Progressive Business Publications

Review: I received an phone call from [redacted] at [redacted] stating I owed a debt to Progressive Business Publication in the amount of $198.00. Apparently this is for a newsletter that I ordered. However, I have no recollection of ordering this product as this is not a product that we would normally order, but furthermore I am not aware of ever receiving this product. Additionally, she told me that I had agreed to accept a trial version of this newsletter that required me to "cancel" during the trial period to avoid being billed and because I did not cancel during the trial period, I owed the full amount. Once I voiced concern over the charge, I informed her that I would have never agreed to a trial newsletter that required me to cancel the service within the trial period to avoid the charge. I asked for proof that I had ordered this product and she stated that I should have received the invoice. I do not have any proof that I ordered this. I expressed my concern that these were deceptive business practices.

Additionally, [redacted] told me she is from a collection agency. At no time did she her provide me with the Mini-Miranda as required by the FDCPA.Desired Settlement: I would like this bill to be dismissed and all further collection activity to be terminated.

Business

Response:

August 12, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 8/6/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received 7/24/14. 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 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], Owner, placed an order on 11/25/13 for our Primary Care Coding & Reimbursement publication. 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 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 on this complaint. Our 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 contacted the collection agency on 8/6/14 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 the account being turned over for collection. There is no money due or owing on this account.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter and 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 subscribersFeel 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: This company sent us a publications for which we did not request or authorize. We returned the publication but they notified a collection agency that we owed them money for the publication. When we tried to resolve the dispute with the collection agency we were told they could do nothing to resolve the complaint. After several attempts to work with the company, we hope that this dispute has been resolved. We have a receipt for the returned publication. Only time will tell.Desired Settlement: We want this company to resolve the dispute and notify the collection agency.

Business

Response:

August 14, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 8/13/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 8/5/14. 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], H/R Mgr., placed an order on 1/16/14 for our Deskbook Encyclopedia Of Employment Law and its companion newsletter. [redacted] 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 8/5/14 as requested the same day they contacted us 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. We found that the newsletter portion of the account was cancelled on 2/26/14 and the book has since been returned to us.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 trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 1–paid in full account while others 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 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 youCordially,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: Company reports that they sent an item that I did not receive, want or order and now they are harassing me with a bill for said item.Desired Settlement: Stop harassing us

Business

Response:

October 16, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 10/16/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 10/10/14. 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], Principal, placed an order on 3/27/14 for our Keeping Your School Safe & Secure: A Practical Guide book and its companion newsletter. He 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 book, newsletters 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, online 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. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5 months, 2 warning notices plus and 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 10/16/14 and advised the agency to cease collections and to cancel the book portion of this account. They have assured us that this hasbeen done. There will be no ramifications due to the account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account. They did cancel the newsletter portion of the account on 5/20/14. They did not cancel the book portion at that time. They state in the complaint that they did not receive anything from us but they cancelled the newsletter and that went to the same address as the book. I am enclosing a “Postage Paid" label so that in the event it is located it can be returned at our expense.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 “no risk” subscriptions had been accepted before; 4–paid in full accounts while others were cancelled as we instructed. 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 the company’s name is misspelled or the zip code incorrect, our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, please call and we will remove that version too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at 1-[redacted].Thank you.Cordially Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: Original order of 72 advertising mugs arrived in a "wrapped" text format and did not match the "approved proof".

When we inquired about the "approved proof" we were told there was an additional charge for the "none wrapped, two sided" mug.

We agreed to pay the extra fee and the two sided "approved proof" mugs arrived. The logo and text on the second shipment were

uneven and much smaller in scale then originally "approved".

We were advised to return 5 cups at their expense (for inspection) and used the UPS account provided by them. UPS could not identify this account number

and charged our company for shipping them back.Desired Settlement: This process has cost our company significant time and resources. We would like a total refund of all charges incurred.

