National Association of Professional Women

Review: This company charged a significantly different renewal fee than the original agreed upon fee offered when signing up for their services. They cold call professional women and offer membership for an original fee of $500+ with a renewal fee of $99. My account auto renewed last December for the agreed upon amount. Then this year, they sent emails that their terms and conditions were changing and without formal agreement, they charged my card for $789! This is an unreasonable change in yearly fees and their emails didn't detail the change in fee. You have to log into the site and check your email. Unfortunately, when you log in, you have to "ACCEPT their Terms and Conditions" before you can read the email detailing the change. When I called to request a refund of my money and a cancellation of my membership if this is the fee associated with it, the customer service representative was rude, demeaning, accusatory and completely unprofessional which is ironic since if they are going to use the word "professional" in their company name I think they should encourage their staff members to act accordingly. In the end they would only refund me $300 of the $789 no matter what I said.Desired Settlement: I would like the full refund of my money. The remaining amount would be $489.

Business

Response:

This member has been partially refunded, in the amount of $300 on 1/**/14. Due to the age of her account, it was not possible to credit her credit card for the remainder, but a check requested has been submitted in the amount of $489. This check should be issued within the next 7-10 days and will be sent directly to the member's address on file (Palm Beach Blvd. / Ft. Myers, FL).

Review: My issues with NAPW began with a phone call at my place of employment. The customer service representative who handled the call did not regard my working hours and became very lengthy and pushy in her attempts to sell me a membership into NAPW. The membership that she quoted me began at close to 1,000. In no way did I understand the details around NAPW, its membership or its benefits and did want to research more on my own to make a decision about membership. Every time I stated that I did not want to make a decision at that time, the representative became more and more pushy. She went from 1,000 down to 99.00 even after I told her that I would need to contact my husband to share that I was going to take a trial membership for 99.00. This however was not good enough for the representative and she proceeded to tell me that I would not have another opportunity to join if I didn't pay 99.00 on a credit card during the call. Due to fear of a missed opportunity, I succumbed to the sales pressure and purchased a membership. Once I completed that, she proceeded to tell me that my money can't be refunded because my name and profile would be placed in a a publication for national review. She then proceeded to try to sell me a glass plaque for an additional 99.00.

After hanging up with this woman, I did extensive research on the company and not only found that it was not an organization I wanted to be involved with due to the negative reviews, but also because of the unethical business practices of manipulating membership money from women trying to move forward in business and their careers.

I made an attempt to obtain a refund via their billing department, but was met by another very pushy representative that found every excuse not to refund my money. I then followed up the call with two emails to customer service and membership services. I have yet to hear back from either department.

Do to my belief of unethical business practices with pressure sales tactics and unwillingness to accommodate my request for a refund, I am contacting the Revdex.com to investigate this companies practices and to have this matter resolved immediately. I would not and will not recommend this organization to a colleague or friend due to their business conduct and unsolicited sales tactics.Desired Settlement: I would like NAPW to refund my credit card in the amount of 99.00 immediately but no later than 3 business days upon the receipt of this complaint. I am not interested in further business with NAPW and I ask that they discontinue all contact with me and that they remove my home and workplace emails and phone numbers from their database.

Business

Response:

[redacted] became a Trial member with NAPW on October *, 2013. She contacted our Customer Service department on October **, 2013. On that date, [redacted] was given a full refund and her information was removed from NAPW’s membership database. She will not be contacted by NAPW again.

I had a horrible experience with NAPW. I joined last year and had a bad feeling from the beginning. The first conversation was an over the phone "interview" and then an immediate hard sell to join their organization. They start with a $900 plus membership and asked how I'd like to pay. I told them I had no intention of paying anything and they offered me $99 for a one year trial. To get off the phone, I agreed. Throughout the year, I received multiple sales calls a month to increase my membership and pay more dues. I got absolutely zero value out of this association and felt like it was a scam. I tried multiple times to cancel my membership online with no success. I recently found a charge on my credit card for $199 renewal fee. When I called, they said I had to call to cancel and should have notified them 30 days prior to renewal date (of which, that date I didn't know). While they refunded me, they are forcing me to pay $99 for the next year because they claim it was in my membership agreement. In addition, the agent was extremely rude in the conversation and said they "mailed a postcard". A POSTCARD. When all other communication has been electronic. How convenient....All in all, a horrible experience and completely unprofessional focused only on upselling to members. There is no legitimate networking. I will NEVER associate with this organization again.

