The AroundCampus Group

Around Campus did not provide the correct advertising for a college planner that I requested. It was not corrected by any customer service rep.At the beginning of June 2015, I was approached by Around Campus about advertising in a planner that is given to incoming Freshmen at Texas Tech University. I entered into an agreement for $550 for 1/8 of page, size of business card. I gave the sales rep. by business card and requested it to be my ad. Weeks later, I was emailed a copy of the ad. It did not contain anything from my business card. Our franchise requires the color to be exact and disclosures present on ad. Nothing was correct. I have emailed the designer several times asking for corrections. He send back the ad with the correct color, but other information on the ad was still incorrect. I also spoke with designer on the phone several times to requested the changes. I never received an updated ad. I called and spoke with my sales rep about the problems. She directed me to call the customer service number. I explained the problem to the customer service agent and she stated it she would check into it. After all this, the deadline had pasted for the print. My ad was never printed correctly. I have spoke with customer service again after the planner came out about the problem, but nothing could be done at the time. I emailed her the correspondence with the designer about the problems with the ad. I asked for a discount since I did not approve the ad. She stated she would get back to me, but never did. In summary, I would not recommend any person or company to pay up front until the product is delivered to your satisfaction. This company severely lacks in customer services and seems to be run by inexperienced college students.Desired SettlementCredit of $275 for mistake in advertising. I already paid $275 up front. Withdraw any legal actions in collections. Business Response /[redacted]/Our company is committed to providing advertising that is approved by the advertiser. We have an approval process in place that includes multiple types and repeated communication to provide the opportunity for changes in ads and to make certain that the advertiser is happy with the final product. In reviewing the communication logs (includes calls, emails and letters) with this advertiser, we found that this process started on June 9. Two proofs were sent before the initial response requesting color changes. A revised proof was sent on 6/24. Additional attempts were made by phone and email after the revision and prior to the print date to get final approval that were missed by advertiser. Before the past due balance was placed with collection, our representative reached out to the advertiser to create a resolution. A letter was sent letting the advertiser know that the account would have to be turned over if he chose not to respond to communication requests to reach a resolution. We will be crediting the advertiser $275 and removing the account from collections as requested. I can be reached at XXX-XXX-XXXX, extension [redacted] to discuss the account. Thank you.

Published of unapproved information about our business. Stop collection activity.We were contacted by a representative to renew our advertisement. We have requested information on previous publication be updated:1. Business location had changed2. New logos and addition information on servicesWe never got an updated proof of update. We started receiving invoice for the publication. I called and talked to a representation and she insisted we owe for the publication. I tried to explain to representative the circumstance surrounding the service provide and the fact that we have not even seen what was publish.Representative insisted we pay them and she was willing to waive $50.00 off the invoice. Desired SettlementI want:1. Publication corrected if it was ever done2. Our name taken off of collections.Business Response /[redacted]/Upon review, our communication records show that the customer purchased the ad on July 22, 2013. The initial proof was emailed to the customer on July 24, 2013. A second proof was emailed on August 1, 2013. We also left him voicemail messages on 7 occasions between October 23 and November 25 prior to his being placed in collections. He did not respond to any of the emails or phone calls. The customer called and talked with a member of the Customer Relations team on January 2, 2014. During that conversation, the CR team member confirmed that we had the correct email address and phone number for the customer. She also confirmed that the ad that ran had the correct updated address that he had requested when sold the advertisement. He explained that he had wanted to add a second location in the ad. The CR team explained that we had tried to contact him for the approval. An adjustment was offered and rejected. The ad ran per the agreement that the customer authorized. We have decided to credit the $250 due for the advertisement.

