Progressive Business Publications

Review: I did not authorize this company to send me materials, they did anyway however. It took me four times contacting them to finally get a return label for their materials. I sent these back over a month ago and I am still receiving invoices. In fact the fifth notice says "pay now to avoid any service charges. Thereafter, the bill is immediately due and unpaid bills are referred to a collection agency."Desired Settlement: I would like to be completely removed from this company's data base and not ever contacted again.

Business

Response:

July 10, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 7/9/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 7/8/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth date and asking for the person’s email or fax number so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Sfty/Security Asst, placed an order on 2/24/14 for our Keeping Your School Safe & Secure: A Practical Guide book and its companion newsletter. 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 book, 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 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 .As a courtesy we cancelled both the newsletter and book on 4/11/14 as they requested via U. S. Mail. There is no money due or owing on the account.We initiated a request on 7/9/14 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 a few different trial subscriptions had been accepted before and those accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue. Our records show that we were only contacted once on 5/19/14 @10:13 AM (EST) regarding the account in question not four times as [redacted] states in this complaint and we sent a "Postage Paid" label to her at that time.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All Of Our contact information is in our newsletter and it Contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted]. Thank you.SYLVIA *. N

Review: We were told that we have been turned over to a collections company. Our school is being billed for products that we did not authorize nor did we recieve. We only purschase materials with purchase orders and need at least two signatures for the purchase to be processed. I asked for a signed document and they hung up on me. The person that they say they talked to and got his birthdate does not know anything about this.Desired Settlement: Take this so called order off their books.

Business

Response:

August 21, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 8/20/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 8/14/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the person’s birth date and asking for the person’s email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Principal, placed an order on 1/22/14 for our Keeping Your School Safe & Secure : A Practical Guide book and its companion newsletter. He provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the Conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same Computer system sent the book, newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus 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 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 contacted the collection agency on 8/20/14 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 and all were cancelled as we instructed without issue except this account.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of Companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially Yours,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: I agreed to receive a "sample" newsletter from Progressive Business Publications. Contrary to what I was told by the salesperson, in actuality, receiving this sample meant agreeing to a annual subscription which could be cancelled (for 60 days) if I did not find the product worth while. Not finding the product worthwhile, I took no action. I have since received a bill for a subscription which I did not authorize. This company has been difficult to contact and I have missed the window set for cancellation. I would not have agreed to receive the sample if the salesperson had presented the real offer. This is fraudulent and deliberately deceptive sales practice.Desired Settlement: To cancel my subscription without monetary penalty as the terms of the agreement were misrepresented.

Business

Response:

September 22, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/22/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/18/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth date and asking for the person’s email 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], Development Coord, placed an order on 5/16/14 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage publication. We were provided with birth date information as 12/5, 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. 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 9/18/14 as requested. There is no money due or Owning on the account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 8 different ``no risk” subscriptions had been accepted before and all other accounts 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 our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter. It contains Our address and telephone number. We also have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast–to–coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: I have received a third and forth notice regarding over past due amounts owed for a newsletter and subscription site that I did not approve in 2014. I receive these notices annually without using or receiveing any newsletters or using a subscription site. I have sent a cancellation and called to cancel, but I still receive these notices. I sent the last invoive dated 9-11-14 with Cancelled and contacting Revdex.com on the notice.Desired Settlement: Take my business [redacted] and [redacted] OFF their list and no further contact is requested.

Business

Response:

September 22, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/22/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/18/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding Our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth date and asking for the person’s email 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], Exec Dir, placed an order on 4/11/14 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding 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 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 9/22/14 as requested. There is no money due or owning on the account.We initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If the company’s name is misspelled or the zip code incorrect, our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, please call and we will remove that version too.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found [redacted] had 1–other "no risk” Subscription in 2005 and that was cancelled as we instructed.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter. It contains our address and telephone number. We also have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially Yours,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: Previously requested to be taken off their lists last year. They called earlier in the year and told us we were getting a free trail but did not reiterate what company they were on the phone and after 2 notices of a fee due and multiple emails that I want us removed from all lists and charges will not be paid I am at my wits end. This last bill came to us but has the wrong street address!!Desired Settlement: Have all companies with our name in [redacted] removed from their lists. (ALL their lists)

