Progressive Business Publications

Review: We are receiving invoices from the Center For Education and Employment Law for a book that we never ordered or received. They are insisting that the book was ordered by one of our staff members. This invoice is from March of 2014.

We also just received a book and invoice involving a different staff member that also did not agree to any purchase. This invoice is dated August 2014.Desired Settlement: We would like them to stop calling, sending materials and invoices, and void the open invoices as we do not want and never requested these books. ("Legal Update for Teachers: The Complete Principal's Guide" and "Keeping Your School Safe and Secure: A Practical Guide").

Business

Response:

October 2, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 10/2/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 9/26/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation. Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address and asking for the month and day of the person’s birth date.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Facilities Mgr., placed an order on 3/27/14 for our Keeping Your School Safe & Secure: A Practical Guide book and its companion newsletter and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted]. Prior to ending the conversation we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the Conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same Computer system sent the book, newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent 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.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5 months, 2 warning notices plus and additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 10/2/14 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 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 "no risk” subscriptions had been accepted before; 7–paid in full accounts while others were cancelled as we instructed. Further, we did find an account for their Director of Finance that was paid and renewed from 10/2002 thru 10/2007. Also, we found that they did cancel the newsletter portion of the account On 5/28/14; the book was not cancelled at that time. We are enclosing a "Postage Paid" label so that they may return the book at Our expense.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 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 [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. However, the resolution includes returning the book "Keeping Your School Safe & Secure: A Practical Guide". As I stated in my original complaint, this book was never ordered or received, therefore, we cannot return something we never had in our possession.

Regards,

Review: They are stating that we ordered their business publication that could be cancelled after 90 days. We have received e-mails of the newsletter (never any paper copies) and it was clearly something we were not interested in. There was never a follow up e-mail about the 90 days trial expiration. Then we started receiving harassing phone calls from their collection service ([redacted]. in [redacted], NY) about the $255.60 we supposedly 'owed' them. We have repeatedly told them that we did not ever order the publication and in fact only received an e-mail newsletter every couple weeks that we deleted, because is no way to 'unsubscribe'. In fact we just received an e-mail of the newsletter this morning. We e-mailed them by reply to their e-mail newsletter from a couple of weeks ago that we never wanted this and to stop e-mailing it.Desired Settlement: Stop calling us and our accountant demanding payment for a service we did not order. It's bordering on harassment and we will not just send money for nothing.

Business

Response:

November 10, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 11/7/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 11/6/14. Afterreview, 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 3/31/14 for our Communications Bulletin for Managers & Supervisors publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general Custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 11/7/14 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 few `risk free” subscriptions had been accepted before; 2-accounts for [redacted] (all the information given on this account matches the other 2–accounts). [redacted] did cancel the accounts as we instructed without issue. We did find a "memo” on the account dated 10/23/14 @10:49 AM (EST) that states that 1-Of Our Customer Service Representatives was returning their call and left a voice mail message to call us back. We never received a "call back”.We have initiated a request on 11/7/14 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 “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:

We have resolved the issue by paying their collection agency about half of the invoice, at their suggestion. They have assured us there will be no further calls or demands and that we have been removed from their solicitation list. 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 have received a written notice from Progressive Publications and their collection agency [redacted]) that we owe them a debt for a newsletter that was ordered by [redacted] called "Facility Manager's Alert". When both [redacted] and our office called Progressive Publications and told them that this publication was not ordered and this debt is not valid they insisted it was because he had given them his birthdate. The only information that they could give [redacted] when he questioned them was his month and day of birth. Progressive states that they sent [redacted] 10 newsletters and an email to confirm the bogus subscription back in July. When asked to listen to the tape that they say that they have of him ordering the newsletter they said that they can not get that information because it is to old. The only written contact that we have from this company is a collection agency notice from [redacted] demanding payment that came just recently. This is not a valid debt and we want this matter resolved. In looking at other complaints written about this company this seems like a scam.Desired Settlement: I wish to have Progressive Publications cancel publications that they are sending us on a "Trial" basis and any collection agency acting on their behalf to cease and desist contact with our company, this debt that they say we owe is not valid.

