Progressive Business Publications

Review: This company has been attempting to collect on a supposed debt that I/my company owes them. They say that someone signed me/my company ([redacted]) up for a business publication of some sort, and that we now owe them $195. They initially did not even have my name or address correct, which might explain why we never received an invoice or any publication from them. They also offered a birthday of June 7th as supposed verification; this is not my birthday. No one I've spoken to at my company ordered this subscription, nor knows anything about it. I had received an email newsletter from this company several months ago, but since I had not requested it, I assumed it was spam and blocked it as such. A collections agency has started calling our office multiple times a week, hassling me, the receptionists, and even our CEO. I don't know anything about this supposed subscription, and want them to stop calling.Desired Settlement: stop contacting us

Business

Response:

September 18, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email on 9/16/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/15/14. 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 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], Office Admin, placed an order on 1/29/14 for our Administrative Professional Update publication and she 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. We do show that the confirmation letter 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 9/16/14 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.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; 8-paid in full accounts while others were cancelled as we instructed without issue. Further, we did find two paid accounts, one for Our What’s Working In Credit & Collections from 2006–2011 and one for Our CFO & Controller Alert from 2000– 2005.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.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:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Thank you to both you and them for the quick and easy resolution to this matter.

Regards,

Review: On two occasions we have received unsolicited products. The first time they sent us a book that we did not want. We were then put into collections for not paying the invoice they never sent. After many hours of back and forth with the collections company, they dropped it. Then they called us again to ask if we wanted a free trial and we told them no. They were told to never send us anything because we don't want it and won't pay for it. This time we never received any product, but did receive a notification that we were put into collections again. I can't afford to spend this amount of time resolving this. What they're doing is criminal.Desired Settlement: For them to stop using these practices. It's unethical and costs businesses a lot of money.

Business

Response:

September 11, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/10/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 9/10/14. 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, 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], Education Dir, placed an order on 2/11/14 for our Keeping Your School Safe & Secure: A Practical Guide book and its companion newsletter and she 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 book, 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 ja 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 9/10/14 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.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 trial subscriptions had been accepted before and cancelled as we instructed. To date the book has not been returned to us.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.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 subscribersPlease feel free to contact our Customer Service Department you have any further questions at ###-###-####.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.

Review: On 6/24/14 I, [redacted], received a call from [redacted] Rima from a collection firm called [redacted]. She told me that she had just got off the phone with [redacted]. She told me that she had been trying to collect $253 from him for maintenance material that he ordered from Progressive Business and had refused to pay for. She told me that [redacted] hung up on her so she wanted to talk to the business owner. I gave her the number to our corporate office and told her that I work in accounts payable and may be able to help her. She told me that five invoices. I could not recall ever receiving an invocie from Progressive Business so I asked where the invocies were sent to. She told me PO Box [redacted], which is our mailing address. I wanted to talk to [redacted] and our other A/P, [redacted], so I asked for her name and number. She told me her number was ###-###-####. While trying to get information from her she put me on hold twice for long periods of time. During the time she had me on hold I was able to talk to [redacted] and [redacted] told me they were trying to get us to pay for a magazine subscription that he had never ordered. [redacted] said when she got the invoice she asked [redacted] what it was for and they contacted Progressive Business Publications about it. They were told that it would be taken care of. When [redacted] got back on the phone with me I explained to her that we have an approval process we have to go through before we make any purchases at [redacted]. We have to have a Purchase Order made and approved by our Plant Manager and Purchasing Manager before we are autherized to make any purchases. I asked her if I could get some contact information for Progressive Business Publications. She started to become angry and she told me that once we are turned over to collections they close our account and so they would not have any documentation. She told me that an email was sent to [redacted] in November. I asked her if I could get the email forwarded to me. she told me that she did not have any of that information she just works for the collection firm and that she would just contact our corporate office. I told her that is fine but they would probably refer her back to me or [redacted] since we are the ones who pay inovoices. After getting off the phone with her I did a [redacted] search on Progressive Business Publications to see if I could get some contact information. The first link that came up was Revdex.com.org. After reading how many complaints they had against them I decided I better write a complaint. Also [redacted] pulled an invoice dated 4/15/14 from our files from Progressive Business Publications with a note on it that said they had contaced Ranae from Progressive Business Publications in April. [redacted] told Ranae that he never agreed to have the magazines sent to him and that he would not pay this invoice. She told [redacted] that she would take care of it. Her number is ###-###-####. The inovoice said that we were being charged for 12 month/ 23 issues. Since [redacted] is the one who check our mail for [redacted] I asked her if they had ever sent a magizine to [redacted] and [redacted] both told me they had never received a magazine from Progressive Business Publications.Desired Settlement: In order to pay for the Magazine Subscrption I would have to have some type of back up to show that it was authorized and the dollar amount. [redacted] said he did not authorize the magazine subscription. Since Renae told [redacted] and [redacted] she would take care of it I dont feel like we are obligated to pay for the subscription. Also since we have not seen a magazine yet we will not pay this invoice.