Failure to deliver the electronic banner ad that was purchased for the Around Campus Smart Phone AppOn 7/30 I purchased an electronic media ad through Around Campus Group (herein called ACG). The purchase was "specifically" for a banner add that self populated into the ACG smart phone app for students to see.As a bonus but not specifically part of what I purchased was a 1/4 print ad in their printed publication. I was informed the electronic ad would be up and running by the time the students started school this fall (end of August). I complied with my legal obligations by approving ads in a timely fashion and paying them up front.When school started, no electronic banner ad that I purchased. I called them and spoke with [redacted] who informed me the electronic banner ad would not work with their current smart phone version and they were waiting to get it approved. September I called a second time. Now told that Apple had not approved their ap upgrade. Still no electronic banner ad that I had purchased. I told them that I was kind enough to be patient and give it a few more weeks but would expect a pro rata refund on the time the ad was not running. [redacted] agreed.October has passed. It is now November. No electronic banner ad which is what my contract says I bought.I called for a full refund because at this point the ad would run into the summer when the students are gone.[redacted] (male) informed me he couldn't refund me. I asked for someone in charge. I spoke with [redacted] again. She refused to give me a full refund. She pointed out that the 1/4 print ad ran. Which it did. It was a bonus thrown in and not what I contractually agreed to. I signed a contract for the development and deployment of an electronic banner ad. As of this date, that ad has never been displayed on the local around campus smart phone ap.She offered to pro rate and reimburse me around $750 of the $1750 I purchased! The ad hasn't even run yet!The terms of my contract state that ACG can pro rate a refund "if" the goods have been fulfilled (section 7 ad 8) of their contract. Since I purchased electronic media, it is simply irrelevant whether they spent money on paper medial. For my business, paper media doesn't work.She made no apology but only offered excuses that the app still wasn't ready. For my time and inconvenience, she made no attempt at a due good. For example since she believes that I have consumed $1000 of what I purchase, is she willing to reimburse me $1000 and ALSO run the ad for the rest of the year? Nope.It was pure FRAUD for ACG to sell a banner ad that can't even run on their app. They have no ability to deliver what they promised. They may eventually someday but that doesn't mean I should have to pay when the due date expired months ago! This is a clear breach of contract. Goods have not been delivered. An acceptable alternative was not tenured.Desired SettlementThey can do one of the following.1. Reimburse me my $1750 with an apology.2. They can guarantee me when the ad will start running this year and run the ad as it is supposed to run. Then because I have spent time and money trying to get them to have a moral compass they should give me a the same banner ad next school year at no cost as a make good for selling me a product they couldn't even create or support.Business Response /[redacted]/Our Customer Relations team has talked directly with the advertiser and resolved the complaint to his satisfaction. Please let me know if we may provide any additional information.Consumer Response /[redacted]/The company has agreed to refund my advertising fees. They said it would take a while but would let me know when they send reimbursement.If I do not receive anything, I will let you know.[redacted], M.D.Final Consumer Response /[redacted]/

A student rep told me I could cancel since I didn't have to pay up front. When I attempted to cancel they would not comply because of a contract. This goes back to 7/23/2014. These are door to door salesmen who push advertising. I actually used Aroundcampus in 2013 and paid for the advertising with no issues. Due to the lack of response from the 2013 campaign, I told the sales rep in August 2014 that I was hesitant to use the service again. The employee told me to sign off on anyway as a place holder, but assured me that I did not have to make up front payments and would have the opportunity to cancel my order if I changed my mind. I took the employee at his word and signed off, and shared with him some vague information about what I might plan to draw up. On 8/8/2014 I still hadn't come up with a design and expressed my wishes to cancel the order. This time I was dealing with corporate call center and "all sales are final" was the only answer I was getting, and the issue escalated to Aroundcampus management. The woman openly admitted to me they use student interns who are inexperienced or may not be fully trained and it's possible an intern might something untrue to strike a deal. The oral contract is not binding (nor recorded anywhere), so only the written contract is what matters. I told them I would not pay for a service I felt was dishonest, and was shocked that a business accepts that a sales rep will say whatever they need to, and it does not matter because of fine print in a contract. To reiterate, they admit student-employees / interns could possibly make erroneous claims about contractual obligations in order to close sales, but the contracts are binding regardless of whats said. They