Business

Response:

See Attachement:

Review: My name is [redacted] I am the manager at [redacted] and [redacted]. On 07/01/2013 a company called an spoke to my front office clerk [redacted]. She supposedly agreed to a free subscription for a weekly newsletter called Administrative Professional Update. There was a conformation email sent that also stated if we wanted to cancel to click on the link below. Every week they are suppose to email and send a hard copy to us. On 07/01/2013 I receive a phone call stating we have been sent to collections for nonpayment of the subscription for the amount of $195.00 dollars. We have not received any news letter, or invoices regarding our subscription, also **. [redacted] is not authorized to make any such decisions on behalf of the company. Only the doctor is

authorized to make any financial decisions and he never ordered for subscription.Desired Settlement: We would like Progressive to remove us from collections and drop the charges. We never received their services nor did we authorize them.

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]

This is **. [redacted], Director of [redacted]. I am rejecting this response because: [redacted] is or was not a owner or was never authorized to purchase any material for the business entity [redacted] & [redacted]). When asked about this order she denied repeatedly authorizing this purchase. **. [redacted] is no longer an employee of [redacted]. Any employee or owner of [redacted] have no responsibility for her personal decision.

Please feel free to contact **. [redacted] and collect charges from her directly if she has authorized this purchase as the response say.

Regards,

Review: Progressive Business Publications harasses our employees by trying to push "free trials" of their publications, and not disclosing the terms of the 30-day trial or the return and cancellation policy. They insist that there is nothing that needs to be done after receiving the free trial to cancel shipments. They tell you that the only thing that will be shipped is the free trial and no other publications will be sent without your authorization. Even after refusing to accept a free trial, they send the publication anyway, and there is no phone number or contact information listed on or with the shipment. They then harass our employees by phone for payment of a 12-month subscription to their publication and threaten to send the account to collections. Even after asking them several times to remove us from their solicitation listing, they still call various employees. Progressive Business Publications is unscrupulous in its business practices, and unethical in its means of soliciting customers and obtaining orders.Desired Settlement: I would like Progressive Business Publications to first adjust any and all billing that they have for our organization, and then to NEVER EVER - NOT EVER contact anyone in our organization again in this eternity or in any to come.

Business

Response:

Response for Unresolved Revdex.com Case #[redacted]

Inboxx

[redacted] <[redacted]>

3:31 PM (0 minutes ago)

to me

Good Day, Please see our updated response for case #[redacted]. Updated Comcast Response: Our records reflect that credit for the activation fee, transfer of service fee, and for the inconvenience was applied to their account on 7/3/13. These credits appear on the billing statement dated 7/21/13. The credits are itemized on the billing statement under “Other Charges & Credits”. All promised credits were applied to the account and the billing is correct. Thank you, [redacted], Regulatory Compliance Specialist[redacted] – [redacted]

Review: My agency is being charged for an internet newsletter service that I do not believe was ordered. I received a call from a collection agency, [redacted], and I said I would pay the invoice but I needed verification that the product had been ordered. They could not supply the verification email sent to acknowledge the order.

An email invoice came to an employee and she cancelled this service. She does not believe that she ordered this service.

I do have a cancellation email from to pbpinfo.com cancelling this service dated 6-2-2012Desired Settlement: Please cancel this invoice and credit $195.50; and stop collection services.

Business

Response:

September 3, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/3/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 8/22/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

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

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Mktg Asst, placed an order on 11/16/12 for our Administrative Professional Update publication. We were provided with a birth date of [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 2 4 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

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

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

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

As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 8/20/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to 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 2-different trial subscriptions had been accepted before by [redacted]. We found a trial subscription to our Internet & Marketing Report that she accepted on 4/4/12, we cancelled this account on 6/25/12. She accepted our Selling Advantage publication on 8/2/13 that we cancelled on 9/3/13. She gave us the same birth date, email and address on all 3-accounts she agreed to take on trial.

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 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 subscribers.

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

Thank you.

Review: Progressive Business Publications is send us a past due invoice for $299.00 for something we did not order. There is not even a contact number on the invoice for me to speak to someone about this issue. We would like this company to not contact Foster Corporation again and to quit invoicing for something we did not order.Desired Settlement: We would like this company to not contact Foster Corporation again and to quit invoicing for something we did not order.

