you one with a new number. That way they cannot charge anything more to your card.

By Anonymous, at 4:54 PM EST
Its a shame that a company forces you to go this route...

By Veign, at 5:44 PM EST
Unfortunately I got screwed too late on this site. I usually get check on this but I got anxious this time. When I noticed the charge on my account I asked what that was. They told me that I was charged for the other two. Interestingly enough I NEVER RECEIVED THE OTHER TWO DISCS. These guys are crooks. On top of that when I questioned the customer service rep about it she got belligerant on the phone telling me I should have read the terms of service, which I don't remember even having an opportunity to look at! They're completely aware of what they're doing. They acted like they did nothing wrong too. DON'T EVER USE these guys, terrible. I've put a report into the BBB.

By Anonymous, at 10:10 AM EST
Hi there, I also fell for their trick and didn't realise it until I saw the charge on my bank statement. I guess that they know that it takes several days to get from Texas to Australia and then through customs etc, so the ten days is up before you get the package.I rang them and was told about the fine print which at first I couln't find. Then I was told that I agreed to the extra charges etc. I said the items were promoted as free and no mention of some ongoing membership site where they send you discs every month until you cancell. She kept saying how sorry she was that I was unhappy.But that it was good that I could now keep the discs. I repeated that I wanted a refund.Still no luck in that matter as yet. BE WARNED.
Also I think that a few of the anonymous blog entries are actualyy from their own company.

By barrowboy, at 7:48 AM EST
Ouch.
I nearly got suckered in, primarily by the competent colour scheme & site design! ( I mean if it looks corporate enough & claims to operate a privacy policy registered with the 'big guns', 'Verisign' & 'TRUSTe', & flashes up authentic sounding testimonials every second...then it *must* be what it says it is right?)

Once it looked to be more than a simple marketing exercise of offering one disc for your perusal so you could sample their efficient shipping, I began to doubt what seemed so straight forward.
1. Why was I being offered 3 more products, which seemed to be the products on which it would make money, at this stage, for free?

2. Why did it see fit to claim that software that I know for a fact to be available for download at no charge was being sold for a particular RRP of $X dollars?

3. Why did it require my credit card details to ship one complimentary disc?

Ah because it was not just a simple marketing exercise.

I think a 'criminal mastermind' came up with this ruse for even the name of the company is a string which will give many false hits when searched upon:
'think all'.

:|

However anyone with the presence of mind to search stands a good chance of finding your blog & the truth on this matter.

No one seems to have mentioned that by claiming a RRP for the applications & charging (an unfair amount, or certainly using unfair practices) to distribute, they must be falling foul of terms stipulated by organisations who make the software.

They cannot have made prior arrangements to give them permission surely?

By Wez Laka, at 8:28 PM EST
You are correct. They would be in violation of the licenses for which Open Source is being distributed. There is nothing right about what Think All is doing.

By Veign, at 8:45 PM EST
Thank-you Veign for saving me hassles which I hate. I clicked around some more and discovered that Yahoo had ThinkAll show up as a sponsor/vendor. I kindly asked them to help assure nobody else links via Yahoo.

See actual request below to Yahoo

The following vendor which showed up on todays (3/29/06) yahoo website appears to be shady. I would like your help in assuring nobody else goes to their website because of links on Yahoo.com. Your site is too good to be connected with ThinkAll.com

You may read about MANY ungoing (sic)issues at:
http://www.veign.com/blog/2006/01/thinkallcom-think-again.html
-------

I respectfully signed it with my full name. Will see if they help.

Also respectfully,
Craig (last name suppressed for privacy reasons)

By Anonymous, at 2:41 PM EST
Please post a follow-up if you get anywhere. Google is also sponsoring them so may want to email them too.

Thanx and hopefully you will get an answer...

By Veign, at 6:31 PM EST
I also was taken. I was just interested in Open Office (like a person above)and thought this was easier than just downloading. I e-mailed them and did get a prompt reply. I requested my name be removed. The person replied that she had cancelled my subscription and that I did not have to return anything (for the inconvenience). I also received a confirmation of CD's being returned. I re-emailed to confirm and received this

"You are correct. Nothing to return.

We take your feedback very seriously. I have personally reviewed and forwarded
your concerns to our upper management so they can make needed improvements."

This, I hope, will give me the ability to reverse any further charges should they try and process them.

Thanks all for the warnings, though too late for me!

By Anonymous, at 12:36 PM EST
Great information--unfortunately I was a little too late. I just checked my bank account & have a $49.90 surprise charge from this rip-off company. I called & tried & tried to dispute the charges--all the "robot" on the other end would say was you agreed to the Terms of use. I am outraged! I will be filing any kind of complaint I can against Thinkall for being deceptive. Do not use this company--well unless you want to pay the $50. I know its still cheaper than other programs, but its not cool when your surprised with the charges. Accepting them is one thing, being robbed is another.

By Anonymous, at 12:43 PM EST
All the software can be gotten for free from the internet. Check out my alternate download posts for information on this:

Home and Office Downloads
Graphics Downloads
Internet Downloads
Creative Downloads

By Veign, at 2:53 PM EST
ThinkAll Publishing LLC = Deceit. I can't agree more that the company has practices that are founded on misrepresentation.

Just after submitting my purchase request I felt funny (Ref the book Blink) and I sent them an e-mail requesting that they confirm that my total bill was $2.95. To their credit they did get back quickly will a mealy mouthed expression with I have included.. note that they say "Terms of Use" THE terms of use include a monthly club with auto billing to your credit card. I am not going to comment on the value, that is up to you. The deal is 4 CD's = $2.95 upfront, $50 if you don't return 2. Then you get a monthly delivery with auto charge to your credit card. You decide.

Here is my inquiry:
> Could you please let me know the total amount billed to my Credit
Card?
Their response to my inquiry :
> When you place your initial order, we charge you USD $1.95 to cover
some of the handling cost to process your request which includes labor,
shipping materials and processing fees. We also authorize a USD $1
charge at the same time for shipping cost. Only > when your four Software
CDs actually ship, do we charge you USD $1.00. This comes to the total
of USD $2.95 S&H to receive all four Software CDs you selected and to
take advantage of this offer.

THEY CLAIM THAT IT COST YOU $2.95 to take advantage of the offer to be billed... you decide...

By Anonymous, at 12:18 PM EST
Think all Publishing says that their software if FREE! Then it says there is a 4.95 charge for shipping. 3 levels down from their home page, in TERMS OF USE is a small box with over 2,000 words. In paragraph 7, in prolix language it says something about a subscription.
Think all Publishing is a classic bait and switch scam, where FREE! is promised so that they can get your credit card number.
Do not do business with this company because they will not refund your money!

By Anonymous, at 5:25 PM EST
to those who have been victimized by this scam, please post on all blogs and forums you can find bout this fraud. if you can post on one blog/forum a day bout this group, they'll be out of business in no time. payback would be sweet

By Anonymous, at 3:19 PM EST
Actually a more productive thing to do would be to contact either Google or Yahoo and request their ads be pulled.

By Veign, at 3:23 PM EST
Thanks for posting all this good information. Alas, I too fell prey to the web site and thought little of it until I had already agreed. How foolish I was and will look into a company better next time. The funny thing is on their very materials sent they give a link to go to if you want to return. Lucky, for me I hit your link as theirs does not work. I called them by phone and sent back the other two cds by priorty mail with confermation. Yes, it cost about 5.00 but should get there in plenty of time. Later that day this is what they sent me, mind everyone that I had already mailed them at this point! Like that information would help me.... Thank you for trying our software!

This serves as a confirmation that on 04/18/2006 you have cancelled your trial with Think All Publishing.

Regarding your order # xxx shipped on 04/06/2006:

Product ID | Product Name
-------------------------------------------------
0401 | 600 Greatest Fonts
0301 | 4500 Greatest Photos
1501 | GIMP Photo & Image Studio
0101 | 15000 Greatest ClipArt

Two of the CDs above in your trial package are FREE and yours to keep and enjoy. The other two trial CDs are just $24.95 each which, as you know, is a tremendous savings (up to 80% OFF the store price) because we sell them directly to you. If, like most of our customers, you want to keep all 4 CDs - do nothing!

If you do choose to return the two trial CDs, your return confirmation number is 9543494. This return confirmation number must be included on the outside of the package with the returned CDs. If the return number is not included, it may delay us processing the return and may even result in an inadvertent billing for the two trial CDs.

Return the trial CDs to:

Think All Publishing LLC
Returns Department
Return # 9543494
P.O. Box 462009
Garland, TX 75046-2009

If our Returns Department does not receive the 2 trial CDs within 15 days, you will be billed for these 2 trial CDs.

We strongly recommend you use USPS Delivery Confirmation or other tracking service for your return so you can track when the package was sent and delivered. Otherwise, we are not responsible for lost or undelivered packages.

Questions? Please call our friendly Customer Service anytime at one of the phone numbers below.

Enjoy the software! We thank you again for your business!

