<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Thanks to all who responded to my question about the Gluten Free Club
run by "Angie Halten," www.glutenfreeclub.com.  Many responders volunteered
that they had also gotten email bounce-backs when they tried the contact
email address on the website.

In all I rec'd dozens of replies, however only 4 people described actual
experience with the GFC: ** #1  got the free recipes only but didn't join;
** #2  had an experience similar to my friend's: paid up & couldn't access
services, couldn't contact the company; ** #3  had service in the beginning,
but lost the ability to access & contact.  Paid club members #3 and #4 were
not recent signups, as my friend was.

** But, #4 responder had a good report on the club. After a few days, #4 was
able to facilitate contact w/GFC at [log in to unmask]
According to Angie, she was unaware that she had an email problem. While a
working email address was appreciated, requests for a contact phone number
for my friend were ignored.

Of the remainder of the replies rec'd,  one person expressed a
positive opinion of (but no experience with) the GF Club. The remainder of
the non-experience replies were either negative or doubtful opinions about
the club.  Some people offered legal/ tech / financial advice.

Regarding the webpage's claimed bonus of 10% discount to GFC members:
Bryan Van Noy of Gluten Solutions, and Kevin Clyne of Curious Cookie Co
have both confirmed that their companies do not have & never have had, a
business arrangement with either Angie Halten or the Gluten Free Club. No
special discounts are available to Gluten Free Club members, as promised on
the GFC website.

When last checked, the website had no security certificate, a risk to those
who enter personal/credit card/banking info in such a circumstance.

There is a question regarding source material on the club's website.

In my opinion, the Gluten Free Club run by Angie Halten is operating in
the gray zone:  Let the buyer beware.  GFC may be legitimate, but it is
not squeaky-clean. The past inability of the club to provide reliable
contact with their customers is sad. The bonus ploy is *not * nice.
Customers who choose to enter ID info on an unsecured webpage may suffer
regrets. However, each of these faults is remediable, and I would hope that
the principals in this operation would undertake a plan of improvement.

Those accessing this message in future through an archive search should be
aware that this post reflects the time frame of early Feb./07.  In general,
any website or business practice related to any business, anywhere, can
change over time.  

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