Progressive Business Publications

Review: We have received invoices from them for a publication that we never agreed to receive. The invoice states "Thank you for your order . . ." however we have never ordered anything from them. The invoice states that we ordered a publication entitled "Keep Up to Date on Primary Care Coding & Reimbursement."

An employee in our office recalls speaking to a representative from the company and giving that person her name. But she never agreed to subscribing to their newsletter or to ordering anything from them.

If we have actually received copies of their newsletter I have discarded it just like the other unsolicited mail we receive. But I don't recall receiving anything from them.

There are several consumer websites that talk about very similar instances to ours, stating that the company will even go so far as to have a collection agency contact the office demanding payment.

Their invoice includes the company name, a PO Box address, but no phone number.

I am worried that they will send us to collections, for no good reason.Desired Settlement: Delete our account information. Stop sending us invoices. Do not send us to collections for something we have never ordered.

Business

Response:

April 28, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 4/28/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 4/25/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure Orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the persons birth date and asking for the persons email or fax number so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that needs to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Med Asst, placed an order on 1/31/14 for our Primary Care Coding & Reimbursement publication. We were provided with birth date information as 130, as well as a fax number ([redacted]) . Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the Conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same Computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 2-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industrys general custom.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 4/28/14 as requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.We initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 3-different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and those accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour 7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted].Thank you.

Review: For over ten years, and in two different school districts, Progressive Business Publications has been sending unsolicited publications. Their mailings are frequent and demand payment for materials I have returned or never asked for or have never received. None of the materials are anything I want in any way. I have made dozens of calls to re-mediate the situation and have been told that it's my fault, they've never received returned materials, or that they couldn't have possibly sent me anything without my request. I have emailed without result and I have sent them registered letters demanding that they cease contacting me. Today, October 17, 2014, I have received a "2nd Notice" for payments due for something else I have not heard of or ordered. I have made it very clear that I do not want to receive anything from them. There is no compliance what-so-ever. They are despicable and a horrible scam. I can provide you with the letter I sent them earlier this year. I consider this harassment.Desired Settlement: I have not kept track of my wasted time with these bs, but I wish I had, because I would claim the cost against them. I have noted from the web that there are literally thousands of complaints against this company. Why have they not been prosecuted?

Business

Response:

October 20, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 10/20/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 10/17/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, Our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on-line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer and they include verifying the address, and asking for the person’s email or fax number so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Facilities/Ops Dir, placed an order on 8/7/14 for our Safety Compliance Alert publication. We were provided with a fax number ([redacted]). Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals and cancellation requests.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 10/20/14 as requested. There is no money due or owning on the account.We have initiated a request the same day that the name and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30– days to process. In business We hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If the company’s name information changes, Our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, please call and we will remove that version also.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many, many different `risk free” subscriptions had been accepted before; 7–of those for [redacted] himself. All other company accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of Companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter. It contains our address and telephone number. We also have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially yours, Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

There is nothing in this letter that is even remotely true. I've known about this scam since 2005. I have NEVER ordered anything from this company, or approved the receipt of anything from this company since my first contact with them in 2005 while I was at another school district. Years of efforts to be removed from their distribution listing, including by registered letter, I have no cause to believe they will do so now. Once again, I will allow them the the time frame mentioned to delete my information, but you must understand clearly, that after January 1, 2015, I will renew further complaints every time I receive anything from this company.

Regards,

Business

Response:

November 3 2014Dear [redacted]:We received your email of 11/3/14 and we did respond to the above referenced complaint that we sent to the Revdex.com on 10/10/14.Someone who identified himself as [redacted] accepted our Safety Compliance Alert "risk free” subscription on 8/7/14 and we faxed him a confirmation letter within 24 hours of the conversation. All that was required was to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it or call us and we would have cancelled it for him immediately. As stated in our letter to him on 10/20/14, we have cancelled the account and suppressed the name from our computers.We have done everything that was requested and feel this complaint has been resolved. Thank you.Cordially Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: This company continues to send us invoices for products we never ordered, asked about, or have even heard of. Our non-profit received an invoice in the amount of $240 for a subscription to "Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage".Desired Settlement: Send a letter apologizing for attempted fraud.

