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EmailCDEarth = ThinkAll = One Big Scam
Oct 14
It would seem that the notorious and underhanded company ThinkAll has opened their doors again under a different company name called CDEarth.
For those who don’t know ThinkAll, here’s an excerpt from my original post exposing them:
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.
It would seem that CD Earth is doing the exact same thing. They are selling software that they say is Free software, as listed in the page title and in the footer under the FreeSoftwareCD.net, and automatically enrolling you in a Software Library Club, as listed in their Terms of Service. The Software Library Club is charging $14.99 per CD that you keep beyond 25 days that will automatically sent to you every month and they will charge for shipping these CDs to you every month.
By introducting you to our friendly company through this FREE CD Offer, we hope you will take the time to learn more about us. You’ll get this CD for FREE and an additional FREE Software CD that you select on the next page (2 FREE Software CDs in all) with a no obligation, free twenty-five day test-drive of our Software Library Club
I bet you didn’t know this when you requested a CD and paid the $2.95 shipping charge. Did you know you were giving them permission to automatically charge your credit card every month for CD’s that are not promptly returned to them and which includes a $5.95 shipping charge?
For those who may not have noticed the Terms of Use here is the part you need to know:
6. Software Library Club Membership and Billing. CD EARTH provides numerous products, services, and software in connection with its business. With respect to software provided hereunder, there is a discounted, non-refundable shipping and processing fee of USD$2.96 for the initial four CD software set. You may keep any two CD’s free of charge from the initial set. The other two CD’s in the first set are yours to review during a 25 day trial period which starts the day you receive your CDs. If for any reason you decide the complete set is not for you, simply visit us at www.cdearth.com/freecd before your 25 day free trial expires. You will need to follow the instructions at such web link to indicate your intention to return two of the CD’s and you will not be charged for the two trial CDs. If you elect to keep all four CD’s or you otherwise fail to comply with the foregoing instructions, you will be billed to the credit or debit card provided the price of $14.99 for each of the two trial CD’s.
As an added benefit and to help you expand your computer software library, about every seven weeks after you receive your first set you will receive another specially selected four trial CD software set to evaluate for just USD$5.96 shipping & processing, as long as your account is active and in good standing. For each such recurring shipment, you will have the same full 25 days from the day you receive them to review all four trial CDs. If you elect to keep all four CD’s in the recurring set, you will be billed to the credit or debit card provided the price of $14.99 for each of the four trial CD’s. You can cancel your participation in this program at anytime just by visiting the website www.cdearth.com/freecd. There is no obligation and no minimum required purchase.
Why do I think its ThinkAll? They are based in Texas, sell the same software and has the same manager that ThinkAll had.
Here is the detailed company information (same manager as ThinkAll):
Manager on Filing Document:
Yury Mintskovsky
Manager Address:
{snipped} N. Dallas Parkway, Suite {snipped}
Dallas, TX 75248 USA
Registered Agent:
Incorp Services, Inc.
Address:
{snipped} Brazos Street, Suite {snipped}
Austin, TX 78701 USA
In my opinion CDEarth.com / CD Earth, LLC should be avoided as its nothing more than a scam. The software, I have been told, is junk and you would be better off searching google for free alternatives.
here some Free downloads I gathered:
Check out these posts too:
Mar 12, 2009 @ 02:04:00
Yup! I clicked on an ad, got taken to the CD Earth site, clicked on the “details” link…… Hmmmmm….. sounds very much like thinkall!ThinkAll=ThinkAgain!(And the refund check I recently received unexpectedly was a nice surprise)
Mar 22, 2009 @ 10:07:00
Hi all,like most people here, I was also fooled by these scums before its too late. I immediately cancelled my credit card so that they can’t charge me in future.Besides, I stay in India. Do u guys really think I will b mailed those CDs?? And if mailed, do I have to return them?? coz they cant charge me in future anyhow..
Apr 08, 2009 @ 02:27:00
Was about to order when I thought I bettter Google them as it seemed a bit suss.Thanks for the heads up!