$476.28

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: I was contacted by international credit recovery on 6/13/13 stating I owed money to progressive business publications. I was told I authorized receiving their newsletters and services over the phone on 11/12/12. They said I gave them my date of birth and email address and that our phone conversation was recorded. I asked for proof of this and they asked for my managers name. I refused to give them that info until they provided me with proof that I authorized or wanted their services. I am a medical biller and do not have permission or authority to purchase anything for the hospital. I dont even work at the actual hospital. I work in the corporate office offsite. They called my COO and collected $300 from her. She called me after the call to let me know. This was very upsetting hat this obvious scam company got money from our hospital. I told my COO to put a stop payment on her check immediately. This is a scam. These people are extremely rude and threatening.Desired Settlement: I expect my credit to not be affected in anyway and to never hear from this company again.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

I did not give my birthdate, email address or consent to order any products! Again, I am not in any position to make any orders for my company. I do not work in that department. I do not have permission to do that. I would never have agreed to accept any products or publications from this company or any other company. Stop scamming people! It is very easy to retrieve anyones personal information online. You dont have to be a genious to figure out my birth date and email address. Of course I was upset when I got a call from a collection agency demanding me to pay them or speak to my Supervisor. I never receivedany invoices nor emails. Then out of the blue I get this call asking for money and threatening to report me to the credit bureau. It was absolutey ridiculous! I feel sorry for people who actually fall for this type of scam. All I asked was for a copy of the invoice that was "supposivelY" sent to me. And the lady hung up. Where is your proof of my voice recording approving your publications? Where are my invoices? You have provided me nothing in writing or anything at all to prove what you are saying. What you are doing is illegal and should be shut down and fined extensively. Thank god I was able to have my COO put a stop payment on that $300 check. If I receive any more calls from you I will take this to the next step. Newsstations will be called, police...what ever I have to do make you stop. This whole ordeal has been a complete waste of my time. I have alerted my company to your scams so that I dont have to eal with this alone. Next call I get wil be recorded. ANy emails you may send will be forwarded to my IT department. I have complete backing from my company.

Your response to remove me from your files and cancel collections is accepted. Please dont ever contact me with this BS again!

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: A phone call from Progressive Business Publications to receive a supposedly free issue of their publication which we accepted. Upon receipt of the publication, we also received an invoice for a year subscription, which we never ordered. We mailed back the invoice along with the publication stating this was not anything we had ordered. We then received a phone call from a collection agency stating we never mailed back the original bar coded invoice for cancellation and that this is the only invoice they would accept for cancellation, therefore we still owe $240.00. This is the second time this same company has called to send us their "free issue" of their publication. The first time we mailed back their invoice with no problems. This see** a deceitful way to garner business when they don't tell your they're going to bill you anyway, even though it's supposed to be free.Desired Settlement: We would not like to be contacted by this company again by phone or by mail because even though we've warned our employees about this company, they may still manage to contact someone here that will accept a "free issue" in which case we will have to deal with this all over again. We'd like them to cancel any "account" they may have on us.

Business

Response:

October 7, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 10/7/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/4/13. 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 mistakes or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Dir, placed an order on 3/11/13 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage publication. We were provided with a birth date of 3/4, 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 10/4/13 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.

We 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.

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 those accounts were 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.

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: I received a phone call from Progressive Business Publications' corporate collector, “[redacted]”. Months ago, I received a follow-up call asking for my reaction to a trial subscription to CFO & Controller Alert. During that phone call, I asked that the subscription be cancelled. From my discussion with the company corporate collector, it appears that Progressive Business Publications does not accept a verbal “please cancel my subscription.” Their practices require a that the invoice be marked “Cancel” and returned unpaid.

The corporate collector demanded immediate payment in order to rectify the situation. Please be aware, I am very suspicious of any immediate demand for payment and request for credit/debit card information. I require that the demand for payment and the individual/company making the demand is authentic. I requested several times that an invoice or information be faxed to me in order for me to verify. She refused and commented that a “settlement” of the amount owed was only offered if immediate payment (credit card/debit card or overnight of check) was received. That settlement was in essence 5/12 of the annual subscription – which supposedly began in May 2013. In this day of sca** and cons, to suggest that I should provide someone credit/debit card information as a result of a cold call is truly naïve. How do I know that the company data has not been “hacked” and my information is being used to “defraud” me and others?

[redacted] read me my birth date as evidence that I had agreed to the trial subscription. I do not deny that I received the trial subscription. To the contrary, my memory is that I received a follow-up call to ask if I was enjoying the subscription. At that time, I requested that the subscription be cancelled. I thought that request had cancelled the subscription.

[redacted] then asked me for my title. I questioned her intent relating to the use of that title and was suspicious that she did not have that information. She then asked if I was the CFO of [redacted] University, to which I answered no. She then asked if I had the authority to make a purchase, to which I answered yes. [redacted]’s next response was to threatened me by reporting me to my supervisor as impersonating an officer of the University. I never represented myself as an officer of the University at anytime during the conversation.

Again, I believe that I cancelled this subscription via a phone call conversation with one of the company agents. I asked if it was truly not already cancelled, to have it cancelled IMMEDIATELY. This message was delivered electronically to Progressive Business Publications Customer Service department. I do believe the subscription had value – but not at $299 for a twice a month electronic newsletter.