Have a great day,

Think All Publishing Customer Service
support@thinkall.com
1-800-462-8144 (US/Canada)
0-800-051-7332(UK)
1-800-635-272(Australia)
1-902-462-6085 (Global)

Sorry this is so long but thought this would be very helpful information for those outside the US. Also, turning them in to the BBB is a great idea. Also, the Attorney General in your state may prove to be helpful. Must say the person I spoke with was very kind and professional. Did change some numbers and dates for protection. :)

By Anonymous, at 3:27 PM EST
I got caught too. I fell for their promotional come-on. Their big print ad says nothing about charging $24.95 each for two of the CDs that they send. When the first 4 CDs arrived, nothing in the package said that 2 of them would cost me $24.95 each. An underhanded and deceptive company.

By Anonymous, at 10:20 PM EST
I too was thunderstruck with the kind of offer posted..but on a safer side decided to check out some reviews other than their own! And glad I did...just to save myself the hassles the others have gone through!!

Lessons Learnt: Never venture into any offers without reading reviews!

By Anitha, at 4:13 PM EST
I have read your comments. My case is worst because I believed this incredible offer and I applied for it. I live in Mallorca -Balears Islands-, Catalonia. In my case it's practically impossible to send back the CDs before ten days.
Actually I still being so credule... but I have cancelled my VISA

By Anonymous, at 4:47 AM EST
There may be something you can do about this. The Consumer Protection Act statutes in many states will allow for suits against a company that engages in deceptive practices like this, even if the terms were in the contract. (Just because something's in a contract doesn't make it legal, after all; I can't legally contract to have someone killed, however tempting that may be from time to time.)

My initial thoughts (again, without having researched the statute in depth and compared it to what's happening here, so this is off the cuff and not at all any kind of advice) is that here in Michigan where I practice, this would probably fit the definition of a violation of the consumer protection act, entitling the plaintiff (i.e., the person who got ripped off and sued) to triple damages PLUS reaonable attorney's fees. Most states have similar statutes. It may be worth your time to check it out with an attorney.

(MANDATORY DISCLAIMER: Yes, I am an attorney. However, this message is not intended to be legal advice; it's just information. Consult an attorney in your jurisdiction with your specific information before you do anything litigious.)

By Steven Shelton, at 8:56 AM EST
Have Think All ever refunded anyone? They emailed a confirmation to that effect but nothing has shown on my Amex account as yet.
Marios.

By Marios Zakos, at 8:18 PM EST
I'm a victom of this scam and I'm planning to proceed legally. I have contacted my attorney and he is more than happy to deal with this case. We are going to sue this company.

By Anonymous, at 7:12 PM EST
If things work in your favor contact me directly and I would love to do a followup blog post...

By Veign, at 7:33 PM EST
It's been a while since I had time to work on this. A LOT more people have been stung. A couple things: check out the links in an earlier message ("When I get mad, I get information") to the consumer protection laws of the state of Texas, Thinkall's governing jurisdiction, and complaint options through the Texas AG, the applicable BBB, the FTC, and a federal site for international complaints. (Mea culpa, I haven't done so, YET.) Those might help.
For the apologists (customers? Ha!), get real. If you read the FTC guidelines at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/products/trialoffers.pdf, page 2, the mandatory information is NOT "clearly and prominently" displayed as required. Neither is it customary to bury the specifics of a retail transaction in the terms of use, but rather to provide a link to relevant contractual information immediately adjacent to the point where you must confirm the transaction. Rather, their initial come-on is carefully worded in such a way that you think you HAVE read the terms, when you haven't. There is no reference to cost or subscription in your order confirmation email or on the invoice with the cds, and while there's a breezy keep-or-return statement on the packaging, it doesn't state the price or subscription nature of the offer. Their customer service reps are trained to keep robotically repeating that you were negligent, it's not their fault (paraphrasing) that you're stupid, and that the company has a rock-solid, no-exceptions, no-refund policy. They may not even send you the software you select: at the time of my initial order, their computers changed my order AFTER I hit the submit button, so I had to accept several shipments if I wanted the software I had actually ordered, despite an immediate email request asking them to change the order. They said they had done so, then sent me the same useless software.
The cancellation or return procedures must be followed to the letter or they can keep charging your credit card until you do so. It's not easy to cancel your bank card to stop this kind of underhanded dealing: I'm still picking up the pieces from having to do so. And paying the overdraft charges that piled up when funds were removed from my account without my knowledge.
In short, they are blatantly, and consciously, deceptive.

By Helen, at 8:34 PM EST
Everything you said is what I think 1000's of people are going through. I read somewhere that ThinkAll shipped over 100,000 CD's last year. Just think of all the people they ripped off.

People: Contact Google, Yahoo, the FTC, BBB and get this company to change or stop their deceptive ways.

By Veign, at 9:41 PM EST
Thanks for posting. I did think "too good to be true" and did a Google search for "about thinkall" and found your blog entry. May I suggest CHARGEBACK claim with your credit card company for nonreceipt of merchandise. If they get enough chargebacks they may have to scramble for another merchant account unless they are offshore. Just some thoughts.

By Anonymous, at 3:27 PM EST
I wish that I had known how to find your helpful information about this company. I am very knew to the internet and fell for the offer.I am not able to afford the prices they are charging according to the comments I have been reading on your site. I live in Australia, so will try the Aus. customer service number.I hope I have some luck cancelling, as I don't even think that they are worth buying and had trouble installing the programs, but I am knew to both computer and internet.Thank you for your information.

By Val Lawrance, at 2:16 AM EST
I too have fallen for this. Thanks for posting this here, as it has made it alot easier to deal with. I have asked for the cancellation and am waiting to hear. I shall be complaining also to the people you have mentioned because I can't believe they are getting away with this

By caroline brailsford, at 1:23 PM EST
What so many of you did not notice is that Think All worded the bait, "Free,Free, and you pay only shipping".....and the switch is overtly illegal because they ask "do you agree with the terms of the Offer?"....well sure.
The switch is on the bottom, you have to scroll down and it says in small print "terms of use" with the switch hidden deep therein.
"Terms of offer" and "terms of use" are not the same thing. Not just a "bait and switch", more like a bait, pea shell game and switch. Busted

By Dave, at 8:33 PM EST
On their website I saw that they actualy had many open source program on their CD's, like Blender, Audacity, Gimp and others. This software is free for download anyways. If you distribute it, you have to include the source code though.

A question to those people who got some cd's from think all: Did they include the source code to those programs? If not, they actualy might be violating the licenses of the software they offer.

Cheers

By Lars, at 7:20 AM EST
If some one wants to drop by their little office the real addresss(not P.O.)is Think All Publishing LLC, 5700 Granite Pkwy #200, Plano, Tx 75024

By Anonymous, at 11:49 AM EST
I got stuck by them as well. I received the software, which I was not impressed by at all, and also a $54.02 charge a month later. I've disputed the charge on my credit card as it is not very apparent what you are signing up for when you order their "free CDs"

By Anonymous, at 5:49 PM EST
Well I've fallen for this here in UK and can now only report them on as many sites as possible. When I mailed them I got a very polite explanation of just how the scam works, which I already knew. It would seem the "two are free and you pay for the other two" is to get round the fact they are illegally selling for profit the open source material?

By Ash, at 2:56 AM EST
I almost fell for this deceptive offer. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for them I had used a Visa giftcard when I placed my order. The giftcard only had a few dollars remaining, enough to cover the initial shipping for the CD I wanted plus the 3 "BONUS" CDs. I guess this puts me in the drivers seat. I intend to keep the first 4 CDs and not accept any future mailings. It makes me happy to "stick it" to unethical and deceptive businesses.

By Anonymous, at 8:41 AM EST
I fell for thinkalls sales scam, but I may have the last laugh. Fortunately for me I used a Visa giftcard, which only has a few dollars remaining, to cover the shipping charges. If thinkall attempts to charge anything additional they'll see that the card has a 0 balance. I think I'll simply keep the first set of CDs delivered and any that may come in the future. I doubt they'll do anything about it because they are well aware that what their doing is illegal.

By Anonymous, at 9:40 AM EST
I got scammed by Thinkall as well. As soon as I realized what happened I took steps to cancel my "subscription". I then contacted my credit card company to dispute the $49.90 charge. They advised me to send 2 CDs back to Thinkall...I sent back all four (With a delivery confirmation receipt). I sent a letter with the CDs complaining of their practices and informing them that I have contacted my credit card company to dispute the transaction. I then got an e-mail asking me to call one of their friendly customer service representatives to arrange for reshipment of the CDs since I authorized them and my credit card had already been "conveniently" charged. ( oh...and they were nice enough to say they would not charge for the reshipping ) UNBELIEVABLE! After my reply to the latest joke of an e-mail, I finally got an e-mail saying they would refund the money in 2-3 days...We'll see what happens but in any case I'm sure that's all my credit card company will need to see if their promise to refund is yet another trick!

