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Scam encyclopedia universalis

nassoup7 -  
 teftef777 -
Hello,
beware of Encyclopedia Universalis!!!!

Once their one-week free trial is over, they directly charge you an amount of 69 euros
then they bill you again the following year without warning... and you discover it accidentally while checking your expenses... their number is in the yellow pages...
According to them, you have to notify them before you unsubscribe... perhaps they should notify you when they charge your account!!!!!

The "false" good faith and friendliness of the person on the phone is very likely a shady maneuver so that no one pursues them... not to mention that people who subscribe to this kind of site believe they can trust it since it's supposed to be an educational site

Culture has a price but still

To whom it may concern!!!
Configuration: Windows XP Internet Explorer 7.0

14 answers

  1. tetedelinotte
     
    You should be the one to beware before committing: on their website page, when you checked the small box "By checking this box, I acknowledge that I have read the terms and conditions of subscription and accept them.", you are supposed to have read these famous terms and conditions of subscription. It was enough to click on the link to see them in full.

    In paragraph 4 I read, "At the end of the initial subscription period, the Contract will be tacitly renewed for the same duration (from date to date), unless terminated by the User notified to Encyclopaedia Universalis, by strictly following the procedure described in article 8, no later than the last day of the initial period or the renewal period."

    If you weren't careful, you can only blame yourself!
    It's frustrating, but that's how it is when you don't pay attention.

    So mark the due date in your calendar and think about it next year in advance!

    Armand
    19
    1. byebye
       
      Armand, do you work for Encyclopedia Universalis?
      1
    2. jaume81
       
      Thanks to Armand, I have become doubly cautious, and thank you, mric, for the tip (cmd + f).
      To think that I often accept without looking!!!!
      0
    3. Harry Potter
       
      It's not a question of distrust, just a sensible use of a service. When you read this post, it feels like paying for a service - quality service, in this case - means getting scammed... go figure! Otherwise, turn to Wikipedia: a bit more free, but a bit less accurate on certain topics.
      0
    4. David
       
      I just canceled my subscription to the "7-day guaranteed risk-free trial" offered by this site in accordance with the schedule, and they still charged $8.43 to my credit card.
      0
    5. Kasta > byebye
       
      It is not necessary to work for Universalis to realize the exceptional quality of this encyclopedia and the INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF ERRORS ON WIKIPEDIA: it's a choice!
      Kasta
      0
  2. mric
     
    Always open the terms of use, then do a "search" (cmd + f for Macs, ctrl + f for PCs) using the keywords "€", "incl. tax", "excl. tax", "pay", "paying", etc. This way, there will be no payments made without your knowledge.
    I will still note that the phone service of e.u. is absent, one minute (at 34 cents) to tell you they are open, then they hang up...
    3
    1. enfumage
       
      As of the date of this comment, there is no subscription fee for online access in the terms and conditions, and I challenge anyone to find it elsewhere on the site.
      0
      1. Nana > enfumage
         
        Indeed, as of August 5, 2104, the price is not visible on the official website!
        Incredible but true
        0
    2. Abyyss
       
      It is October 24th, and we still have no information on these so-called pricing.
      Why? A mystery...
      0
      1. Aloha > Abyyss
         
        November 15, 2014.

        After searching on Google for a definition, I clicked on this site that offers one.
        I start my reading. To access the second page of their book, a prominent message appears, suggesting that I can benefit from a 10-day free trial.
        Wary, this type of offer made me question the subscription price and the different conditions.
        I tried in vain to find the price on their site, but nothing.
        When I typed Universalis again on Google to generate another page, I saw a new box for a free 7-day subscription with a request for a credit card number.
        My reflex was to type Universalis scam on the internet, and I thank you for your warning.

        As for the people who have been trapped, a solution would be to write to them, sending a registered letter to request cancellation. Then, put a stop on any withdrawal with your bank. You might also consider filing a report.
        But don't forget the letter to ask them to stop the payment.

        I remember that some subscribers to payment services were no longer charged once their credit card was lost (? this is not an encouragement to commit fraud)

        Otherwise, check the various clauses or insurances that your credit card provides.
        0
      2. khagneux cogneuse > Abyyss
         
        To get the price, you need to provide your email address via the free trial form!
        After that, you have the "12-month plan for €49." So does that mean €49 per month for 12 months or €49 for 12 months? Reading the terms and conditions doesn't help at all!
        They might be good at crafting this kind of ambiguity, but commercially, it's a disaster. Hey, knock, knock, knock! Why is Free breaking the mold, you merchants of knowledge? Because they know how to keep it simple. €19/month. That's all included. Simple, clear, unambiguous, and transparent. You don't need three genius brains to debate whether it's €49/month or per year.
        0
  3. Anonymous user
     
    Hello,

    I'm going to deviate a bit with my question, but since you are or have been users of Universalis, I wanted to ask you a question:

    What is the difference between the online subscription and the DVD version?
    With the 2014 edition coming out in a few days, I don't know which option to choose.

