A Phillies fan, Loretta signed up for MLB.com so she could follow her team after moving to Florida. She did not want to renew but found MLB.com had courteously done that for her, without asking or warning. She called customer service who kept saying they would refund it, but then changed their story and said her grace period was up.

Undaunted, determined, she typed in “MLB Complaints” and found The Consumerist, along a number, 212-485-3182, we posted for Jim Gallagher, a high-ranking MLB.com employee who, if reached, has magical properties.

“I called, he picked up the phone after 2 rings,” writes Loretta. “I explained, he started laughing, asked for my name and e-mail address, said he would make sure I got my refund.” She says she will let us know in 10 days if it goes through or not.

The Consumerist: Helping people help themselves when companies won’t.

Loretta’s full email, for source-document posterity, after the jump…

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Loretta writes:

“I found your site, by typing in MLB complaints. Mine was a similar complaint. We moved from PA to FL last August. I wanted to follow the Phillies. I signed up at the end of the season for $9.99 or $19.99, I don’t remember exactly what it was. I had no intention of renewing. In May, I was checking my April Visa statement and there was a $79.95 charge from MLB.com. I immediately called the customer-service number and was told the 10-day grace period was up. Well, sure it was. I didn’t receive my bill until well after the charge was applied. I was told they would put in for a refund. It would take 10 to 14 days. I called back 4 times, told the same thing, still no refund. Finally, the last time I called, they told me I wasn’t eligible since the grace period was up. I have a whole back-and-forth e-mail string, still the same story. Finally, I found your site and Jim Gallagher’s number. I called, he picked up the phone after 2 rings. I explained, he started laughing, asked for my name and e-mail address, said he would make sure I got my refund. I will check back with you in 10 days and let you know if it went through. Thanks for the tip. Loretta S.”

Previously: ‘I Love Baseball but Hate MLB.com’