Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  03/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I joined Organogold in 2012 as a sales representative. I came in at a level where I should received 20% of coffee I sell or that is ordered on my OG website. During the last few years I suddenly came to realize that I have Never received any commission from Organogold. I was working and so the money was not the issue however I recently retired and thought to try to build this business, having coffee shows because I like the coffee.I referred a few people to my website to order, yet I would never receive any percentage. I called Organogold and they informed me that instead of sending me the money they deposit it into an account they set up, then charge 1.99 per month. They also charge 1.00 to transfer it to your bank. To stop this, per their advice I deposited it into their OG credit card (per their advice). The following month they discontinued the card, never notified me, and started deducting 1.99 per month again. By the time I caught on to them there was 7.00 left. I paid $1.00 to have the 7.00 transferred to my account which resulted in me receiving $6. I think their practice, is unethical. When I sold cosmetics they sent me my 20% commission. Most companies deposit into the employees account. This company deposits it into their OG pay, never notifies you then charges you a monthly fee. I did not consent to or choose OG Pay. That is not the correct way to pay people for. I am asking for clarity regarding is this legal for them to take my money and put it in their account without notifying me then charging me to the point there is no money left (which I believe happened in the past because like I said I NEVER got any money for any coffee or products ordered on my website: And they require me to pay an annual fee for my website. *******************************************************************************************************************. I AM ASKING FOR CLARITY AND CORRECTION REGARDING FORCING PRACTICES THAT RESULT IN $0. COMMISION

  Business response

  03/25/2024

  Dear *************************,
  
  Thank you so much for allowing us to clarify.
  
  The Ogpay wallet is Organo's dedicated payout platform for distributing commissions to our distribution partners. Unified Signal provides this service. The $1.99 monthly charge associated with the wallet covers the operational expenses of the system and is levied by Unified Signal, not Organo. Details regarding this fee, as well as the $1 bank transfer fee, can be found in the OGPay FAQ (Global) located on page 8 of their back office (pls see attached).
  
  Our distributors receive notifications via text and email regarding activities on their Ogpay wallet, including deposits, transfers, and withdrawals, unless they choose to opt-out. Examples of these notifications are attached for reference.  Additionally, we have informed all Ogpay users about the discontinuation of virtual and physical debit cards. Funds from these cards were automatically deposited into their wallet accounts last September 30, 2023. These text and email notifications were sent to ***************************** at the email address and the mobile phone number registered with Ogpay.
   
  Regarding the $25.00 annual BackOffice renewal fee charged by Organo, this fee applies to all ********************* on their anniversary dates and is outlined in the terms and conditions agreed to upon distributor registration. The annual fee is for access to and maintenance of the back office, which allows them to operate their independent distributorship, as well as acceptance of their contract renewal. 
  
  Regarding *********************** concern about her commissions not being paid, we went over her account thoroughly and we hereby confirm there is no unpaid commission under her account. Her last retail bonus of $21 was earned on May 29, 2023 and was uploaded to her Ogpay wallet. She has not earned further commissions beyond that date based on Organos commission qualification requirements. 
  
  As a gesture of goodwill, we are prepared to provide her credit for $1.99 administrative fees charged by Unified Signal, for the months from Oct. 2023 to Feb. 2024. However, we are unable to waive future monthly fees, as this policy is standard across the global platform.
  
  We trust that our explanation has shed light on the situation, and we are hopeful for a resolution to this matter. Please let us know if there are any further questions as we would be more than willing to ensure ****************** satisfaction and hopeful she remains one of our valued distribution partners. 

  Customer response

  03/25/2024

  Hello 

  The attachments submitted have nothing to do with my complaint.  I reviewed my text messages for February 2023 and I do not see the message they submitted in their response to the BBB.  My phone number is not ************.  It is ************ and I have plenty of messages from them telling me to order products because 20% off sale will be over soon.  I have nothing from them on 2/21, 2/22 or 2/28/2023.  I never got any text notifications about any deposits.  My complaint is that they figured out a way to keep the deposit.   

  The August of 2023 letter they submitted to the BBB is a random form letter and I have Never seen it until today

  I have Never seen the mobile wallet picture about a deposit to my account.  Why do they deposit it into their account, then charge me to manage it.  I have my own accounts and I don't need them to manage anything.  It makes no sense because they can pay me directly, especially if they are unstable, changing rules, adding penalties and strategies to keep the money and not pay the representatives.

