Progressive Business Publications

Review: I was contacting over the phone regarding signing up for a newsletter. I said sure, but I was not told that I would be billed. I get a lot of pamplets/information because of my job title and certification, so I did not realize that this would be billed. I now have a bill that I will not pay.Desired Settlement: They should disclose the cost. I get information for free because of my position or my title and I didn't realize that they charged for this service. Nor did I realize how expensive the publication was. I will not pay this bill.

Business

Response:

September 22, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/22/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received 9/18/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on-line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the person’s birth and asking for the person’s email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Fin Mgr., placed an order on 3/12/14 for our CFO & Controller 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 5-month period of time.Thus goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent. Our computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as `undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5 months, 2 warning notices, plus an additional 30-day "wait period” the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 9/18/14 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to the account being turned over for collection. There is no money due or owing on this account. We did discuss that matter the same day they called (9/19/14 @ 11:35AM EST). They advised us that they disregarded the invoices and that the information to start the no risk subscription is, indeed, correct. They were told that we did cancel the account with the collection agency at that time.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 no risk subscriptions had been accepted before; 6-paid in full accounts while others were cancelled as we instructed without issue.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and 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 [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially Yours,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: We called to cancel this service within the time period stated on the notices. NO ONE has answered the calls or returned the calls. We have only spoken to a voicemail. We have answer sent numerour emails to cancel. The time has long passed the cancellation period they allow and they are now looking to collect $230.00 which my company WILL not pay. This company is very much a scam. NO one should have to go through this much trouble to cancel an account.Desired Settlement: We would like for them to cancel the service..STOP sending me emails. And to reverse the $230 charge, that was canceled MONTHS ago.

Business

Response:

September 18, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/16/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/15/14. 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 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 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], Payroll Mgr, placed an order on 3/25/14 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 liberal60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problemsThe 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 writeCANCEL 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 9/15/14 as they requested the same day they contacted us. 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 a few different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and those accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place "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 ###-###-####.Thank you.Cordially,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Consumer

Response:

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

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: We did contact the company in writing and when we still received invoices we tried calling(leaving voicemails because no one would answer) and emailing. We received ZERO response. We appreciate them canceling the account on the 15th of September, we just do not feel the facts given are accurate.

Regards,

Review: Received a call from "[redacted]" claiming to be a collections dept calling on behalf of "Progressive Business Publications." The caller claimed that they required payment today to avoid my company being sent to collections for unpaid invoices for a newsletter from Progressive Business Publications. They claimed I'd ordered the newsletter over a year ago and they had "phone records to prove it." I did not order anything. When they called again, I told them "I did not order anything and I will not pay anything." They claimed I'd "changed my story" and hung up. They tried to bully me into paying a fradulent charge by claiming they had phone records of me and citing my birth date as confirmation of the transaction. I did not agree to receive any publication and I did not receive any invoices (as they claimed) for these publications.Desired Settlement: Removal of my company from any mailing or call list for this company or their "collections" branch.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

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

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

Regards,

Review: We received a phone call on 3/27/2013 from [redacted]. stating that we had been turned over for collections for non-payment of an invoice from Progressive Business Publications for a subscription to Administrative Professional Update. This is a subscription that no one in our organization had ordered and we have not received one issue. The collection agency stated that the owner of the company placed the order. I asked for proof that he placed the order and was told that he gave a 4 digit code to authorize the purchase. I asked for the 4 digit code, which was the owners birthdate. The owner never ordered this subscription and we have to this date never received the subscription or a bill.Desired Settlement: To have Progressive Business Publications notify [redacted] that this is not an outstanding debt and remove the balance from our account.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Since filing the complaint, I have spoke with a representative of the organization and they have settled the account.