Business

Response:

October 9, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 10/9/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 10/6/14. After researching this complaint, we would like to respond with the following explanation.We are a publisher who, from time-to-time, sends out promotional mailings of our publications for companies to review. We sent such a promo mailing for the “Safety Compliance Alert” newsletter to the Safety Director of [redacted] on 9/4/14.We send out 2 issues and then a "Conversion Notice” that states, "This is not a bill". We send out the conversion notice to see if the company would like to change to a regular one-year subscription. If we do not get a response the newsletter stops, assuming the company is not interested. There is never any money due or owing on this type of promotional mailing. Also, this type of account expires of its own volition. In this case the account was cancelled on 10/9/14 as requested.We did request that the name, address and telephone be removed from our computer files.This action takes approximately 30 days to complete. In business, we hesitate to say they will never receive another telephone offer or mailing. If the company name is misspelled or the zip code different our computers may not recognize it and something will go out. If that should happen, please call us and we will happy to remove that version, too.If you require further help, please do not hesitate to contact us at [redacted]. Thank you.Cordially,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: Initially we were contacted by [redacted] in regards to Progressive Business Publications filing with the credit agency for collection of monies billed to us, [redacted]. When the credit agency contacted us in regards to this, we were unaware of the situation and had no idea what they were talking about. Apparently, Progressive Business Publications contacted us (false) in regards to sending a newsletter to help us expedite our accounts receivable process. We are a small business and are in no need of such information. In order for my clerk to OK this she would have to have talked to me first and I would of had to of given the OK, which none of this took place. We don't know how Progressive thinks they got the OK to do this. When I spoke with the representative from [redacted]. she claims she has a transcript of the conversation between my clerk and someone at Progressive. Anyone can falsify a transcript. My clerk never spoke with the Progressive Business Publication person, nor did she OK anything to be purchased from them without my permission.Desired Settlement: I would like the company to stop harassing us for payment of something we never OK'd or are in receipt of. I would also like the credit agency to stop harassing us as well.

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: This company has sent their publication "Facility Manager's Alert" without it being ordered and is now sending invoices.Desired Settlement: Cease sending this unordered and unwanted publication and do not send invoices that will not be paid.

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: They sent an invoice stating payment was overdue for a subscription to Safety Compliance Alert which was unsolicited.Desired Settlement: I believe this company should be forcefully closed because of their unethical practices.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

Complaint ID [redacted]

I spoke to Chief [redacted] about this invoice before making the complaint. Chief [redacted] informed me that he did not remember ordering any such magazine and asked me to give the business a call to try to find out what the invoice was for. I took the liberty of responding on his behalf as his administrative assistant. I accept this business's response as long as they keep their word to not charge us for the unwanted product and to discontinue any future communications. Thank you.

Regards,

Review: Progressive Business Publications has sent us to collections with [redacted] recovery for a magazine subscription that we never received and never agreed to receive. They have lied and said that they have confirmation from the post master that their subscription was sent to our address, but have failed to produce this evidence. They have failed to provide validation of the debt in accordance with the FDCPA.

We have never received a single newsletter in the mail or via email. They have changed the amount they are trying to collect from $170 to $299. We have never provided them an authorization for a subscription or any payment information. They are making multiple phone calls everyday to everyone in the office, dialing multiple extensions, and threatening our employees with legal action. I will be filing a complaint with the Attorney General. This company is engaging in a SCAM to extort money from people and businesses for fear of negative impacts on their credit scores. They need to be investigated, shut down, and prosecuted.Desired Settlement: Cease and desist in your efforts to collect this fraudulent debt. Cease and desist all efforts to contact our employees.

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: This company is attempting to collect for Progressive Business Publications for a subscription. We have not authorized any such purchase from this company.Desired Settlement: Please remove our company name from records and stop contacting us.