Apr 09, 2009 @ 05:05:00
I have been hit by the same scam too, paid 69.95 to learn the lesson well, but this is not the end of the story.According to cdearth system, my subscription has been canceled on 2009-02-24 and yet they still charged my credit card for 59.96 on the 6th of april.To prevent any futher charges from this unbelievable company, I have no choice but to cancel my credit card too.Why can’t someone or some authority put a stop to this company…..
Apr 21, 2009 @ 17:33:00
I looked at their website today. My scam receptors went off when I saw free cd. They went into full alert when I saw the ‘free’ cd they were offering was Gimp. Seriously?http://www.cdearth.com/photo-image-editor.htm?gclid=CPHgrL2Dg5oCFQEeDQodTGp5FgNot only that, if you google Gimp you’ll see that link above right at the top as one of Google’s sponsored links.
Apr 27, 2009 @ 13:20:00
Yet again Google are advertising CD Earth as they did Thinkall Publishing. They have to take some responsibility for promoting this rip off.As soon as I saw the first CD Earth page, I thought “Thinkall”. My advice to anyone is: check the site, if there’s no telephone number / address – steer clear! CD Earth offers one email address. That alone is highly suspicious.I was caught up in the Thinkall scam. Thankfully they were closed down – but the stress Yuri Mintskovsky’s scam caused was a real pain in the arse.A note for Veign and other readers: the software these scammers are offering via CD Earth is good quality Open Source applications that are freely available from http://www.sourceforge.net. My opinion is that Mintskovsky = ThinkAll = CD Earth has decided to promote good open source products as a way of offering a credible hook. DO NOT TAKE A BITE!!For those that have taken a bite of the CD Earth maggot, my thoughts are with you. Get the software back and get them to cancel things whilst they are still contactable. Because before long they’ll disappear and then you are if for a pain in the a*se ride.Mintskovsky = ThinkAll = CD Earth = Scum.Stay calm and avoid at all costs.
Jun 01, 2009 @ 23:36:47
I have also been charged for a subscription that I cancelled immediately after receiving the first CD’s.I have emailed them an just waiting to see if I receive a reply. If not will take further action.compass43 australia
Jun 28, 2009 @ 22:45:47
I too am notim to CD earth. I cancelled my subscription over 1 month ago and just looked at my credit card statement and low and behold this is what it states : 22/06/2009 CD EARTH 59.96 USD 2.24 $76.87 . Thats $76.87 AUD dollars. Some how these people need to be stopped
Jun 29, 2009 @ 09:37:34
Thanks to your blog I checked…….and realized that they caught me too. So I simply cancelled my credit card.It's still annoying, having to go to those lengths to be one step ahead of the crooks.Manie, South Africa
Jul 24, 2009 @ 03:36:10
A friend of mine was caught by the CDEarth scam too.We want to cancel but where can we find the return address?Any help appreciated!Thanks
Aug 10, 2009 @ 23:19:11
thanks for the clearinghouse of information. I jsut received the CD's and have cancelled them via there website and printed all the confirmation information. I will now spend a bit more money to send them back registered with delivery confirmation so I can prove compliance to my credit card company. From what I have found the software is not great anyway.Thanks
Oct 03, 2009 @ 06:34:45
I have been scammed by this Co. When I phoned the bank to tell them not to pay any more money to them, they refused, saying I had given them my credit card details. When I told them I wont to close my account. They told me it would make no difference, they would still pay them even if I had no money in their bank, and would pursue me for it. they are willing to do there dirty work for them.
Oct 20, 2009 @ 06:51:33
I aggree with Gary McCurry. I find both CDEarth and Video Professor are scams. I got saved from Video professor, but could not avoid CDEarth. Must read small prints, otherwise you will be charged $29.98 like they did with me.
Nov 01, 2009 @ 21:35:47
If they screw you…Wait 60 days(two credit cycles) order some new CDs and after they send you the CDs, return the cardboard folder that they come in,Empty. Then call your CC co. and tell them that this company is trying to screw you and demand a full return of ALL monies that they have charged to your CC.
