BBB Warning: Consumers Lose Faith in Fresh Christian

 

 

June 26, 2019 – Tyler, TX – Better Business Bureau (BBB) is issuing a new alert on FreshChristian, headquartered in Mabank, TX. In Dec. 2018, BBB made consumers aware of the seven complaints which were received on the company. Since then, the number of complaints has grown to 52 from consumers located in 26 states.

FreshChristian is an online retailer of Christian-themed jewelry. Consumers have reported not receiving any product or only receiving partial orders. While some consumers have received their items after going through the BBB complaint process, 28 complaints remain unanswered.

“The funds were withdrawn and after several weeks, we decided to give customer service a call on their toll-free number only to keep getting a busy signal,” Cathy Di Martino said. “We called the number several times in the following weeks and sent repeated e-mails but with no success.”

Another consumer, Jill Mulqueen stated she received only half of her order which were gifts for her bible study group.

“I will never order from a random website that posts ads on Facebook without researching the company again and I would advise everyone to do the same. I lost out on money and was left to spend more money on additional gifts for my ladies,” Mulqueen said. “I would have thought, being a Christian-based company, I’d receive better, more reliable, customer service.”

BBB has reached out to the business multiple times since becoming aware of the business in Oct. 2018, but has had no response. FreshChristian currently has an “F” rating with BBB.

“Don’t judge a company simply by its name,” said Mechele Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “Take a look at the company’s history and reputation too.”

BBB advises consumers to exercise extreme caution when ordering products from online retailers and offers the following tips for online shoppers:

• Know the advertiser. Check out the retailer’s BBB Business Profile and customer reviews at bbb.org before shopping. Make sure you are shopping with a company who has a good track record.
• Check a site’s security settings. If the site is secure, its URL (web address) should start with https:// and include a lock icon on the purchase or shopping cart page.
• Shop savvy. When shopping online, take your time and read the fine print before submitting your order. Look for a return policy; although many online orders can be returned for a full refund, some may have restocking fees. Know before you buy.
• Protect personal information. Read a site’s privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If a site doesn’t have a privacy policy, you have no way of knowing what they will do with your personal information.
• Shop with a credit card or use PayPal. In case of a fraudulent transaction, a credit card or PayPal provide additional protections and allows you to dispute any unauthorized charges. Debit cards, prepaid cards or gift cards don’t have the same protections as a credit card.
• Keep documentation of your order. Save a copy of the confirmation page or email confirmation until you receive the item and are satisfied.
• Keep a clean computer. Being on unfamiliar sites can lead to malware or viruses being downloaded on to your computer. Make sure you have the most up to date firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Check for and install the latest updates and run virus scans regularly on your computer, tablet and smartphone.

For more tips on how to be a savvy consumer, go to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, please call BBB at 903-581-5704 or use BBB ScamTracker.

About BBB: BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair andhonest business behavior. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Visit bbb.org for more information. There are over 100 local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Central East Texas, which was founded in 1985 and serves 19 counties.