By Anonymous, at 5:57 AM EST
Well, I also got scammed by this company, but I fought them all the way and finally got my money back. They waited until my SS check was deposited and then grabbed the money 3 weeks after the cd's was to be returned. After 3 e-mails they finally told me to mail back the 2 cd's and make sure there was a tracking number. Well I sent them by UPS which is one of the best companies I know. Guess what they gave me a PO Box and I did not know that UPS did not deliever to PO Boxes. My package arrived in Texas and they could not deliver it so I called Think All customer service and ask for an address. They said they did not have an address and I had to wait for it to be returned and then send it again. I already paid $10. to have them shipped by UPS and was not going to put out any more money. I called the Attorney General office and got the Corporate address and redirected my package to that address. The same day my package was to be delivered I got an e-mail stated that they had issued me a credit for $49.90 and the next day it was in the bank. I was luckier than most people and I am thank ful for just loosing the $10. It is a lesson well learned and I will never get products from the internet again. I hope everyone could get there money back, but all I can say is keep after them. I did and it paid off. I am going to let the Attorney General of Texas know what they are doing and everyone else should too.

By meme, at 11:52 AM EST
Here is a summary of Think All's deception. You can paste this into the FTC's complaint website: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Start Complaint:
Think All Publishing, LLC says that their software if FREE!
www.thinkall.com
Then it says there is a minimal charge for shipping. 3 levels down from their home page, in TERMS OF USE is a small box with over 2,000 words. In paragraph 7, in it says something about a subscription. And then when the CD's arrive, there is a small label warning you that unless you send back 2 of the CD's in 10 days you will be charged ~= $50. Most people including me, don't see that warning.
This website chronicles other people's negative experience with this company: http://www.veign.com/blog/2006/01/thinkallcom-think-again.html
End Complaint

Address:
5700 Granite Pkwy #200
Plano, Tx 75024

Phone Number: (800) 462-8144

Ps. I borrowed most of the text from other's posts.

By Anonymous, at 1:34 PM EST
Most of the software they offer is open source. That means you can download it for free anyway. As an example, openoffice.org.

By Anonymous, at 7:29 AM EST
I also got taken in by thinkall. well I am sure they will get more like me. They need to be stopped & made to pay for mental harassment they cause. I am trying to return the cds but ups will not accept POBOX signed fro delivery for a POBOX. could some one polease let mr know te coporate office address, so that I can mail it to them at taht address. Otherwise I will get stung by them,

By essbeee, at 2:50 PM EST
Unfortunately i to got scammed , I did'nt read beyond small print, And now i'm paying for it .. Here is the address that was sent to me po box 462009 Garland TX 75046-2009 USA here is the return # that i got once i phone to cancell my membership 9711661, Has anyone be successful in returning there cd's and cancelling there membership .. If so could u please let me know .. Cause i'm working on sending mine back now ..
Thanks Crystal

By crystal, at 3:27 PM EST
All of you people who feel you were scammed need to complain to the Fereral Trade Commission, Consumer Complaints Bureau AND call the bank that issued your credit card and contest the recurring charges and state that you want them reversed because 1) you felt that you were defrauded AND 2) they (think all) will not accept your attempt to return the CD's. If your bank refuses to reverse the charges, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade commission and the Comptoller of the Currency against the Bank for violating your write to be protected from fraudulent credit card charges.

By Anonymous, at 8:42 AM EST
Exactly!

The more complaints the more chance of this company being shut-down.

By Veign, at 10:12 AM EST
Follow-up

Make your complaint know to the Texas Attorney General. File a complaint here:
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/consumer.shtml#ifyou

Company name: Think All Publishing LLC of Garland, Texas - Dallas CountyFollow-up

M

By Anonymous, at 10:51 PM EST
Yes, this is the biggest scam of expensive fine print behind the "free" I have ever seen. I have returned their "free" CDs but was charged $49.99 numerous times! They say they have a no-refund policy (for anyone successfully defrauded). The rep said she did not know of ANY management person I could talk to, nor did she know of any contact number other than the complaint line she answers. She also said she did not know who signed her paycheck. Honest and forthcoming? Not in any way. I will file a BBB complaint and am contacting the Atty. General's office in Texas. Spread the word far and wide.

By Joan, at 12:43 AM EST
Wow, they just got to me too. I hate this, it is the reason people are afraid to purchase on the internet. I am filing a formal complaint.
jim

By Anonymous, at 3:57 PM EST
to all of you thinking about getting cd's from this company,DON'T, they are not honest when they send tham to you, they charge just shipping and handling and you think thats all you have to pay,you have ten days to cancel,that is nothing,i returned all my cd's they are not some body you want to buy from,when i tryed to cancel my cd's i could not get into the web site to do so,it kept telling me there was no url sight as such,after about 10 trys i got threw.don't do it.

By Anonymous, at 7:30 PM EST
I have also been stung by this company. I sent them a stinker of an email and finally i got the website to cancel my subsciption. So here it is folks
http://www.thinkall.com/freeCD.html
Hope this is of help to people who also have been stung by the false advertising that they use.

By Anonymous, at 9:19 AM EST
I got scammed by this company ThinkAll. It is a complete sham. They are reselling software that is free anyway and doing it very insidiously. Somebody at Thinkall should go to prison

By Anonymous, at 2:51 PM EST
Please be advised the Think All Publishing is running an intentionally deceptive website at mozzila.com. I discovered this accidentall(and got screwed)when I(a 65y/o, disabled computer novice)accidentally misspelled mozilla.com, to obtain a downloadable copy of thunderbird free E-Mail program, recommended by my brother-in-law who helped me acquire this computer. I have filed complaints with the FTC, the TXAG, and the FCC for running a deceptive website(I suspect offering CD's 0f pirated Mozilla software) I thought I was on the Mozilla website from it's virtually identical appearance.

By riverbankradio, at 6:17 PM EST
They are selling mostly freeware or even worse, open source programs. Now that is a crime.

By Anonymous, at 11:53 AM EST
THANK YOU FOR THE WARNING AND I WILL BE SURE TO REFUSE THE ENTIRE OFFER ASAP! SOUNDS LIKE A SHALL I SAY, SCAM!!!(?)

By Anonymous, at 11:43 PM EST
I wonder if the loophole in our favor is the 10 day trial. Their agreement never specifies 10 calendar days, and because they use the us postal system it is reasonable to assume 10 days is business days or mailing days. Most of us who fell for it probably cancelled within 10 business days. If my logic is correct this becomes mail fraud for thinkall.

By Anonymous, at 7:25 AM EST
I just got scammed by them to . NOoooooooo. I can believe it.
If they don't respond to my refund request I'm sending my HAcker friend spend some time on them. I'll see how they handle my file!

By Anonymous, at 11:30 PM EST
Thanx.
Saved my butt.

By Nate, at 7:13 PM EST
I too smelt a rat, so did a search before I got caught.

BTW, a free video editing program (which I was looking for) is Virtual Edit and is found at http://www.virtualedit.net/home.htm

Veign, could you add this link to your list at http://www.veign.com/blog/2006/02/thinkallcom-creative-download.html

By Anonymous, at 10:00 PM EST
I would have except I have a very strong feeling your associated with the site.

First, I already provided a link to free video editing software.

Second, the software you linked is not free. Did you get that: Virtual Edit is not FREE software.

Take your spamming crap elsewhere.

By Veign, at 10:21 PM EST
I returned the two cd's that I did not want, after speaking to customer service dept. I received an e-mail confirming my cancellation of any further cd's. I had a good result all round.Thank you for your infomation.
Val. Australia.

By Anonymous, at 4:13 AM EST
Also a big THANK YOU for the warning, and the URL to the cancellation page. I was trying to find it, with no success.
What an underhanded thing to do.
They could have made the cancelling option on their main page, but no, they had to hide it.
I have cancelled my subscription and will never order anything else from them.

By Anonymous, at 3:06 PM EST
I too got hooked by this company.
Thanks for all the good information. Especially the web URL for the cancellation page.
I hate these kind of crooks. If I was a lawyer, I would start a class action suit against this company and get back some of the money that has been swindelled out of people.
Thanks Again.

By Anonymous, at 3:36 PM EST
Ug. Thanks for putting this up. My 99.80 is a steep price to pay for learning that there is no free lunch. I am very glad to see how many people it has rescued from the talons of Think All. After filing a complaint with the FTC I was unable to file with the BBB. No matter if I said Garland or Plano Texas the site kept telling me that the company was not in its database. I will have to snail mail them. Other suckers unite, let's keep the pressure on these slimeballs!

By applebee, at 11:32 PM EST
FOR THOSE HAVINGTROUBLE W/ CANCELLATION OF THINKALL CDS:

this came in an email after my conversation w/ Cust. Service. My acct has been cancelled. The 2nd set of CFD's have been returned in toto, and they refunded the shipping! Interestingly, Kyle ,at Cust. Service said he could NOT give out their PHYSICAL address. Hmmm......
(THIS IS A PORTION OF return email from the company:) GOOD LUCK!