Business

Response:

September 5, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/4/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 8/26/13. 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 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], Pres, placed an order on 3/22/13 for our Environmental Compliance Alert publication. We were provided with birth date information as 1/9, 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 newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.

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

As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 9/4/13 as requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.

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

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past. We found a different trial subscription entitled Supervisors Safety Bulletin dated 4/29/13 that **.[redacted] accepted and we cancelled this account on 9/4/13, also.

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

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

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

Cordially,

Review: This company continuosly send us invoices for services we did not sign up for or authorize. Furthermore today one of the sales rep called today claiming that this account was being turned over to their collections department if a payment was not made today. So I scanned a copy of the invoice to our corporate office and I was informed that this company sends invoices on a regular basics to solicite business and hoping that one of the invoices will slip through for a payment. [redacted] (sales rep) could not give me any information as to what type of services they provide for us or who gave her authorization.Desired Settlement: For this company to stop contacting us for services we did not sign up for.

Business

Response:

September 30, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/27/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/26/13. 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], H/R Mgr, placed an order on 2/27/13 for our What's New In Benefits & Compensation 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.

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 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 9/27/13 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.

Please be advised an incorrect statement made in Ms. Jefferson's complaint letter to you. She stated that "[redacted]" (sales rep) called her to advise her that her company was in collections for nonpayment of an order. "[redacted]" is not with our company but with the collection agency.

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 9-different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 1-paid in full account and other 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.

Review: They say they have record of my approval to send me letters with information that can be charged as service. They are asking for $253 for total of 6 letters that are 3 pages of information. They say that due to not cancelling service after trial period they are charging me and if not paid they will put my company on collection agency's list. This is nothing but scam over something I have no memory of ordering.Desired Settlement: cancel all bills and never to contact or send physical mails to [redacted]

Business

Response:

October 24, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 10/23/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/22/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

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

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], Maint Mgr, placed an order on 2/28/13 for our Facility Manager's Alert publication. We were provided with a birth date of 2/14, 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 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 10/23/13 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 and the information to accept a trial subscription matches this account. Further, we found 3-accounts that had been cancelled as we instructed without issue but 2-accounts went to collections and are now resolved.

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: On February 6, 2014 I received a call from a [redacted] from [redacted], claiming to be recovering payment of $299 for a subscription to a newsletter from Progressive Business Publications from April 26, 2013.

Progressive Business Publications always use this “free trial opt-out approach”. You get to see the first few newsletters and then you opt-out if you don’t want to subscribe. Why can’t they just send one free sample and the customer can opt-in if he/she chooses like any normal business.

I told [redacted] I am sure I would have sent a cancellation because I didn’t find their newsletter helpful in our type of business because 90% of our employees are not native English speakers. I hadn’t received a newsletter for some time, so I thought my cancellation was received and processed.

[redacted] then gets tough telling me that they have my d.o.b. and company e-mail address and this constitutes a legally binding verbal contract. I have no recollection of ever having given Progressive my personal details. Why would I, if I never wanted a subscription to their newsletter.

Then he gets a bit softer and tells me he can reduce the payment to $130 which is supposedly the cost of the newsletters I received before Progressive stopped sending them.Desired Settlement: 1. I want both Progressive Business Publications and [redacted] to;

a. remove any personal information about me or my company from their books,

b. cease and desist from contacting me ever again.

Business

Response:

February 27, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 2/27/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 2/7/14. 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], Safety Coord, placed an order on 4/26/13 for our Environmental Compliance 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 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 2/18/14 as they requested the same day they called us and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many, many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 17-trials for **. [redacted] himself while all other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue, except this account.

We initiated a request on 2/27/14 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.

Review: For many years this company has sent law books throughout our school district and then invoice the district for almost $300 each book. They state on their invoice that they send an annual notice a head of time and if we don't respond they will send the books. Once the book is received you have 30 days to return, however the invoice date inside the packaging has a much different date, than the arrival date therefore limiting you on the return time. The district is then required to pay for shipment back to company, including certified mailing charges to track the shipment. In the past, even once the book has been returned we were sent to collections because they stated we missed the return time.

