Progressive Business Publications

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: This company claims that I authorized them, in the name of the company I work for, to receive their products, which I actually never agreed to. I recently received an invoice from "their" collection agency claiming that I owed them $253.00. I was afraid that I would lose my job if I didn't pay this amount since it claimed that it was a service provided to the company I work for (my name and my employers name were both on the invoice). I thought that this was a legit business at the time. I have since found out that this is a total scam and would like to have this money refunded to me. After further investigation I have found that this is a very common occurrence with this company, charging people for things that they never agreed to in the first place.Desired Settlement: I want to be refunded the full amount of $253.00

Business

Response:

January 30, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 1/29/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 1/24/14. 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 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], Center Mgr, placed an order on 6/20/13 for our Facility Manager'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 the email went through without any proble**.

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. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line progra**, 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 1/29/14 and the agency advised us that they received payment for the subscription on 1/24/14 in amount of $253.00. They have reinstated the account so that **. [redacted] will receive the remaining issues of the 1-year subscription. Once the account expires there will be no further issues, invoices or renewals sent. We have placed a "do not renew" on the account and 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. Please be advised once the collection agency has received payment there can be no refunds made.

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, as well as, 1-other account for [redacted] for our Administrative Professional Update publication. This account, also, went to collection for nonpayment or cancellation. [redacted] paid the collection agency $195.50 for this account on 10/18/13; while all other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue except [redacted]'s.

Please know that we do business regularly 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

Review: Progressive Business Publication called asking we if wanted to try a few copy "The Selling Advantage" and now they are trying to charge our company $295.00.Desired Settlement: We would like invoice [redacted] to be credited as we never authorized an invoice.

Business

Response:

February 17, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 2/14/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 2/11/14. 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.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], Ops Mgr, placed an order on 10/31/13 for our Selling Advantage publication. Prior to ending the call we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy.

Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the 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 2/12/14 as they requested 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.

Please know that we do business regularly 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 if you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Cordially,

Review: The Town of [redacted] has received a bill in my name amounting to $299.00 for back payment for newsletters and access to a website owned by this company. I had a phone conversation with one of its representatives in the latter part of December 2013 regarding information they would like to mail me regarding OSHA related safety bulletins. At no time during the conversation was I told that the [redacted] Police Department or Town of [redacted] would be charged for such information. I have since not received any material from this company until today with a call from my Finance Department that a bill arrived for $299.00 for an annual subscription of unlimited access and newsletters. I have searched the internet and found that this business is a frequent complaint generator for the Revdex.com in many states along with [redacted] with a grade of F for both. This is the company that Progressive uses to collect money. I will also file a complaint against them if they attempt to contact myself or the Town in attempt to gain monies for fraudulently billed services.

I would have contacted Progressive Publications directly to complain but there was no phone number on the fraudulent bill.Desired Settlement: Progressive Publications will no longer contact the Town of [redacted] nor any of its departments in the future in an attempt to solicit monies. Progressive Publications is not owed any monies for its fraudulent services and will not have [redacted] contact anyone employed with the Town of [redacted], including myself, about this fraudulent charge.

Business

Response:

March 6, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 3/5/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 3/1/14. 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 so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that needs to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], Sargent, placed an order on 12/10/13 for our Safety Compliance Alert 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 Sargent Strickland were sent. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it 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 3/5/14 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 a few different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and all 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 ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Review: Center for Education has been sending books that were NOT ordered and are not wanted. The company has been told to stop sending the books. The sent books require me to pay to RETURN them. This is a scam and ripoff. The books are NOT wanted and I do NOT want to pay to return them. I will send them back... but will send them CODDesired Settlement: Accept the book back COD and stop the calls and phone harrassment for collections. Stop sending unwanted books immediately

Bottom line...I do not want their books, never ordered them, and will NOT pay for them.

Business

Response:

February 17, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for contacting us regarding the above referenced complaint. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to this complaint with the following explanation.

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

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Police Chief, placed an order on 6/26/13 for our Deskbook Encyclopedia of Public Employment Law book and its companion newsletter and we were provided with a fax number (###-###-####). 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 fax went through without any problems.

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

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

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

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 2/10/14 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 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 that Chief [redacted] had accepted a trial subscription for this same publication in 2007 and we received payment in full on that account.

We initiated a request on 2/10/14 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.

Please know that we do business regularly 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.