    Thank you.
    3
  4. stephane
     
    GOOD EVENING

    Following an oversight during this trial period, I find myself having to pay 69 euros. I would like to no longer have to do this and therefore cancel this subscription. How can I do that?
    I can't find the cancellation sections..
    Help please
    1
    1. margrette
       
      It happened to me too, and I received a refund quickly. Just send an email to abonnement@universalis.fr, making sure to include your name and username so that they can identify you quickly.
      0
    2. Justpro
       
      Thank you, Margrette, I was too stressed! It's really vicious!
      0
  6. mric
     
    The Encyclopédie Universalis contract specifies in its article 8.1 that the termination of the contract is done through the "subscriber access" tab, then "manage my account," and finally, "cancel my subscription." These three tabs are not present, even under a different similar wording. Encyclopédie Universalis is not complying with the contract.
    0
  7. Louis88220 Posted messages 1 Status Member
     
    - http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7535/rappellgislation6ki.jpg

    Thank you, see you later.
    0
  8. Alex
     
    Hello everyone,

    I just received the direct debit email at 2:03 PM, and I was charged €69.

    I sent an email filling out the required fields at 3 PM, could you please confirm that Universalis has responded to you and refunded me?

    Thank you,
    Best regards, Alex.
    0
    1. Pierrecastor Posted messages 10830 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   4 215
       
      Hi

      I think they will reply to you, however, don't count too much on the refund.
      0
  9. Alex
     
    Margrette from the discussion said she had been refunded, didn't she?!
    0
    1. Pierrecastor Posted messages 10830 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   4 215
       
      Ha, I didn't read it.

      Well, I don't know then.

      But good luck getting an answer from someone who has dealt with this service;
      0
    2. Alex
       
      Well, I’m keeping my fingers crossed and I’ll update you as soon as I have news.

      I must say, this technique is a bit sneaky.
      0
    3. Pierrecastor Posted messages 10830 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   4 215
       
      Certainly, it's not very morally honest.

      But it's a good lesson to always read what you sign, especially when you're providing bank details.
      0
    4. Alex
       
      I acknowledge that. But a little email 24 hours in advance would have been nice. We'll see!
      0
  10. Alex
     
    Hello everyone,

    The Universalis subscription service just contacted me following the email I sent 24 hours earlier.

    They were very professional and will refund the amount debited from my account. Thanking them for this lovely news.

    Alex.
    0
  11. Amandine.
     
    Hello everyone,

    Here I am, I believe I have become a new victim of this site...
    However, on the very morning of the end of the trial period, I unsubscribed. I even received two emails confirming that my subscription had indeed been canceled.
    The shock was great when I saw, today, that I had been charged €20 for my subscription! It was by email that they informed me of the news! I immediately sent an email to request a refund and to cancel the registration.
    Reading all the messages reassures me and I hope to be truly refunded...

    Amandine.
    0
  12. Alex
     
    Amandine,

    Normally with a polite and proper request, they will be understanding.

    Best regards, Alex.
    0
    1. Kasta
       
      a request in good uniform? I think you need a good dictionary first!!!!
      0
  13. L-P. C Posted messages 1 Status Member
     
    I have the same problem. Following my protest, they sent me an email over 2 months ago assuring me that they would refund me and close my account, and since then, nothing.
    The quality of their encyclopedia does not in any way justify these dishonest practices.

    Have you received satisfaction, and if so, how? (if not, we will soon have the right to initiate class actions, so...)

    Thank you
    LP
    0
  14. lmarcel Posted messages 21 Status Member
     
    Cancellation - Encyclopædia Universalis
    https://www.universalis.fr/404/

    Apparently (I'm waiting to be sure, which should be in about ten days...) they cancel upon simple request...

    - It remains that this kind of intellectually dishonest practice is disastrous for the reputation of this encyclopedia - which is not as well-stocked as I have read here, articles covered by Wikipedia simply do not exist on the E U
    - It is true that Wikipedia writers do not cost much and are often very "mistreated" by all-powerful, sometimes malevolent administrators..
    0
  15. teftef777
     

    Hello

    I would like to share my experience with the Universalis Junior website, which was disastrous.

    The promise: 10 days of trial and a possible cancellation via my account by clicking on cancel.

    The reality: We are at 5 days, nothing on the site suits us and we wish to terminate. I go to my account but the termination tab is not activated (javascript:void(0);) and in the general terms, it asks for sending a registered letter and that it would be taken into account within 15 days, that is, after the first deduction.

    We are not even talking about the difficulties in finding how to contact them since you will repeatedly land on untraceable pages.

    Google tells you it’s not a scam because the tab is indeed visible and the procedure well detailed, but in reality, it is impossible to terminate via the "my account" space as promised, and you are obligated to pay for a termination letter.

    The scam is mainly about not being able to terminate during the trial period as promised on the following page https://www.universalis.fr/404/

    and having to pay to stop the subscription during the free period.

    In short, this trial period has only brought me problems.

    I should have never validated this trial period.

    And I hope my experience will help you.

    Sincerely

    0