Regards,

Review: Our company receives a lot of flyers/brochures in the mail on a daily basis by people/companies trying to get us to buy their products or magazines. We received a couple flyers by Progressive Business Publications and they were tossed out just like any other soliciting mail would have been. Today I received an invoice via U.S. Postal Service that states it's are 3rd notice and to pay before service charges are applied. First off, we never ordered any type of publication from these people, secondly, I contacted our sales dept and asked our salesman [redacted] if he ordered anything because they are stating that he did and that they know his birthdate. He stated he doesn't know how they got his d.o.b. because he would never give personal information out to an unknown company plus he never ordered anything from them; which would make sense since he does not have the authority to order anything without the okay of our Manager. They are claiming we owe them $255.60, and we do not because WE NEVER ORDERED ANYTHING FROM THEM!Desired Settlement: We do not want this company sending us anything or contacting us in any way. Plus we want this bogus invoice (invoice# [redacted] to be cleared off of their books and stop harassing us and other people for payment on stuff that was never ordered to begin with!

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

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

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. But be aware that a lot of what was said in their response was complete flat out lies. And I also attached a copy of one of their issues that was sent. If you can't spot their contact info it's because they put it in extreme fine print at the very bottom purposly so people don't see it right away or assume it's not listed. Very shady company that does nothing but scam other companies. I also found out our sales department did send back one of there issues with, "we are not interested, please take us off your list." yet they still continued to send stuff that nobody ever signed up for.

Regards,

Review: Several months ago I signed up for a trial month of Safety Compliance Alert issues - It ended up being something that I was not interested in so I called prior to the month expiration and cancelled the trial and service. This dates back to March 2014 time frame. In April I called back to complain that I am still recieving daily emails on Safety topics however if I click anywhere in the email it just takes me to a billing page where they are asking me to join for $299 - I asked them then to remove me from their system as I was not interested.

Since March, I have honestly lost track of how many calls I have made not to mention how many people I have personally talked to - each time I was told they would remove me from the system - next call, oh well they only removed you from this or that so I will remove you from here, and so on - needless to say, I am still having the same issue - one of the representatives even had me forward her the emails that I had been getting in attempt to fix the problem. I'm sure she was only looking for one but I have been sending them every time I get one in hopes that she too would be just as annoyed and help get the problem resolved faster. No luck, nearly 2 weeks ago now, I once again called them asking for a supervisor as I am fed up and want my information 100% removed from their system to resolve this issue or I would be contacting Revdex.com - I never did get a supervisor but was put back in touch with a previous customer service rep who just once again told me she has been incontact with her supervisor and the IT department and would call me back as soon as she hears from them - I still have no response and am still recieving daily emails from them.Desired Settlement: stop contacting me

Business

Response:

November 6, 2014Dear [redacted]:We received your email of 11/6/14 and we researched this complaint and we found that this account was, indeed, cancelled as requested on 1/28/14.We found that she was only receiving "email updates".Further, we are suppressing the name, address and telephone number from our computers. This action takes approximately 30-days to complete. In business we hesitate to say she will never receive another mailing, 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 have done everything that was requested and feel thiscomplaint has been resolved. Please let this response reflect in your files. Thank you.Cordially,Sylvia *. N[redacted]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].

Although I find it interesting that I had to go this route to actually get my information removed, their so called "email updates" that were being sent every single day for months on end have finally ceased and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Regards, [redacted]

Review: Progressive Business Publications is billing [redacted] for a subscription that [redacted] (me) did not order.Desired Settlement: Stop billing [redacted] anmd stop sending any publication.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: I received a call from [redacted], presenting themself as collection agency, telling me that I subscribed to receive Information Technology Adviser from Progressive Business Publications and I owed $299. They left a voicemail on a phone publicly available in the office I share with other people.