"This return confirmation
>number must be included on the outside of the package
>with the returned CDs. If the return number is not included,
>it may delay us processing the return and may even result
>in an inadvertent billing for the two trial CDs.
>
>Return the trial CDs to:
>
> Think All Publishing LLC
> Returns Department
> Return # 3347987
> P.O. Box 462009
> Garland, TX 75046-2009

>If our Returns Department does not receive the 2 trial CDs
>within 15 days, you will be billed for these 2 trial CDs.
>
>We strongly recommend you use USPS Delivery Confirmation
>or other tracking service for your return so you can track when
>the package was sent and delivered. Otherwise, we are not
>responsible for lost or undelivered packages."
(NOTE: USPS did not get return receipt signed per my payment of it!!)
>
"Questions? Please call our friendly Customer Service anytime
>at one of the phone numbers below.
>
>Enjoy the software! We thank you again for your business!"
>
>
>Have a great day,
>
>Think All Publishing Customer Service
>support@thinkall.com
>1-800-462-8144 (US/Canada)
>0-800-051-7332(UK)
>1-800-635-272(Australia)
>1-902-462-6085 (Global)

By Anonymous, at 5:23 PM EST
I too got suckered in. At the risk of a commercial plug, I would like to credit "McAfee Site Advisor" for alerting me to the problems with this site, and directing me to you for more information. If I had heeded the warning in the first place, I wouln't have been sucked in at all.

By Anonymous, at 9:24 PM EST
I just got ripped off by Think All when I found their site back in March and they claimed their CD's were all free except a one dollar shipping charge for one time. I read the contract and never saw anything about the $49.95 or $4.95 shipping on any future CD's nor did I expect anymore. The clip art and fonts would not transfer and all their CD's were worthless and when my credit card balances kept getting higher every month even though I stopped using the card back in March I checked it and found they had billed my credit car for $165 without my knowledge and I notified Think All and they said I agreed to their terms of charging me and I told them I never saw that in the contract and there was no refunds. I told them I never used any of the other CD's because the first 4 were worthless. But they would not relent until I told them I am 74 years old, handicap and on social security and there were special laws in the US (double fines) for ripping off senior citizens when the woman said if I return all the CD's they would refund all my money. I sent them back to Garland, TX and they signed a confirmation card they recieved them and I called my credit card company the 5 days required for them to refund my money and when it was not there I called Think All and they said there was a no refund policy. I told them they were messing with the wrong person because I knew government agencies they never heard of that "Will shut you down you scamming thieves" but the woman would not relent. There is a law in all 50 states whereas if you scam anyone over 65 years old fines, jail time and etc are double and they have lots of teeth in these laws. And years ago I worked as a law enforcement officer and am currently a part time judical officer in the state courts and law here in New Mexico does not like it when anyone scams their court officers and the department of aging does not like it. I won't give up until I close them down even if I have to go to my congress persons, state representives, the FCC, the BBB, the TX AG and the FBI's online fraud unit and since I am retired I got more time on my hands than they do to shut the skunks down. E.A. NM

By eegull, at 8:02 PM EST
Good luck and keep me informed of your progress...

By Veign, at 9:14 PM EST
Bottom line: Deceptive, unethical marketing of software which is available elsewhere (sometimes for free) and/or is second-rate. Details follow.

1 free CD? Great! 4 free CD's? Suspicious, especially when only after I selected was I asked for a credit card to bill shipping and handling. I looked up "ThinkAll" and got your site, which confirmed that once again, if it sounds too good to be true, it's probably false. Just went back and looked at the terms and conditions. (The "I agree to terms and conditions" check box appears automatically; you have to search for the terms.)

This is an on-line "book-of-the-month" club. They send you the monthly selections; it's up to you to act to return them or cancel memberbership; both of those actions require on-line action by you which ThinkAll can easily prevent you from accomplishing.

Much of the software is second-rate and/or downloadable elsewhere, sometimes for free.

I was tempted to take just 1 CD, then realized I'd be agreeing to their "4 CDs of the month" club, and I don't want that.

I'm staying away.

By Anonymous, at 4:33 PM EST
Thinkall's advertising is truly deceptive. I work for a consumer rights law firm and I am investigating these claims. I would like to hear more about people's experiences with Think All. Please email me at abby1100ny@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Abby

By Abby, at 10:38 AM EST
A fool and her money... They got to me for $54.02. I just found the charge on my bank debit/credit card. My bank told me that you cannot stop payment on this type of charge as you can on a regular check or money order. Thanks for the phone number. It may not appear on some bank or credit card statements as it does on mine. I will be calling them first thing Monday morning.

I am a senior citizen and I think my pre paid legal service will be glad to take a look at this. This might be able to go into class action suit agianst these people.

By DUMB in Texas, at 1:41 AM EST
Ya,they got me too.$49.90 and they quote me the trems of agreement.The cd's suck the minute I put them on my brand new mac G4 it froze I had to shut the computer off.These people know how to scam.It total sucks cause I always read the terms of agreements.So im trying to fight them right now it may be a losing battle.One lady said I can email them on the website about extending my trial period to send the cd's back.Don't do buisness with these people.

By rhaine, at 2:07 PM EST
Think All is still at it.
Found out about the consequences of terminating the "account". No refunds at all!! Don't terminate your account
till you have read the bottom of paragragh 9 in the Terms Of Use.
I did not see this mentioned here.
Another Victim of "the Russian"

By Anonymous, at 2:56 PM EST
Wish I had found this site before losing my $49.90. This company is a real scam. From what I understand from the website is that the first four cd were free. They even have the prices crossed out. Well, think again. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY. Anyway most of there software is GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE...meaning it is free from the person/company who creates it.

By Nfbayboy, at 9:35 PM EST
It appears there is a deliberate attempt to make things hard to find and even harder to understand on the Thinkall web site. The very style of the web site should alert people to the fact this isn’t what it appears to be. The Terms of Use by Thinkall.com or Thinkall Publishing are found at the bottom of their web pages and are a lawyers work of art. Being understandable isn’t any part of their message. If you should want to print out these terms of use you’ll find there is no visible way to print out the material. However there is a way around this, click on the text and move your cursor to the end of the document until the entire Terms of Use is highlighted. Then open a Word, or similar file, click the cursor to the page, and right click and select Paste to put the entire Terms of Use onto the page. Then simply save as Terms of Use or other name you desire. I made a Directory called RIPOFF and saved the Terms of Use into that Directory.

The cancellation page can be printed directly which means when you have successfully cancelled your subscription on the 800 462-8144 number the cancellation page shows a note, in red stating “Thank you. Your subscription has already been cancelled on (The date and time appears here). You will not receive anymore CDs from us.”

A search of the Better Business Bureau for Thinkall Publishing, LLC brings up two addresses. One is in Garland, Texas and is PO Box number 462009, Garland, TX 75046 and the other is Plano, Texas at 5700 Granite Pkwy. STE 200, Plano, TX 75046. Neither shows a local phone number. A complaint was filed asking for a refund of all charges because of misleading advertising, deceptive selling practices, unsatisfactory service and generally unresponsiveness to customer complaint.

One way to put some pressure on this outfit is to dial their 800 number and just stick around since they get billed for the 800 minutes. If the entire population of computer literate people could stop by each pay phone, dial the 800 number and then ask for your refund the company couldn’t afford to maintain this 800 number.

By Anonymous, at 1:45 PM EST
qp
There is good reason to believe that Think All Publishing is,in fact,Manay Software. The documents filed in Texas list similar names
and business addresses to those which were used by Manay. Not the same, but too suspiciously close.
The product and methods of deception are the same.If you're interested,try"Manay+ripoff",to get started. I hope this will,in some way,help someone.
And by the way, Yahoo! and Google don't care. They profit from Think All Publishing and our many requests for them to drop them as sponsors have, obviously, not had any effect.
Thank you

By Anonymous, at 12:57 PM EST
This the Adress to send ur CD back to Thinkall .
Thinkall publishing
Return/Department
5740988
PO BOX462009
GARLAND
TEXAS 75046
PHONE NUMBER FROM THE UK IS -0-800-051-7332 .
Please Phone them First to cancel ur subscription .
I phoned first and got there adress
and sent the CDs back and told them NOT TO SEND ME ANYMORE CDs .
And they never sent me anymore nor take anymore money from my acount.

By Senga, at 9:36 AM EST
Who owns Think All Publishing?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060623083047AA6f4NA

Minslousky is Mintskovsky of
Manay Software

Don't cancel till you read the "terms of use" part 9.
No Refunds if you do this first.
They will try to get you to cancel
your account so you can't get a
refund.
Plano, Texas is in one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S.
Now you know why.

By Anonymous, at 2:00 PM EST
Cancellation page:

http://www.thinkall.com/freeCD.html

Copy and paste with information requested.

By Anonymous, at 4:01 PM EST
my wife got suckered into this site, in no way did the site pop up the terms of service agreement. anyhows, i backcharged my credit card after they charged me 49.90, and called them. they were like, our terms of service clearly states, i told them whatever. federal law states they must show you the terms of service, so no leg to stand on. but anyways, i complained to the bbb of texas, the ifc (internet fraud complaint center) and the ftc (federal trade commission) all on their websites. isnt the electronic age great, also i reported them to the us postal service for mail fraud. it was kinda funny, i get a call from thinkall the next day, issuing me a refund. james of ok.

By Anonymous, at 5:12 AM EST
Thank you very much Chris, I almost had entered my credit card number, and suddenly I thought of searching the phrase 'thinkall fraud' and as a result I was lucky to read your posting. Thanks again.

By Anonymous, at 9:19 AM EST
I got scammed too. Like the others I discovered the "charge" on my credit card. On their website it promotes the 4 CD"S as free only pay for shipping. I am out $57.40 Canadian after discovering this too late! This is a scam outfit and avoid at all costs!