Review: I want to cancel my membership. They don't call me back when I leave messages. I think they are waiting for the membership to be automatically renewed on Nov *.Desired Settlement: I want notified that my membership is cancelled by them without cost.

Business

Response:

[redacted] contacted us via phone on Friday, October ** 2014 at 9:11 PM EDT - when our offices are closed. We called her back on Monday, October **, 2014 at 11:50 AM EDT and left a voice mail message for her to contact us. We wanted to inform her that her membership was not going to renew and would, in fact, expire at the end of November.

Rather than return the call, she filed a complaint with the Revdex.com.

As per her demand, her membership has been set up to expire.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

Review: I originally enrolled in September **, 2014, paying $789 used a credit card. Every time they wanted to do something, such as "profile" - I needed to pay something. The minute I said that I am not interested in doing that all benefit and contacted ceased. In January 2015, I advised them because of these challenges, I did not want to renew my membership. However, what occurred is that not only did they put me in a non-renew status, they ended my membership denying me access to the member website. Due medical issues, I could not react/investigate sooner. I received no notification from them that my membership was cancelled. In addition, I paid 79 dollars for something I never received -- an alleged plaque with recognition. I paid a total of $868 and at a no time did I receive the benefit of the membership.Desired Settlement: Full Refund but will accepted pro-rated refund when membership was ended by them in January 2015.

Business

Response:

[redacted] – A detailed response is attached, as well as emails between [redacted] and the NAPW. This woman’s claims are completely false. We did not cancel her membership – she was using the incorrect information to log into her profile. She had changed it on her own so it was different than the information she received with her confirmation of enrollment. Rather than contacting us for assistance, she jumped to an incorrect conclusion. She declined to purchase a plaque, so one was never ordered. She did decline an upgrade to her membership, but that did not cancel her existing membership and emails continued to be sent to the email address she provided to us. She did finally contact us to complain about being cancelled and our representative explained what occurred. We have offered to extend her membership at no cost to make up for the time she thought it was not active.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

Their response goes to show the misleading communication. I was under the impression the plaque was going to be sent and there was no mention that I had to pay for it. The minute I no longer could pay for these alleged perks, communication was minimal if at all. I do not believe they are credible and forthcoming to prospective and new members, coming across as high pressured sales individuals who prey on those who are vulnerable and trying to get a leg up in their career. A full refund or an admission of guilt is all that will resolve this claim.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

While we regret that [redacted] is not satisfied with our reply; we must maintain that the information was made clear to her and that she misunderstood. The issue about the plaque was not even brought up until May 2015. As we explained in our initial reply - the resources were there for [redacted] to use, we sent regular emails to her, all of which have contact information that she could have used to request assistance with her membership. Her recollection of events differs dramatically from what the recorded calls and correspondence demonstrate and thus does not justify a full refund so long after joining the organization. Again, we invite her and the Revdex.com to contact us to review the recording of the interview and subsequent conversations which took place regarding her request to not renew her membership.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because. We disagree on the events that occurred. While they may have a recording, it cannot verify my understanding of what transpired as well as what I understood the intent to be. As stated before, it does not appear this will be resolved but appreciate the Revdex.com's attempt in doing so.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Review: I applied to this organization to become a member and received a phone call from a high-pressure, very complimentary, pushy representation. She stroked my ego repeatedly and I fell for her fast talking sales procedure. I ended up handing over my business credit card number to the tune of over $1000. Later, I regretted my actions but have was too ashamed to contact my bank to dispute the charges. I called the organization to cancel the membership and asked for a refund. The organization refused to refund the money but did agree to send me no further information of any type. Yesterday, I received a communication from them about my 2014 membership and asked me to confirm the membership. Of course, I am declining and sent them a letter informing them of such. I may write a letter to my bank disputing the charges, but I doubt I will get very far as the process as begun in January 2014. Thank you.Desired Settlement: I would prefer that I be refunded the amount charged to my business credit card but I certainly understand that it may be too late. My alternate outcome is that the organization truly remove me from all of their communication lists and that no further charges be made to my credit card.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by National Association of Professional Women regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