Nov 28, 2009 @ 04:20:54
I basically paid 100$ for a so called "free" game for my kid over a period of 3 months! They are for sure scamming a lot of people. I thought I was helping them with some market research by answering all their silly little questions……well that was an expensive lesson in trying to help somebody!Analda Harmse
Dec 27, 2009 @ 06:25:36
I am very angry – because all they say is the CD is CD – & just pay for the shipping charges – my CD envelopewas signed & dated 10/26/09, not sure on what date it was handed over to the Wylie TX PO for final postage to me in South Africa -I Only received this in PO box exactly on the 12/26/09;VSR.SA
Feb 25, 2010 @ 19:44:03
thank for the headsup i will be putting a block on my card wish i had you all sit befor l order thank you again and GOD BLESS
Mar 08, 2010 @ 19:11:07
I got hoodwinked into getting 4 CDs from CD earth. When they arrived I checked them all out and found that they were victimizing me and they CDs were not as claimed. I sent all 4 back to them.The CDs were not good. Example of this was the Open Office. Org. CD I downloaded. It was obsolete, and I had to via internet update the CD to it's latest version. They take advantage of the people who do not know better. I hate the deceit of them knowing and not telling the public.They were cooperative in taking back the CDs, but I will never use them again since I can download up to date ones from the internet and not have to pay for them nor the shipping fees they charge.Don't they know better–The public should be made aware of their tactics and the government or BBB should should charge them with perverted scams upon the public.DON'T USE CD EARTH TO OBTAIN YOUR SOFTWARE LIBRARY WHEN THERE ARE OTHER PLACES TO GET IT FREE AND WITH NO HASSLE AND WITHOUT GETTING CONNED INTO DOING IT.Don
Mar 19, 2010 @ 13:31:58
Here is the number for you to call and cancel.US/Canada: 1-866-789-0369 United Kingdom: 0-808-101-1722 Australia: 1-800-507-931 Global: 1-647-258-8318 https://www.cdearth.com/freecdI called them and they were very hateful on the phone. They say that is is all in terms and conditions and was sent in an email. Funny thing is I don't have a home computer so I would not need this at all. I cancelled the account and she told me it would be sent to my email address which I have not used in quite sometime. Her thinking is that someone got ahold of my credit card number and has used my home address then picked up the cd's. This very well could be the thing that has happened. I am NEVER home when my mail is delivered so I would not know if something was missing or not. VERY AGGRAVATING COMPANY.
Jun 01, 2010 @ 21:29:46
i do not like disk called board games and the 10,001 recipes so how do i send them back to you thank you
Jul 08, 2010 @ 08:33:53
Yup. I got scammed good. These tricky sods stung me for the $5 then the 4 CD charges which finally got me to act. I’ve e-mailed them but I dont expect a reply. So, I’ve cancelled my bank card at great incovenience to stop them hauling out any more cash.
I just cant believe that Google happily advertises these people…………Another buying off the Web lesson learned the hard way.
Tip; one lesson I learned from eBay, dont buy from China if the item is any PC component. No end of problems with faulty goods. always buy from retailers in your country. Sorry, if that offends but personal financial loss is highly offensive.
Aug 05, 2010 @ 02:43:06
Another lesson Learnt.
Products Useless.
Con – continues.
Next Lesson -
How to stop further payment deductions.
Aug 05, 2010 @ 23:35:47
Yooooo – boy! Was I taken? Or what? Sucker that I am, I fell hook line and sinker for one of the oldest marketing cons in the world. When are we all going to learn? There is NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH. Living in South Africa, the cahages paid out for a “free CD” ended up as the equivalent of a full week’s groceries!
Aug 06, 2010 @ 11:00:29
I came across this site today. I had ordered 2 CDs and have received an email today telling me my order has been despatched. Now I am worried. I have cancelled but are they still able to charge me?
Aug 06, 2010 @ 11:43:58
I would either put a block on your credit card from the company or cancel your credit card.
Aug 22, 2010 @ 08:43:06
I wish I had read this before ordering the CD, I have only discovered from reading the letter that I will enrolled into a monthly club – one of the things I really hate!
I am going to return the CDs this week so they don’t go and charge me!
Aug 26, 2010 @ 19:39:48
I have also just signed up for the free CD but paid through PayPal, hopefully this will keep me safe…fingers crossed.