By Anonymous, at 10:09 AM EST
hi, ive just been conned by this so called think all company, but like many others i have been charged for two of the cds (one of which doesnt even work properly) i called my credit card company straight away and told them not to allow any more money to go to these crooks, thanks to this page i was able to cancel my subscription, ive lost £27 but learnt a valueble lesson, thanks to all, a very upset sharon from u.k

By sharon bacon, at 8:16 AM EST
Ha, and I thought I was maybe the frist one!!! I did a google search on thet company and was preparing a list of complaints I would submit if they do not refund my money......and then I see all of your comments. AGGGGGGGGGGG

And to make matters worse, its $87 in Australian dollars. Its not so much the amount, but the principle. These guys are unethical and unprofessional.

HAS ANY ONE ACUTALLY GOT THEIR MONEY BACK YET??? I sure hope someone has otherwise I will be licking my wounded pride and moving on.

I do have a thought though that I will report this to my credit card company and stop all future charge and try and get them to refund my money.....OK so i am dreaming, but $87 is a lot to a young family.

By Tim, at 10:27 PM EST
Hello and so very sorry to all that have been taken by those Dirty Dogs at THINK ALL.I made two orders and have to pay $57.00 on one credit card and pretty much the same on the other.ARRGH,..This really infuriates me.But the took us and really nothing we can do but cancel with them.I just cancelled with them today.Was easy.Here are some #'s for you to call:U.S./Canada-1-800-462-8144.United Kingdom-0-800-051-7332.Australia-1-800-635-272..Global-1-902-462-6085..Good Luck from:Tired of being screwed over by companies like THINK ALL.(Hope this info helps somewhat)

By Anonymous, at 12:41 PM EST
Hi Chris, My name 's Les from New Zealand, I also fell for the free scam after they sent me the email stating cdsent 19/9/06 I felt uneasy and found your site.I've cancelled any further products ok and got there mail stating that return must be madein 15 days of cancelling.Not possible as they stated 8/10working days delivery as this is Sun 24/9/06 tomorrow I'll go to the bank and try blocking them.If not I'll close the card.kep u posted. Les

By Anonymous, at 8:34 PM EST
Hi
Cancelling your card may not stop further transactions by ThinkALl.

I did get my money back but it took a few detailed emails. Here is what i did:

I emailed the fact that FTC law in USA apparently dictates that any charges to a credit card need to be up front and clear. Placing them in the "Terms and Conditions" is not allowed.
I also indicated that they were not authorised to use my credit card for any more charges. (This now means with this email, I can get any money back trhough the bank for unauthorised charges. This is important to know as my bank said taht even cancelled cards can get charges against them that you are liable for. EMAIL THEM SAYING NO MORE CHARGES AND KEEP THE EMAIL. ITS IMPORTANT)

Finally, I indicated that I would write to Google and Yahoo telling them of the unethical behaviour of ThinkALl and that I would submit a complaint to as many sites where I could register a complaint. Quite simply, I made it their choice. Pay back my money they took or they would lose a lot more in lost sales and aggraviation.

That said, I thought I lost my money to another scam and did some kicking of myself for being caught again. (Was a few years ago the last time)

Happy Hunting!!!

By tim, at 6:27 PM EST
Good job Tim! You seemed to have handled this right.

I still think you should write Google and Yahoo. There ads need to be pulled.

By Veign, at 7:00 PM EST
Thanks for the heads up,
Just sounded way to cheap for a retail seller, i could understand this kind of "offer" from the developer or producer but you've just save me from a big mistake, can't thank you enough mate!

By Wazza, at 7:14 PM EST
I too got caught when googling Mozilla Thunderbird. I knew there had to be a 'catch' I looked everywhere on thinkall's site to find it but could not, as the 'terms and conditions of use' are not the usual place to find out how much something costs I didn't bother to read them and stupidly went ahead with the order.

I'm in the U.K. the CD's arrived today - 11 days after I placed the order - and when I found out what the scam was I immediately cancelled the membership. after reading all the above posts I am expecting to get ripped off. My credit card company say that as yet I have not been charged for the CD's just for the postage which was $2.95 so I'm just waiting to see what happens next.

I'm returning all four CD's on Monday and hope that I don't get charged, I can do without the hassle.

How I wish I'd seen your website first.

By Dee in the UK, at 2:46 PM EST
Now they are charging $24.95 per CD. Learned my lesson with Think All. Typically, I don't shop online and looking for free deals like this. It had been a while since I shop online, so I had my guard down. I'd wish I had visited this web site first before committing to it. When I called, I also found out that they were going to mail me more CDs. I immediately cancelled my account. Although they have the term of use specifically states how they operate, it is extremely bad business practice with the intent of scamming consumers into additional liability. The bottom line: STAY AWAY FROM THINK ALL.

By Anonymous, at 4:23 PM EST
These scammers charged my AmEx over $100 before I caught them.

I heard about Open Office and got snookered to their pirate site.

Everything they sell is FREEWARE. Avoid them.

By Anonymous, at 12:14 AM EST
Another ThinkAll victim here ... when I called the 800 number here in Canada I asked to speak to a supervisor and of course no one was available because it's just a call center. I asked for the name and phone number of the company president and was told that information couldn't be given out on the phone but all company information would be on my cancellation email.

None of that information was there. I have found the mailing address on this thread but have seen no names or phone numbers of company officials. I would like to find this information since I think phone call to a president or CEO may have more impact than talking to a call center rep.

Also mentioned was the 0.00 customs value on the envelope which seems to be a customs violation on items coming to Canada and in all likelihood everywhere on the rest of the globe.

By Jim, at 9:55 AM EST
I placed an order with thinkall.com around 1:10 pm (EST) and came across this blog and immediately called to cancel. I got a telephone number for them 1-800-462-8144 and talked to a "Whitney". I cancelled my order and got a cancellation notice confirming via email. I don't know if this is the end of it. Here is an address as well:
P.O. Box 462009
Garland, Texas 75046-2009
800-462-8144

By Anonymous, at 1:21 PM EST
Well thank you good people, I am disgusted with Thinkall ...but now know I am not alone. Found your warnings too late. I consider myself extremely cautious with online orders and rarely use them. No more. Living in country Australia chances returned within the timeframe- not likely. I returned in mail, and then cancelled subscripion, then received email advising a Cancellation Number needed to be included. That was a month ago, guess what just got amount deducted from account.... today phoned Aust 1800...ended us in Texas US. Tried explaining, that number received after mail, asked numerous times had i included, ..how could I include a number I had not received at the time of mailing. Girl not pleasant and accusing. asked to speak to supervisor ..not avail...said would email...still waiting and still minus my monies. As far as I look at it, I was investing in my childs future and this company has just stolen money from my child as far as i am concerned. Stealing from children is surely immoral, offensive. Be ware all especially International, yes Customs advice filled out to nil value. Think All --THINK NOT -AND THINK CHANGE CREDIT CARD AND ADVISE BANK.

By Anonymous, at 5:36 AM EST
Hello, when I placed my order with you there was no mention of charges for the CD's except the shipping charge, I was not home when they arrived, we were away on holidays and so we could not have evaluated them. When I came home we tried the software and did not think any more about it until my MC invoice arrived with a charge of $49.00 US, I contacted them and they will dispute the claim. This is the second time an email has been send to you and as stated the first time I expect a full refund, further don't send anymore CD's they are not welcome in my home.
Regards Bill Bisschop order #1290713

By H.W.Bisschop, at 6:11 PM EST
I was lucky enough. Before filling up the credit card info, i googled for Thinkall scam and found a lot of blogs. Thank god i didn't fall for it.

Krishna

By Anonymous, at 7:47 AM EST
Beware!!! I also had a disappointing experience with ThinkALL.com. I only desired to order the one free CD for my daughter. Unfortunately, you must select the additional 3 CDs before you can complete your order. The "terms" link is a very same unseen link at the bottom of the page where most website and copyright details are located. I was traveling when my package arrived and didn't send the CDs back until after the deadline. I received the below email:
Dear ***** *****,

Thank you for trying our software! We have just received your returned CDs for Order Number: 13176801, shipped on: 09/14/2006.

As per the Terms of Use to which you agreed when placing the order, you had 10 days from the day you received the CDs to cancel your trial. Since you did not cancel online or by calling our customer service associates, we have conveniently billed your credit card for the two trial CDs. Please contact one of our friendly associates so we can reship the CDs back to you.

Ask customer service to waive the shipping and handling fee on the reshipment!

Two of the CDs are FREE and the two trial CDs are just $24.95 each which, as you know, is a huge savings (up to 80% OFF the store price) because we sell them directly to you!

If we can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our friendly Customer Service associates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and may be reached at one of the phone numbers below.

Have a great day,

Think All Publishing Customer Service
support@thinkall.com
1-800-462-8144 (US/Canada)
0-800-051-7332 (UK)
1-800-635-272 (Australia)
1-902-462-6085 (Global)

I contacted ThinkAll and received a very aggressive and rude representative. I explained to her my concerns and the charges to my Visa. She proceeded to lecture me about my agreeing to the "Terms". I didn't recall any such terms of $24.95 per CD if not returned in 10 days. She refused to refund any costs to my card. I was extremely disappointed with their "Trickery" on their site and trapping you into this "hidden membership". Email: SDRilee@yahoo.com.

