Desert Sports

We believe that the company's marketing and selling practices are deceptive and misleading. The company solicits golf clubs via telemarketers nationally, asking for a credit card number as a deposit. The company asks consumer's to test their clubs without obligation for 45 days. All who agree and receive the clubs icurr charges to their credit cards of up to $1500.00 as an advance deposit; and allegedly without authorization. As of 9/17/2001, we were able to verify reports that Desert Sports is no longer in business. The company has reportedly been taken over by the manufacturer of the Black Lightning clubs, Williams Technologies. A separate report is available upon request. We urge caution. This marketing method has become common, and in our experience, the trial period turns out to be a stall tactic to prevent customers from disputing the charge with their card issuer. Typically, when potential victims attempt to return the clubs, they are unable to obtain permission for the return, thus, are unable to receive credit. By law, consumers have 60 days from the billing date to dispute a charge with the credit card company. Visa has a 120 day period. After the 60-day period, a charge cannot be reversed unless the seller consents. If the order is canceled, we suggest that the product be returned in sufficient time to permit a credit card dispute to be filed. We also advise consumers not give out their credit card information unless they intend to make a purchase. If products are offered on a test or trial basis, there should be no charge imposed on the person doing the testing.