- Member will be refunded by check

Business

Response:

We mailed check [redacted] to the address you provided in this complaint. on

June **, 2014. Please understand that because the original transaction took place

well over two months ago, we are unable to issue a credit to the

card that was billed. This is our standard practice for refunds.

Therefore, we had to send a request for a check to be issued. This

process can take up to ten business days as it is outside of our normal

protocols. Once the checks are issued, they are sent

via First Class US mail and the time of actual delivery to your address

will vary. If the address we used is incorrect, please let us know ASAP.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

you may have received an email from me regarding the closed status of my complaint. I wanted to let you know that on Saturday, July *, 2014 I received a refund check from the National Association of Professional Women. I am satisfied and I now consider the case resolved. I thank you for all your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

Review: I joined purely for the local chapter. The local chapter was not having any meetings and the chapter [redacted] failed to respond to me. I complained and wanted a refund but I was refused. The whole process was a joke. I was told that they would look into why I wasn't getting a response and was refused a refund. The chapter now ceases to exist and I am now insisting on a refund. I have not used any part of this membership and feel I was misled.Desired Settlement: I want a refund for the full amount. I was refunded for $99 for the profile, but want the rest refunded. I have not used this service and what was described to me does not exist.

Business

Response:

This complaint was resolved over the phone with [redacted] on September **, 2014.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

I September they did nothing for me. The just said they refunded me partial, but not the full amount which is the only thing that would resolve this. I was definitely scammed. I was told it will be 4 to 6 weeks before I get a refund check for the partial amount.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