Business

Response:

September 26, 2013

DIRECTOR OF SUBSCRIBER SERVICES

[redacted] Revdex.com 1880 J.F.K. Blvd.

Ste 1300 Phila, PA 19103

RE: COMPLAINT LETTER/FILE #[redacted]

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/25/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/20/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address and asking for the month and day of the person's birth date.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], Chief Fundraising Asst, placed an order on 4/1/13 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage publication and he provided us a with birth date information as [redacted]. Prior to ending the call we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy.

The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 4-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by **. [redacted] were sent. Thi computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation on the account.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.

As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 9/25/13 as requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.

We initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found several different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 3-paid in full accounts and other accounts cancelled as we instructed without issue.

Please know that we do business continually with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Dir. Subscriber Serv

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: Progressive Business Publications does not admit to any wrongdoing in this matter. Progressive Business Publications has attempted fraud.

In their response letter, Progressive Business Publications claims that

[redacted] is our "Chief Fundraising Assistant". There is no such position or officer title within our department. Their letter claims that **. [redacted] ordered the subscription. **. [redacted] did not order the subscription, and has never even heard of "Progressive Business Publications". The fact that PBB was able to obtain his date of birth is meaningless. There

are numerous reports of Progressive Business Publications using false

pretenses to obtain information (such as birthdates) about employees. This information is also many times available publicly.

There are countless of other similar complaints against this

illegitimate business. There are a few of these that can be seen on the

Consumer Affairs website at [redacted].

The Ripoff Report website lists quite a number as well at [redacted].

If that isn't enough, on 7/18/2012 there was a Revdex.com alert titled "Firms

Say Progressive Business Publications Charged Them For Unwanted

Newsletters".

Regards,

Review: This company has billed [redacted] $299 for a subscription that was done fraudulently. I have contacted their collection agency [redacted].and was told that a postcard was mailed out and if we did not send it back within a certain time [redacted] would automatically be billed. They also stated that ALL they have to have to bill [redacted] is a Name and Position to bill. They threaten to put our company in a Collection Status if I did not send them $299 immediately. The employee name they are using no longer works at our company. This has happened previously with another employee.

I explained this was fraudulent and we would not be mailing out $299 for something that we did not subscribe to.Desired Settlement: I would like a letter from this company that the charge has been reversed.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Progressive Buisness Publications sent us a trial 12 month subscription to their publication, with the abililty to cancel within 30 days for no charge. We claim we cancelled the subscription and they claim we did not.Desired Settlement: Agree to stop pursuing the bill.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Ref: Progressive Business Publications, Account# [redacted], invoice# [redacted]About 6 months ago, our Quality Manager, [redacted], received a sales call from Progressive Business Publications. He was talked into trying their no-risk/free trial offer (a newsletter on safety compliance at work). He was told he would receive the newsletter by mail, with an invoice on which he only had to write "cancel" before returning to cancel for free. He did receive the newsletter, but no invoice. Then he received a couple more newsletters but still no invoice. A few months later he received a letter containing an invoice, saying "Second notice". He hand-wrote "cancel" on this invoice, and also wrote that he had never received the first invoice. He continued receiving newsletters and invoices for a few months, and he ignored them, since he had cancelled.Then, about a month ago he received a phone call from a collection agency called "[redacted]". He explained the situation, to no avail. At this point he came to me and I told him I'd handle it. I sent a fax to both companies informing them of the situation. The collection agency called me today to tell me the cancellation was effective today but that we still had to pay the outstanding $299. I explained that we were disputing the charge since we cancelled as soon as we got an invoice. She told me she would go after the company's and [redacted]'s credit, then told me to "dispute this!", and hung up.Desired Settlement: We would like Progressive Business Publications to: 1) acknowledge cancellation within the free trial period2) acknowledge that we do not owe them any money 3) stop their collection agency ([redacted]) from calling us4) stop their collection agency from trying to damage either [redacted]'s or [redacted]s credit

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: October 14, 2013

Dear Sir or Madam:

Last week I received an invoice in the amount of $230.00 from Progressive Business Systems in [redacted] Pennsylvania. The account number is [redacted] and the invoice number is [redacted].

