Psychics - The UK's Consumers Complaint List: customer complaints, consumer complaints, holiday complaints etc.

I looked at web sites with the intention of getting a reading. Helene de Paris emailed me 2-3 times offering a reading at a reduced rate of $39.95 instead of $49.95 which I finally decided to go ahead and accept on 29th January. It was ages before I received the reading and although it was very long, a lot of it was repeated several times and didn't really tell me anything. It then also went to offer further in-depth readings, at further costs of $49.95.

I was not happy with the service given so I emailed Helene on 23rd February requesting a refund as per her policy as I had not received my reading. Below is a copy of the last email I sent her (on 4th March 2002) which summarises the saga:-

Dear Helene

I refer to my two messages below when I informed you I was not happy with my report and requested a refund of the payment taken from my credit card.

I have not yet had the courtesy of a reply, or the money refunded to my credit card.

In summary, you sent me an email on 29th January 2002 entitled Final Opportunity. In this email you I was offered the reading at a reduced price of $39.50 "If you reply today, I'll give you your Complete Individual Reading for $39.50 instead of $49.50. You save $10." When I requested the reading and payment was taken from my credit card, I was actually charged £35.36 which is obviously for the full amount of $49.50. I even sent you a message on 30th January saying "Dear Helene, I have filled out your form and made the payment as necessary. However, on the form it stated the cost as $49.50 and I had received an email from you saying I could have the reading done at the price of $39.50. Please make sure it is an amount of $39.50 taken from my credit card."

I was also told in your email that if I was not satisfied, the reading would cost me absolutely nothing "I know you're hesitating. You think that you'll be obliged to purchase the Complete Individual Reading upon receiving it. Absolutely not! If you're not 100% satisfied, your Complete Individual Reading won't cost anything. There's no risk at all."

You also sent me another email on the same day entitled "A few days ago.....". In this email you also told me that my money would be refunded if I was not satisfied and I quote "P.S. Don't forget that your In-depth Individual Clairvoyant Reading will be sent to you for consultation on a trial basis. If you are not 100% satisfied, it will be fully reimbursed and will cost you nothing. There is no catch. To receive it, just contact me at the following address: www.hdeparis.com".

It is now over a week since I first contacted you and would appreciate your confirmation that my money will be refunded together with an indication of when I can expect to see the money refunded.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible in order that this matter can be resolved.

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I hope you can warn other internet users not to use her web site. I have sent her 5 emails in total complaining and asking for a refund and I have not even received the courtesy of a reply!!
Kind regards Nicky Raines

Editorial Comments

We don't receive these type of postings everyday! Have you had a bad experience with similar sites or even 'land based' 'psychics'? We would like to hear from you. We also welcome consumer comments.

Our Right of Reply email has bounced back undelivered from the address given by Ms Raines.

26 May 2002:
We have now sent Ms Deparis details of this page by submitting the URL address via her website submission form. We have also written via the webmaster address for her website.

Dear Ms. Raines; It would be hard to have a "one price fits all" reading, in my opinion, because all people are not the same. Additionally, when I conduct readings, the spirits who guide me set the prices because always, they know more about a client's situation - financial and spiritual - than I do. I am merely a conduit of that information which ultimately comes from God. Therefore, looking for a "bargain" price for spiritual information might not be the best course of action. I have done readings from free to $300.00, based upon what the spirits set because always, they know better than I what is appropriate for the client.

Also, a sole practitioner is usually chief, cook and bottlewasher. I have had $5.00 readings that took 6 hours to conduct, and 10 minute readings that cost $150.00. What this means is that response time when you are reader, office support, etc. can be quite inconsistent and it can be easy to get backed up if you get overloaded.

As far as quality of the reading, I would imagine that one would have to either get recommendaitons about a reader, or seriously consider their philosophy when making a decision. This is a spiritual business. Spirit, and spiritual concerns should guide this, or problems are likely inevitable.

Additionally, a satisfaction guaranteed policy seems impossible for a reader to offer, or a client to enforce. Often, spirits will give a client information that they "need", which may not be what they "want", and they are totally unsatisfied. Usually, within three months or so, if the recipient of the message is patient and wise, they will see the complete picture and the reasons that the information was given. Seldom is all clear in the reading immediately.

Additionally, this is about spirit and an ultimate connection to God. When looking for a reader, the very first thing that one should consider doing is praying for guidance about the reader who is being considered. If that does not lead all actions, and consideration in this matter, it is not likely to go as well. In other words, if one does not pray and ask about the reader and wait for an answer, usually in the form of a feeling of confirmation that this is the right person, then certainly, there may be problems. This is after all, and above all else, a spiritual matter, not buying shoes. The client is potentially basing life decisions upon the word of the reader. It should be treated with spiritual seriousness. God notices these things. May we all walk closer to God's light, Eva Ravenwood... 8 August 2003
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Re Eva Ravenwoods reply to this complaint - I quote - "Additionally, this is about spirit and an ultimate connection to God". Now call me an old cynic if you like, but in that case, why on earth is Ms Ravenwood charging for her service rather than treating it as the gift it truly is? As a "believer", I have visited many mediums - some good - others not so - but must admit the one thing that the less accurate seem to possess is an uncanny knack when it comes to establishing contact with the contents of my wallet! The claim by Ms Ravenwood that the "spirits" tell her how much to charge is outrageous! I cant believe that any relative of mine on the other side would happily tell a medium to charge me money to make contact! Shame on you!
Jay Gage ... 30 December 2003