Business

Response:

April 24, 2014Thank you for your email of 4/23/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 4/21/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the persons birth date and asking for the persons email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], Project Mgr., placed an order on 9/18/13 for our Safety Compliance Alert publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the Conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a -month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by **. [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as undeliverable. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industrys general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after -months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 4/23/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 3-trial subscriptions had been accepted before; l-account was 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 with thousands of companies who regularly place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it Contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour 7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted]Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

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

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

Regards,

Review: We recieved an Invoice from Progressive Bussiness Publications dated 12-8-12 in the amount of $561.60 for a one year subscription to THE SELLING ADVANTAGE. This invoice stated that our account was over 90 days past due. We did not order this subscription and this was the first notice. Was going to call company, but no phone number was listed on the invoice. Then we recieved another Invoice dated 1-12-13 stating that this was a Final Notice. On 2-26-13, we received a call from [redacted], a collection agency, questioning payment. We do not owe this. We did not authorize subscription or are we recieving the subscription of this magazine.Desired Settlement: A letter stating that we do not owe this amount to Progressive Business Publications and/or [redacted]

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: I received a call yesterday from [redacted]. They told me that I have a debt with Progressive Business Publications and it was turned over to them for collection. They said I authoriized a one year's subscritption to "what's new in benefits and compensation" over the telephone in August 2013. I never authorized anything from Progressive Business Publications. I have to file this very same complaint with the Revdex.com several years ago for the same reason.

The lady at [redacted] was very rude on the phone and demanded I make a payment over the telephone. I told her that I wouldn't pay anyting until I saw a bill. She faxed the bill to me earlier today. The charges are bogusDesired Settlement: I want the harrassmet to stop -- this is the second time I have had to file a complaint with this company. I never authorized any publications and I never received 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]

I am rejecting this response because:

This is the second time I have had to file a complaint with this company. I did not accept their offer. My birthday is not 4/8 and the address that was on the statement I recieved from them is not my address.

Regards,

Review: We received an 'overdue' invoice for $240 for a publication that we never ordered and, to the best of our knowledge, have never received. I tried to call the company, but cannot speak with a human.

I looked up the company in question and it appears to have an 'F' rating from the Revdex.com for business practices such as this.Desired Settlement: To have them stop contacting us (and stop trying to scam other institutions)

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Progressive Business Publication kept sending invoices for the service we did not ask for. They even sent the case to [redacted] to ruin our business credibility.Desired Settlement: Restore [redacted] company credit and stop contacting with [redacted]

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: On July 10th 2013 I received a call from collection agency named [redacted]. Collecting a balance on behave of Progressive Business Publication for the amount of $198.00. They stated that I agree to receive a monthly newsletter for our office. First and for most I dont remember speaking to anyone from that company and if I did, I wouldn't make such decision without the physicians consent. We never received an invoice nor a newletter from this company. Is amazing how some companies take advantage of people, they probably called at the most busy time of the day and forgot to mentioned that their was a fee...This is unacceptableDesired Settlement: I will like Progressive Business Publication to take full responsibility for this invoice and I will also like for [redacted] to stop collecting a payment of a servive that was never rendered.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: At my workplace, this company solicited me to sign up for a newsletter which I didn't want. I told them repeatedly that I didn't want it. The salesperson was relentless, and badgered me. If I accepted a free trial, it was to get them to leave me alone. We have no need of the newsletter and had no interest in having it on a subscription basis. Now they're billing my company for $195.50 for newsletters that I never ordered, do not want, and have no need for. They're not only billing us, but have turned us over to a credit agency which is now calling us. The "credit agency" is [redacted]. located in [redacted], NY. Their # is [redacted] As I've discovered, this is a scam they're famous for, and we got caught up in it. They are saying the fact that they have my birthdate means I authorized payment, which I did not.Desired Settlement: Cancel the invoice and charges and if they're sending newsletters, stop. I want them to stop calling us about the invoice, to withdraw their request for payment, to clear our record with any credit (or other) agency they have involved in this, and to stop contacting our company regarding this or any future transactions.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Whan called by the sales rep for Progressive Business Publications, the rep asked if we would be interested in receiving their productI explained that we were not interested and that we did not want their productShe proceeded and would not take "NO" for an answerWe have responded that we are not interested in the product, nor do we want their product or serviceWe have received several invoices, and never received any productWe are currently attempting to dispute the invoices and have retained council.Desired Settlement: If an organiaztion wants to be reputable, they should at least honor their potential cutomers wishesContinued harassment does not fair well to gain customersExcellent customer service should be a companies number one priority that will be the leading edge in competition with like companiesVoid the invoice, reverse the charges, and don't ever contact our company or any of their affiliates again
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 responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
Review: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
I accept that they have cancelled our subscription, however their business billing practices seems sketchyCase in point:
I never received the "initial invoice." It was not until the "2nd Notice" that I received this invoice (dated 07/18/2013)Additionally, the email address that they have on file for me is incorrect as noted in the "2nd Notice." Moreover, we only started receiving their product as of 08/06/when their invoice indicates that they had mailed out issues and that we have had access to KeepUpToDateonPayroll.com for weeksAs of this email, I have received a second newsletter, and have never had access to their website until access information was noted again (which I have not accessed, nor do I want to access) on the "2nd Invoice." We are a small office of employees, I highly doubt my mail has been lost or given to someone else