went ahead and fabricated an ad and published it against my wishes. Months passed, almost 1 year now, and I am still getting bills and it has escalated further to calls and letters from a collection agency. All my personal feelings aside and regardless of what was said, I do think I have some ground to stand on according to their contract. Section 2 of their contract states "The AdvertisingAgreement is incorporated by reference and made a part of this document. Customer furtheragrees to pay a deposit at the time Customer signs the Agreement" I was not required to make a payment at the signing of the contract, which shows the sales rep was bending the rules. Also section 4 "4. Proof: Upon receipt of fulfillment details from Customer, UD will prepare a proof and mail/email/fax it to Customer at the location address provided by Customer, provided theartwork or instructions were received before the applicable deadline. Customer will reviewthe proof and return it to UD by the approval deadline designated by UD" I never approved the proof nor submitted artwork, and they went ahead and published it after my wishes to cancel. The bill was for $337.50 but the collection agency is claiming a higher number over $500, yet offering to settle for $300, a practice that further convinces me this Aroundcampus typically strongarms or bullies folks into a service they never really wanted or understood.Desired SettlementI just want the slate wiped clean. In 2013 I paid for an ad and wasn't satisfied, but there was no ill-bearance for the company; I chalked it up to a service I didn't need. So when in 2014 a sales rep made some claims to reassure me I could back out if I changed my mind, and that turned out to be contractually nullified, I feel misled and now do harbor feelings of violation by Aroundcampus. They resort to "victim blaming" wherein it is my fault for listening to a sales rep without recording somewhere (i.e. having an amended contract written) and giving an intern any credibility. Now the collection agency is threatening to put this on my credit card and it feels like a textbook shakedown. If the Revdex.com can't side with me on this, I will pay the 300 to keep it off my credit report, but I think Aroundcampus intentionally uses poorly trained students so they can fall back on their contracts when issues like this come up.Business Response /[redacted]/Contact Name and Title: [redacted], EVPContact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX, [redacted]Contact Email: [redacted]@aroundcampus.comI have reviewed the information submitted by the advertiser and have credited the account the amount due. AroundCampus Group works with businesses in campus communities to reach potential customers. Many businesses enjoy working with students selling in their markets - they are potential customers and their insights are often times very valuable. We regret that this customer did not have a good experience with his representative and will use his feedback in training to improve on that relationship. Our goal is to have customers have a successful and profitable relationship and work hard to have long term relationships with our clients. Consumer Response /[redacted]/i have forwarded this to CMI creditors and as long as they are able to verify this and wipe the slate clean, consider this resolved and myself satisfied. once cmi verifies this is all kosher, I would like to close the case.Final Consumer Response

Complaint[redacted] stopped by our office to offer an advertisement in the WMU booklet. We were not given a correct proof to send to compliance.On 08/06/2015 [redacted] offered us an Advertisement for the WMU directory. We said we would put an Ad in if we could get the ad by compliance. [redacted] stated we could cancel if we could not get the ad approved. We agreed not to put any money down as this would make the ad agreement whole and we could not due to the compliance issue. We were provide proofs of the ad and they were never correct. (wrong colors, wrong font, wrong placement of text) We let the ad person know each proof they sent it was not correct. This ran right up to their deadline. We said we do not have time to get this by compliance therefore we will have to cancel. The company then went on to say they are placing the ad anyways and will bill us for the service. We sent several emails stating not to print our ad and that no agreement was made. We also requested they not use our logo without permission.Desired Settlement1. Do not place the ad or use our logo2. Discontinue billing us for service never rendered.3. Destroy an copies of our logo and company media. Business Response /[redacted]/We have reviewed the advertiser's concerns. The ad was not placed, billing has been discontinued and there is no file of company media or logos. If Mr. [redacted] has any additional concerns or questions, please contact [redacted] at XXX-XXX-XXXX, ext. [redacted] Thank you.Consumer Response /[redacted]/Thank you.Final Consumer Response /[redacted]Document Attached[redacted]As of today we have received another bill for $250 even though the company has stated they will discontinue billing us. They state in the bill this is a cancellation fee.Final Business Response /[redacted]/This account is currently at -0- balance. They have been discontinued on billing. It may be that our prior response and the billing crossed paths during the original complaint process. There is no balance on the account and they will not receive any invoices.

