Progressive Business Publications

Review: Early in 2014 I was solicited to receive a newsletter. Today I come to find out that I owe $299 for a subscription. This was not disclosed. I did not find out until I was called for collections. Supposedly, I had invoices sent for 5 months. After explaining the situation, the collection company' employee [redacted] from [redacted] told me that it was already turned to collections and that to clear this matter I could give her my credit card number or overnight a check. I declined and she said she would talk to Progressive Business Publications to see if we could come to an agreement. Five minutes later she called back and said that if I paid $130 she could clear the whole thing. Again, I declined given that they did not have my authorization to send a subscription.Desired Settlement: I would like the company to not only stop contacting me and clear any charges but also to put these fraudulent organizations out of business.

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 review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address and asking for the 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], Sustain. Mgr., placed an order on 3/12/14 for our Environmental Compliance Alert publication and she provided us with her fax number ([redacted]) . Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the Offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked Cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.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 system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as "undeliverable”. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 10/9/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many `no risk” subscriptions had been accepted before; 6-paid in full accounts including an account for [redacted] for our Supervisor’s Safety Bulletin from 7/2010 thru 9/2013; while other accounts were cancelled as we instructed.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place "repeat” orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially 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: I did not place an order with this company. I was offered a free issue that I could evaluate and subscribe if I wanted. They misrepresented that statement. I did not subscribe and did not want any other mailings from this company. This type of fraudulent gimmicks should really be stopped.

Regards,

Review: In August 2013, the new director of safety, [redacted], received an unsolicited call from Progressive Business Publications offering a trial subscription to Safety Compliance Alert.com.

At 12:32pm on August 21, 2013, **. [redacted] received an e-mail confirmation welcoming him to the Safety Compliance Alert.com. The message provided a username and password and advised the user to reply to the e-mail with any corrections. At 1:04pm on August 21, 2013, **. [redacted] promptly sent a reply directing Progressive Business Publications to cancel the subscription.

The corporation has not received any newsletters from the Safety & Compliance Alert or Progressive Business Publications. In April of 2014, our corporation began receiving aggressive collection calls from International Credit Recovery, Inc. regarding the cancelled trial subscription.Desired Settlement: Cancel the trial subscriptions as directed on 8/21/2013. Cease and desist efforts of collection and all harassing calls from their appointed agents, International Credit Recovery Inc. Place our company on your Do Not Call list, as we do not want unsolicited calls.

Business

Response:

April 24, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 4/28/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 4/24/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the 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], Safety Officer, placed an order on 8/19/13 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. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a -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 4/28/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many trial subscriptions had been accepted before including others for **. [redacted] and all the information he gave us to start another trial subscription matches the 1st account. He had another account, too, that went to collections for nonpayment or cancellation. That account has been resolved; other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.We have 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 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.

Review: This company states that I ordered their publications and I have no record of doing so. They have my cell phone number and birthdate which I would never give to anyone over the phone. This company needs to be investigated for fraudulent business practices and also determine the method by which they obtained this information about me.Desired Settlement: They need to cease contacting me.

Business

Response:

October 6, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 10/6/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 10/1/14. 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], Superv. , placed an order on 1/29/14 for our Facility Manager’s 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. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as `undeliverable”. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 10/6/14 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 2-different ``no risk” subscriptions had been accepted before; 1–was cancelled properly and the account in question was not cancelled properly until today.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place "repeat” orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially ,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 ICR called stating that our company was going to be sent to collections for a safety newsletter from Progressive Publications they said we agreed to receive. We informed them that we did not request any such newsletter and they claimed that when they called I provided them with my dob which is the equivalence to providing a signature of approval. Never heard of that, however I do recall receiving a call from a company trying to get us to subscribe to their newsletter and I informed them that I was not interested and they requested my dob for quality control purposes in ensuring the calls were being made. They are now claiming we owe $299 if not we are going to be sent to collections.Desired Settlement: We wish that this company stops contacting us; stop scamming everyone out there; and remove the alleged debt they are trying to collect due to this scam.

Business

Response:

January 9, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of [redacted]/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 1/8/14. 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 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 Admin, placed an order on 6/7/13 for our Safety Compliance Alert publication. We were provided with a birth date of [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our records show the email went through without any problems.

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

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

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

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

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 1/9/14 and advised the agency to cease collections and to cancel the account. They have assured us that this has been done. There will be no ramifications due to the account being turned over for collection. There is no money due or owing on this account.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 2-trial subscriptions accepted by [redacted] that went to collections for nonpayment or cancellation. We have cancelled both of those accounts. Other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.

We initiated a request on 1/9/14 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 the company's name is misspelled or the zip code incorrect, our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, please call and we will remove that version too.

Please know that we do business regularly with many tens of thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.