Again, receiving a cold call from an overly aggressive collector (representing herself as the collection manager) requiring immediate payment provides me will no validation that I am speaking with someone authorized to act on Progressive Business Publication's behalf.

I have not yet received a response from Progressive Business Publication's customer service department.Desired Settlement: I request that collection be immediately terminated and that a discussion begin related to resolving the billing dispute.

Business

Response:

December 12, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 12/11/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 12/10/13. 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 mistakes or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], AVP/Asst Treas, placed an order on 5/15/13 for our CFO & Controller's Alert 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 that the e-mail 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 12/11/13 when we received their email request and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that would 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 many, many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 22-paid in full accounts and other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue. Further, [redacted] states in her complaint that she cancelled the trial subscription when we called her regarding her satisfaction with the newsletter, but our telephonic records do not show placing that call.

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.

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

Thank you.

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: Without any prior invitation from me to be contacted, I was telephone "cold called" and pressured several times over a few day window by Progressive Business Publications to receive a "Internet Marketing Report". I said "no" several times and ultimately, out of desperation for peace, relented with their promise of a "completely free trial". I never received an invoice but did receive about 5 (out of 23 / year) issues which I mostly ignored.

About six months later in August of 2012, a partner "collections" company, [redacted] of [redacted] NY, contacted me, demanding payment. The charge was disputed and no further interest in any of their products was expressed.

I received an additional email solicitation on Sept 24th to attend a conference, and on September 25, another newsletter: I "unsubscribed" from both emails. Just over six months later on April 10th, 2013, I received another solicitation for their "Sales and Marketing Update" which I also "unsubscribed" from. I find it difficult to believe that they would continue marketing six months later to a firm who did not want their service in the first place unless they felt they could further try to ensnare someone unwitting as to their identity and marketing practices.

The accounting department in my company was contacted yesterday by the collections group, and an invoice was sent in, dated 2012. It, too, is being disputed as a continuation of the same previous event. This is unethical sales and billing harassment.

I have also filed complaint number [redacted] against [redacted] with the Revdex.com [redacted], NY office.Desired Settlement: Drop $299.00 Charge.

Stop contacting me.

Business

Response:

April 24, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 4/23/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 4/22/14. 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], Dealer Relations, placed an order on 3/1/12 for our Internet Marketing Report publication and he provided us with birth date information as **, 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 it 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 -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 4/23/14 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 many trial subscriptions had been accepted before and were 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 with thousands of companies who regularly 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.?

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: This company called our office and spoke to our Human Resource Representative. They tried to talk her into a subscription. She clearly stated NO and did not accept the offer. We have now received an invoice in the mail charging us for services which we did not order.Desired Settlement: Cancellation of Invoice. That this company no longer contacts us by phone or by mail.

Business

Response:

August 28, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 8/26/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 8/26/14. 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 any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], H/R Mgr., placed an order on 6/19/14 for our What’s Working In Human Resources publication. 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 newsletters and invoices over a 2-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 cancellationrequests.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 8/27/14 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 several different trial Subscriptions had been accepted before and all 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.Cordially Yours,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. Satisfactory, only because they cancelled the invoice and we do not owe money. However, I would like to add that I do not trust this business. Our Human Resource Representative NEVER would have provided her birthday, address, or any related information. This is contrary to our business practices. I also would like to point out that each time we receive invoices from this company, we do in fact cancel them. We cancel because we never made the order. I find their methods deceptive.

Regards,

Review: Progressive Business Publications called the [redacted] Township Water Authority asking about Environmental Compliance. We told them as we do with every publication offer that we receive, that we are not interested in anything. They asked if they could send a free copy, which I said ok. After that time, we never received any publications, no free copy and no invoice. Now, all of a sudden, [redacted] from [redacted] contacted us via telephone that they are trying to collect a $299.00 subscription fee that I did not authorize. This subscription was never authorized by me or anyone at [redacted] Township Water Authority.Desired Settlement: We would like to discontinue any newsletter and zero our account balance. The charge is not legitimate, and the charges were NOT authorized by [redacted] Township Water Authority.