We are sorry that[redacted]’s experience with the NAPW has been less than ideal – we do striveto provide our members with resources and benefits to enhance and improve theirlives, both personal and professional. We encourage and expect ourmembers to avail themselves of those benefits and to contact us with anyquestions or problems regarding their memberships. Members who do take the timeto explore and take advantage of the myriad resources available will findtremendous value in being a member of the NAPW.Our members are entitled to betreated with utmost respect and empathy, and every person on the NAPW team istrained to work with our members to resolve any issues; however, there areprotocols and policies which must be followed. These policies are companywideand all of our team members are required to follow them.[redacted] completed an application for membership in NAPW. On July **, 2014, NAPW contacted her andconducted its initial enrollment interview. During this telephone call our representative explained the annual costsand benefits associated with this level of membership, and that all membershipenrollments are final. Because NAPW is amembership-based networking organization, the primary benefits at all levelsare found through our membership portal ([redacted]) aswell as through our face-to-face networking at our over 300 Local Chaptersnationwide. Additionally, through ouronline portal, members are able to access ancillary benefits provided by ourbusiness partners. Because NAPW incurscosts upon enrollment with those partners, we maintain a final salepolicy. Please be aware that membershipalone includes no tangible product to be shipped to the member.Ourrepresentative explained that [redacted] would receive an email (within 24hours) containing login information for our members’ portal through which she isable access all of the online benefits and enroll in Local Chapters. Our representative further explained that [redacted] should review our Terms & Conditions. Subsequent to logging in but prior toaccessing her benefits, she was required to review and accept those Terms &Conditions. Therein, [redacted] wasprovided with the details of our final sale policy, along with all otherpolicies governing her relationship with NAPW. She changed her login information, which requires that she accept thoseterms and conditions. Within 10 days of enrollment, NAPW physically mailed awelcome package to the member containing a paid statement, a membership cardand a welcome letter.NAPWemploys a comprehensive call recording and auditing function. Our staff reviews the recording of eachcompleted interview for multiple compliance points. As part of our investigation into this case,we reviewed that call again and [redacted] was made completely aware of thesepoints at the time. This interview is available for review if required. At the time of her enrollment, there was achapter in [redacted]. Herbiggest issue seems to be regarding the local chapters, which are only a smallpart of the benefits included in membership. The organization was established as an alternative for busy professionalwomen who did not have the time to attend networking events in person – infact, the first local chapter opened a year after the inception of theassociation. It is a challenge to get busy women to meet in the same place atthe same time, particularly outside of major metropolitan areas. If a ChapterPresident is unable to attain a regular schedule of meetings, the viability ofthat chapter is reviewed and sometimes it is closed. This is what happened inthe case of the [redacted] chapter. Throughoutthe year, NAPW made available to [redacted] a comprehensive membership servicesstaff, which is qualified to field all inquiries and would have been able towork with her had she elected to opt out of her automatic renewal (or any otherquestions she may have had). NAPWpublicizes the availability of this staff through multiple dedicatedpages. Each of these pages publishes thecontact telephone numbers and email addresses, and provides a convenient formwhich this member could have submitted at any time if she wished to engage ourstaff for any reason, including opting out of her automatic membership renewal.[redacted] did contact us in September regarding the profile setup fee, which is a onetime fee for all new members. The membership [redacted] whoconducted her enrollment interview did request to waive the profile set up fee, butit never processed completely through our system, thus it did not post in [redacted]’s account. She did contact us to question it and after trackingeverything back, we refunded it directly to her card. She was provided with confirmation numbers ofthe transactions over the phone.She then contacted us on December *, 2014, askingus why we did not refund all of her money. This was quite surprising as thiscontradicted the conversation in September. As we are unable to issue credits directly back to card accounts morethan sixty days after a transaction has been processed, we resolved the matterby advising her that we would be sending her a check, which might take up tofourteen business days, for a partial refund of her membership, but that all ofher benefits would remain intact. We are also offering to extend her membershipfor an additional year, as we are hoping to re-establish the [redacted] chapterand would like he to be able to take advantage of it once it is again up andrunning. Our check number [redacted] was mailed out on [redacted], December**, 2014. Please allow sufficient time for delivery by the [redacted]. We take the claim that a member was "scammed" orthat a charge was unauthorized very seriously. NAPW provides an amazing value for themembership fee. Included in ALL memberships levels are webinars,seminars, discounts, perks, online networking access and in-person chapteraffiliation as well as a myriad of other benefits. Our organization isgrowing, expanding and moving forward through numerous initiatives, strategicalliances and corporate affiliations; offering members additional avenues toASPIRE, ACHIEVE and CONNECT. Every member of NAPW's management team works diligently todeliver maximum value to our members, and any claim that someone was"scammed" is demonstrably false. We currently have almosta half-million satisfied members, all of whom are free to use our onlinenetworking portal, which gives our members more connectivity optionsand far more ability to promote themselves than other networking sites. We have over 300 local chapters across America, in which tens of thousands ofour members get together to take their online experience into the real worldand create incredible connections with other professional women. These localchapters are constantly implementing new ways for the local members tointeract. We encourage of our members tojoin all of the chapters in their area - this gives them more opportunities toattend events that fit their busy schedules and widens the circle of localwomen with whom to network.Moreover, we host an annual National Networking Conferencewhere almost two thousand members where members from all over the country enjoyan unforgettable day of networking, panel discussions, workshops andpresentations from extraordinary women like [redacted]and [redacted]. Additionally, we are constantly providing and working toupgrade the secondary benefits such as free or discounted continuingeducation through leading providers like [redacted] and [redacted]; shopping and other discounts through a number of partnerships,including exclusive sponsors like [redacted], one of the world's largest computersuppliers; and interesting topical content provided through our social mediaand other outlets. Again, our entire team is working hard every singleday to build these partnerships, identify and create content, and make greaterbenefits available to our members.