When speaking with the publishing company, they state they never send out books unless a phone call has been made to approve a trial order. Each time, the said person denies ever receiving the phone call.

We have notified the company to take our entire school district off their system, but to no avail. Online searches show that our experience is very much NOT unique. This seems to be quite a scam, milking school districts who are already suffering economic pitfalls out of money that should be spent on our students.Desired Settlement: We would like a letter for our records that states all invoices will be eliminated and that no materials, books, letters, etc. will be sent to our school district in the future.

Business

Response:

April 10, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 4/9/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 4/7/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address and asking for the person's email or fax number so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that needs to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Dean/Athletic Dir, placed an order on 12/9/13 for our Deskbook Encyclopedia Of American School Law book and its companion newsletter. We were provided with an email address and 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.Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the book, newsletters and invoices over a 4-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 4/7/14 as requested the same day they contacted us. 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 information changes, our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, please call and we will remove that version also.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 4-paid in full accounts and all the other accounts cancelled as we instructed without issue.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter. It contains our address and telephone number. We also have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####. Thank you.Cordially yours,

Consumer

Response:

We do not accept this response, as this is the same explanation I received when I called. I've spoken with the school site and the administrator. The administrator in question is an Athletic Director with no need to purchase a $300 Education Law Handbook. She does not recall any phone conversation, nor does she recall any follow up emails, however with firewalls in place SPAM email may not be received.This exact situation also occurred to my previous office, where I was the one who was told accepted the 'preview', which I never did either. Lightening does not strike twice.I fought that bill for two years, and ended up having to sign to have our district pay for a $300 book we never requested and had returned. Because the packing slip has an earlier date than actual receipt, making the 60 day return period is also another scam.I will keep the response on file so payment cannot be demanded but want a record on file that our district does not wish to do any further business with this company. They need not send any books for 'preview' to our school district.Thank you,

Review: I recieved a call from this publication who offered me a free trial and I accepted over the phone but did stipulate that we would not be interested in a paid subscription as we have "various resources " from which we recieve safety information for our Trucking company. I did recieve statements and called them to cancel the newsletters in fear that they were going to send us a bill. We recieved a call last week from a collection agency notifying us of a debt that went to collections for $295. We were forced to pay last week. This week I recieved another newsletter and was very frustrated as they assured me we would recieve no more newsletters. I looked for a phone number on the publication and there was none. I googled the newsletter and up popped that there have been many scams on "safetycompliancealert. I found a number and gave the operator my info and disapproval of their tactics. She informed me that I called in January to order another publication.....NO WAY!! They had my birthday from the previous order and are using it again....I told her to cancel me now and forever....thaey are scamming us!!! please help...........Desired Settlement: we want no contact from these people again..stop sending us material. We are in fear of them continuing to send us and charge us anyways!!!! I did get the operator's name and informed her of our dilema. It wasn't her fault as she was only the collection agent. Her name was [redacted]...the number I phoned was ###-###-####

Business

Response:

April 24, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 4/23/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 4/15/14. 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, 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], Safety Dir, placed an order on 1/9/14 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 3-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.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. Please be advised that this account never went to the collection agency and [redacted] never received payment for this account.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 4/14/14 as requested. There is no money due or owing on this account.We initiated a request on 4/24/14 that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and most were cancelled as we instructed without issue but we found another account that [redacted] accepted on 8/12/13 entitled the Supervisor's Safety Bulletin publication. She gave us, at that time, the same birth date and email address and it was this account that went to collections for nonpayment or cancellation. We contacted the collection agency and they advised us she paid $295.00 on 4/2/14. They reinstated the subscription so that she will receive the remainder of her 1-year subscription. We placed a "Do Not Renew" on the account so that once it expires she will receive no further issues, invoices or renewal notices. There is no money due or owing on this account and once the collection agency has been paid there will be no refunds made.The statement in this complaint where [redacted] states she called and spoke to "[redacted]". Please be advised that [redacted] is one of our Customer Service Representatives and the telephone number is our main number for the company and is on the newsletter.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 (please look at the newsletter once again, on one of the bottom pages, for 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: Contacted by company about newsletter service, told them "NO" they sent publication anyway, tried to cancel but still kept coming. Then I was contact by their Collection Service for a outstanding bill of $299.00 for a service I never agreed to. When I questioned them they said because they knew my birthday that was confirmation of a sale. I contacted my company Lawyer and he is going to issue them a letter. Something needs to be done about this type of company.Desired Settlement: Stop trying to collect on a service not authorized or accepted

