phil1
Stranger
Reged: 12/02/03
Posts: 2
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In Dec, I got an email from a site that had all my past medical information so I assumed I had ordered there before. A week later I placed an order for a drug from them and in a couple of days I recieved a Fed Ex package. There was No drug inside, just a small bottle of multi vitamens. I emailed about the error and was told I had to return package to recieve credit and to order again. I returned the package to address on the outside and after 2 weeks, 5 delivery attempts, (sig is required when sending to business)my package came back as undeliverable. I have written and received no reply. Also no telephone respone. Email still comes into my inbox from this company but BEWARE. The name to watch for is EDRUGSMD.COM.
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summer
Veteran
Reged: 05/21/02
Posts: 563
Loc: East Coast
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Thanks from us all for the warning. Too many people here including myself, have gotten ripped off by these con artists. I'm sure you saved people money today by sharing your rotten experience(which I'm sorry to hear about)and that is highly comendable- 
Summer
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D2003
Member
Reged: 12/12/03
Posts: 193
Loc: Texas
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Generally I avoid any source that appears in my in mail box. The vast majority are scams and not even worth looking at. GOOD OPs usually don't advertise via spam mail, and that is probably the major reason I avoid any site recommended by some spam mail. Seeing I get over 100+ of those a day, I find it to be my safest bet. Even sites that say they have my records, I avoid. If someone approaches you in a spam post, it is best to avoid them
Sorry to hear you got ripped off in this fashion.
D2003
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2muchpain
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 274
Loc: USA
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Wow! That stinks! I don't even open the spam rx emails because I am afraid of viruses. I received an email today from NWW and it even took me awhile to get up the courage to open it.
Don't bother with the spammers. There are decent OP's out there. Just read the threads and don't assume ANYONE has your records. How would they get them, anyway?
Best of luck to you.
2much
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Definitely better to stick to companies that are being discussed in the public forums (feedback!) than to go with spam mail sites, for sure... I would never use one either, if it was not one I had seen discusssion of on the boards. Most of the OP's on the boards, are not found by spam, but by direct marketing amongst the OP sites... Like an un-broken chain. As long as you are a member of an OP discussion forum, you will always know the new and reliable OP's out there, without ever having to look at spam once!! Banner ads, word of mouth, direct advertising (in some cases) - all happen on some of the boards... This is where most 'good' OP's originate from....
Some of the best consultation services don't even list themselves with the search engines!!  Has anyone noticed that? I am talking about some of the really good/legit Consult OP's like SWMG, etc...You could google-search all day long, and although you will see thousands of 'buymeds affiliates' , you will probably not see SWMG - unless it is on page like 35 of the results or something. I think they CHOOSE to be de-listed or very low-listed with the search engines. I think this is for the best, and a very wise idea on their part. They choose to only be spread among word of mouth through pain sufferers, OP users, and the forums/boards they frequent.
About your loss, sorry to hear that though. That is one of the dirtiest tricks I have EVER heard of an actual U.S/Dometic OP pulling. (Vitamins instead of meds??? ) Stick to the ones being talked about the most. Or at least being talked about. And you can't lose. I have been at this for 3+ years and haven't been ripped once! (by OP's or IOP's (foreign) - amazing, probably more luck in my case). I started with IOP's (was nervous about the online consultation services at the beginning) - and then moving to Consult OP's after about a year of IOP's.... But I never used anywhere, to this day, that didn't have TONS of good feedback. Just not worth it, IMHO when there are SO many sites out there to choose from. I still use a couple real cheap IOP's for low-schedule meds like Tramadol, Soma, Phenergan, Hydroxyzine... Mostly things that are over the counter in some places but NOT HERE. Frustrating. But I have found a couple places with these type meds (OTC in other countries DIRT cheap, so that helps (mostly Click and Master's) - Anyway, take care, and hope you get some type of revenge on those criminals, at least a refund!! Take it easy...
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//zeuzjuz
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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That trick with sending a different med (vitamins in the posters' case) - is ESPECIALLY a dirty trick, because now, with the courier service, they have proof of signature for package (which makes things tougher when attempting a charge-back or legal re-course) - Now that's a truly criminal enterprise for ya.  
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//zeuzjuz
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regs921
Journeyman
Reged: 11/01/03
Posts: 53
Loc: East
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Guess what? If you go to that Edrugsmd website, a pop-up comes on advertising Vicodin, Norco, etc., and when you click it what do you think comes up? BUYMEDS!! Doesn't surprise me.....
regs
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Everybody Hurts....Sometimes....Hold On....~ Michael Stipe ~
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NJ_Hoss
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 263
Loc: USA
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Well, that may not be a totally accurate assessment of the situation.
OP's use a strong network of "affiliates" who make substantial "referral fees" for leads they generate and direct toward a particular provider. Most OP's do have aggressive policies that prohibit the use of certain practicies such as unsolicited spam, pop-up or pop-under windows, etc, and although it is clearly in their best interest to enforce them, it is virtually impossible to verify the originating source of every "click-through" lead generated on their behalf.
Many of these affiliates build sophisticated "front-ends" that resemble an OP and give the impression it is a fully-functioning independent provider, when in reality, the affiliates link their sites, depending on which company pays the largest referral fees on an item-by-item basis, to an OP, or assortment of OP's, for fulfillment. While the link may eventually end up at a given OP, much of the processing that takes place before hand may be without the OP's knowledge and entirely out of its control.