By SRilee, at 10:59 AM EST
Hi,
Well it's too late for me. I should have looked you up before. I've just received my "free Cd's". I'm very angry. Now I'm thinking of how I can cancel my order and hope that when be the end of it. Please, if you could give me a few tips. I was thinking of closing my bank account. I don't know what to do.

By Carolyn, at 3:48 PM EST
all i can say everyone is tell them your lawyer is looking at it.and that you have dates and post marks of cd's sent to you and sent back.and if you managed to cancel,a copy of that too.i did and they refunded my money!good luck.

By tepper, at 3:00 AM EST
I got a feeling about this as I was getting ready to input my credit card info. Checked the Web, and sure enough, found this blog. Everyone, please check the Web before buying from ANYONE who is not a major retailer. Regrets to those of you who were already burned, however, you must have been sending out a universal vibe that tickled my BS meter. Thanks. Richard

By Anonymous, at 9:49 AM EST
My advice to Carolyn. On the bottom of your packing slip are some telephone numbers.
1-800-462-8144 (Canada)
0-800-051-7332 (United Kingdom)
1-800-635-272 (Australia)
1-902-462-6085 (Global)
Or contact: supportall@thinkall.com

I like her got the c.d.s on the 9th day. So I phoned the U.K. number and cancelled. I also got my CREDIT CARD (DEBIT CARD) CANCELLED.
Hope this advice helps.

By Anonymous, at 2:47 PM EST
Well, I have to say I DID like the two programs I ordered and downloaded to my computer the day I got them--I still need to try the others. I agree with those who posted here about not knowing where to go on their web site for other information! Has anyone notified BBB about this?!? They would crack down on them for this deception.
Advantages I see so far: one does NOT need to keep CD loaded in his disc drive to use the program. The Bible software was best I have seen yet for price. The OpenOffice gave me MS Excel, which I have wanted for a long time and just could not afford otherwise. And BEST OF ALL--once you load these, since they run independently, one COULD return the two required, cancel his membership, and STILL have the programs available for use anyway! So yes, there are down sides and I am glad I found this site to find out. I did get the access to the web site to cancel my membership. MAKE SURE IF YOU DO THIS TO PRINT THIS PAGE. It may be your legal way to fight them if they keep charging you.
When I woke up this morning I had a gnawing feeling in my stomach that this offer was too good to be true. I may return two of them, and then if I see charges on my credit card after initial billing for shipment of the first 4, I will cancel it and get a new account, too. Thanks, guys.

By Anonymous, at 5:45 AM EST
The only problem is you paid for software that is FREE and easily available on the internet. If you read the bottom of the post I give information to download the software or provide better versions. Anyone reading this, please do't waste your money on this and use the download links I provided.

By Veign, at 10:06 AM EST
Do the CD's actually contain the source code too??
If not the EFF may want to also take them to court.

I also follwed through with the offer, but was unsure about the credit card part when the opening gambit was FREE software, so I googled and found you. Thank goodness I useda throwaway e-mail address to sign up with. Its almost usless with the spam it gets already...

Mike

By Anonymous, at 7:27 AM EST
The CD's from ThinkAll do not contain the source code.

By Veign, at 10:38 AM EST
All I can say is THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I almost got bit here. Glad you posted this.

By Anonymous, at 1:09 PM EST
I cannot believe I did this I'm usually so careful,, but "Kim Komando"check out her radio show... sugested it, I thought she would have known better ,,Oh well live and learn !!!!

By Anonymous, at 11:21 AM EST
Some of my software had been mentioned on the Kim Komando show before so I have heard about her. I would suggest emailing her and telling what a scam ThinkAll is.

By Veign, at 9:12 PM EST
I, too, fell for this tricky deal. However, I returned only 2 disks and kept the other two since I felt they had duped me into the subscription and I wouldn't give them the entire package back. I did manage to cancel the account and received e-mail confirmation. However, I was charged for $1.96 and 3 days later, they charged another $1.00 on my credit card.

The sneaky way they get one to subscribe is unconscionable in my opinion.

By Anonymous, at 3:43 PM EST
Yes - they got me too. I've read thru this blog and have cancelled my credit card and sent them an email - but now have better idea on how to deal with them. I will follow thru and make complaints to all mentionned in this blog. A lesson well earned that's for sure. Thanks for the blog and will be visiting often!
Aussie Bird

By Barb, at 6:27 PM EST
I've been caught out too. Have cancelled credit card and will follow all avenues to make complaints and spread the word far and wide thru my MANY contacts and ask them to do same. Interesting how a message like this can be spread when you ask all your friends to pass the message onto 10 people asking them to do the same.

Just popped into Whois to see if there were any other details on this company's website - there are.
Think All Publishing (info@thinkall.com)
+1.214-233-3939
Fax: +.
2591 Dallas Parkway
Frisco, TX 75034
US
This is the info they have to put in when they set up a website. So I would presume someone at this addess was instrumental in setting up the scam. (I'm not in US so will not be following this up)
Whois also shows their provider - http://www.hostasaurus.com
domreg@hostasaurus.com - I think I'll make a complaint to them too. Probably won't come to anything but will make me feel better.
Barb

By Barb, at 7:21 PM EST
Thanks for the warning when I saw that it was only 2.95 to ship i thought something must be wrong.. So I googled think all and found you! Thanks everyone

By Anonymous, at 5:10 PM EST
Hi,

I too was caught in this fraud. I am very surprised that the U.S. laws allow these people to continue with their scam for a long time.

By Anonymous, at 11:57 PM EST
My experience appears to be a little different. I agree their advertising is misleading and deceptive and when I googled into this blog I was very unhappy that I had been conned. I cancelled my credit card, spent all day researching and preparing documentation for my bank and for my nasty letter to thinkall as it appears people have had very negative experiences. Imagine my surprise when I emailed them to let them know my actions and intentions to receive a very pleasant email back apologising that I had not been satisfied and saying the money was being put back into my account. I've just looked, and it's there. Maybe all the bad publicity is having an effect?!?

By Anonymous, at 8:18 PM EST
I too was taken in by these people.
I called them twice the second time i called them i told them that i called the better business bureau the internet fraud center and federal trade commision and they promptly returned my money.

By Anonymous, at 7:50 PM EST
I wish I had seen this web site a week ago. Think All is extremely misleading. I only wanted to get 1 CD, but it wouldn't even allow me to place the order withouth selecting 4CDs. Then throughout the order process, they never disclaim that this is a membership. Nor do they ever explain that some of the CDs are for a trial. If anyone has been scammed by them, I advise you to report it to the Better Business Bureau. When I called them, I kept getting the same representative which tells me that they are located in Garland, TX. When I find out more info, I'll post.

By Anonymous, at 12:26 PM EST
I thought I had researched it... I actually only wanted 1 CD and the software had good reviews. I figured I'd send the others back. My first problem is that they want me to agree to a license agreement before I install the software but the agreement is online and the page is bunk... they want me to agree to something that is not available for me to read. Who knows what this agreement says! I have yet to install this software, but I have cancelled the subscription and will be sending back the software. Have any of you actually seen this agreement and/or used the software? I took the offer for the music editor and also got the web design, video editing, and desktop publishing.

By msstarlite, at 12:13 PM EST
I did compile a list of software alternatives at the bottom of this post (not the bottom of the comments). Check that out and it may give you the software you want.

By VeignTest, at 1:13 PM EST
Unfortunately I was suckered in too for a $49.90 charge.

What's more unless I've misunderstood, it seems by the rest of the terms and conditions that if you cancel after they have sent another pack then you can't even send those back even within the trial period.

I'm surprised that google sponsers this link too. I thought they prided themselves on their integrity.

By Anonymous, at 7:26 AM EST
Why would Internet allows this scummier exist?
Is there anyway to get ThinkAll.com disapear?

By Anonymous, at 5:35 PM EST
the only way to stop these people is to cancell your credit card
terry

By Anonymous, at 6:39 PM EST
the only way to stop these people is to cancell your credit card

By t f denyer, at 7:03 PM EST
Thanks so much for this info!!! I was just led to their site thru google searching for animation software for my son. I'm actually right in the middle of the order right now, but it's trying to force me to this "Bonus Step!
First time visitors only!
To introduce our new CDs,
you will receive an additional
3 BONUS CDs of your choice
", and doesn't say whether i'll pay for them or not. All sounded 2G2BT, so I googled "THINKALL" and found your blog. I'll skip the thinkall scam.
Thanks and best regards,
BobB

By BobB, at 5:17 AM EST
thanks! just in the process of getting their animation software for my son on THINKALL, but it's forcing me to get 3 more softwares but not saying if free or not. I'll skip the scam! THANKS & BEST REGARDS ~~ bb64.iwarp.com

By Anonymous, at 5:20 AM EST
This post has been removed by the author.