Business

Response:

May 29, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 5/23/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received 5/21/14. 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, 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], HR Mgr., placed an order on 10/16/13 for our Keep Up To Date On Payroll publication and he provided us with a birth date of **, 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. 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 – 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 5/23/14 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.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; 4paid in full accounts and -trial subscriptions for **. [redacted] himself. All the information we have on those trial accounts matches the account in question. Other trials were cancelled as we instructed without issue.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. 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 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 [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially yours,

Review: I received a telephone sales call in November offering free trial of selling materials that could be used to train my sales force. I was told I could cancel at any time. After receiving 2-3 mailings I decided this material did not work for us and wanted to cancel. When the next mailing was received in December, we wrote "return to sender" and "cancel" on the envelope and gave it back to our mailman. After that date, I never received another mailing. Now, eight months later, I get calls from a collection agency ([redacted]) demanding payment of an invoice I never received. They sent me a copy the invoice dated 1/13/14 that states I owe for a 12 month/ 24 issues subscription. I never received any issues after I returned the one from December but they are requiring I pay for the 24 issues.Desired Settlement: I never received the materials they are billing me for, I would like this invoice closed and for [redacted] to stop contacting our business.

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], VP/Sls, placed an order on 11/26/13 for our Selling Advantage publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted]. Prior to ending the conversation we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the 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 9/12/14 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; 1–active account that we also cancelled on 9/12/14, while others were cancelled as we instructed without issue.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we companies who place satisfaction and our do business regularly with thousands of repeated orders due to their continued 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.

Review: I started getting emails from this company with a way to unscribe option. Then they started sending a newsletter. I then get an invoice for 432$ from our purchasing department. I have never wanted or used there service. You can not bully someone and just send an invoice to the employer to pick up. I looked into reviews about this company and this is their business to be very sneaky of not connecting with prospect then sending over an unreasonable invoice.Desired Settlement: No service or product was ever used. I would like them to stop harassing myself and my company with any kind of payment owed.

Business

Response:

September 25, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/23/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/22/14. 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], Business Develop, placed an order on 6/5/14 for Our Selling Advantage 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 3-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 9/23/14 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.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: In April 2014, I received a call from Progressive Publications regarding a Grants/Funding brochure that was "free". I verbally agreed to receive the publication and it was followed up by an email that stated if I was not satisfied by the product I need to call to cancel the delivery otherwise they would charge me an annual subscription fee. This was not stated in the first phone call and the email was found in my junk folder when the CSR called to get money from me. I did not receive the publication. I received a follow up call in July from Progressive Publications to let me know that I owed them money. I told them clearly and hopefully they recorded this conversation, that I did not receive any publication. The sales rep asked if I wanted her to send them again and confirmed my address, which was correct. The sales rep was told that she can do what she wants with the previous publications but I did not receive them when I was supposed to therefore I don't want them and asked how to cancel. I am now of course receiving the publications AFTER I sent in the email to state that I never received it in the first place and to cancel. The sales rep gave me the email address, [redacted] to which I sent the following email of which I have saved and offered as proof of cancellation and non-receipt of the product to [redacted].: I have just received a letter stating that payment is overdue for a subscription. I have never logged into your website nor have I seen the newsletters. I did have a conversation with a sales rep a few months ago who gave me free access to your online publication however I never heard anything after. After searching emails, your email was in my junk inbox and much to my dismay, the free subscription, as noted in the very last sentence of your email states that the subscription would continue after 60 days. There was no mention of this in the phone call as I would have said no from the very beginning.

My organization is not able to pay nor is willing to pay $240 for a subscription that was not and will not be used. Please cancel this account. Thank you for your cooperation."