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

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

Review: As a police chief, our police department received a sample "safety" newsletter from this publication business stating that they would be automatically sending us more issues and we would have to cancel or they would automatically bill us later. When I called customer service to tell them we were not interested in the publication beyond what was already sent as a free sample of it (and frankly, that went right in the trash) and to please remove us from their mailing address and any other lists of potential customers, a very aggressive salesperson stated that what they send are free and that they would send an email confirming such. I acknowledged that any email would be acknowledged as received, but only as free, as I had absolutely no authority to accept or cancel any type of publications for the City (municipal government) and that if they were going to send free sample publications, they better understand that it better stay free, as I was neither authorizing (or could authorize) receiving new, renewal or could cancel items. The sales representative stated that they understood this. So, imagine my surprise when we (police dfepartment, and in my name) receive an over $200 bill in the mail for such publications. I politely called and clearly reminded them of the conversation in which a negatively aggressive customer service representative stated, "too bad, a written sent back cancellation (for something I NEVER authorized to receive beyond free and clearly stated from the get go) would have been required and they were going to commence collection.' This is a completely fraudulent, unsolicited and 'bait and switch' type of company that sends to consumers unsolicited and unauthorized publications with the hopes that they can later 'send bills' for such unauthorized worthless products and it slip through an organization's billing system and get paid. This was never authorized and this company needs to be reported and disciplined for such consumer fraud practices.Desired Settlement: Also, an apology and to honor the original "no contact" request ever again. We do not acceot unsolicited products and services at this police department, We also do not have the authority to authorize such. This was made clear and, clearly, this company, either via a bad, fraudulent employee/salesperson, or the company itself, has misrepresented itself and is fraudulently billing for something we clearly told them we would not accept/pay for from the get go and told them, also clearly, do not send us anything, from the get go, that would imply or require $ now or ever in the future. We are not responsible for what we never authorized to receive beyond what anyone sends free (and at free will) to an agency/organization, esp. when told not to if it does cost $. Period.

Business

Response:

December 30, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 12/30/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 12/6/13. 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], Chief, placed an order on 8/12/13 for our Supervisor's Safety Bulletin publication. We were provided with a birth date of [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 2 4 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our 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 Chief [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it 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 12/9/13, as requested and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

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; 5-paid in full accounts and 2-other accounts accepted by Chief [redacted] (all information given to us matches the account in question); all were cancelled as we instructed without issue except this account.

We initiated a request on 12/9/13 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 you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

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

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

Although I appreciate the company stating that it has and will cease clearly wrongful solicitation, billing, and collection practices, I reject the statements that at anytime I personally ordered or authorized this publication.

This company purchases potential government agency and customer information databases that include detailed information about agency and customer contacts, including DOB and I adamantly reject that at anytime did I disclose or offer this information, especially as a Police Chief, to anyone, especially a vendor.

Further, in speaking with the City Clerk/Treasurer, I learned that in the past, vendors like this would send such "automatic" trial offers to City Hall, bypassing Department Heads, claiming that departments had ordered the publication, even though they had not, and the Clerk/Treasurer would assume authorized to pay until notified otherwise. At no time were any accounts authorized, and for when they state that I had authorized two of them in the past and cancelled, that only demonstrates that the City Clerk/Treasurer at those times had actually recognized suspicious, slip through the crack bypass/billing attempts and informed me to be able to send a cancellation for something that was never supposed to be sent in the first place.

This particular case is especially disturbing as phone call recording records clearly provide evidence of the aggressive salesperson attempting to offer the publication and me stating that we can only, as department heads, accept free material and nothing more, and that we do not have the authorization to approve OR cancel such and most certainly in this case, we were not interested in this as a paid publication.

So, I recognize and accept that there should be no billing and collection or future solicitations, but I reject their claim of any acceptance or approval of them sending the publication as a trial to be paid or approved or cancelled product at any time. I also express clear concern about them accessing and using confidential personal information from their purchased databases and not from me or any other City employee, as that clearly is a false claim and violation of privacy.

I appreciate the Revdex.com for their handling and protection of consumers in this matter.

Regards,

Police Chief [redacted]

Business

Response:

January 16, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Regarding the above referenced rebuttal that you received we submit the following:

All the information we received to start a trial subscription for our publication was given to us by someone who identified himself as [redacted] on 8/12/13.

We cancelled the account on 12/9/13 as stated in our letter to **. [redacted] on 12/30/13.

We do not buy information databases that include detailed personal information such as DOB. We simply ask the person we are speaking with when making our offer.

