Century Lifestyles

Review: This issue is related to pots and pans that my fiancee and I purchased at a bridal fair here in Virginia. We are not happy with these pans. We tried to return them but were told that we were outside the return window. That may be true but these pans were not the quality that we were told.Desired Settlement: We want our money back. These pans were misrepresented. This is a bait and switch.

Business

Response:

We have contacted the customer in regards to this complaint and have resolved any issues with the cookware and also answered his questions as far as the vacation voucher they received. We will continue to service this customer in the future should any more questions or issues arise.

Review: I was called early 2015 after attending a bridal convention in Downtown Baltimore, MD. I was told that I was a lucky winner and in order to retrieve my prize, both my fiance’ at the time and myself would need to attend a 90 minute presentation on 2/**/2015 at the [redacted] in Towson, MD. Here is where Mr. Ray C[redacted] presented my fiancé and I, along with about 6 other couples with the pots. We were informed that the pots have a lifetime warranty and that the purchase of the pots would come with free vacations. Considering we were already shelling out money for our wedding, we thought this would be a good deal for our honeymoon. We decided to go with the 17 piece pot set since we were told that we’d get 8 vacation packages mailed out to us. We thought we made a good decision, until March 2015 rolled around. I received a call from a woman named Patty from Century Direct telling me that my order required a larger down payment of $1,000 before anything could be sent out to us. I was very confused and upset. We were already paying for our wedding and did not anticipate this. I was not told that my credit was going to be run for this. In fact, Ray C[redacted] verbally told us that it would not. Call me naive, but I trusted this. Since we were still thinking on getting “free” vacations, we quickly gathered the required deposit that Patty informed us of which was hard to do. I reached out to Mr. C[redacted] asking about this and he continued to apologize and even gave an explanation of “that’s how business is sweetie.” We were told that the vacations did not have expiration dates and when we got them in the mail we saw that they did. Mr. C[redacted] also mentioned that we would get a total of 8 vacation packages considering that we purchased the 17 piece set where the vacation package doubled (we were thinking to use for our honeymoon and anniversary before finding out that these expired). When I tried to call Centrury Direct about the missing vacations, I received a very mean woman on the phone who continued to tell me that I was not getting the additional vacation packages and that Ray did not sign off on these. I was not rude at all. She finally got really upset, brushed me off and said she was sending the vacations and got me off the phone. When we received those vacations in the mail, these also had expiration dates and we could not use them. We also noticed that all of the additional fees associated with the vacation packages that were eventually mailed to us totaled out to be more than $700. I attempted to email Mr. Ray several times, as well as call him with little to no responses. We are now stuck with pots that we have not used and its been almost a year. I had to wait to write this complaint until after my wedding in November 2015 and after my husband and I got settled in because it was truly stressing me out that we had been taken advantage of and treated so rudely. I have copies of several attempted email transactions between myself and the sales representative, and attempted calls with no returned call. I truly feel that we were taken advantage of. I do not understand how this business is still in operation, or how the unethical practices of the sales persons to take advantage of couples through offering "free" vacation packages has gone on for so long. My confidence in this product is very low. Now even more considering this product came with a "Lifetime Guarantee" and Mr. C[redacted] ensured us during the day of the presentation that we could always reach out to him directly if we needed assistance with the pots and informed us not to contact the company directly for various reasons. I've continuously made my payments on time each month, but each time I do it’s a constant reminder of an unfair, unfortunate situation that has truly made me have a very strong sense of regret for ever running across this company and Mr. C[redacted].Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of the total cost of the pots ($2,518.56). I would also like a written apology from the CEO and Mr. C[redacted] copied onto this message.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Century Lifestyles regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: My fiancee attend a bridal show where she was entered into some drawings. After the show she was contacted and informed that she had won a trip and need to listen to a 90min product review in order to receive the trip. we attended and liked what we saw and purchased the cookware set. After a few days we had buyer remorse and wanted to return the product. We had not received the product so we contacted Century Lifestyles and spoke with Patty and Shawn Patterson who stated that we were not in time to can cancel the order, in which we asked about the return policy. Shawn explain that they did not have a return policy for taking back their product or providing refunds. We seeking relief from this company as this has been going on for months. The company explains in the signed contact that we need to contact them by the third business day (in this case which was the **Aug15) I contact and spoke with Patty and was told that they count weekends as business days and we were beyond the third day and could not cancel the order.Desired Settlement: Full refund for product.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Century Lifestyles regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: [redacted]/Century Lifestyles/ [redacted]. promised a FREE trip if you purchased any one of their three cookware or knife sets at their seminar. We received no free trip upon our purchase. My fiance and I were called and informed that we had won trips, which she was entered into after filling out a registration card for a bridal show, a gift card for wedding bands and a coupon for champagne flutes and that all we had to do is come to a 90 minute seminar and once it was over we would receive these items.