Cordially,

Review: I was contacted last August by Progressive Business Publications about a free trial of their newsletter "What's Working In Human Resources". I agreed and they said they would send an invoice and if I didn't want it...I could just send the invoice back with CANCEL on it within 60 days and owe nothing. I never received anything from them and I had forgotten about it. Today I got a call from [redacted] and they basically told me I owed it or it would go on my and my company's credit report. I felt I had to pay the $299 or have it put on my credit report or worse...my company's. Then my boss told me this exact same thing...from the same company...happened to him. He actually also filed a complaint about this company as well to the Revdex.com last year. So, I didn't receive any invoices or the publications...and no one from the company called me to figure out what was going on. They basically just sent it to collections without informing anyone. I am very angry about it and I cannot reach anyone at Progressive Business Publications to get it straightened out. The credit recovery place just said that I agreed and they sent out the invoices...so I should have gotten them. Well, I didn't get anything.Desired Settlement: I would like them to refund the $299 they billed my credit card since I didn't receive any of the publications. Then for them to NEVER contact my company again.

Business

Response:

March 20, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 3/20/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 3/18/14. 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 address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or corrections that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], H/R Mgr, placed an order on 8/14/13 for our What's Working In Human Resources publication. She provided us 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 electronic records 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. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us, or advise us by any other way, and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months,10 mailings, 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.We were contacted by [redacted] via email on 3/19/14.A customer service rep called [redacted] and went over all information in the account which she stated was correct.During the call she stated that she paid the collections agency for the subscription at which time she was told a do not renew was placed on the account.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 3/20/14 and they advised us that they did receive payment for this account in full for $299 on 3/19/14. They have marked this account "Settled Satisfactorily". There will be no ramifications due to the account being turned over for collection. Please know once the collection agency receives payment there can be no refund.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 many tens of thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter. It contains our address and telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####.Thank you.

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:

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.

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: 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: 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: A Collections Agency called our offices to collect for an email and mail subscription from Progressive Business Publications. We have not received a publication by this company at our business office. We never signed a subscription agreement. The collections agency is threatening to report a $299 charge to the credit bureau, unless we pay a smaller amount of $130.00 by 2:30PM PST today July 24, 2014. Again, we have not received the product, I have not authorized a subscription agreement; hence we are not willing to pay $130.00 or any amount. Please stop whatever subscription you may have us on, as this is a mistake.Desired Settlement: Stop collection. I am not sure what the service is or product is, but we do not want it and I am not authorizing it.

Business

Response:

July 31, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 7/30/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 7/24/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the person’s birth 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], Owner, placed an order on 12/16/13 for our What's Working In Human Resources publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the Conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, 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 7/30/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of Companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially,SYLVIA *. NDIRECTOR OF SUBSCRIBER SERVICES

Review: Progressive Business Publications sending collections notices for product that was not ordered and not received.Desired Settlement: Progressive Business Publications to cease and desist from sending collection notices for product not ordered and not received.

Business

Response:

August 21, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 8/20/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 8/15/14. 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], Chief, placed an order on 3/21/14 for our Safety Compliance Alert 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 4-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 8/20/14 as requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially Yours,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: On 8/27/2014 I received a call on behalf of Progressive Business publications from International Credit Recovery. They stated that we have an outstanding invoice from 2011 for a subscription. The company does not have any record of signed documentation authorizing the subscription service. ALSO WE HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A SUBSCRIPTION!Desired Settlement: I wish this company to STOP contacting our place of business and to void their "invoice".

Business

Response:

August 28, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 8/28/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 8/27/14. 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], G/M, placed an order on 6/8/11 for our Customer Service Advantage publication and she provided us with birth date information this time as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as "undeliverable”. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general Custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 8/28/14 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 a total of 6-trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 3-different trial subscriptions for [redacted] for which we were given a different birth date each time. All other trials were cancelled without issue except this account .We have initiated a request on 8/28/14 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.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of Companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: Our facility has been receiving false invoices for publications we did not order. We are now receiving collection notifications from International Credit Recovery, Inc. to send payment to Progressive Business Publications. The invoices reference our HR Director, but neither she nor any current HR employees ordered a 1 year subscription for "What's Working In Human Resources."Desired Settlement: I would like to stop receiving false invoices to pay. Our facility will not pay for publications or services we did not request or order.