Business

Response:

July 30, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 6/24/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received 6/26/14. 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 and they include verifying the mailing address.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Maintenance Mgr., placed an order on 11/27/13 for Our Facility Managers Alert publication. Before 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 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, online programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation on the 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 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 6/26/14 and advised the agency to cease collections and to cancel the account. They have assured us that this has been 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. We asked if they had received payment on this account.The customer stated that he spoke "to a Ranae at [redacted] to have this account cancelled”. That phone number is to a satellite office. Though we don’t know who that person is, [redacted] would have been directed to contact the Customer Service Dept. at [redacted] to have the cancellation processed. We do not show that he ever contacted 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 4 trial subscriptions had been accepted before and were cancelled as we instructed without issue except 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. It contains our address and 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.

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: 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: This company calls our department 7-10 times a week asking for the same people, in which I ask what they need and why they call, followed by them hanging up and immediatly having someone else call right back. It is clearly a scam, we dont want a magazine, or anything marketing related from them and they need to stop calling. It is solicitation and it is ridiculous. They clearly are scammers.Desired Settlement: This "company" needs to either be investigated for other scams, complaints they have had against them. I want our business taken off the calling list immediately.

Business

Response:

June 12, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 6/10/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 6/5/14. 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], Fire Chief, placed an order on 8/7/06 for our Deskbook Encyclopedia of Public Employment Law book and its companion newsletter. We were provided with birth date information-as 7/14, 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, newsletters and invoices over a 2-year period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by Chief [redacted] were sent from 8/06 through 7/09. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.This account has expired and there is no money due or owing on the account.We initiated a request on 6/10/14 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 not find any other accounts for this company.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 ###-###-####.Thank you.

Review: One of my employees received a phone call from Progressive Business Publications offering two free issues of Information Technology Advisor. At no time during the conversation did the employee commit to a year paid subscription. The township has now received an invoice for 299.00 and a collection notice from [redacted]. This company is clearly running a scam and it is deplorable that they now prey on municipal government entities.Desired Settlement: We would like both International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to stop contacting us immediately after Progressive sends us a letter stating that we do not owe anything for the subscription we never agreed to.

Business

Response:

January 2, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 12/31/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received 12/30/13. 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 and they include asking for the month and day of the person's birth.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], App Spec, placed an order on 4/19/13 for our Information Technology Advisor publication and we were provided with a birth date of [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 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, online programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation on the 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 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 did contact the collection agency on 12/31/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and to cancel the account. They have assured us that this has been 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.

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; 2-paid in full accounts and one account for our "Keep Up To Date on Payroll" publication since 2003(renewing every year); while others were cancelled as we instructed without issue.

We initiated a request on 12/31/13 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 also.

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 our newsletter. It contains our address and 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: Company clai** they contacted me about publications, publications were sent, and I received statements. Nothing is true, I received no phone solicitation, no publication by mail or email, no statement by phone or email. Now they are harrassing me by phone.Desired Settlement: I would like this company to stop harrassing me, no drop all charges, to not have any adverse credit reporting against the business I work for.

Business

Response:

June 16, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 6/16/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 6/13/14. 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], Office Mgr, placed an order on 11/6/13 for our Primary Care Coding & Reimbursement publication and she 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 6/13/14 as she requested the same day she contacted us. We 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 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 ###-###-####. Thank you.

Review: We received an invoice saying that we subscripted to a 12 month term to their magazine. We did no such thing. We did receive a call about a 6 month free trail and that we won't have to cancel anything. We have tried contacting the company, but since there statement does not have a customer service number on it we mailed them a letter to the P.O box listed on the bill, not only once but twice, telling them that we are not paying for the invoice and that we never agreed to it. They have now turned us into a collection agency ICR. I believe these company are working together to collect any amount of money they can. ICR said we could pay them $122.90 to make the problem go away. Once again we did not agree to the terms so we are not paying anything.Desired Settlement: We would like Progressive Business to stop all contact with us. Along with ICR. We did not agree to the terms they are saying we did.