I have written to [redacted], President and CEO of [redacted], the parent company on Progressive business Systems. I advised [redacted] that I had never request nor agreed to an online subscription to “Keep Up To Date On Payroll,” and that I would not be paying for this subscription.

I have also sent a letter to [redacted], Georgia Attorney General, regarding the issue.

The goal of this letter is to head off any trouble at the pass. I am enclosing copies of the letter to [redacted] and [redacted] as well as a copy of the repot that I printed from the Revdex.com regarding the claims and practices for Progressive Business Systems.

Please let me know if I may provide anything additionally.

Sincerely,Desired Settlement: I have advised [redacted] that I never request nor agreed to an online subscription to "Keep Up To Date On Payroll," and that I would not be paying for this subscription (see Attached document).

Business

Response:

March 6, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 3/5/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/23/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], CFO, placed an order on 6/28/13 for our Keep Up To Date On Payroll publication and we were provided with an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy.

Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 3-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account, prior to receiving a letter from [redacted] on 10/23/13.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.

As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 10/23/13 as requested. There is no money due or owning on the account and we called [redacted] the same day and advised him of the cancellation of the account. In the complaint is states "ATTACHMENT ENCLOSED" but it was not with this letter.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found a few different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and all accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.

Please know that we do business regularly with many tens of thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in our newsletter. It contains our address and telephone number. We also have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####. Thank you.

Review: This company claims we signed up for a publication of theirs, called the Administrative Professional Update. [redacted], who they claimed signed up, never did such a thing. Now, they've sent a collections agency invoice and call us to try to get us to pay for something we've never received and never signed up for! We just want them to stop pestering us. We never signed up, we never wanted the publication, and even if we had, we never received it! So no, we're not going to pay your collections agency!Desired Settlement: Get [redacted] off your records and our company, [redacted], off your records! We do not want to be harrassed anymore. We are not paying for this scam.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

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. The resolution is satisfactory, though we do disagree that the order was placed properly to begin with. Since we've finally gotten removed, we are content with that response. No further action will be taken from our end.

Regards,

Review: Progressive Business Publications sent to me a free issue of their publication which I did NOT order or request, in July 2013. Somewhere with the free issue, there apparently was a notice that if I didn't cancel soon, I would be signed up for a subscription. I did not see any more issues of the publication, didn't receive more than the July issue. But then I received an Invoice for $253.00 for 23 issues, and this message: "FINAL NOTICE! THIS BILL IS OUR FIFTH MONTHLY NOTICE TO YOU WITHOUT RESPONSE. UNPAID BILLS ARE REFERRED TO A COLLECTION AGENCY. PLEASE REMIT PAYMENT NOW. SHIPMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE ON 10 ISSUES. PAYMENT IS DUE AND PAYABLE IN FULL." This was the very first notice I had received. I called them and they said I must pay immediately or be assigned to "[redacted]", and explained how I was signed up for the subscription because I didn't cancel at the first free one. I told them they must send the other 9 issues if I have to pay for them, and they said their records show all were sent and none returned to them. I told them they will have to send them again, and they said I have to pay the invoice first before they will help. I paid the invoice with credit card on January 8, 2014. I have received nothing from them since that date. I told them I want the subscription cancelled, but they said all they can do is make a note that I should not be solicited in the future.Desired Settlement: There should be termination of their underhanded marketing. This surreptitious technique to ensnare subscriptions is not right, and I should be allowed to cancel immediately, especially since I have only received one subscription out of supposedly ten.

Business

Response:

January 30, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 1/24/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 1/20/14. After review of our detailed electronic records, we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or corrections that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Facility Coord Specialist, placed an order on 6/12/13 for our Facility Manager's Alert publication and she provided us with her email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our electronic records show that the confirmation letter went through without any problems.

Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.