I have bought a subway location in may 2013 in forks pa. I was new in the area. One day a representative from around campus group came and said he was a student at [redacted] college and his school is printing student directory and I should advertise with them since it will reach to all the students and the staff of [redacted] college. I gave him a check for $500 to advertise with including coupon. I was told that once the directory will be sent out to everyone once college starts. After few weeks of college year beginning I realized I did not receive a single coupon back from the advertisement. It made me wonder and I went to [redacted] college business office to inquire about it. I had found out that student directory was not printed by [redacted] college and it was a third party who does that. No one use that anymore since everything is available online. Instead of returning my $500 back they are asking for $1825 more as balance due on my advertisement. I feel like I was cheated and they advertise their self in wrong way. They had advertised their self working for [redacted] college and fooled me. I think they should have mentioned all the facts before taking my money.Desired SettlementI would like to get full refund of $500 and I would like them to stop sending me bills.Business Response /[redacted]/Contact Email: [redacted]@aroundcampus.comWe have reviewed Mr. [redacted]'s complaint and following is information that we hope is helpful to him. [redacted] College has an official agreement with The AroundCampus Group to publish their directory. We have provided this service for colleges and universities for 40 years. [redacted]'s students and faculty value the printed directory and that is why the College contracted with us to provide the publication for their campus. The directory is provided to each student and faculty member. Mr. [redacted] purchased one of the best advertiser locations in the [redacted] College directory. The total purchase price was $2,325. As he indicated, he paid a $500 deposit when he purchased the ad. Students that attend schools that contract with The AroundCampus Group often do sell advertising to area businesses in the publication. We feel that the publication is a vital and popular tool to the students and faculty of [redacted] College.Mr. [redacted] has had the option to change the online version of the coupon as often as he would like throughout the year. Changing the offer on the online coupon moves the business to the top of the list on AroundCampus.com and notifies the viewer that there is a new offer, encouraging them to check it out. Our records do not indicate that Mr. [redacted] has communicated with our office about his concerns. In an effort to reach a resolution, we are offering a $500 credit on the balance due. The advertising is still in effect and he has the option to create a new online coupon for a short while longer. Please let him know that I welcome his call at XXX-XXX-XXXX to discuss any of the information provided. Consumer Response /[redacted]/Thank you for the responseI have not received a single coupon back from either their website or the directory it self. If I would have known from the beginning that the sales person was working as a contractor and he was not from college it self I would have never advertised with them. I was totally mislead by them. I would like to get full refund of my $500 deposit.Final Business Response /[redacted]/ In looking at the customer's comments, there appears to be a misunderstanding about the College being involved in the production of the directory. [redacted] College and The AroundCampus Group are partners in providing the publication to their campus. As he was told by the representative he met with, the directory is provided to the students and staff at the College. The College benefits from the relationship which is what the customer had hoped to accomplish. The Communications Division at the College works with us on the agreement and provides the information that is printed in the directory. We also see from his comments that he is disappointed about his coupon response. We often work with advertisers on their coupons and make it possible for them to update or change them on the mobile app. The customer has not taken advantage of that opportunity and has not communicated any feedback to us about his concerns. The campus community has learned about his new business and its location due to his visibility in the book. As a good will offer we are willing to work with him on the cost. We are offering a substantial discount on the ad price - a 35% reduction. I have asked our Customer Relations team to credit his account a total of $814 on the original price which is an increase over our original resolution offer. We are available for the customer to reach out to at any time. Thanks. Consumer Response /[redacted]/I could not get any of my money back but I still get emails from them demanding money...Would you please reopen this case.Thanks