Business

Response:

September 25, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/24/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 9/24/14. 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], Mgr., placed an order on 2/10/14 for our Environmental Compliance 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 9/25/14 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 "repeat” 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: I received a call asking me if I wanted a subscription to an Administrative Professionals newsletter, I said no, and the telemarketer said I could receive it for free to see if I liked it. I finally said OK and gave him the mailing information. He said I would receive the newsletter by mail and by email as well. I received some by mail, but did not receive any invoices or any emails. Now they say the account has been turned over to a collection agency and I owe $195.90. I do not owe anything as I didn't agree to pay for a newsletter.Desired Settlement: I want all charges removed.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

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:

I did not order the newsletter. I was told the newsletter was free. I did not receive any invoices by letter or email. I am not obligated to pay for something I did not order. This company has hundreds of complaints against it, for the same solicitation. When I told the telephone solicitor I did NOT want to order, he said it would be sent for free and if I liked it I could then order. I want all charges reversed and all collections stopped immediately.

Regards,

Review: PBP called and offered a 60 day trial of their publication. After accepting the trial I did not receive any publications until well after the 60 day trial and I did not receive an invoice. I still have not received an invoice from PBP till this day and had to request the collections agency to send it to me.

I can't try out a product without receiving it within its trial period.

I can't reject the product within the trial period without an invoice as per the instructions on their website.

They want to charge me an exorbitant amount for a product I could not reject within their conditions. I do no want their publications and find no value in it.Desired Settlement: Cancellation of subscription/product. Cancellation of invoice.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Signed up with Progressive Business Publications via the internet. There was no mention whatsoever that there would be a charge issued. I was stunned when I received a 3rd notice for payment and then I received I call that it had been sent to collections([redacted]) I noticed that I am not the only one to get scammed by this company and the other companies have stated the same issues that I am dealing with. How is it they are allowed to continue with this underhanded practice? I do not feel I should have to pay them anything considering they were not forth right in the beginning about the billing. I have contacted them and I have not received any contact back.Desired Settlement: I want the account cleared for the payment of $299.00 and the information forwarded to the credit collection agency as being resolved- [redacted] and , our name taken off your subscription list and they should not be doing business. Pricing should be stated prior to any commitments, verbal or otherwise

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: This company continues to send us bills for news letters that were not asked for. They have a Collection Attorney calling and threating us with court cost.

Their Attorney and their Customer Service Dept all repeat the exact lines to us when we call, which is," your employees are ordering things". Our managers all know, with out a doubt, that nothing can be ordered without Administrator approval first.Desired Settlement: To zero, and for them to never call this company again for anything what so ever.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

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:

I would like to know what type of confirmation letter was sent to **. [redacted] regarding his order. Was it by fax, computer or what? Confirmation of his birth date is not reliable enough. You can find that out on any computer system. **. [redacted] is all over the computer.... it only takes a few seconds to get peoples info.

Regards,

Review: PBC cold calls our employees, then offers a free newsletter, which is almost always denied. During the phone call, the company obtains some personal information, such as a birthday, then sends the newsletter anyway. Much later, we receive a credit collection notice stating that the free period has expired and we owe a few hundred dollars for the items that were mailed to us.Desired Settlement: I do not want PBC or their collection agency ([redacted]) to ever contact an [redacted] employee again.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: In December 2012, Progressive Business Publications offered a free sample newsletter through a solicitation phone call. The free sample was received. On August 19, 2013 Progressive Business Publications Collections called the Development Director and informed her that they had been sending invoices for $240 since February 2013 to the accounts payable department. Because the $240 invoice was not paid, Progressive Business Publications Collections told the Development Director that they will report her personal information to a credit reporting agency. NO invoices were ever received. NO newsletter subscription was ever ordered or approved.Desired Settlement: HFHL requests an immediate cease of threats to use Development Director's personal information to report her to a credit reporting agency. (Progressive Bus Pub Collections specifically said they had her birth date & name and would use them.)

HFHL requests a copy of the $240 invoice and a Credit Memo for $240 be faxed to us.

HFHL requests no further collection attempts be made by Progressive Business Publications.

Business

Response:

August 22, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 8/21/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 8/19/13. 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 mistakes or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Development Dir, placed an order on 12/13/12 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage publication. We were provided with a birth date of 2/13, 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 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 8/21/13 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 many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and all other accounts 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.

Cordially,

Review: We sent back the bill stating that we did not want the product and that we wanted to cancel the subscription. One of the subscriptions is under the name of a person who has not worked here for over two years and we cancelled that subsciption years ago. I have no idea how or why they started that account back up ([redacted]). We want both cancelled and for them to stop sending us bills. The other account number is [redacted]. We want to be removed from all solicitations that this company engages in and want to permanantly discontinue doing business with them. We also called ###-###-#### and cancelled. This was all this past spring. I also just called them again today (it was after hours but I left a detailed message with our e-mail address to contact us) and will be putting another cancellation notice in the mail to them tomorrow.Desired Settlement: We need to be adjusted for a bill of 134.95 on each of these accounts. (This is the price of one book!) Also we want to discontinue contact or doing business in any form with this company.