Thus goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is write cancel on the invoice and return it to us, or advise us by any other way, and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2 warning notices and an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.

As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 1/24/14 and they advised us that they did receive payment in full ($253.00) on 1/10/14. They have marked this account "Settled Satisfactorily" and have reinstated the account so that he will get the remaining newsletters of the 1-year subscription. A "do not renew" was placed on the account so that once it expires there will be no further issues, invoices or renewal notices sent. There will be no ramifications due to the account being turned over for collection. There is no money due or owing on this account.

We will ship the (9) missing issues as requested.

We have initiated a request the same day that the name and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If the company's name information changes, our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, please call and we will remove that version also.

While researching this complaint we found that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. They have accepted several trial subscriptions before and all were cancelled as we instructed without issue except this account.

Please know that we do business regularly with many tens of thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in the newsletter. It contains our address and telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

Please feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Review: Progressive Business Publications have sent us numerous invoices for "news letters" that they have claimed to have sent us and for which we never agreed to receive. [redacted] has never subscribed or agreed to, in any way, do business with this publication company. The "final notice" we have recently received in the mail from them states that we, [redacted], will be taken to collections if we do not pay $198.00.Desired Settlement: On behalf of [redacted], I would like for Progressive Business Publications to cease contacting us/demanding payment as we do not owe them any money.

Business

Response:

August 4, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 8/4/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 7/30/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure Orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address and asking for the month and day of the person's birth date.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Billing Coord, placed an order on 12/18/13 for our Primary Care Coding & Reimbursement publication and she provided us with birth date information as [redacted]. Prior to ending the conversation we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same Computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 7/31/14 @ 10:58 AM (EST) as she requested the same day she contacted us. There is no money due or owing on the account.We initiated a request on 8/4/14 that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 2-different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and were cancelled.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially Yours,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: We received an invoice for a publication that we did not order, did not receive, and would not want. We will not be paying this invoice--but we nearly did, as it seemed authentic. This is an absolute scam, reliant on busy or inattentive offices. I have sent a do-not-contact email to the customer service address listed on their website, '[redacted]'. I want to add 'insurance' (so to speak) to that letter by filing a complaint here too--particularly after seeing the large number of other businesses who have had a problem: h[redacted]Desired Settlement: We do not want to risk falling prey to this scam in the future. We hope to never be contacted in any way by this business or its affiliates again.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

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

Regards,

Review: We began receiving calls from [redacted] at [redacted] in July 2014 regarding publications that were supposedly ordered by me from Progress Business Publications for Safety Compliance Alert. I told them that I never ordered a product, and would not order such a product as [redacted] does not have any employees, and would not be in need of a Safety Compliance publication. When I asked to see the invoice in question, they sent me an invoice that was billable to:

[redacted], KS [redacted]

That was my first clue that something was wrong, as we have not been at that address since November 2012. When I told them I was not at that address, the collection agency told me it didn't matter because e-mails of the publication were also being sent. They confirmed that publications were going to accounting@[redacted], which is our billing e-mail address. I did a search for Progressive Business Publications, Safety Compliance Alert, and all combinations I could think of, and no results were found, she even had me do a search for the date that the last publication was sent, and no results.

When I told the collector again, that I did not authorize the product, I did not receive the product by mail, and I did not receive the product by e-mail, and that I would not pay for product I did not authorize or receive, she said she would be glad to send me all the issues that I have missed. When I told her again that I did not want or authorize these publications she told me I was still liable for the debt of $299, because they were sent to me and I did not cancel the subscription based on the terms and conditions. When I asked what terms and conditions she was referring to, she said that I would have received an e-mail with the terms and conditions in it. I told her I wanted her to forward me the original e-mail that was sent to accounting@[redacted]. She did send an e-mail with terms and conditions to me, after requesting it twice from her, but it was not the original e-mail that was sent to accounting@[redacted] it was just the generic welcome e-mail. I responded to the e-mail stating that I requested the ORIGINAL e-mail sent so that I could verify that it was actually delivered I didn't receive a response. I also included a link to a site called [redacted] which had several complaints about this company all of which stated they were going to send complaints to the Revdex.com, after looking the company up on Revdex.com, I can see that there are thousands of complaints, so I know I am not the only company that has had this issue with Progressive Business Solutions.Desired Settlement: I would like them to void this invoice and have the collection agency stop calling me. I would also like them to withdraw any negative information they may have sent to the credit bureaus for an invoice for product that we did not authorize or receive.