  There is no excuse to not pay people and take commissions by depositing into an Organogold account and then charging me to access it, to transfer it, and if I don't know it's there and don't do a transfer they charging 1.99 per month because it's left it in the account.  I didn't know it was even there.  

  These attachments are not adequate and do not demonstrate communication regarding deposits, decisions to discontinue credit card we discussed in August.  Why did they assist me to place the 19. in OG Pay Credit card in August only to create a letter saying they won't have the credit card anymore.  They NEVER sent that letter to me.  I found out last month.  That's when I decided to notify the BBB of their practices designed to Not pay people for selling coffee.  

  Now they will insist on a member ship fee but I think they should not because they took from me without my permission.  I didn't need an OG Pay account or credit card I have checking and cards of my own that do not charge me any monthly fees.  That's why I think this needs to be reviewed.  It's not ethical to force people into accounts instead of paying them, then charge them to have the account, use the account and if they do not use the account.

  I think Organogold owes me and should not charge me any additional membership fees and they should pay me directly, not in an OG account they established, governed, changed and designed to take the money back.

  Sincerely,

   *****************************

  ************

   

  Customer response

  03/29/2024

  Hello.
  First, its not 1.99; it is $1.99 per month, plus $1. Transaction fee to access and transfer funds to my bank account, and the transactions have failed, resulting in another $1. transaction fee and $1.99 monthly fee.  Can you clarify why Organogold doesnt deposit any commissions into MY account, the one on file, used to pay for coffee I order.  Depositing them and forcing me to fund your subsidiaries makes no sense and is a way to keep the commissions.
  

  I never got received any notifications in email nor text about any deposits into an OG pay account, but I frequently received texts about 12% off sale.
  I am not clear about why I am forced to fund your partners.  OGpay is not a payment system; it is a partner to Organogold, a system that charges me to use it and deducts money until your account is depleted.  No copies with my email address: ************************ or my phone number ************ have been provided.  The pictures they sent of alleged notifications have a phone different phone number. 
  

  The reason I started inviting people to Organogold coffee was to pay for the $25.00 back office fee and now that I am retired, start an arts caf, which would serve the coffee.  I have NOT received $21.00 and I am concerned about the way the commission is handled because it depletes quickly, sometimes without you ever knowing it was even there.      
  Regarding clarification you are happy to provide; can you clarify why you are able to Deduct money from my account, but can not Deposit money into my account, and instead have a strategy to deposit the money into YOUR subsidiaries account, not communicate about the deposit, and then charge me to use YOUR account until the money is gone and dont notify me the way you notify me about sales.

  I think a fair resolution is to not charge me for the back office fee when it is due because the office services provided are terrible, unstable and not worth paying for as they are against me and for you and yet I am expected to pay for it.  

  Customer response

  04/09/2024

   
  Complaint: 21416511
  My apologies for the late response.  I am away with family.  We are dealing with the death of our loved family member my step Dad.
  I am rejecting part of this response because:  I am an agreement with the refunds for the charges from October to February.  I am concerned about the intention to repeat the process of depositing funds into Organogold's account then charging me to retrieve it.  Also as mentioned I did not get messages about deposits.  I only have messages about sales and promotions if I buy coffee today or by 5 PM tomorrow...  

  This is a step. 

  Yes please refund the charges and know that I reject your intention to repeat the same financial difficulties.  I get texts at ************ for the promotions.  Why can't you send deposit information to the same number.  Also I pay for coffee with my TD card... why can't you pay me by depositing any funds into that account.  You withdraw without difficulties.  You can also deposit without difficulties and text me regarding payment without difficulties.

  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

  ************

  Business response

  04/17/2024

  Dear ****************,
  
  As a follow up to the second inquiry, our **************************** once again, reached out to *********************************. We are pleased to confirm she is now receiving text and email notifications, ensuring she stays updated on all transactions associated with her OGPay wallet account.  Upon her agreement, we've also arranged for the $9.95 admin fees, charged by Unified Signal, to be credited towards her next order as opposed to being loaded onto her OGPay wallet.
  
  As explained previously, the OGPay wallet serves as Organo's dedicated payout platform for distributing commissions to our global network of distribution partners. With thousands of distributors across the globe, it would be impractical to handle transactions directly through individual bank accounts. We prioritize efficiency by utilizing platforms like OGPay Wallet, provided by Unified Signal. While there are administrative fees, such as the $1.99 monthly charge, these fees cover the operational expenses of the system and are levied by Unified Signal as the service provider, not Organo. 
  
  Thank you for your understanding and for giving us the opportunity to resolve this matter. If you require any further information or assistance, please let us know.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