During the seminar we were told by the salesperson, Dominique (seller #[redacted]) that the products had a lifetime warranty and that this company had been in business for over 100 years! This clearly would lead any reasonable person to value that warranty greater then a less established company. Upon further research this was found to be a completely false claim. Lake Industries (the manufacturing branch of the company) was founded in NY in 1972 and later left the state of NY in 1992, moving to Henderson, NV. We were further informed of the health benefits of these pots in contrast to other cookware commonly found in stores that we owned that was leaking harmful substances into our food that were detrimental to our health. Research conducted by myself since leaving this sales pitch have show this to be inaccurate. Towards the end of the seminar, we were given options of packages we could purchase, that if purchases we would win a free 8 day/7 night trip not including airfare. We were advised that the voucher for this would be included in the packaging of the items ordered upon delivery.

We purchased the 17 piece pot set, which we were told included all items on the display table excluding the knives. The table included a stack of pots the salesperson referred to as the Stanley cup (3 stacker pots with lids) along with about 14 smaller pots/pans. We were advised by the salesperson(Dominique) that in addition to the 17 pots/pans we'd also be getting a DVD and 2 handles that she was throwing in for us.

We opted to pay for everything up front using a debit card. I signed off on what I was advised was simply a receipt, but was later told on the phone was a contract. The same receipt had the financing box checked by the Dominique AFTER I had already signed it. When asked about it, I was simply told it was just a box on a receipt that she checked because I wasn't paying in cash and I was assured that nothing was being financed. On the way out we were handed a catalog that we were told could be used to purchase additional items.

Someone from the company (Stacey) called me about 2 days later confirming my address and stating that the items should arrive in a few days. A packaged arrived a few days later. I was at work and my fiancé phoned me to inform me that the box at most contained 15 pieces, and that the 15 pieces included the dvd and handles as items, as well as every lid in the box. Further more there were several egg poachers which were never on the table, if they had been we'd have never ordered because it would have been a colossal waste of money. In addition there was also no 8 day/7 night voucher in the box either.

We immediately attempted to contact the company rep (Stacey at extension **). This entire process was a nightmare. Whenever dialing the reps extension we'd either be disconnected or have the call forwarded to a message. When my fiancé reached Stacey by finally dialing zero instead of her extension, she was advised by her they would call me the next day to discuss the matter. The next day, of course, I received no call. Again we had to search through multiple numbers associated with their countless shady business names to finally get in touch with a rep again. My mother was finally able to reach Stacey again, while I was at work. Stacey instructed her that we only have 3 days to return the items and that we just missed their return policy. She stated that we had signed a contract, something that we dispute as this entire process was based on a fraud. When we confronted the rep on the phone with the company's true F Revdex.com rating that we had found, after she had try to mislead us by steering us to the new company's profile which has an A+ rating due to having no current complaints or reviews, she replied "[redacted]" She went on to threaten that if we disputed the charges they would attack my credit score by reporting us to the three credit bureaus. We have filed a dispute with our bank over the charges and they will be issuing us a new debit card. We would like to return these pots and pans, which are also not the same quality of the ones that were demonstrated to us, and we now know to be backed by the warranty of an misrepresented business that operates under numerous different business names that has been the target of fines by several states for false advertising and was misrepresented to us as a stable and credible company with a 100+yr history, and not that of a company that dodges it's customer's calls and attempts to hide it's F rating with the Revdex.com by continuing to operate under different company names created at the same addresses by the same individuals.

We would just like this resolved and have informed them that we would like to return the products. We will never purchase from this company again nor recommend them to anyone else for such misleading acts of false advertising. Even after my mother was able to contact Stacey, who acknowledged receiving the message left with my name and number, I have have still not received a call back. Stacey has refused to provide an address where we could return these items to. We simply would like an address that we can ship these unwanted items back to.

This company has operated under [redacted], [redacted], [redacted], 21st century concepts and VIP Vacations NY Inc. which so happens to be the same company owned by the same individual that is responsible for all of the falsely advertised. vacation promotions. The vacation packages offer nothing free at all, because every single deal includes hidden fees, making them no better deal than someone can find on any online travel site. They are currently dba [redacted]. which was not found to be a registered business in the state of NY but is the same company.