Business

Response:

S??tember 4, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/3/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 9/2/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address and asking for the month and day of the person’s birth date.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Accting Mgr., placed an order on 1/6/14 for our Safety Compliance Alert publication and she provided us with birth date information as [redacted]. Prior to ending the conversation we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as "undeliverable”. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 9/3/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of Companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All Of Our Contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

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

Regards,

Review: The publication company engaged in an unlawful practice of billing and collecting for unsolicited goods that were never ordered or requested either orally or in writing.Desired Settlement: To stop all contact with [redacted] employee [redacted] as well as [redacted], and to cancel the charges for the unsolicted goods, stop the collection process, and repair the credit of [redacted].

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

The [redacted] (“[redacted]”), on behalf of [redacted], is in receipt of the response from Progressive Business Publications (“Progressive”) dated February 28, 2013. While the [redacted] accepts the outcome of Progressive’s investigation, cancelling the subscription as well as the collection process for the unsolicited merchandise, the [redacted] does not agree with Progressive’s explanation for the billing.

Review: Called selling a suscription to a sales magazine. Specifically told them no we were not interested. They asked if they could send a free copy to reveiw and I said ok. Never did they mention it was a trail suscription and we had to unscribe after review. Now a collection agency is calling us.Desired Settlement: trying to collect money for something never ordered

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: In December I was asked if I would Like to receive 2 free issues of Facility Managers Alert, I said yes. I received the issues, but found the first one of little use, and didn't even open the second one. They continued to be delivered, and I would thumb through them occasionally thinking that we would probably be charged two or three dollars an issue at some point in time, even though I never asked for a subscription, nor was billing even discussed. In February or March I was contacted by a representative of their company demanding payment of $253.00 for a 12 month subscription. I refused to pay, and demanded that they stop sending me the newsletters. The representative told me that my subscription could not be cancelled and that I would have to contact customer service. I have not been able to get ahold of customer service and my debt has been referred to a collection agency.Desired Settlement: Stop billing for something I didn't order. Stop the collection action.

Business

Response:

June 30, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 6/30/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 6/26/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth date and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], Asst Plant Dir, placed an order on 12/2/13 for our Facility Manager's Alert publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address.Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by **. [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 6/30/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many many trial subscriptions had been accepted before and were cancelled as we instructed without issue.We have initiated a request on the same day that the company name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department you have any further questions at ###-###-####.Thank you.

Review: Progressive Business Publications has sent an invoice for products/newsletter that I never ordered or received to collections. The company started to send me invoices for the publication, and I continually called their customer service over and over and told them that I never ordered anything from them nor did I receive the said newsletter. I work for a small company as the Safety Director, and the company keeps claiming that the publication was sent to our business address for Safety Compliance Alert. I have never authorized this company to send me anything on any trial basis, which is what they are claiming. Period. Additionally, the company keeps telling me it was sent to an email address that is not even my business email account so they have all the wrong information on me. I do not know how I could have authorized something and given them all the wrong information on myself. I clearly know my own email address and name. Now there is a corporate collection office calling my business phone trying to collect on the fraudulent charges after I tried multiple times to get them to stop sending me bills for something I never order or authorized charges for.Desired Settlement: I need Progressive Business Publications to clear our business account from all charges and stop collections activity immediately.

Business

Response:

June 20, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 6/23/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 6/19/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer and it includes verifying the address.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that our Safety Compliance Alert publication. Prior to ending the call we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy.Once the order was placed the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a -month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as undeliverable. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industrys general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after -months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 6/23/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 3-different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 2-for [redacted] herself. They were all Cancelled as we instructed without issue except this account.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply Call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of Our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour 7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted]. Thank you.