Review: User was not aware of obligation for subscription. The sales practices of this company are unethical and the end-user feels pressured to respond to an open-ended contract. Our company was contacted by a collections agency on 09/05/13 for a past due bill, concerning this subscription. Our company has been is business for 18 years and have never had any contact with a company with such unethical sales practices. We do not feel that we should have to pay the $195.50 the collections agency is trying to collect for this company (Progressive Business PublicationsDesired Settlement: Delete the charge of $195.50 and never, ever contact anyone with our company about anything ever again.

Business

Response:

September 9, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/9/13 regarding the above reference complaint that you received on 9/5/13. 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], A/A, placed an order on 1/31/13 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 computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

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

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

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

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

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 9/9/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

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

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 4-different trial subscriptions had been accepted before by **. [redacted], all information matches what we were given to start this trial subscription and the 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: Company has repeatedly invoiced the Northern Tier Library for a publication that was never ordered or received called Foundation and Corporate Funding Advantage. They have sent us 5 notices with threat of using a collection agency. The publication was never ordered of authorized.Desired Settlement: Please discontinue billing notifications and apologize for continued harassment.

Business

Response:

October 3, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 10/2/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/1/13. 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, asking for the month and day of the person's birth and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], Dir, placed an order on 3/15/13 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage publication. We were provided with a birth date of 11/3, as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

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

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

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

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

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 10/2/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found several trial subscriptions were accepted before; 2-paid in full accounts and 1-different trial subscription that was accepted by **. [redacted] for which he gave us all the same information to start a trial but he did cancel that account without issue. The other accounts were cancelled properly, also, 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: This company has harassed our business saying that we ordered their publication and never paid for it. We have never heard of it and no one from our company authorized this company to send us their publication. We finally ended up paying the $299 because they have harassed us so badly that we just wanted it to go away. We paid the bill Aug 27, 2013 ( which was for 24 publications) and now they are sending me letters that my renewal is past due and I know owe them $299 again.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund and for them to leave us alone. We are trying to run a business, but it makes it very difficult when they call constantly bothering our employees.

Business

Response:

October 10, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 10/10/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/9/13. 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 8/28/12 for our Keep Up To Date On Accounts Payable publication. We were provided with a birth date of 6/23, 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 10/10/13 and they advised us that they did receive payment ($299) on 9/5/13. They have marked the account "Settled Satisfactorily" and have reinstated the account so that **. [redacted] will get the remaining issues of the 1-year subscription. A "Do Not Renew" notice was placed on the account so that once it expires there will be no further issues, invoices or renewal notices sent.

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. There can be no refunds made on this account.

We initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process once the account expires. 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.

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

Thank you.