Furthermore the rear of the contract was never completed by the seller and did not list the expiration date of the cancellation policy. This was already legally contested against this same company when it was dba royal prestige. see: [redacted]Desired Settlement: We would like a full refund of our $1900, and to be given instruction on where to return these unwanted items to.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Century Lifestyles regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: On February **, 2015(National Holiday, President's Day) my fiance and I attended a Bridal Registry presentation at the New Hartford, NY Holiday Inn. We attended because we were told that we had won a 2 day 3 night trip and we had to come to a 90 minute seminar to receive our gift. The presentation started at approx. 6:15pm and shortly after, the lady running the presentation named [redacted] explained the gift packages. She stated that there were 4 options and we could pick any one at the end and that no purchase of the goods would be required: Wedding bands for groom and bride, she stated she wasn't sure exactly but thought it was around a $600 for each ring and we had to make sure we had our ring sizes because they are made of titanium and cannot be resized once made. Also an option for a coupon for $1,000 worth of coupons and discounts from an online supplier and all we had to do was create an account and start shopping. Next, was the "blue packet" vacation. She stated it was 2 day/3night, it was for over 200 locations in the US and that it only covered the hotel and we wouldn't be able to use it during primetime travel season. We would have to pay for travel, food, etc and if we wanted to stay longer it would be a $39 per night, per couple charge. Finally, there was the "purple packet" vacation package. She explained there were about 10 locations to choose from. Same as the "blue packet", 2 days/3nights, and we would have to pay for travel expenses, and couldn't use during primetime travel/holiday season. If we wanted to stay longer it would be a $109 per night, per couple charge. She also disclosed that there was a $78 tax per couple for this trip. We also had to pay for our food or drinks again, unless it was in the Caribbeans because all resorts there are all-inclusive, she also said she was pretty sure Hawaii was all-inclusive too. Once she said that she said she was going to throw in the $1000 in coupons no matter what so we can have 2 choices of the 4 options. One of the 14 or so people that attended asked "What's the catch?" [redacted] responded with something along the lines of this is straight up and those are all the charges you will have to pay that I told you about already. She said it a couple of times the same way as at least one other person asked again. The presentation ended slightly before 8pm and [redacted] started to go over the pricing. She stated that if we went with any options and at least put a deposit down tonight that we would get a 8 day/7 night honeymoon package and we would get all 4 promotional packages. She stated that it may or may not be taxable depending on where we went, we would have to pay for travel, and may or may not have to pay for food and drinks, and lastly that we would receive the information 7-10 business days after we receive our purchase. Continuing with the prices, she stated that if we paid in full and did not do the payment plan she would knock off $200 for the purchase price. So with all of that information in hand, I was still hesitant because it was too good to be true sounding. As my fiance and I were debating it, a couple of the couples were asking more questions about the travel packages and were saying the it sounds too good to be true stuff. She said the same thing from the beginning again about the details listed above and that it was all-in no other charges besides what she had told us. We ultimately decided to go with the cheapest option ($1290 when paid in full) to get all of these packages. At approximately 8:20pm she handed me the paperwork to fill out while she was talking to another couple and I completed it. (Side note: she had already pre-signed the forms, which didn't bother my too much at the time but looking back its another thing that rubs me the wrong way.) As she was marking a couple things on the forms she stated that we had 3 business days to cancel the order. After she marked down what was included on the package, she gave me my copy and then gave me the blue and purple packets, the wedding band gift card, and the $1000 coupon slip.

On February **, 2015 at 10:27am they called me and left a message to call back and confirm my info. At 11:09am I returned the call to confirm my address and my date of birth. At 11:36am my credit card was charged.

On February **, 2015 around 8:40pm, I finally had time to start looking over everything and that's when the problems started. First, for the $1,000 coupon gift we are required to mail the slip back in to a place and enclose $4.95 for shipping and handling to get our activation pin. None of this was disclosed at the presentation. I then read the back of the JVL wedding band gift card, which says we are responsible for $25 shipping and handling charge and lifetime warranty per ring. When I got to the packets, I read and noticed all the fees that were not disclosed at the presentation. It included for the blue packet: $100 deposit, only can be booked from Sunday-Wednesday, accommodation taxes and fees, and once booked a [redacted] service fee. The purple packet fees included: 5 destinations, $100 deposit, $78 for industry taxes and fees, that check in days have to be Monday or Tuesday, miscellaneous expenses may be applicable, $39 per night hotel tax/fee, possible additional charges from the hotel, and an [redacted] service fee on confirmation. At about 8:55pm, I then went to the [redacted] website to find more information out, especially on the blue packet because I had my doubts about the number of locations because the packet only had 28 cities on it. The website was plain and had a phone number and office hours. At that point I completely wanted out of all of this because there were of all of these hidden charges that were not told to us and we were told with certainty that there weren't any. Since it was so late and I knew the office would be closed, I figured I would call the next day. I thought I had 3 business days to cancel (the seminar was after hours and on a holiday on the [redacted], so it becomes effective the [redacted], so I'd think I have until the [redacted] at midnight anyway) so I thought it would be fine.