Business

Response:

September 22, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 9/22/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/19/14. 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], Controller, placed an order on 7/7/14 for our Keep Up To Date On Payroll 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 1-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals and cancellation requests.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 8/26/14 as they requested via U.S. Mail. There is no money due or owning 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 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.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 ``no risk” subscriptions had been accepted before and were cancelled.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: Company is alleging we signed up for a subscription to their services which we did not. Without even contacting us, sent us to a collection agency who threaten reporting us without providing proof of an accepted contract, subscription, invoice, or purchase order.Desired Settlement: And we better not be reported, or I will happily countersue using any and all contract and/or business tort remedies and we'll happily report their behavior to the FTC as well.

Business

Response:

September 15, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/15/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 9/11/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address and asking for the month and day of the person’s birth date.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Clinic Admin, placed an order on 1/23/14 for our Primary Care Coding & Reimbursement publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted]. Prior to ending our conversation we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day no questions asked cancellation policy.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as “undeliverable”. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 9/15/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found several trial subscriptions had been accepted before and were cancelled as we instructed except this account.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place "repeat” orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Consumer

Response:

[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 in part and accepting in part this response because:

several of the comments in this company's letter are patently false, yet I am happy to hear they are ceasing their illegal collection actions. In their response they stated that a verbal order was taken over the phone and they prove this providing a month and day of a birth date (rather strange). No such verbal order was placed over the phone and only a recording of the call could actually prove that an order was placed. I would be happy to hear that phone recording. Regarding the company's comments that we have done business with them in the past and have cancelled those orders, the business must be talking about how we have repeatedly received invoices and publications from this company without any actual orders. They probably continue this behavior because in the past they may have gotten some payments from an unknowing office manager who no longer works with us that just paid the bill without actually verifying what it was for. Ever since 2010, every phone call placed by this company for orders either gets "lost" in my solicitor voice-mail or their sales rep gets hung up on by me. Further, I have no time to send back invoices or publications with the word cancel on them for items I did not order. However, I am happy to hear the company has ceased collections actions and I would request that no one from the company ever call our office(s) and that they remove our address(es) from any database they maintain. If this behavior continues as it has in the past, we will take further legal action against your company.

Regards,

Business

Response:

October 6, 2014Dear [redacted]:Regarding the above referenced rebuttal that you received we submit the following:All the information we received to start a "no risk” subscription for our publication was given to us by someone who identified himself as [redacted] on 1/23/14.We cancelled the account on 9/15/14 as stated in our letter to [redacted] on that same day.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.We have done everything that was requested, we feel this complaint has been resolved.If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.Thank you. Cordially 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: 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: 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: I have received several calls from International Credit Recovery Inc to collect payment for a product I did not order from Progressive Business Publications. I first thought it was a product I had ordered and cancelled but they informed me it was for a different product. They claim the invoice was sent to me but I had not received one until the collection agency faxed me a copy. I have not received the product although I received an email with a link to an electronic website that I looked at but did not use. I did not order the Injury Prevention and Cost Control Alert . They have indicated if I pay the bill, they will resend the information that I did not receive.

They are now calling my supervisor indicating I claimed I ordered the product. She was already aware of the phone calls I had received and that I had indicated that I had not ordered the product.Desired Settlement: I would like this resolved by cancelling the order and no longer collecting for the bill. They have offered to resend the proudct that I did not receive. I want to be done with them.

Consumer

Response:

Review: I began receiving invoices from Progressive Business Publications months ago and called to cancel. I continued to receive these invoices and thought they were junk mail so I discarded them. I now have been contacted by [redacted]. about Progressive Business Publications sending me to collections for payment of $195.50. I never ordered nor did I ever receive the magazine they claim I subscribed to. I was told I had canceled it but once collections began calling they said I didn't follow proper procedure for cancelling which I was not informed of when I called to cancel. The invoice says I have received 2 magazines which I have never seen and that I am paying for a subscription that I will not receive until I pay, but somehow Progressive Business Publications says there is no way to cancel now. I do not want these magazines, I never wanted these magazines, and I believe that this is a scam.Desired Settlement: I would like them to remove the $195.50 from our account, close our account, and never contact us again. This harassment has to stop.

Business

Response:

November 21, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 11/21/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 11/19/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

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

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], A/A, placed an order on 4/11/13 for our Administrative Professional Update 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 11/21/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

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; 1-paid in full account and other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue except this account.

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

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

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,