I repeat, it is clearly in the best interest of the OP's to enforce their own affiliate program guidelines, and most do. The revenues cannot and do not outweigh the additional scrutiny brought to bear upon them from what may be unrelated fraudulent operators.
I would suggest copying each link that directed you through the process and report it to the OP IMMEDIATELY so they may take the appropriate action. In many cases, their only opportunity to act is upon having been advised a problem exists. Copying the entire link, or even the javascript that activates the link, will contain the affilliate ID and enable the OP to identify the responsible individual. Knowing that there is an opportunity to act and failing to do so is to tacitly endorse their illicit activity and endagers this important healthcare segment.
Of course, this does not also prohibit you from seeking whatever remedies may be available through your credit card company. However, many times, contacting the fulfilling OP directly may be the fastest source for a remedy, as they have a vested interest in distinguishing themselves from illicit behavior and may ultimately assist you in justifying your dispute.
I hope this helps.
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lemongrass
Board Addict
Reged: 09/23/03
Posts: 363
Loc: IL
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Ah, Hoss, you have some of the most wonderful advice and information a person can carry around with them. Are you a walking encyclopedia or something? Dang, you're good!
I was just thinking of something when I was reading this thread and how people are spammed with these OP and IOP advertisements. You know, I never received one of them until I visited a medication site.
You may have heard of cookie cutters. What they do, at least this is the jist I get out of it, is these advertisers/affiliates will go to certain sites where your IP and e-mail address has been entered. Then there's a way that they can get everyone's e-mail straight from that site and they use that as a means of targeting people for their wares, if one can refer to these medications as such.
So, beware when you visit other sites offering medications and what have you. Use your computer settings to not accept cookies! Who needs all of that garbage filling up their e-mail boxes?
Take care!
lemongrass
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basenji
Journeyman
Reged: 04/26/02
Posts: 78
Loc: Washington state
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Hi Lemongrass,
I know this is a little off the subject; but you said that we could set our computers so that we couldn't accept cookies. How do I go about doing that? I get sooooo many of these kinds of things and don't want them at all. I am really afraid of all these viruses and would just love to be able to block them. Thanks for any info you can share. If you would just like to PM me that would be fine. I don't want to go off on a whole other subject here. Thanks,
basenji
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zoe11
Journeyman
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 87
Loc: Other side of the moon
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How do you set your computer to not accept cookies?
z
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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If you're using Internet Explorer,
Simply:
Click 'Tools' (on the top bar of the screen)
Then Click Options on the Menu that brings up....
Then Click the Tab that says 'Privacy'....
Now click on 'Advanced' or 'Override Automatic Cookie Handling'
Now you can select whether you want to accept cookies. There is a 'Yes/No' seclection to block cookies from only 1st party providers, or only 3rd party providers (this is what you definitely wanna block) - or you can block both.
Take it easy all....
I myself choose to use a Cookie Manager program (I use something called WipeOut) - There are hundreds of them just go to download.com and type in cookie..... These programs let you block all cookies, but keep 'certain' cookies - For instance, I like to block cookies but I DO like to keep some cookies - Some cookies, their main purpose is to kind of 'remember your place' at sites. Like the cookie stores info only for your benefit. To remember your login/pass for you, or to remember what posts you read last, etc... Some of these cookies I choose to keep because I feel they are not 'bad' cookies  (like advertising/tracking cookies) - but just cookies for my own personal use, to help me navigate the net easier. So that way you can select certain ones to keep, and then that's all you gotta do. It does the work for you. (Filters out all the cookies coming in except the ones you told it to keep) - My 'keep' list is only about 20 sites, not too many! But this is the easiest/best way to do it. For now, if you simply wanna block ALL cookies, you can follow the instructions I gave up top. Take care all.....
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//zeuzjuz
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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One thing, blocking ALL cookies can cause some websites (especially where you are making transactions or logging in, such as paying a bill or purchasing something, or entering a forum) This can make some sites not work properly. That is why is it better to use a 'cookie manager' program, properly conigured, instead of just disabling ALL cookies through Internet Explorer. By disabling all, you can limit too many things. If you don't wanna use a cookie manager but wanna block most advertising cookies, just tell IE to block 3rd Party Cookies ONLY, but allow 1st party cookies. That's the best setup without a cookie manager.
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//zeuzjuz
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manoman
Journeyman
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 54
Loc: Warm part of the Sun
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Yes, very good advice Z! People shouldn't get too carried away with disabling cookies, or other over-restrictive privacy settings. If you must, just manage them with a cookie program such as Z mentioned.
As a web professional, I will warn that 90% of the troubles reported by web surfers are the direct result of overzealous restrictions of their cookies, javascript, and privacy settings. Sometimes these are caused by programs they install to "protect" themselves, but don't properly understand how to configure them. Norton System works and Zone Alert come to mind as two examples of overly restrictive and troublesome "security" programs IMHO.
Nearly all web sites use cookies, and many use javascript, referer data, and other important tidbits. Most do not use them for malicious purposes, but as a benefit to the surfer and web designers in making the site friendly and interactive. These things have become an intergral part of most sites, and without them, they rarely operate as intended.
Data, like anything else, can be abused. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water. I can assure you, if you lock everything out, your surfing experiences will not be pleasant or productive.
Thanks for listening to my rants.
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