Business

Response:

September 23, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/23/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/19/13. 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 guality 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], Pres, placed an order on 3/5/13 for our Keeping Your School Safe & Secure: A Practical Guide book and its companion newsletter. 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 computers show that the confirmation 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 book, 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 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. 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 9/20/13 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.

We 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.

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 another trial subscription for **. [redacted], Principal that he accepted on 3/12/13 for the same exact publication. He gave us a birth date and email address and was sent the publications over 5-month period, also. His account, too, was placed in collections for nonpayment or cancellation. We have cancelled this account on 9/20/13. There is no money due on either 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: I received a phone call from a representative of the company last spring about an offer to look over a book they sell and then I would have the opportunity to return it if I found it would not be useful to me. It came at the end of our school year, which was very busy and then I was away for most of the summer and did not have a chance to look at the book. When I did look, I saw it had come with a bill and no information about how to return it. I tried to find out how to return it but was unable to get in contact with the company. I then received notice that the bill had gone to a collection agency as it was past due. A phone call came today from the collection agency that the bill was past due and if I did not pay today then it could affect the school I work at. In view of that threat, and the fact that returning the book has not been able to happen (due to the company providing no information on doing so even though they made clear in the phone call that that was an option- and said nothing of a date that it had to be returned by), I went to the company website and paid what they were asking, so as to protect my school. However, I there was no receipt to print (just a screen that said payment had been received). I do not know yet if this will get the collection agency to stop their threats, but I am not happy about the situation. I just did a search online, and found I am not the only one who has had this experience with the company and been very dissatisfied.Desired Settlement: I would like the company to send me a return envelope so that I may return the book and I would like a refund for the book, and for the collection agency to stop. I understand that they have been sending me newsletters, so I am willing to pay for those but do not want to receive anymore, nor do I want access to any of their materials, and I do not want to pay for anything else.

Business

Response:

November 7, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your letter email on 11/6/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 11/5/13. 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 and asking for the person's email address or fax number so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Principal, placed an order on 4/1/13 for our Keeping Your School Safe & Secure: A Practical Guide Book and its companion newsletter 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. We do show that the confirmation letter 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 goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent. 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 along with the book, 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.

To date we have not been notified of a payment made and our computers do not show ever receiving a cancellation on the newsletter or the books return. Once the collection agency receives payment there can be no refunds made.

While researching this complaint we found that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found a different trial subscription had been accepted before and that account was 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 excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in the newsletter. It contains our email, address, telephone, and fax numbers, as well as our website. 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.

Cordially yours,

Review: Our organization was contacted by [redacted]., regarding the collection of an unauthorized purchase of a monthly subscription by Progressive Business Publications. According to the firm, an agreement to receive the newsletter was made via phone call by a previous employee. When asked to submit documentation verifying this agreement, Progressive Business Publications could not provide any. Additionally, the employee's name is significantly misspelled on the invoice which indicates that our organization did not submit any authorization as it would be have listed correctly. After an initial phone call by ICR, attempts to contact Progressive to resolve and request additional information have been unsuccessful. No one answers the phone nor is a recording available. An email address for the company is not provided.Desired Settlement: Dismissal of the invoice sent for payment. Additionally, the unathorized subscription should be cancelled.

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 10/15/13. 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 mistakes or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Research & Development Dir, placed an order on 2/8/13 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 accounts 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: We were contacted by [redacted]. that we were being turned over to collections by Progressive Business Publications for an invoice for $299.00. They are saying we agreed to a newsletter that we have no proof of receiving or agreeing to. They are telling us a staff member agreed to a free trail and then failed to cancel. They will not provide us any proof (signed form, recorded audio, etc.) that we agreed to this publication. We notified [redacted] that since they will not provide us any proof, we will not be paying the invoice. They have called mutiple times and ask for two of the owners.Desired Settlement: Remove charges we are not liable for and never contact us again.

Business

Response:

November 4, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 11/4/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/30/13. 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.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], A/P Mgr, placed an order on 2/19/13 for our Keep Up To Date On Accounts Payable publication. Prior to ending the conversation 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 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 11/4/13 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.

We 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.

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 trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 3-different trials for [redacted] and they 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.