By bb64b, at 5:24 AM EST
I got scammed, but because I was having trouble loading the disc's on my MAc I tried to call them. After being on hold for almost 40 minutes, i decided to check on the net and came across this site! I immediately called my credit card company and told them not accept any charges except the postage due. I also sent them a email questioning their deceptive practices. I mail the CD's back the next morning registered mail. The reply from Thinkall was that I had had the CD's for over ten days. Yes ten days from when they shipped them? Another deceptive practice also. By sending them UPS to a USP cenetr, it actually slows the shipping down by almost ten days. Luckily I had a dated email from the post office when I tracked the CD's. The date of the email was 11-28-06. So how could I have had them for ten days? I got another email back from them saying they have charged me $49.95 for the two CD's! I called the credit card company again, and they said there was no charge? And that they will keep an eye open for any chArges from Thinkall Thank you for this website. It has saved me a lot of headaches. I hope someone will shut down their business. Peter.

By Anonymous, at 10:02 PM EST
Thank you very much for the information on how the offer works.
Despite thinking it was to good to be tru, I was just about to order the softwares when just before inputting my personal detail, I decided to check the company and came across your blog.
Thank a lot, you have saved me a lot of agro.
Yohannes

By Anonymous, at 4:50 AM EST
Thank for the warning. Despite thinking that it was too good to be true, I was still about to order a copy when at the last minute I decided to check out the company and came across your blog.
Thanks again. You have saved me a lot of agro.
Yohannes

By Anonymous, at 4:54 AM EST
Thanks for the warning, but Ihave been alresdy suckered, but I did cancell my credit card. There is a program called McAfee Site Advisor , which warns you of ba dsites .I don't know how good it is as I just downloaded it,It does show thinkall as a bad site so give it a try, it does have a freeby, as well as one's to by. Good luck. kadanack

By kadanack, at 3:56 PM EST
Their special trick with me was to claim my returns were late by 58 days, but the tracking report showed they had refused receipt twice before then. By a co-incidence they claimed the CDs arrived back the day after I told my banl not to pay them any more.

???????!

By Frank Inglis, at 6:04 PM EST
Thanks for the info. Again too late. Further things to watch out for.... I ordered the software at 3 PM on a Friday afternoon. Read your column. Called Amex. There was no charge yet, but they noted my account. Then I called the customer service number in one of the comments. Amazingly, the products had already shipped -- to a PO box. I was given a return authorization number after I said I would refuse the package. Sleezy....

By Anonymous, at 8:32 PM EST
I too was deceived. And for what it's worth, they also shipped me one cd that was different than I requested and wouldn't respond to my emails about it.

I have filed a claim w/ my credit card company to refuse payment because this looks clearly illegal.

It violates the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16: Commercial Practices, copied below:

c) Disclosure of conditions. When making “Free” or similar offers all the terms, conditions and obligations upon which receipt and retention of the “Free” item are contingent should be set forth clearly and conspicuously at the outset of the offer so as to leave no reasonable probability that the terms of the offer might be misunderstood. Stated differently, all of the terms, conditions and obligations should appear in close conjunction with the offer of “Free” merchandise or service. For example, disclosure of the terms of the offer set forth in a footnote of an advertisement to which reference is made by an asterisk or other symbol placed next to the offer, is not regarded as making disclosure at the outset.

and...

(i) Similar terms. Offers of “Free” merchandise or services which may be deceptive for failure to meet the provisions of this section may not be corrected by the substitution of such similar words and terms as “gift”, “given without charge”, “bonus”, or other words or terms which tend to convey the impression to the consuming public that an article of merchandise or service is “Free”.

The website where I found the above is:

Commercial Practices;

I emailed thinkall.com w/ this info saying they were violating this Federal Regulation, and that if they didn't refund my money, I would refuse payment on my credit card & file a report w/ the FTC & BBB. So we'll see what happens...

By Anonymous, at 11:09 PM EST
You don't have to cancel your credit card. You can ask your credit card company to give you a new number. My company did that for me, reporting the card that I used with ThinkAll as stolen. After I read this blog, about 2 hours after the initial purchase, I called my credit card company. They said that I had to wait until the charge showed up before they could investigate it.

I also called ThinkAll to cancel my order -- couldn't do that (see below) and my "subscription." Via email I informed ThinkAll about contacting my credit card company and got a reply saying they were refunding my initial $2.95 payment and canceling my subscription.

Two hours after my order, ThinkAll customer service said they couldn't stop the shipment because it had already left. Amazingly fast, huh? That was on a Friday. The following Tuesday ThinkAll emailed that they had shipped the order on Tuesday. I asked them via email what was going on. I complained about unnecessary return shipping and tracking costs I would incur and told them that I would consult with my credit card company and maybe a lawyer to see what further steps to take. A supervisor at ThinkAll replied by email that if the package shows up I could do anything that I wanted with the CDs and did not have to return anything. And also reiterated that they refunded my card for the full amount charged.

I realize that I got off easy compared to many others who've written to this blog. Thanks to the blog, I took immediate action and had a phone number for ThinkAll to call. And I kept communicating with them.

Still, it was a real time-consuming pain for not thinking about a "too good to be true" type offer. I'm sharing this here to help others -- to suggest ways to deal with deceptive business practices like this. Hope this helps.

And yes, I did file a complaint with the TX attorney general.

By Anonymous, at 1:02 AM EST
Yes I've been "had" by this outfit - and as I wasn't expecting the second months charges I went over my overdraft limit and incurred bank charges of an extra £30. And the second set of cd's they sent me are all freely available - they're just a bunch of hoodwinks.

Thanks to whoever posted this link:

https://www.thinkall.com/cancelsubscription.php

I've now managed to cancel my "subscription" - let's hope so anyway!

By Miranda, at 8:03 AM EST
this site REALLY helps! think all is such a scam! i tried to go to thinkall.com/freeCD.html to cancel my subscription and every search engine i go to says it is not found. luckily i found the 1-800 number.

By sam, at 10:10 PM EST
i had no issues cancelling... but the real link to cancell is www.thinkall.com/freecd.htm NOT html as they say on the package.

By kookiekrumbles, at 7:56 PM EST
re "pat said" true, they(thinkall) prevent cancelation. I spent endless time trying to cancel. "page will not display," referral to non-existant email, and addresses that throw you back to non-functional pages I have worked for years in computer labs at a college and am not computer illiterate.

I didn't want the stuff to begin with, but of curiosity requested
the purported sample which presented as an avenue to freebees
if favored. Not being born yesterday, I detected an odor, increasingly, on trying to find addresses. Thinkall frequently succeed in making it impossible to cancel their slimey scheme. I have returned their stuff via united parcel--have been scammed for shippiing on the freebee, stuck with charges for stuff I've neither ordered or want, and returned intact
(additdional cost), which they've succeeded on placing on my bank account. This unfavorably impacts banks as well, and I don't intend dropping the matter.

By Anonymous, at 3:03 AM EST
there is no reason to suffer any loss to these cretins.

Have your bank reverse all charges, for which you can reference this Better Business Bureau listing: http://www.dallas.bbb.org/news_20060630.html

Also, report ThinkAll to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (http://www.ic3.gov/).

Thanks

By timlevin, at 5:44 PM EST
People! This company, Thinkall, is still in business and ripping people off. I've read complaints on this company dating back a year. It doesn't look like they can be stoppped legally, but if enough PEOPLE GET TOGETHER and repeatedly CALL THEIR 800 NUMBER(1-800-462-8144) and complain, we can drive them absolutely crazy. I propose that we form a large group and start calling this company beginning at a certain date. Lets make the date on Monday January 22nd. Please RSVP via comment on this website before this date so we can get an idea of how many people would be interested.

By Anonymous, at 9:37 PM EST
That's January 22 2007

By Anonymous, at 9:39 PM EST
Thanks for the warning but I was too late to look at this. I already ordered it and found out it wasn't what I thought. I have been trying to cancel but have been put on hold. I am calling my bank and I am going to get authorties involved. This company needs to be put out of business.

By Anonymous, at 8:18 PM EST
I don't know what to say.Im' so carefull and for just this reason.Look at all these posts.
I got mine from a 3rd gen. screw up via aol(digital camera)/video professor(far to expesive,way to little content)hence my think all software. Just $2.95 s/h 4 cds done gone overwith, I AGREE (click)
First of the month balanceing my bank account $49.90 think all ?????? and here I am.
Thanks cancel link.
BOK will block futher transactions.
sorry folks

By Anonymous, at 2:13 AM EST
THIS COMING TOO LATE!!! I just checked my credit card details and i was charged 49.95!!! The content of the CD isn't even worth 2.95! I cancelled from the website and then called them to ensure it was cancelled and then gave them a good piece of my mind!

Lasha

By lasha, at 7:13 AM EST
Thanks for the warning!!!

By James, at 8:56 AM EST
Thanks 4 all!!! Very actual information!

By Master, at 12:16 PM EST
wel what fools we all are here's the cancelation address, and a massive thank you to the 28th person to post it on hear you are a star- https://www.thinkall.com/cancelsubscription.php and it works many thanks to that person again****Deb's**** im overdrawn now cos of these people i lost £26.49 or $49.90

By Anonymous, at 9:51 AM EST
I cannot believe that I fell for this insanity. I even skipped a month in checking my statement because I don't use my card that often. Now I am in their little scheme for $100. Talk about infuriated. Their website seems to be conveniently down and after hours for a phone call.