Review: I am writing regarding my interaction with the National Association for Professional Women. I submitted a request for information to the NAPW after reading about its free application/admission and received a call from [redacted] who conducted a brief phone interview before congratulating me on being admitted to the NAPW.

[redacted] advised me of the different levels of membership and at no time mentioned that there was a free option or that not paying was an option. I requested time to consider and was informed that she wasn't allowed to do so. I felt pressured to immediately sign up for membership with the NAPW and wasn't afforded the opportunity to research the membership options prior to submitting payment.

I would not have agreed to join this organization had I not felt pressured to do so.Desired Settlement: Requesting a refund of all monies paid and the cancellation of my membership.

Business

Response:

We resolved this matter directly with [redacted] on December **, 2014.

Review: I joined NAPW last year as a professional photographer. Since joining, my credit card was double billed every month for the payment of said membership. After much hassle, my acount was refunded each and every month. However, my membership came up for renewal and I corresponded with them via email and spoke to a representative stating I did not want to renew my membership that they do not have permission to charge my card. I even received a confirmation email that my auto renewal was cancelled and my card would not be charged. However, it was charged $495.00 on June [redacted] from NAPW.

Copies of emails can be provided if needed.Desired Settlement: I want my credit card refunded the full amount plus any and all associated charges for over drawing the account. I also want my credit card information removed from their system.

Business

Response:

We are in contact with this member to clarify the billing charges for the two separate memberships on her account. We have issued the refunds. We have also removed her credit card information from our active system.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

Review: I submitted an appplication based on an advertisement on [redacted] that showed this as a free membership. I received a call from [redacted] in theior membership department who spent 15-20 minutes asking questions about my work and plans for my professional development in the next few years, etc. At that point she said I was just the type of professional woman they wanted in their organization and then proceeded to tell me it was going to be $789.00 for a one year membership. I gave her my credit card information even though I was not sure why it was not free. [redacted] from the credit department called me back as my credit card has a limit that can be charged over the phone and I had to approve with them the amount. She gave me a discount and it was to have been $489.00. This was on 5/**/2014. Today, 5/**/2014 I received a notice from my credit card that another $99.00 had been charged to my card. I did not buy anything else from them and did not authorize this charge. I have called back both [redacted] and [redacted] and left multiple messages and have not received any calls back. I came on here to see what type of company it was and found all the complaints. Not what I would like to be involved with.Desired Settlement: Because this is only two business days old I would like the full amount refunded to my credit card and no further dealings with this organization.

Business

Response:

A full refund was issued to this member.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:At this time I have not received a refund to my card or in the form if a check. As this needed to be responded to in a timely fashion I cannot say it is settled. Thank you

[Your Answer Here]

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

You will need to contact American Express. We issued two credits to your account on 5/**/2014 at about 8:30 AM

Transaction ID# [redacted] for $489.00

Transaction ID# [redacted] for $99.00

American Express will be able to track the credits by those numbers.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