This email did not bounce back and once again, I heard nothing back. I am now being hounded by a [redacted] of [redacted] in a very aggressive manner. I have spoken to him on multiple occasions and have not avoided the calls in an effort to resolve this problem, until he began telling other employees who have answered our main line to page me or go and get me. In our second conversation, Mr. Bennett said he would talk to his legal department to see if they can reduce the settlement to $100. He came back and said that $100 would be accepted to get rid of the debt. There should not be any debt. I didn't receive a product but he said that all he knows is that Progressive Publications sold this debt to them and that's a Progressive Publication problem. He is now calling 3-6 times a day either directly to my phone or via other staff members. I had a staff member walk into a meeting to tell me he wants me on the phone NOW. I told him when I spoke to him a few days ago that I was having to talk to my CFO and CEO about what we going to do and the decision was made on Friday evening to report this issue to Revdex.com for unethical practices. Again, I never received the publications and I told Progressive this very very clearly last year.

Progressive Publications did not deliver the product promised in the 60 day time frame. This is an unacceptable practice. Never in my years on the job have I seen such an appalling lack of business ethics and to boot, we are a charity.Desired Settlement: I need for Progressive Publications to remove us from the call list and for ICR to stop harassing me and my staff and to drop this erroneous complaint of non-payment for a product we never received.

Business

Response:

See Attached:

Review: On August 1, 2012, a sales representative from Progressive Business Publications made a cold-call to our Customer Support Phone Line and asked one of our Customer Support Representatives to sign up for a free trial to an Accounts Payable publication. Our Customer Support Representative, unfortunately, agreed to a free trial and provided the email address to our Accounts Payable email. The Customer Support Rep never saw any email because the email address provided was not an email to which she has access. I have access to the email address unsubscribed our company from one email subscription in September 2012. Four additional emails from a company represented by Progressive Business Publications were sent to the email address, but were filtered as SPAM and not read. Today we received a call from a collections agency representing Progressive Business Publications indicating that we have a past due invoice in the amount of $299.00.

I contacted Progressive Business Publications to attempt to resolve the matter and explain the situation. I was told that we were mailed 5 invoices. I spoke with our A/P Manager who indicated that she discarded the invoices as junk mail, as she did not recognize the company name nor product. All purchases in our company must be made through approved vendors and with a purchase order. Our A/P Manager knew that we would not make a purchase through Progressive Business Publications.

I was told that they could take our account out of collections for $130.00. I told the representative that we would not make a payment of $130.00, or any other amount, as we never requested any publication from their company, nor does the Customer Support Representative who agreed to a free trial have any authorization to make any purchases. I was told that, because of my refusal to pay $130.00, our account would remain in collections.

This is an absolutely absurd way to make money. This company called our Customer Support Line and swindled our representative into providing information. If you search for this company on the internet you will see many other complaints of this nature. The front page of their website even has a link to a page called "Received an Invoice". It is clear to me that this company operates on fraudulent principles and attempts to scam companies into paying for a service or product that they never wanted.Desired Settlement: I would like the $299.00 invoice to be removed from our account and for a note to be placed in our account stating that Progressive Business Publications is never again to contact [redacted]

Review: I have received an invoice for a product I was told would not cost me anything. I was asked if I was authorized to accept a free publication on behalf of my employer. I said "only if there is no cost." Now we are being billed $299.00 and I have never seen an issue of the publication. When they call they ask if they can verify the address information for your free publications which apparently cost $299.00. I did not request your publication. It was my understanding that your company was trying to send us information regarding your company. I did not agree to any monetary compensation.Desired Settlement: This is horrible. For myself I want the account to be adjusted to $0.00 and to be closed. Furthermore I would like this company to be restricted from ever contacting our place of business. For the rest of the country I think that they should not be able to conduct business the way they are.

Business

Response:

September 30, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/30/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/27/13. 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 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], Office Mgr, placed an order on 7/29/13 for our Quality Manager's Alert publication. We were provided with birth date information as 10/13, as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

The 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 9/30/13 as she requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.

We initiated a request on 9/30/13 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 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.

We did receive a call on 9/30/13 01:05 PM (EST) from [redacted] (she spoke to our Customer Service Manager) and verified all the information we have for her is correct but wanted her company suppressed from our records. We will do that if she sends us a letter with all company information, including all telephone numbers, zip codes and if they have multi-addresses, all those must be listed so that our computers will have all the information required to suppress properly.