I called Progressive Business Publications, [redacted] was initially unable to find my account. After repeating all my information she did find the account, said that they sent 10 issues of the newsletter and 5 bills, that I failed to opt out and had to pay $299. As a favor she could settle for an immediate payment of $130 for the 10 issues. I do not remember subscribing, I did see in the mail few numbers, definitely not 10, of Information Technology Adviser, I thought it was a free infomercial as many other I receive. I did not receive any invoice.Desired Settlement: I would like the collection to be dropped as the service was not requested and to not be bothered anymore.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Progressive Business Publications called about 8 months ago and asked if I would test their publication 'Quality Manager's Alert', for free. My only obligation was to provide feedback about the quality of the product, when they called. The only call I received was from a collection agency for $299.oo.Desired Settlement: Return the money.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: I dont recall this company calling us but they say they have records of contacting us in January of this year. I have never received any invoice from them. Yesterday I got a call from the internal credit recovery about this. I called them and they told me this is the final request and I would have to pay $299 for the stuff I ordered. I never placed an order. They are saying I need to send payment to them.Desired Settlement: I just want them to void out this false invoice.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: I received a phone call from [redacted], a fraudulent debt collection agency, saying that I owed Progressive Business Publications $240.00 for an unpaid yearly subscription to their "Foundation and Corporate Funding Newsletter." I never subscribed to this newsletter; I never received the newsletter.

Business

Response:

August 22, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 8/22/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 8/20/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include 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], Program Dir, placed an order on 12/14/12 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage publication and we were provided with an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation 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. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.

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

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

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 8/21/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

While researching this complaint we did find a "memo" on the account dated 8/21/13 04:42 PM (EST)that we spoke to someone named "[redacted]"; we advised her that we had ceased collections as they requested and she hung up the telephone on our Manager.

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: Back in March 2013 I received a call from a representative advertising subscriptions to the newsletter Keep Up to Date on Accounts Payable. I consistently told the rep I was uninterested because at a previous job they had issues with this company. After several minutes of me saying I was not interested she proceeded to tell me it was a free newsletter. Once I heard "free" I said ok you can send me the free publication. She requested my birth date and some other things which I cannot remember right now. She never explained I had 60 days to cancel a subscription. I never agreed to a subscription at all! I did, however agree to the free newletter. A few months have gone by and I receive a call from a representative by the name of [redacted] who tells me that our company now owes $299! She claimed that there were emails sent explaining the subscription also that the call was recorded and because they have my birth date we are responsible for this amount. I disputed this charge with her by asking to hear the call or by receiving a copy of the "emails" that were sent out explaining the 60 day rule. The rep has called everyone here, including our President, VP and HR Director. She then calls and says she can knock the amount down to $139, WHAT????

I am disappointed because we are a non-profit company and do not appreciate being swindled when the facts were never clearly stated in the beginning. Now I look bad because my officers are thinking I am wasting money when it is not the case at all. I do not think we should have to pay an erroneous charge that was not explained properly, but instead mislead to believe what I was receiving was free of charge!Desired Settlement: My company has collectively decided this is not an amount we should pay. We do not want to pay the alleged amount owed, nor do we ever want to be contacted by this company again!

Business

Response:

November 11, 2 013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 11/11/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/29/13. 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/P Mgr, placed an order on 2/26/13 for our Keep Up To Date On Accounts Payable 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 11/11/13 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 3-different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 1-paid account that currently exists and all other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue except this account.

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

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

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

Thank you

Review: On April 25, 2013, an employee of [redacted], Inc. was contacted by Environmental Compliance Alert and asked if she would like to receive free safety information by mail.She accepted the free offer. On May 30, 2013, [redacted], Inc. received a bill of $299.00 from Progressive Business Publications for a 12 month safety information subscription through Environmental Compliance Alert. [redacted], Inc. has a company policy of only approving expenses by issuing a signed purchase order number to the vendor. No purchase order has been issued to Environmental Compliance Alert or Progressive Business Publications.

We have received several past due notices from this company, none with any contact information listed other than a mailing address. On October 16, 2013, I sent a letter by certified mail informing Progressive Business Publications that we do not acknowledge the expense as they were not given an approved purchase order number by our company.