On February [redacted], I then called and spoke to [redacted] at 11:01am. She stated the order could not be cancelled because the order was confirmed and processed and the shipment was en-route. I explained everything and she told me that it goes by the date written on the receipt, so I only had until the [redacted] at midnight to cancel (she was also extremely rude and confrontational). I then called the corporate office immediately after and was told to deal with the local branch. At around 3:11pm I was reading the back of my receipt and saw that the back was a cancellation notice I could copy and send in. Since the "date of transaction" section was left blank, I figured I would just send it in and they would honor the form since it was incomplete at the time of the transaction. I then went to the post office and mailed it in.

On February **, 2015 at 2:17pm, [redacted] left me a message saying they will not accept the cancellation form I sent in because it was postmark dated February [redacted]. (I would think that if I have until midnight of the third day to return the form, if I put it in the mailbox or call on that day after business hours, even if its not postmarked until the next day, what is the point of having until midnight anyway?)

But I digress. I called again today, February [redacted], 2015, at 3:10pm to speak with [redacted]. I explained to her again the timing of everything and how I was sold by misrepresentation and deceptive high pressure sales practices and I'm that I'm just trying to be nice and I just want our money to be refunded. She said, again extremely rude and argumentative, that the order will not be cancelled because it was more than 3 days. She then said that they are not a travel company and it's not their job to know all the fees charged by the company and that it is a promotional benefit they give to customers.

So here I am now because I have now tried 3 times to cancel the order because of how I was lied to in regards to the packages we would be receiving for purchasing their pots and pans.

Thank you for your time,

[redacted]Desired Settlement: To reiterate, I still only would like my purchase of $1466.24 refunded to me. If it isn't refunded until after March **, 2015, then I will also need an additional 29.99%, which is the maximum interest rate with charges that would be charged to me on my credit card for not having paid the amount. I currently have a note on my house for [redacted] to send the package back. If I do need to return it, I would like to be reimbursed for that. I was charged $64.50 so I think that is reasonable and fair to ask for the same amount for shipping costs. However, if I am not refunded in a timely matter I will have to weigh some of the other alternative actions to get my money refunded.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Century Lifestyles regarding complaint ID [redacted].Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: My fiance and I purchased a set of pots and knives from cook world, and when we went to the presentation they made the pots and knives seem like they were almost magical. they were the best pots out there, and you would never have to buy another pot or knife again. well the first night that I used my pot, the food burned immediately. this was because we were never informed that you are not supposed to cook on high heat. the second time I used the pots, it over cooked the food. they said that the pots will whistle when the food is fully cooked, and it did not. so we called the company and they said that the products are not allowed to be returned. we have not made any payments on them yet, the first payment is due in October.Desired Settlement: All we want from the company is for them to take the pots and knives back and be cleared of all the charges that we are supposed to be paying. We want to make sure that my fiances credit is not messed up because of this, and we just want to be able to get out of this deal with this company. we are extremely upset and angry with this company and their advertising.

Business

Response:

We have tried to contact the customer numerous times since receiving this complaint and have gotten no return call. Up until this complaint was filed we were unaware of any issues and would gladly have tried to resolve them had we known. If the customer would call [redacted] at ###-###-#### she would be more than happy to go over some options with her.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here] We have made several calls and many complaints about the cookware, so there is no reason for it to be said that there were no complaints. I dont think it is fair to have to buy something and only have 3 days to decide we do not want the product, when we didnt even recieve the cookware for a week after we ordered it, there fore, how are we to know that we even like the product ? and if we do not like it, we are unable to return it ? that is extremely unfair.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

According to our records we have not received any calls or complaints regarding this cookware. We have, however, as stated previously tried to reach the customer on three separate days after receiving this complaint with no response. If she would please call [redacted] at ###-###-#### we would be more than happy to try to resolve the issues she is having with the cookware.

Review: I was invited to a demonstration by this company after attending the Lehigh Valley Bridal Expo. My fiance and I were told by the rep that we could try the cookware when we get it and return it if we did not like it. He also stated that there was no misuse or abuse policy for their cookware. When we received the cookware we looked up the warranty information and it was clearly stated that you will not get a refund if you misuse or abuse the cookware. We decided to return the cookware without even opening it. When I called to see what steps I needed to take to return the cookware I was told there was a 3 day cancellation policy on the "receipt" that I signed for my credit card. I was not informed that I was signing a contract. I was told is was a receipt for my credit card. I was also confused how I could try the cookware and return it if I had to cancel within three days and it took two weeks to receive the product. So they're refusing to let me return the product and I'm out $2,634.74 and stuck with cookware that I don't want. There are many complaints about this company after I did some research. Everyone that tried to return the products had the same problem I'm having. I spoke with one woman and she said she was able to get a refund by asking her local news station to look into it. This company is also known as Century Living Intl, Cookworld, and Culinary Brides.Desired Settlement: I would like to return the products a receive a refund for the $2,634.74 that I was charged.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,