Since all the facts remain the same and we have done everything that was requested, we feel this complaint has been resolved.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you,

Our experience with this "company" is just like all the other reviews of this "company" on the internet - horrible. This scam seeks out individuals that do not have the authority to bind the company they work for to a subscription, trick them into saying yes to something that starts out "free". Then PBP says they did not receive the cancellation notice, send a bill and threaten collection agency action. Deceptive practices would be a huge understatement for this scam. Revdex.com you should be ashamed to give this entity anything other than an "F" rating. My goodness, look at all the feedback available on the internet about them and make your conclusion.

Review: This company has billed us for a service that was not asked for and not recieved. The female who answered did state she would cancel the order, but this is not anything that is approved or ordered.Desired Settlement: To remove ALL information-i.e-phone numbers, email addresses and physical address and listings of ANY and ALL names of this facility.

Business

Response:

December 27, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 12/27/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 12/26/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

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

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Admissions Dir, placed an order on 11/5/13 for our Nonprofit Board Report (packet of 5 newsletter per month) 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 12/26/13 as they requested the same day they called us. There is no money due or owing on the account.

We initiated a request on 12/27/13 that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 1-different trial subscription had been accepted before and it was 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 2 4 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

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

Review: I received a phone call from Progressive Business Publications offering a free 30 day trial for their newsletter. The sales person led me to believe that this was a onetime sample of their newsletter without any future commitment. They needed my email address to get the trial offer started.

Months later, I was contacted by the collection agency [redacted] that somehow had my birth date and insisted that we owed Progressive Business Publications for a year subscription. First of all, I find it very upsetting that they had access to my birth date as I do not recall giving this information to anyone at this organization. Second of all, my position as an Administrative Assistant does not permit me the authority to enter into any form of agreement or contract with an outside organization. When or company contacted the collection agency, [redacted], they had conveniently deleted the recording of the phone conversation I originally had with the initial sales agent. We had also asked for copies of any e-mail traffic between our organization and Progressive Business Publications, they no longer had that information either. In summary, Progressive Business Publications is unjustly attempting to hold our organization liable for an agreement to purchase a year’s subscription of their publication without any corroborating evidence to support their claim. In conclusion, we would like for Progressive Business Publications and [redacted] to “Cease and Desist” all future attempts to contact us or attempt to collect on an unauthorized bill, and put us on their “no call” list and make no further attempts to contact us in any fashion on a go forward basis.Desired Settlement: Cease and desist all efforts to contact for collections and/or payment of unauthorized purchase and delivery of publications.

Business

Response:

November 21, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

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

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address and asking for the month and day of the person's birth. Please be advised that we do not have "access" to anyone's birth date, we simply ask and [redacted] gave us the information that day.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Benefits Mgr, placed an order on 4/30/13 for our What's New In Benefits & Compensation publication and she provided us with a birth date of [redacted]. Prior to ending the conversation we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy.

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

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

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

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

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 11/21/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

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

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found several different trial subscriptions had been accepted before 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.

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

Thank you

Review: This company called to verify our hospital address/information and offered a newsletter. I do not need more newsletters or magazines, yet the newsletters started arriving. Now they are stating that I missed the cancellation period for an unsolicited, unwanted newsletter. No phone number is on the invoice, so when I research the company online to get the phone number, I saw countless complaints that sounded just like my issue.Desired Settlement: No more newsletters and stop sending invoices.

Business

Response:

May 1, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 4/30/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 4/28/14. 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 persons birth date and asking for the persons email or fax number so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that needs to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Chief Nursing Officer, placed an order on 12/11/13 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 4-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industrys general custom.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 4/29/14 as they requested. 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; 4-paid in full accounts, including 2 of those accounts have been renewed since 2008 (CFO) and 2011 (KAP), while other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of Companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All Of Our contact information is in our newsletter and it Contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour7 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.

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. However, I would like to add that I absolutely did not want this newsletter and did not give my permission. This is a scam.Regards, [redacted]

Review: We received a collection call on behalf of this company today. It named me and my employer as liable for a bill for their publications. First, I am not authorized to make purchases on behalf of the company. More important, the publications that they state I authorized were never received. The collection agency said I was sent the invoice in November 2013 and that was never received in the office either. The owner of the company called the collection agency and said she was disputing the claim. The collection agency stated they were reporting us to the collection agencies then. We cannot even dispute the claim. The collection agency is [redacted] and has many complaints against them regarding this issue.Desired Settlement: I want to no longer be contacted by either company and the "invoice" be voided since there was no agreement between the company I work for and this publication company. Also, the collection agency needs to stop contacting us. Nothing is to be reported to the credit bureau and if there is action taken against both these companies.