On November 14, 2013, I received a call from [redacted] in a collections department seeking payment of $299.00. After explaining to her that we did not issue permission for this expense, she informed me that Progressive Business Solutions had an employee's name and date of birth, both of which entitled them to payment.

After searching the internet for information regarding this company, I see that hundreds of businesses across the country have similar complaints against this company. I strongly feel that Progressive Business Publications are operating a scam over the phone and through the mail.Desired Settlement: No money will be paid to Progressive Business Publications for unsolicited materials. We wish this company or any related companies to never contact us again.

Business

Response:

November 18, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 11/15/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 11/14/13. 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], Safety Officer, placed an order on 4/25/13 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. 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 11/18/13 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 many different subscriptions had been accepted before; 3-different trial subscriptions for [redacted] herself (all information to start a trial subscription matches what we have for the account we ceased), there was 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.

Review: We have received a bill for $299 for a subscription. We did not order a subscription. We suspect this is a scam.Desired Settlement: Check this company out. They are billing for unwanted and unordered services.

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 11/18/13. 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], Principal, placed an order on 8/23/13 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 **. [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 11/21/13 as requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.

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

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 if you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Review: We were billed for a product we never purchased and the company sent it to a "collection agency" ([redacted] of [redacted], **), which has been harassing us with phone calls, faxes, etc...Desired Settlement: stop contacting me

Business

Response:

December 12, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 12/11/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 12/10/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

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

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], H/R Dir, placed an order on 6/6/13 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. 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 12/11/13 when we received a call from their attorney (he did verify that all the information we have is correct) and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you.

Review: TRIED THEIR 'TRIAL' AND DECIDED TO CANCEL RIGHT AFTER THE FIRST ISSUE. WENT ON-LINE AND SENT AN EMAIL TO THE EMAIL ON THE WEBSITE. AT THE END OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION, WE RECD A PHONE CALL FROM A CREDIT AGENCY STATING THAT IF WE DID NOT PAY THE $200+ BILL FROM THE PUBLICATION, THEN IT WOULD BE PLACED IN COLLECTIONS. I EXPLAINED THAT I CANCELLED THIS PUBLICATION AND THE CREDIT REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT I DID NOT CANCEL IT IN THE CORRECT MANNER. SHE SAID THAT I HAD TO CHECK A SMALL BOX ON THE LAST PAGE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION TO CANCEL AND I HAD NOT DONE THAT SO THE BILL NEEDED TO BE PAID. WE RELUCTANTLY PAID THE BILL AND I CLEARLY STATED THAT WE WANTED TO PUT A STOP TO THE PUBLICATIONS AND WANTED NOTHING MORE TO DO WITH THIS AGENCY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE NOTED ON OUR PAYMENT. MONTHS GO BY AND I KEEP GETTING THE PUBLICATION!! I CALLED, EMAILED, WROTE CANCEL ON THE PUBLICATION AND SENT IT BACK, AND LEFT MESSAGES TO CANCEL. HEARING NOTHING FROM THEM I KEPT TRYING TO CANCEL. I SENT ANOTHER EMAIL TODAY AND CALLED AGAIN. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE AND SHE SAID IT WAS CANCELLED AND A BLOCK PLACED ON IT TO NOT SEND ANYMORE.Desired Settlement: I WOULD LIKE A REFUND OF OUR INTITIAL INVESTMENT AS WE TRIED TO CANCEL THE PUBLICATION DURING THE 'TRIAL' PERIOD.

Business

Response:

January 9, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 1/9/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 1/6/14. 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], Spec Programs Dir, placed an order on 3/12/13 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage 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 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 1/9/14 and they advised us that they have received payment in full on 10/31/13 for the subscription. They have marked this account "Settled Satisfactorily". They did reinstate the account so that she would get the remaining newsletters of the 1-year subscription. Once it expires there will be no further issues (3 issues left on account), invoices or renewals sent. A "do not renew" was placed on the account. 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.

