Consumer complaint received 2018-01-19
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC (TX)

XX/XX/XXXX - Received a confirmation email that XXXX XXXX XXXX received my payment of $XXXX via my XXXX account (that I did authorize) for 1 T-shirt and 1 lapel pin. Contact info for XXXX XXXX XXXX (XXXX  XXXX), XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX WA XXXX. Phone: XXXX The confirmation email is pasted below:

From: XXXX XXXX XXXX 
To: ME (I've taken out my email address for privacy) 
Sent: Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX
Subject: Thank you for your order!

Order No. XXXX

Thank you for your purchase!

$XXXX  XXXXl

Billing Information
XXXX

Order Summary

ITEM DESC	QUANTITY	TOTAL
XXXX  Lapel Pin (RARE) [Original - No Longer Produced] 2nd Version (XX/XX/XXXX	1	XXXX XXXX  T-Shirt (Black) Available in S-XXL Also Available in OD, Tan, White, Grey	1	$XXXX

Subtotal	$XXXX
Shipping - USPS PRIORITY FLAT RATE	$XXXX
Tax	$XXXX

TOTAL	$XXXX 

Notes

XXXX T-Shirt needs to be XL with Small front logo and Large Back logo as pictured.

This email was sent to you by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX WA XXXX XXXX  |  XXXX

1XX/XX/XXXX- I contacted XXXX XXXX (of XXXX XXXX XXXX) via email to inquire about the whereabouts of my purchase. I also indicated that I would contact XXXX Resolution services for a refund if I received no response.
XX/XX/XXXX -  XXXX responded via email), " It takes 7 to 14 days to process an order and shirts have a 3 to 6 week lead time. How dare you threaten me? Please contact XXXX. I'll have your account sent to collections, report you to all three credit bureaus and sue you for breach of contract. Try me." 
NOTE: This was the only response I will ever receive from XXXX XXXX.

XX/XX/XXXX- Between these dates I may 7 more email contacts with XXXX XXXX to inquire about items I paid for over 5 weeks, and eventually just requesting a full refund - to no avail.

XX/XX/XXXXXX/XX/XXXX- I contacted XXXX  Resolution services to request a refund.
XX/XX/XXXX - Shortly after contacting XXXX, I received an email from USPS that a Shipping Label was created by XXXX XXXX XXXX.
XX/XX/XXXX - I "XXXX" XXXX XXXX XXXX and discovered many people that have been threatened by him, like myself, and received letters from collection agencies regarding XXXX XXXX XXXX for items that had already been paid for.

XX/XX/XXXX - I received the products I purchased from XXXX XXXX XXXX. Even though the T-shirt was not the size I ordered, especially after reading the scams of XXXX XXXX XXXX, I decided to just leave matters alone and move on.

XX/XX/XXXX - I received a letter from a collection agency, Transworld Systems Inc., XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, OH XXXX (Phone: XXXX) stating I owed Creditor: XXXX XXXX XXXX  $XXXX USD. My reference number on their file is: XXXX.

1XX/XX/XXXX - I contacted Transworld (I poke with Agent ID XXXX), explained the scam, and was told that this account was "On Hold" as they were waiting for more information from XXXX XXXX XXXX. I asked if XXXX XXXX XXXX had a time limit to provide information before disregarding this particular collection, and I was told there was no time limit. I informed them that I was given a 30 day time limit to respond and why does XXXX XXXX XXXX have no time limit. Again, the agent repeated XXXX XXXX XXXX  has no time limit. In my opinion, XXXX XXXX XXXX can keep my collection on hold as long as desired, based on Transworld's response, and keep me in a state of concern indefinitely. 
XX/XX/XXXX - I contacted the Consumer Protection Agency regarding this complaint and was directed to file a complaint against Transworld Systems  Inc. on this Consumer Protection Agency web page, and to contact the Federal Trade Commission regarding XXXX XXXX  scam operation. 

It is important to note that XXXX XXXX XXXX has a very long "Terms of Service Agreement" disclaimer on it's website. This agreement stipulates a few of the following and my communication inquiries (NOTES) to XXXX XXXX:

1)" If an issue does arise, we are more than willing to work with our customers on correcting any such issues to the extent of considering a refund on a case by case basis." Additionally, "We offer a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee...All of your purchases are protected by XXXX Buyer Protection Program." 
NOTE: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (XXXX) in fact did not uphold the Terms of Service contract himself by NOT applying this so-called "willingness" to communicate with your customer, or consider my particular case to be a "case by case" refund consideration. XXXX failed to update me on my paid for merchandise or offer me a refund in full seems to indicate XXXX XXXX was doing nothing more than trying to frustrate me in a vindictive manner. I mentioned to XXXX on numerous emails that I am a completely unsatisfied Customer, and the fact that XXXX  does not truly apply the "100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee." XXXX website claims have been proven to be false based on it's failure to professionally respond to my own customer inquiries and concerns. 

2) " Failure by a customer or buyer to first communicate an issue with XXXX, and the act of filing premature or fraudulent disputes or chargebacks is bank fraud."
NOTE: I have repeatedly communicated my concerns on my PAID FOR merchandise - with NO RESPONSE from XXXX, and even requested a total REFUND  - with NO RESPONSE. XXXX  in no way honored it's own Terms of Service Agreement with me the Customer.