Unlawful use of branding and billed for services we did not want and did not receive. I am a franchisee for an [redacted] store in Michigan. Last August, one of my cashiers was pressured into signing an agreement with Around Campus for a $750 ad. When I contacted the company and told them the cashier had no legal authority to sign for our company, it was an incredible hassle to get the problem resolved.I spoke with [redacted] and even President [redacted] I had to get my franchise HQ's legal department to contact them because they stole branding from the [redacted] website to create an ad we never wanted in the first place. But the last correspondence with Around Campus said the matter was settled and that they had not placed our ad in the final production of the book. I was satisfied with this despite the hassle. However, even though no ad was placed in the book, I continued to receive bills for $750 and just today received notice that they sent the bill to a collection agency.Desired SettlementThis has been an annoying hassle for 6 months. At this point, I should request financial compensation for the time and energy this has required of me and taken from my business. However, all I really want is for Around Campus to go away. I want the bills for services that were not rendered to stop and for any contact with creditors to cease.Business Response /[redacted]/Our company originally sold the ad for Ms. [redacted]'s franchise to an assistant manager who stated that he was authorized to purchase advertising for the business. Following Ms. [redacted]'s contact, the ad was pulled as indicated and the billing occurred in error. [redacted] has been in direct contact with Ms. [redacted] during the past week and resolved the matter to her satisfaction. Consumer Response /[redacted]/Ms. [redacted] did correct the matter after I posted this. However, the above information is not correct. The ad was not sold to an assistant manager but someone who is the equivalent of a cashier and should not be expected to be able to sign documents for any company. Final Consumer Response /[redacted]/

On July 24,2013, [redacted] a representative for the Uni. Directories set up an appointment to sit down and put together a coupon for [redacted] & [redacted] Salon. I (along with 2 other stylist)gave him services and pictures we wanted on the coupon. I wanted two coupons which would cost $750. I would have two pictures, services discounted, and the address. Mr. [redacted] said in order to get started you must sign the contract. I asked him suppose I do not approve of the proof? He said I would have o initial the proof for approval and for he company to go on. I agreed. On August 2, 2013, I received an email from [redacted] the graphic designer. It was a week before I could pull the email up to see the proofs. The information I wanted on the coupon was not on the coupon. On Aug.8,2013 I emailed Mr. [redacted] and told him and he said I had to scan and email the info. to him. I told him I would contact [redacted] because he wrote down all the inform to submit. I also stated I had no scanner. I called Mr. [redacted] and he said he would come back out to the salon, but he did not show. I emailed Mr. [redacted] and told him to cancel because I did not here from Mr. [redacted] Mr. [redacted] called me and told me I could not cancel and a manager [redacted] will call.With the coupon going out Sept.15, I had plenty of time to cancel or for the company to send someone else out. Ms. [redacted] said she was trying to work with me, but only for the online advertisement. It was too late for the book. The coupon has the same advertisement ,$10 off relaxer,only one picture and not the complete address. I did refuse o pay. Ms. [redacted] offered on 1/21 to take 200 off and I had two days to respond. I declined. The company has now reported me to the collection agency if payment is not received.Desired SettlementI am willing to pay for half the amount. The coupon was incorrect. The company is stating by working with me I had to send by scanning, emailing, all the information I wanted. Basically do the work. Business Response /[redacted]/I have reviewed the information submitted by the advertiser and have communicated to our team to accept her offer to pay half of the amount due. Her account will be adjusted accordingly. Our records show that we received the desired changes from another field rep (other than her original contact) on August 9 and the ad was updated accordingly. It appears that opportunities to make additional changes were missed when the Production person responsible for the ad layout attempted to reach the advertiser. Once an ad arrives in our office, the preparation and follow up is handled by our Production and Customer Relations teams. We actively seek input from the advertiser to make certain that they are satisfied with the final product. We regret that Ms. [redacted] is not happy with her experience. We always want our advertisers to be pleased with the outcome and to continue their relationship with us. I am available at XXX-XXX-XXXX, ext. 6101 if Ms. [redacted] would like to discuss any additional information. Thanks.