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

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

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

Cordially,

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.

I do however feel that this businesses practices are under handed. When I was contacted by their company I was asked if I could accept a free publication on behalf of my employer. My response was "only if it would not cost any money". At no time was I told this was a trial period. I don't doubt email newsletters, confirmations and invoices were likely sent but weeded out with other unwanted solitations. This is still in my opinion dishonest business practice.

Review: On October 30, 2013, I had gotten a call from [redacted] with [redacted] (I filed a complaint as well on this day) regarding an invoice that wasn't paid in the amount of $299. [redacted] refused to send me the invoice unless I was going to pay for it via credit card or overnight a check. She spoke with my supervisor and then she faxed him the invoice. I had called Progressive Business Publications and spoke with a [redacted] and had explained to her that this collection agency was calling me about an invoice that I didn't know about. She told me that I had accepted the trial offer in March. I don't recall this. She did send me the invoice, I still don't recall receiving the invoice. She proceeded to tell me that I was told that once I received the invoice if I wanted to discontinue that I needed to write the word "Cancel" and return the invoice. Still not aware of this. She sent me the email that I should have received in March, still it didn't ring a bell. [redacted] had then called me to see if I had received the invoice that she sent me, which I did, she then asked if I received the email showing that I had accepted the trial offer and she asked me if it rang a bell. I told her "NO". I then asked her about [redacted] and she told me that they were a collection agency for them. I told her they were constantly calling us and she told me not to answer the phone. I had also asked [redacted] to remove me so I would not be called or receive any type of email. I wanted this cancelled. Since all this had taken place, my supervisor asked me to pay [redacted] $130 for the "settlement" and that my account would be closed, which I did. I was not comfortable with this. I have since received the credit card statement showing that it went to (or it's in the name of) Progressive Business Publications. I want our money back. I want it from either [redacted] of Progressive Business Publications. Now, this morning, November 1, 2013, I have received an email on the item that I told them to cancel my subscription or whatever you want to call it. I immediately emailed [redacted] and told her to remove my name. I want a credit on our card for $130.Desired Settlement: I want a refund on our corporate card and I want them to remove my name from their list, I don't want them to call me and I don't want any of their emails!!!!

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 11/1/13. After review of our detailed electronic records, we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

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

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Reg. Assoc, placed an order on 3/22/13 for our Environmental Compliance Alert publication and she provided us with an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our electronic records show that the confirmation letter went through without any problems.

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

Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer 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 11/4/13 and they advised us that they have received payment for issues served ($130.00) on 10/30/13. They have marked this account "Settled Satisfactorily". There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account. Once the collection agency receives payment for issues already sent there can be no refunds.

We have initiated a request on 11/4/13 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 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; we found a current publication that is paid and has been a subscriber since 2005.

All but [redacted]'s account had been cancelled without issue.

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 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.

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 fine to me. This will never happen again and I will make sure that everyone knows NOT to accept anything from this company again.

Regards,

Review: The Center for Education and Employment Law alleges to have sent us a book, which they are attempting to bill us for and which they have turned us over to a collection agency, [redacted], to collect. The book was neither ordered, nor delivered, to us, and we have indicated that to the company over telephone calls.Desired Settlement: [redacted] and The Center for Education and Employment Law need to reverse the charges for the item we did not order or receive, and they need to stop their unethical business practices.

Business

Response:

November 14, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of [redacted]/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 11/13/13. 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], Facilities Dir, placed an order on 3/20/13 for

our Keeping Your School Safe & Secure: A Practical Guide book and its companion newsletter. We were provided with a birth date of [redacted], as well, as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our 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 book, newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by **. [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation reguests. 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 11/14/13 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 book portion of the account.

While researching this complaint we did find that on 7/24/13 they did cancel the newsletter portion of the account via U.S. mail.

In continuing to search, we did not find any contact regarding the book. We did find several different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and they are aware of our cancellation policy; we did find 1-paid in full account and others cancelled as instructed without issue except the book portion of 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

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.

Regards,