Business

Response:

June 5, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 6/3/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received 5/29/14. 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 and asking for the persons 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], Grp Sls Mgr., placed an order on 9/30/13 for our Selling Advantage publication and she 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 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, online programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation on the 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 industrys 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 6/4/14 and advised the agency to cease collections and to cancel the account. They have assured us that this has been 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. We asked if they had received payment on this account.Please be advised that [redacted] is just one of the collection agencies we use, they are out of New York State. They are not part of our publishing business. They are totally independent and not part of our company.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 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 companys name is misspelled or the zip code incorrect, our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. Ifthat should happen, please call and we will remove that version too.

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: 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.

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: 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: 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: For years we have dealt with problems with Progressive Business Publications. Their sales people contact various people in our company offering a free trial subscription to various publications which our employees may or may not agree to. Then here comes a bill for $295 for the annual subscription. Their products are definitely not worth $295/year and I have written numerous letters requesting that they remove our name and phone number from their solicitation lists because we have NO INTEREST IN THEIR PRODUCTS and also telling them that I am the only person authorized to agree to receive these publications. Our company names are [redacted] and [redacted]. (I will say that when I write them and tell them that we are not paying their invoices, they do not continue to try to collect.)Desired Settlement: STOP CONTACTING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Business

Response:

November 20, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 11/20/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 11/19/14. 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], Sales, placed an order on 10/8/14 for our Supervisors Safety Bulletin 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 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 11/20/14 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 many different "risk free” subscriptions had been accepted before; 2-paid in full accounts while all other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.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 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

Review: This company sent some "free" material and never notified me of any charges that would come from the "free" subscription. I was invoiced for approximately $400.00 in which I will not be paying.Desired Settlement: Cancel the subscription and not pay the requested amount.

Business

Response:

October 13, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 10/10/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/8/14. 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], Estimator, placed an order on 6/3/14 for our Selling Advantage publication. We were provided with birth date information as [redacted], 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 3-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 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 10/8/14 as requested. There is no money due or owning 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 37 — different `risk free” subscriptions had been accepted before; 1–paid in full account while other accounts were cancelled as we instructed and we found that the fax number given is the same number that has been given to us for acceptance of many other risk free accounts.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

Review: This company is billing us for a product that we did not order nor received. They have sent us to a collection agency who can not provide any documentation of proof for their claim. I will not pay $299 for something that I never ordered or received.Desired Settlement: I want Progressive Business Publications to remove our company from all their contact lists, and have the file they sent to [redacted] closed with no balance.

Business

Response:

October 13, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 10/10/14 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, 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], Pres. , placed an order on 4/3/14 for our Quality Manager’s Alert publication and she 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 10/13/14 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.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 "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 Yours,Sylvia

N. Dir.

Of Subscriber Services

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: 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: We believe the debt is not ours and we cannot find any evidence of placing an order with the vendor named. After careful review of the information the company provided via a telephone conversation with [redacted] on 2/25/14 concerning our request for verification that we incurred this liability we have determined that the explanation of how the transaction occurred is very unlikely and is some part untruthful. The company has made a claim that a sales representative from Progressive Business Publications called our company in July 2012 and got authorization from one of our employees to start a trial service subscription to Information Technology Advisor. The order was followed up by an email confirmation to our employee that Progressive Business Publications named as having ordered this service and he denies authorizing an order to this company. Futhermore, we are a highly security sensitive environment and our employees are well trained and would NEVER provide their own personal identifying information to confirm an order. Employees are trained on vetting sales calls and would not accept an unsolicited trial offer. Lastly our accounting department has no records of this order ever being placed. We have very precise procurement procedures and I an employee places an order for services our policy and procedures require them to get authorization prior to placing the order we have no record of this order request.Desired Settlement: Have company investigated for false collection threats

Business

Response:

April 7, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 4/4/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 3/28/14. 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, 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], Systems Admin, placed an order on 7/6/12 for our Information Technology Adviser publication and he provided us with birth date information as 6/19, 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.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 4/4/14 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.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 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.Feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at ###-###-####. Thank you.