Review: I found NAPW online and requested more information via their online form. On Thursday, Oct ** 2013, I received a call from [redacted], an [redacted] with NAPW. She went through a series of questions and at the end confirmed I was an ideal candidate for inclusion into the NAPW. [redacted] talked about all the supposed member benefits and mentions membership levels of '9 89' and '7 89' Giving lots of supposed detail of the two levels when I hesitate she includes me into the 7 98 level. So she asks questions to fill in my profile and gets to asking me about my credit card information. Why I gave it...I have no idea but as I told my husband it was just a weird conversation. Somewhere in there the amount of seven hundred ninety eight dollars was identified as the membership fee. When I hesitated AGAIN there were promises of wonderful supposed benefits on their website - which of course you can't see until you agree to fork over money. Once [redacted] got me to agree to this she mentioned the $99 maintenance fee - of which I again hesitated over and miraculously it was waived. [redacted] then mentioned that there was no cancellation of this transaction allowed...AGAIN I hesitated to which [redacted] said 'We are just required to say that.' So thinking I could cancel I agreed...immediately my credit card was charged. [redacted] told me she was my [redacted] proceeded to fill in my online profile asking me the same questions as before and gave me her phone number ###-###-####. As soon as I hung up, I knew I made a mistake and called [redacted] back at the number she gave me. The first phone message was left for [redacted] on Thursday, Oct **, 2013 @ 9:11 am CDT asking her to please call me back as I needed to cancel. When I did not hear back from her I placed a request to be contacted by the Billing Department of NAPW on their website. At 10:16am CDT the same day (Oct **), I received a call regarding my inquiry. I told her that I really could not keep my membership due to being in the middle of home repairs and this really blowing my budget. I went through pretty much all of the above to which the lady was very sympathetic and seemed to understand not wanting to put undo burden on me. She supposedly talked to her finance department and got me a $400 discount which meant a $389 membership again talking about the wonderful benefits on their websites including numerous discounts to stores such as Home Depot which would more than pay for my membership 'in no time.' She gave me a transaction number of [redacted] for the $400 credit to my credit card. So that night for the first time I logged into NAPW and looked at the supposed benefits and NAPW Perks as they are called. The Home Depot 'Perk' is nothing more than what I had already seen on the Home Depot website - Most if not ALL the education series require a fee; the rest of perks were of no benefit or like the Home Depot one - offers I can get elsewhere for free. Plus the main emphasis on the NAPW website is for starting your own business which was never represented by anyone from NAPW - I never stated I wished to start my own business - nor do I have a desire to do so. If I did then and only then do I see the benefit of the NAPW. Lastly my profile was missing all references I made to church and my serving there. I have sent emails to the billing & customer service department asking to cancel my membership peacefully; I have submitted two additional online billing inquiry requests which their website says will be answered within 3 business hours - neither have been responded to - the last one being three hours before I submitted this complaint. One additional phone call made today to the customer service number ###-###-#### at 11:21am right before my last online billing inquiry request was submitted. And as of typing this complaint, on Oct **, 2013 @ 2:30pm the credit transaction that was granted on Oct ** has NOT been credited to my credit card. Unfortunately I have no membership number available as I have not received my membership packet via mail...but given what I have seen so far I doubt there will even be such a packet.Desired Settlement: A FULL refund of $789 to my credit card (happy to supply again when needed) plus FULL cancellation of my membership including no renewal processing of any kind and removal of my name and information from their website.

Consumer

Response:

I have received a credit for $389 back onto my credit card as of 11/**/2013 in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this fully refunds my money allowing this matter to be 100% resolved.

Sincerely,

Review: I registered to join this organization and received a followup call within 24 hours. Somehow I was accepted after answering only a few questions and then the high pressure sales tactics began. I was told only of the 2 highest membership options. After choosing the less expensive option of $789, I did offer my credit card information. However after this I was told of the automatic annual renewal, that the sale was final and that there was also an additional $99 fee. I immediately felt duped. I do not feel that all options were explained clearly nor was I able to review anything in writing in order to make an informed decision. After completing the call, I researched the internet only to find that this is a kind of high pressure sales tactic and the lower priced options are indeed available. Then I contacted my [redacted] at my employer and asked if the company sponsored memberships for this organzation. I was told not this one because it is not reputable. I was instructed to promptly cancel my membership and attempt to stop the charges. If all options were clearly explained prior to giving my card information I would not have proceeded. I did try to contact the organization but could only leave a voice message. That is a huge red flag to me. My credit card has already been charged for $789 so I contacted the bank about a possible scam transaction. I do feel this organization is suspicious and should improve upon their sales tactics by being more informative.Desired Settlement: I would like a complete refund and prompt cancellation of my so-called membership.

