Community Outreach Partners, Inc.

Community Outreach Partners is a Florida based company engaging in fraudulent business practices under a 501(3)c status. They called my business on 8/10/18 asking us to sponsor an advertisement spot on a "dual sided 8.5" X 11" dry erase magnetized safety magnets" which would be going out to all K-6 public school children in my county in Missouri. We were quoted the price of $2500 to have the whole 4"x8" advertising space at the top of the magnet. This quote was for artwork set up, 2 boxes of 110 each complimentary magnets, and the distribution of 3,400+ magnets/month until all of the public schools had been covered. We spent 2 months after they had our $2500, just trying to get the magnets printed, receive our complimentary magnets, and see distribution begin. It is now 3/20/2019 (over 7 months later) with no distribution of the "dual sided 8.5" X 11" dry erase magnetized safety magnets". We did finally receive the complimentary boards. They were not "dual sided 8.5" X 11" dry erase magnetized safety magnets" as is advertised on their website, instead they are thin cardstock, poorly printed, lightly laminated boards with 2 thin magnet strips slightly glued to the back. Most of the magnets popped off when we pulled the boards out of the box. They are of such poor quality, we will not pass them out to our customers. When I contacted the company today for a refund on this service, due to the poor quality and the fact that they haven't distributed a single board and the school year is about over, I was told they never intended to distribute a magnet to every K-6 public school student in my county as I was told on every other phone call I have made to them over the last 7 months (and she didn't know who would have told me that in the first place), nor do they send out a monthly email stating where that month's distributions were taken (which I have also been told was a policy), and all that my $2500 was for was a 4x8" full board artwork and the complimentary boards, nothing more. Obviously, that doesn't even make sense. This company is registered as a non-profit charity business, who is scamming small businesses to give them money to advertise on safety magnets which they are told will be passed out to all K-6 public school children in their local area. The Community Outreach organization does produce a board with 2 magnet strips taped to it, but never intends to produce enough to distribute as promised. Then when you try to reach the company to discuss concerns, you get the run around, passed to a different person each time you talk to them, and are told lies upon lies. Please go to the RevDex.com to check out this company before you do any business with them. I wish I had.

I was contacted to advertise on safety boards, which were supposed to be distributed to local schools and community events. Our credit card was charged $850.00 in February even though I was told that the payment could be split up into 2 payments of $425. After several contacts with the company I was given my partial refund. I was told to send my information to graphics which I did within a week. I never received a conformation from the graphics department and then was told that they never received it after 2 months. At this point I requested a full refund and was told that it was approved. My refund was then apparently sent to the wrong credit card and I have been fighting with them for over 8 months to get my refund corrected. They have avoided my calls, given me the run around, lied to me and belittled me. I would never recommend this company to anyone and I pray that no-one else gets scammed by them.

ComplaintI was solicited via telephone in March 2016 to purchase advertising on "safety boards" to support anti-bullying. I was told they would be magnetic wipe off boards that have advertising on them and a place to put emergency contact information. I paid $950. This was to purchase a few thousand that they distribute and an extra amount to receive 120 complimentary boards which were sent to me for me to distribute. It took several contacts to get them to send me a proof and to get me my product. I received my 120 complimentary boards and they are nothing more than an 8 1/2 X 11 two-side piece of laminated paper with advertising on the top of them, a place for emergency contacts, anti-bullying information and SMALL magnets in the top corners. These are so horrible I am embarrassed to distribute them. My credit card was charged immediately in March 2016 and I did not receive any product until June 2016. I reached out to them and was told these are just the "complimentary" ones and that the ones they distribute are different. I emailed them and asked them to send me one of the "REAL" ones that they distribute so I can see it and a list of who they distribute them too. I sent that email to [redacted] They have not responded. Product_Or_Service: Safety BoardsOrder_Number:[redacted]Account_Number: n/aDesired SettlementFULL REFUND TO MY CREDIT CARD

Complaint[redacted] was contacted to advertise on safety boards, which were supposed to be distributed to local schools via the fire department. Our credit card was charged $850.00 on 7/11/16. After several contacts with the company, graphics were determined. On 9/1 I was told they were going shipping out on 9/9. I didn't receive them, so I called to find out if they had shipped. I was told they had changed management and were having problems with the other sponsors approving their ads. I asked how many others would be on the boards and if they were local and was told yes, that there were 3 of us. They were waiting for approval on 1. I called at least 5 more times and was transferred to various people who I was told would be able to tell me when they were shipping. I asked which sponsor was holding it up, as I know many of the local business owners. I was told that information was confidential, but they were in [redacted]. The school year was still in progress, so I was assured they would still be distributed to the local schools. On 11/8 I was told they had shipped out, and they were sending me 5 complimentary magnets. I did get them, and they looked like someone had made them at home. The other sponsors were [redacted] (located in Western Iowa) and [redacted] which is in Utah and had an expired domain name listed on the safetyboard. I called to ask for a refund and was told since I had the product that wasn't possible. I asked if I couldn't get a refund if they could tell me a contact name at the local fire department to find out when they were going to be given out at the schools. I've spoke with with over 6 people trying to resolve this, and they just keep passing me on. Today I called the person who is the director of distribution and he was supposed to call me when he got back from lunch...apparently no one else has access to that information. I never heard back from anyone.Desired SettlementI would like a refund. If that is not possible, I would like to have proof that the safety boards were given to the local [redacted] Fire Departments and were going to be distributed to local schools.

ComplaintAfter several months of attempting to get a refund that was promised I did some digging and discovered this company scammed me of $700.I was contacted back in March of 2016 about an opportunity for a my business card to be printed on the face of a fridge magnet along with a couple other real estate related services that would have fire safety information. They claimed they partnered up with the local [redacted] fire department who goes to schools to educate fire safety and hand these magnets out to all the students. Material was supposed to be printed and shipped in April to the fire departments and I was supposed to receive several copies as well. I emailed my artwork over to them and stop hearing form them. I called several times and repeatedly they would have a reason as to how they never received my artwork. Then the excuses turned into management changes. Then there were delays in printing and shipping. Come May of 2016 I finally asked for a full refund and they agreed to give it to me. After a couple more months of trying to get their paperwork just right so as to be able to confirm they can deliver the refund they said I should see it by the following week. It never showed up. They then said I should expect to see it in the mail and again it never came. I finally did some digging and called the local fire departments and learned that there is not an[redacted] fire department, only local agencies. I also learned that the city has regulation about partnering up with private companies to these sorts of advertisement which is when I figured out this company had scammed me from the beginning. The purchase date was 3/22/16 and the invoice number is [redacted]Desired SettlementI would like to see my $700 returned to me, this company shut down, and the people working there put in jail for theft.

ComplaintSafety Boards solicited our business. Defaulted on delivery of products and services.Credit card was charged. Products never received or deliveredCredit card was charged. Products never received or deliveredDesired SettlementDelivery of services and products promised and paid for and/or complete and full refund.