3) "As a general policy refunds WILL NOT be issued for unreasonable expectations, or extended shipping times, or delays due to international shipping periods."
NOTE: Per your XXXX website, the following is posted, "Up to 47 dozen shirts an hour. Quick turn around...priority shipping standard on most domestic orders."
"Up to 47 Dozen Shirts an hour?" Really? Where is the 1 and only T-shirt I ordered almost 6 WEEKS AGO? I also paid you for Priority Shipping on a Domestic Order! After 6 weeks without my paid for merchandise, surely that is not even considered "Priority" shipping. Your website again makes claims that are not supported at all!

4) "...disputes are a Breach of Contract, as you, the consumer, have a responsibility to contact XXXX, and inform us if there is an issue with an order or whether an order failed to arrive."
NOTE: I have complied fully with your Terms of Service by repeatedly contacting you via email with my Customer issues, yet you have failed to answer my multiple inquiries and my multiple requests for a TOTAL REFUND due to my complete dissatisfaction regarding your TOTAL FAILURE to respond to any of my purchased customer issues with you. Unbelievably you also specify that "...Disputes are a Breach of Contract'? Oh, really? Seems like you and XXXX have no intention to hear any disputes from your customers. Of course your failure to respond in kind to any of my customer inquiries validates your lack of real intentions towards any of your customer concerns and exercising Best Business practices. 

The Disclaimer details of "XXXX XXXX XXXX (XXXX)", as referenced above,  can be found posted on the webpage internet link: XXXXXXXX.

The following are the actual posted XXXX Terms of Service Agreement Disclaimers, including other posted claims regarding customer satisfaction guarantees:

Web Hosting by XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (c) XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX are Not-For-Profit Corporations. All proceeds from all sales of all items and merchandise offered go to benefit the Not-For-Profit efforts of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and 40 other veteran and law enforcement organizations in four countries. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is a XXXX XXXX XXXX whose efforts are focused on helping the families of our XXXX XXXX.

AS A CUSTOMER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO WHICH YOU ARE AGREEING TO BY COMPLETING AN ORDER OR PURCHASE ON XXXX. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS YOU ARE AGREEING TO BY COMPLETING AN ORDER OR PURCHASE ON XXXX ARE LEGALLY BINDING.

TERMS OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
As a general policy we do not offer refunds, but we understand that at times issues may arise. If an issue does arise, we are more than willing to work with our customers on correcting any such issues to the extent of considering a refund on a case by case basis. Our items are customized to fit, and if it is a size or fit issue we will work with you to correct it. If necessary, we will honor a refund on a returned item. Exchanges are also available and our preferred method of rectifying an issue. We will do our best to work with our customers on matters that require returns or exchanges. We gladly accept exchanges or returns of unwashed, unworn or defective merchandise within 30 days of receiving your purchase.

As a general policy refunds WILL NOT be issued for unreasonable expectations, or extended shipping times, or delays due to international shipping periods. These are handmade items and when there is an increase in orders there is an increase in production time.

Chargebacks and disputes are both in direct violation of XXXX Terms of Service. Customers and Buyers have a responsibility to read all of the information provided on the website, information pertaining to lead times and processing time frames and contact information. Failure by a customer or buyer to first communicate an issue with XXXX, and the act of filing premature or fraudulent disputes or chargebacks is bank fraud. When a customer wantonly files a premature or fraudulent chargeback or dispute, XXXX reserves the right to pursue compensation in full through legal action, including small claims court and collection efforts by a third party collection agency, which does report the debt to all three credit bureaus. Premature and fraudulent chargebacks and disputes will incur an automatic $XXXX fee in addition to any fees charged by the original payment processor and the collection agency. In addition to this, any legal action involving a small claims court will automatically incur a XXXX additional charge. Chargebacks and disputes are a Breach of Contract, as you, the consumer, have a responsibility to contact XXXX, and inform us if there is an issue with an order or whether an order failed to arrive. Placing the blame for mail loss or mail theft on XXXX is simply the incorrect way of handling a situation, as we deal with mail loss and mail theft on a daily basis. Falsely or fraudulently initiating an illegal chargeback or an illegal dispute is a direct violation of XXXX Terms of Service and a Breach of Contract. You will be sued for the amount of your purchase, and you will be reported to all three credit bureaus and you will be submitted to collections for the entirety of your bill, including a 50% surcharge and $XXXX in fees along with any additional fees or costs associated with any collection effort.
Additionally, on the XXXX website, it clearly indicates the following:
1) FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OR SPECIAL ORDERS PLEASE CONTACT US AT XXXX OR UTILIZE OUR CONTACT FORM AVAILABLE AT OUR "CONTACT US" PAGE.
2) We offer a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. If you are not satisfied with an item you purchase from us we will gladly exchange it for you. All of your purchases are protected by XXXX Buyer Protection Program.
3) UP TO 47 DOZEN SHIRTS AN HOUR. QUICK TURN AROUND. AS LOW AS $XXXX PER SHIRT. MADE IN THE U.S.A.
4)  PRIORITY SHIPPING STANDARD ON MOST DOMESTIC ORDERS!
5) 7 TO 14 DAY PROCESSING PERIOD ON ALL ORDERS
PROCESSING DOES NOT INCLUDE PRODUCTION TIME FRAMES

Lastly, Transworld Systems Inc, is supporting the XXXX scam by supporting a creditor that has a record of scam complaints. The following sites have listed many consumer complaints against XXXX:

XXXX:XXXX XXXX