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; 4-paid in full accounts and others 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 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 you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Review: I agreed to a sixty day free trial of their Administrative Professional newsletter. At the end of the sixty days, I was told I could write 'cancel' on the invoice and mail it back, no strings attached. I have a copy of the email that was sent after I spoke with the phone representative. That was in July of 2013. We received the bill in September I believe and did what they said, wrote 'cancel' on it and sent it back. We never received another invoice after cancelling. We assumed that was over, I never received any more newsletters by mail. On Feb. 17, 2014 I received a message in my voice mail from a Chris Bennett regarding an invoice that went to collections with my name attached. I don't have my name attached to any invoices as I don't do billing here at the office. I did not call it back as they didn't say what company they were from or who they were calling for, and I didn't have a clue it would be because of this Progressive Publication as I didn't order anything. I then received a call today in my voice mail when I wasn't available. This time they got thru to a Sheryl (by mistake) in our office, not me and were harassing her regarding this bill. I called Chris Bennett back then so I could hopefully put a stop to this right away. The number he left that I called was at a place called ICR, a collections agency and they were calling about the overdue invoice from Progressive Publications that was going to be sent to a legal team now. I had no idea there even was an invoice as I didn't order it and we did what I was told to do if I didn't want it continuing after the free 60 day trial. No one from Progressive Publications called to say we had an invoice due and were turning it over to a collection agency. Then this collection agency just calls out of the blue after over 6 months. At this point I have not contacted Progressive Publications because I didn't realize there was any problem until now when I get calls from ICR. I just can't believe that a company does business like this. If the company would have just called to say, "Hey, are you continuing your free newsletter and if not, please pay the bill." We could have cleared it up right then. We assume they did get the invoice with 'cancel' written on it, as we never got another invoice. They have a pretty sneaky way of doing business! I have never had this kind of a problem before. Very dishonorable company.Desired Settlement: We want them to call off the bill collector and stop calling us for something we didn't order.

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 2/27/14. 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], A/A, placed an order on 7/10/13 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 3/5/14 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 several different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 3-paid in full accounts while other accounts 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 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: This company constantly harasses me and the School District that I work for on paying for a subscription that I never ordered. They also claim that they reported it to [redacted]. It is an embarrasment to me as an employee and also I do not appreciate the rudeness of the companies representatives that constantly harass me and my boss about this matter. The representative claims they have an email they sent me and also my birthdate. When did it become legal to obtain a persons birthdate as an authorization to order a subscription? I refuse to pay for something that I did not order AND that I never received. There is a real problem with this company and the representatives that work for them!!!!Desired Settlement: I would appreciate that this company no longer contact me or the School District where I work. What do the representatives get from harassing people? They are NOT a reputable company and should be banned from this practice. What a SCAM!

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 2/26/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth 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], Plant Mgr, placed an order on 4/10/13 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 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 3/5/14 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.

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 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.

Review: We started receiving newsletters that we did not order. Then we received a statement saying we owed $299.00! The had incorrect email also. When contacted, they stated we ordered this publication, which we did not.Desired Settlement: Stop the newsletters and reverse the statement owed amount.

Business

Response:

May 8, 2014Dear [redacted] :We received your email dated /7/14, regarding the above reference complainant.In order to respond to the complaint we require further information:1. What is the name of the person who is receiving the publication? We can find nothing under complainants name.2. Did they receive an invoice? If so, what is the Account number and name of the publication?If you can obtain that information, please send it to us and we will respond to the complaint immediately.Thank you very much for any assistance you may provide.Cordially,

Review: Never requested or agreed to a Subscription Service.Desired Settlement: Stop contacting the company trying to collect money for an unsolicited subscription service.

Business

Response:

June 5, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 6/5/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received 6/4/14. 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], Environ Eng, placed an order on 2/23/12 for our Environmental Compliance Alert publication and he provided us with birth date information as ** as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show 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 – month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as undeliverable. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industrys general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 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 6/5/14 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 different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 3-paid in full accounts 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 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.