Business

Response:

Review: I saw an ad on [redacted] regarding the NAPW. I filled out the form and a couple of days later someone called me regarding my membership. She asked me a lot of questions regarding my talents and where I wanted to be career wise in a few years. After about 10 minutes she informed me that the membership would be approximately $900.00. When I stated that there was no indication of fees on their web site, she then offered me a reduced price membership, but of course it would not have all the benefits. When I told her that it was still too much cost for me to join, she kept offering me lower prices. Finally when I was getting ready to hang up the phone, she said she could offer me a free membership for a year and I would be receiving an e-mail shortly regarding the membership. It has now been over a week and I have not received any e-mail. I think it is a scam, and there are plenty of opportunities in my local area for free networking and seminars available to me from my company. I am concerned as to what the NAPW is doing with the semi-personal information I gave them over the phone.Desired Settlement: I would like other consumers warned about the deceptive practices of the NAPW. I would like them to put info regarding their fees on their website in order that other potential clients know exactly what they charge so it does not appear that there are no fees for the "membership". Also, I want to make sure that any information I disclosed to them on the call is not kept on file with them in any form.

Business

Response:

We apologize for the confusion. Any individual that applies to NAPW is

entitled to a complimentary membership; this individual is correct in her

understanding that there are several levels of membership, ranging in price,

which grants varying degrees of access to the educational resources, networking

platforms, and ancillary services. Memberships

are structured and designed to fit unique needs; any individual may contact

Customer Service at any time with fee structure inquiries. All individuals that

apply are entitled to receive monthly newsletters from NAPW; I believe this is

what the individual is referring to in her expectations to receive an email

regarding the membership. This email is

scheduled to be sent to: [redacted] To be clear, this is a monthly newsletter,

and is sent to the entire membership base once every month.

I trust that this clears up any misunderstanding and

miscommunication. I encourage this

individual to stay updated by reading the monthly newsletters.

Should you have any further questions, please contact me at

###-###-####.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Review: Organization claims that I have been accepted as a member when I never filed for a membership. Plus, I believe my information has been acquired illegally. They have me listed as associated with a '[redacted]' when I am not associated with such organization.

I have made two phone calls to have my information removed and have not received a phone call back..

I demand that my information be removed from this organization, immediately.Desired Settlement: Remove my information and no longer contact me nor sell/provide my information to other company/organizations.

Business

Response:

We received your information from the association noted - please contact them to remove your data. We have removed your information from our invitation lists as per your request. It was never added to our active database - those names are only of women who have responded to the invitation to apply for membership.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID#[redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

The address of the office that sent this 'approval of membership' came from YOUR office. So how is it that I am not in your database?If there is a global server system that each office shares, then please make sure that my information is removed from that server.Thank you.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted]- Your information was in a separate database which is used to select women to whom we send invitations to membership. It is not in the active database, which comprises women who have applied for or entered into membership. I just received the confirmation from the marketing department that your information has been deleted from that first database.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID[redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

Customer service has been consistently rude and have had extremely difficult time canceling membership

Review: I fell into a marketing ploy for "FREE" registration for membership. Had a lengthy call with a rep from their membership services and at the end of the call she said the full amount of 789 was charged to my account. That is when I proceed to say NO, refund my money immediately and she gave me a run around story. Very unprofessional when I told her I wanted to the charge reversed. She said she told me it would go through immediately but that is not what I heard. I should have not given my cc info so that is my fault but the false advertising and the inappropriate attitude when asked for a credit was unacceptable. I have filed complaints with my cc company, and the NAPW billing & membership services outlets.Desired Settlement: Remove their ads for the "FREE" registration from websites like [redacted] and refund my money immediately

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

Review: I signed up with this association in June 2014. I was called and was asked my questions about my career and accomplishments. I was then told I'd been invited into the association. The sales woman then proceeded to tell me the price and she said $78.90. I agreed and gave her my contact information.

My bank account was then processed for $789.00. I just felt as though it was my fault for misinterpreting this transaction (Even though this is an unethical form of collecting membership payments.) So I decided to see what the organization could do for me. They have just sent me newsletters, and I receive sales calls for more money.

I could not find a place on their website to cancel membership.

All of this hassle being said, it has caused me extreme financial problems being a young professional.