This is a compete Scam. They call offering a free trial of some sort of HR publication that I truly had no interest in as we sub out our HR department, but the call was local and the lady was from our town so I agreed to get a trial issue of the publication thinking I was just helping someone out. Within the fine print was if you don't cancel you will be billed $299. Of course since I never looked at the "newsletter" I didn't cancel and was billed. I started returning the letters to the company as I didn't want the newsletter and I for sure didn't want their nonsense for $300. Progressive sent me to collections and we were forced to pay. They ask for your birthday, mothers maiden name, or street address as verification that you agree to pay for their service if you don't cancel. Total scam.

Review: Progressive Business Publications has been sending very small newsletters to multiple recipients at our business along with an invoice for $299.00 demanding payment when none of the recipients had requested any information from Progressive Business Publications. Back in September of 2013, one of our recipients returned their newsletter with a note explaining that she never requested a newsletter, and to please stop sending her newsletters or invoices. In October 2013, Progressive Business Publications demanded payment for the newsletters she ordered and failed to cancel in a set amount of time. Then we began receiving phone calls from [redacted] Inc which appears to be related to Progressive Business Publications, and is involved in their SCAM demanding payment from us. They are harassing our employees for payment.Desired Settlement: [redacted] from [redacted] Inc. claims Progressive Business Publications to be a 60 year old company in which my response was that if that is true which I doubt it is, then they have been scamming people for 60 years. I would like to see companies like Progressive Business Publications, and [redacted] Inc. be closed for business, and litigation in place to refund all the businesses they have scammed.

Business

Response:

May 15, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 5/14/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 5/7/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the persons birth date and asking for the persons email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Acct, placed an order on 9/6/13 for our CFO & Controllers Alert publication and she provided us with birth date information as 3/1, as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the Conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same Computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as undeliverable. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industrys general Custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after -months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 5/15/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 1paid in full account while others were cancelled as we instructed without issue.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please be aware that we are not connected in any way with [redacted] out of New York State. They are an independent business that we use as 1-of our collection agencies when an account is delinquent and the relationship is that of customervendor only.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially,

Review: We have received several invoices from Progressive Business Publications regarding a publication that we never agreed to pay for. They have now sent a collections agency to get the payment from us. I understand that they offered a free trial, but there was no agreement or notice about subscription after the trial was over. We tried to cancel by mail after they sent us multiple invoices but they continue to send us publications and invoices.Desired Settlement: They should be required to change their billing practices and forced to pay back all of the money they unethically collected for products that no one ever wanted. And they should be investigated for their fraudulent business practices.

Business

Response:

October 31, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 10/30/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/28/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistake or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], placed an order on 2/6/13 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage publication. We were provided with a birth date of [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our records show the email went through without any problems.

The birthday information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.

However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5 months, 2 warning notices plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 10/31/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found several different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and all were cancelled as we instructed without issue except this account.

Please know that we do business continually with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Review: This organization sends publications and materials not requested with invoices. Last letter, publication materials, and invoice dated 11/19/2014. Invoice was in the amount of $304.95 directing us to return material in 60 days or pay invoice. This is an inconvenience to our school organization.Desired Settlement: End practice of sending invoices for materials not requested.

Business

Response:

December 11, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 12/11/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 12/10/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation. Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth date and asking for the person’s email or fax number so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are anymistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Asst Principal, placed an order on 11/13/14 for our Legal Update For Teachers: The Complete Principal’s Guide Book and its companion newsletter. We were provided with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the book, newsletter and an invoice over a 1-month period of time. Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it and the book to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general Custom.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 12/11/14 as requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many different "risk free” subscriptions had been accepted before; including a risk free subscription that [redacted] accepted in March and cancelled as instructed. We found 4-paid in full accounts while other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue. We are enclosing a "Postage Paid" label so that [redacted] can return the book at her convenience.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place "repeat” orders due to their continuedsatisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: We disagree with response to our complaint. Revdex.com may administratively close this complaint. Thank you.

Regards,