By METIHNKSTHINKALLSTINKS, at 6:42 PM EST
OOOOOO!!! They got me, too! I can't get to there website, their cancelation page and can't get through on the phone line to cancel either. I'll cancel my credit card before they get another dime out of me!!

By Anonymous, at 2:41 AM EST
I too can't get the cancellation website to cancel and when I call them on the phone the representatives are very nasty and state that the system is down for maintenaince and they can't access my account to cancel it. I used www.thinkall.com/cancelsubscription.php and I tried www.thinkall.com/freeCD.html with no luck at all. I don't know what to do know. I did not use a credit card, I used a atm/debit card. The only thing I know to do is call and report my debit card as lost or stolen. Does anybody have any suggestions?

11-12-2006

By Anonymous, at 7:49 AM EST
This post has been removed by the author.

By ahfrayedknot, at 1:44 PM EST
Greetings from the UK and this is a really great website giving the background to this scam.

Is this a genuine warning from McAfee concerning Think All operations?

I had tried contacting the various cancelling links given for Think All but none of them worked. I was wondering if use of their links might give rise to Trojan, Virus or other contamination and that my firewall and other security programs were preventing this from happening.

No response to emails

Contacted my credit card company and gave them details of the authorised debit of 1.96 USD (£1.06) and explained we wanted no further software from this Company and wanted to return the unsolicited items but could not do so.

Tesco Platinum Plus (bless their hearts!) have agreed not to process any further payments from Think All until the issues are resolved.

Copyright permitted I will send them a link or printout to the information given here.

Once again THANKS

By Worldlife, at 3:50 PM EST
Whoops sorry I failed to put in the link to the McAfee website.

It is:-

http://www.siteadvisor.com/sitereport.psp?domain=thinkall.com&cid=22945&gclid=CIblqJna2okCFQriXgodrw-0zw

By Worldlife, at 3:53 PM EST
Hi,
Am I ever glad I found this blog. They also sent me 4 "free" CD's and just tonight I discovered what a scam this whole thing was.
Thanks for your posts, I spoke with my CC company and Thinkall can keep thinking now, because they would not be able to charge my account. Some people have been wondereing about their real address - I found this through WHOIS database:
+1.4252740657
Fax: +1.4256960234
PMB 368, 14150 NE
20th St - F1
C/O thinkall.com
Bellevue, WA 98007
US
Thanks again!

By thinkingaboutall, at 9:30 PM EST
That's not their address or contact information. They registered there domain through a proxy to protect their true identity.

By Veign, at 10:21 PM EST
Hi All, I'm in the same boat as others, but in Australia. Checked my card account today and found the second charge USD$1 on there which I didn't know would come out. Did the Google search, found this site.....
Contacted Mastercard - THEY CAN'T STOP THE PAYMENTS, they can only dispute them or cancel the card - I've only had it for a couple of months!!!

I suspect that their websites won't load because they deposit some sort of cookie onto the site that prevents 'suckers' from uploading the sites. NONE of their sites will load for me.
Thanks to the person who found the 1800 number for Australia, but guess what?.....apart from a short "we'll be with you soon" message, it just loops the same New Age crap music over and over again. I'm on hold as I type and have been for around 10 minutes.
The unfortunate thing is that the disks were a gift to my niece and nephew so now I've had to get my brother involved with sending the disks back as soon as they arrive. AND I'll have to cancel my credit card. BUGGER!!

Tamar Girl

By Tamar Girl, at 2:38 AM EST
REPORT THEM: If you do a search for "Report Scams" you will find quite a few places to report what has happened to you. I've just posted a report on www.ic3.gov a website for reporting internet scams. There are many others.

Go for it!

Tamar Girl

By Tamar Girl, at 3:19 AM EST
You can copy the disc's, then send them back, because they are selling open source programs that are free to anyone. There is also a scam on EBay, that is selling a program that is called "Inkscape" They made a mistake of showing a picture of one of the screen shots, and noticed one said "Inkscape" It is also a free program

By Anonymous, at 3:17 PM EST
I found their telephone number!!!

I was another victim of them but looking in my statements I found their receipt and from it their telephone #, e-mail and PO Box. I have no idea if they honor the calls because I already sent e-mails twice and never got an answer.
Their Tel. # is:
1-800-462-8144
support@thinkall.com
P.O.Box 469012
Garland, Texas 75046-9012

By Anonymous, at 3:25 PM EST
These bastards need to be stopped! Im from the uk and having just realised that they are taking money repeatedly from my account, I tried to phone them but cannot get through to anyone! I cannot get on to the websites either! Gangsters or what?

By Anonymous, at 11:22 AM EST
Ok now i dont feel so bad. Im not the only one they got ..... I contacted them when they charged my credit card and was informed that their systems were down. When I asked to speak to a supervisor I was informed that their supervisors do not speak on the phone but only communicate thru e-mail. Even after informing them that I do not do business thru e-mail they were very animate about not having a supervisor that could speak on the phone. In the 3 days since that phone call I have been unable to access their website. I just found this blog and am very happy about that .... I sent an email telling them that they are to cancel any subscription that I may have inadvertly signed up for or I would be contacting the BBB and FTC. I do not know who started this but thank you for the information that has been provided here.

By Anonymous, at 7:27 PM EST
I did a reverse address for ThinkAll Publishing with the address I got from one of these posts. The Address was 5700 Granite Parkway Suite 200 - Plano, Texas. I did this on online Yellow Pages. The name of the company I got at this address is Bluestreak. Their number is (214)387-6030. At first the receptionist (Amy) told me she could hook me up with ThinkAll's voicemail. She wouldn't give me the number only wanted to connect me. Then i asked her to let me speak with her supervisor and she said there was no supervisor but another lady did get on the phone (Lena) and told me that ThinkAll only had a mailbox there and hung up on me. Now i know that this outfit is connected with ThinkAll Publishing.
You cannot get through on their 800 number which is 1-800-462-8144.
Also their website has been shut down. They might be trying to change it (?). Their old I.P. address is http:/204.10.68.120 and I think they are trying to change it to: http:/69.25.142.5
Anyways, I was trying to be an internet detective...lol.
The lady hung up on me after i told her i was investigating ThinkAll Publishing. She sounded like one of their friendly Customer Service helpers.

By Anonymous, at 8:57 AM EST
Great work. I will follow this information and there's no doubt we will find out what company they become.

By Veign, at 9:59 AM EST
Here are the responses I got from FTC.GOV after I reported them:

-----Original Message-----
From: COMPLAINT@FTC.GOV [mailto:COMPLAINT@FTC.GOV]
Sent: Thursday, 18 January 2007 3:00 AM
To:(deleted)
Subject: Response to your complaint Ref No.

Thank you for visiting the FTC's web page and for using our NEW electronic Talk To Us form. Here's what happened to your information after you sent it to us:
One of our consumer counselors reviewed the information you sent us. If it was related to the FTC's law enforcement responsibilities, we entered it into our shared law enforcement data system. We share this data system with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada. Attached is your electronic response, which includes your reference number. Any enclosures can be found at www.FTC.GOV under the News Releases, Publications, Speeches option.
Information from consumers like you helps Federal, State and Local authorities investigate possible illegal practices and enforce our laws. Someone from the Federal Trade Commission or another law enforcement agency may contact you if they need additional information to help them in an investigation.
Thank you for using our Talk To Us form, and please continue to use the FTC's web page, www.ftc.gov, to get free information to help you avoid costly consumer problems.

And this was in the attachment:

Thank you for recent correspondence. The Federal Trade Commission acts in the public interest to stop business practices that violate the laws it enforces. Letters from consumers and businesses are very important to the work of the Commission. They are often the first indication of a problem in the marketplace and may provide the initial evidence to begin an investigation. The Commission does not resolve individual complaints. The Commission can, however, act when it sees a pattern of possible violations developing.

The information you have provided will be recorded in our complaint retention system. This computerized system enables us to identify questionable business practices that are generating numerous complaints and may be in violation of the law.

Thank you for providing information that may be used to develop or support Commission enforcement initiatives.

Tamar Girl

By Tamar Girl, at 6:27 PM EST
Wow, I found this website way too late! Still, looks like I'm in good company. What a scam! Tried accessing Think All's website (17/01/2007) - nothing. Tried calling their telephone number nothing. Contacted my Visa card provider. The bad news is they can cancel the card, but as soon as Think All issue another charge the account opens up again. These are truly scum. GRG

By Anonymous, at 6:59 PM EST
Sorry to say I got caught up in this also. Just received by credit card bill -- I found this to late.

There website does not seem to be active. While reaing this I have tried to access and cancel but all email address provided lead to pade not found.

Now what do I do???? Karen

By Anonymous, at 8:03 PM EST
I too have been scammed by thinkall.. Too late to do much about it as they have already taken me for almost 50.00 dollars and I found out this today by looking at my credit card statement.. We are changing our card but this will take up to 3 weeks to get this all done.. But there is no link that goes thru for think all right now including the cancel site either. No phone calls getting thru either so please some one tell me how do I cancel this when the link doesnt go thru.. All help is welcomed..

Robert Crawford

By Anonymous, at 8:46 PM EST