Business

Response:

May 29, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 5/23/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 5/21/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our pri[redacted] method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth date and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that needs to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Biller-CPC, placed an order on 9/30/13 for our Pri[redacted] Care Coding & Reimbursement publication and she provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 5/23/14 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.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at ###-###-####. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

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

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: I never received any invoice, newsletter or publications from this business. I am not authorized to purchase any products from my employer and therefore would never agree to any purchase. I belong to other reputable billing organizations and do not need anymore of this information. Also, I have not worked at this location in over 4 years and I would have the information sent to my work location. There has been no mailed or packages received at that location addressed to me or from that organization. I can show on my computer that I sent out invoices and product but it doesn't mean it happened. This is a scam and I am not paying for something that was never received. The company said the purchase could be cancelled by returning the invoice with CANCEL written on it but that is impossible to do when no invoice is mailed.

Regards,

Business

Response:

June 16, 2014Dear [redacted]:Regarding the above referenced rebuttal that you received, we submit the following:All the information we received to start a trial subscription for our publication was given to us by someone who identified herself as [redacted] on 9/30/13.We cancelled the account on 5/23/14 as stated in our letter to [redacted] on 5/29/14.Please be advised we would have gladly cancelled the account if [redacted] had called us when she received the first invoice in October 2013. It is simply part of our liberal free trial subscription policy and is clearly stated in the confirmation we sent to her via email.We have done everything that was requested and feel this complaint has been resolved.Thank you.Cordially,

Review: I received an Invoive for the company I Work for R4 Incorporated . For the purchase of Magaznes in my name. [redacted]. That I did not receive Or am I authroized to purchase. They stated when I called them. That they had a coversation with me, They sent me e-mail, I went through my History snd this is NOT true. They said we recieved 5 months of Magines . which we did not. The bill is for 195.50. They faxed me a revised invoice for the 5 months. They also, Did the same thing to Our HR Department. [redacted] our HR Director. Was mailed a book from them. She didn't want it . She returned and the y charged her for the book because they told her they did't get it. They are Lying through there teeth. I never spoke to anyone. Please stop therm. The Woman I spoke to was [redacted]. This is a scam . Can you please help? Thank-youDesired Settlement: I want this Invoice and or bill re-tracted I am not paying for anything I didn't get. And for them to never contact me or anyone in my company.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: We received an invoice Jan. 6, 2014 stating 3rd notice owing $299.00 for 6 newsletters we did not receive nor did we order. This was the first invoice our company received from Progressive Business Publications not the 3rd we had never heard of them. We did not receive any newsletters prior to invoice. They now have put this in collections after sending only one invoice no newsletter. We now are receiving calls from a collection company called [redacted]). We told [redacted] we did not ordered anything from this company or receive any newsletters they stated we had to pay $299.00. The collection agency said they have my name and birth date. I stated that this information was easily obtained on the internet and that I did not order anything from this company nor had I ever heard of them. I said for them to please submitt proof that I had ordered this and I would pay the invoice. They could not do that.The invoice was addressed to [redacted], LLC , it should of been [redacted], Inc. and had the incorrect suite number and my company title was incorrect. They asked for the president of my company's name I told them they should be able to obtain that information on their own since they were able to obtain my birth date with out me providing it. They then called back again asking for the presidents name and again stating we needed to pay this debt. I did some research myself and found out that Progressive Business Publications has many, many complaints against them for trying to get businesses to pay for a newsletter they have not received nor ever ordered. I also found many complaints on [redacted] for trying to collect on debts for a newsletter subscription not ordered. We did ask that they provide proof that this was ordered by our company and we would be happy to settle. They could not provide any proof other than they had my birth date.Desired Settlement: I would like Progressive Business Publications and [redacted] stop contacting our office for a debt we do not owe. On behalf of the [redacted], Inc. we appreciate your help.

Sincerely, [redacted]

Business

Response:

April 24, 2014?Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 4/23/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 4/16/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address and asking for the month and day of the person's birth date. Please be advised that we never use the "internet" or any other source to get the information we require to start a trial subscription, we simply ask the person we have on the telephone.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted] placed an order on 9/19/13 for our Safety Compliance Alert publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted]. Prior to ending the conversation we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by **. [redacted] were sent. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 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.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at ###-###-####. Thank you.

Review: Progressive Business Publications has sent a bill in the amount of $299.00 to our business for newsletter that we've never ordered.

They claim that their publications are no strings attached and 100% free. The way this business operates is unethical and hopefully

other businesses do not get scammed the way our company did. Upon research, it seems that Progressive Business Publications

is notorious for scamming vulnerable businesses with such exploitive tactics.Desired Settlement: To clear the balance of $299 and stop contacting our business.

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 9/30/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. 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, a well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes o changes that needs to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], H/R Mgr, placed an order on 4/24/13 for our What's Working In Human Resources publication. We were provided with birth date information as 8/2, as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

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

Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving 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.

As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 10/2/13 as requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.

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

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 2-paid in full accounts and other accounts 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.