For all of this, I am requesting a full refund.Desired Settlement: Refund of $888

Business

Response:

[redacted] contacted our Membership Services department and they have been trying to reach her to resolve this matter; however, her voice mail box has been full. If she can call us back at ###-###-#### between 9-5 Eastern Monday through Friday.

Review: I contacted this company to become a member because their ad said that it was free. By the time they had contacted me, I had forgotten all about this place. When they called they wanted me to pay a huge amount of money then when I said no they started going down in price. She didn't say at anytime that there was a free memberships e I had forgotten who they were from when I filled the application. She went down far enough in price that I could fit it in my budget but it would still have been hard for me to afford it. So I said ok for her to charge it and then she added more money for a plaque that I never asked for. I went on the site afterwards and found out that there is a free membership. I called them immediately to make sure that they would not charge my account because I saw that there is a free membership and I got no response. Then I went on the website and emailed customer service. They called me and left a message and I called the, back and left a message and have not been able to contact them..Desired Settlement: I would like my money refunded and want nothing to do with them.

Business

Response:

I recommend not joining this organization on any level. They market their organization as prestigious, and an advocate for professional women with a multitude of services, but they really just want your money. The membership fees are absurd. In the small print, they tell you that your membership will automatically renew, but I did not receive any notification of this whatsoever and they charged me for a full second year - with not even a confirmation sent that this was done. When I saw it on my credit card and asked (within about 1 month) for it to be removed they hide behind their T&C's. They refunded me about 3/4 of the subscription. I got absolutely no benefits from being a member, but I also did not spend a lot of time on their website, which apparently is really all you're paying for access to.

Review: I joined this organization 1 year ago. I was not aware of the auto renewal for the membership. I received one small postcard advising that the membership would auto renew automatically along with other advertising on it. The renewal date was July *, 2015. When I realized the membership auto renewed, I called them on July [redacted] at 2:30 PM. I was advised that I could not get a refund on the renewal fee as I was two days late. After asking if anything could be done, the representative, Pam, indicated that she could provide a $300 credit. (I was charged $989, so I am still losing $689. Considering I never used the membership the year before and the fact that I was only two days late, I feel I am entitled to a full refund. I am not sure how it is legal for an entity to conduct business in this way especially given the substantial amount of money involved.Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund for the membership fee that renewed on July *, 2015.

Business

Response:

We have investigated the claims made in this complaint. All of our new memberships are set up to automaticallyrenew unless the member requests otherwise. This is explained during theinitial enrollment interview and on our website. [redacted]’s file did not indicate that sheasked to have the automatic renewal disabled. As she did not contact us before herrenewal was scheduled it was processed.The postcard to which she refers was sent for deliveryduring the first week of June, giving [redacted] plenty of time to contact us toremind us that she did not wish to renew. The only “advertisement” on it was anannouncement about an event we were having. As we must pay for the annual feesprovided by our outside partners, which are not refundable to us once weprocess the renewal and initiate and order to continue those services, we doask our members to have the courtesy of notifying us that they do not want torenew BEFORE the actual renewal process takes place. Our policy is to issue refunds only to thosemembers who did request cancellation before the renewal takes place, however,if a member calls us after the renewal is processed, we do refund the portionof the fee which has not been paid out to our partners on behalf of the member. It is immaterial how many days havepassed since the renewal processed because those fees are automaticallyforwarded as part of the process. . This is what was done for [redacted]. It is a shame that[redacted] did not use her membership as she did make a substantial investment init. The representative with whom shespoke spent time going over all of those benefits and made suggestionsregarding the resources which would be most useful to her. In reviewing thatconversation as part of our investigation, [redacted] seemed satisfied and willingto use her membership, which is why we are rather surprised and dismayed thatshe saw fit to file a complaint with the Revdex.com.We have issued the balance of her fee, however, because wedo not have access to the recording of the initial enrollment interview andthis cannot confirm that [redacted] was advised of and agreed to the automaticrenewal of her membership. In this situation, we do always give the member thebenefit of the doubt.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,