After being ripped off in the past by Ameri-Source (see our complaint file), we are savvy now regarding this kind of fraudulent ad marketing. When I received an invoice from Teleglobe for $364.95 dated 12/6/02, I immediately became suspicious. Because this company provides a very niche product to a specific industry, we NEVER advertise in general directories - we don't even advertise in the Yellow Pages - because 100% of the responses from those ads do not convert to sales. People who need what we do seek manufacturers in entertainment industry directories, never in general directories.
My daughter used to be our receptionist, so her name occassionally crops up on telemarketing lists. She still sometimes covers phones for us in an emergency. On 12/06/02, she was covering phones while our office manager was out of town and we were out of the office at a business meeting. Because the invoice was directed to her attention, I immediately called her for the details.
She received a phone call on 12/06/02 and the telemarketer asked for her by name. She immediately became suspicious and asked how they got her name. They told her they were calling to confirm an order she placed before sending out the invoice for an ad in a directory she'd never heard of.
She explained to the original caller and to subsequent individuals that she had NOT placed an order and that they had NOT spoken with her previously. She went on to explain that she is NOT an employee of our company and that she has NO authority to make or authorize advertising purchases - or any other purchases.
They insisted she had placed the order and that they would send the invoice. She stated that they could send the invoice if they wished, that since they had all our contact information she could not stop them, but that no order had been authorized and no order would be authorized by anyone at this company.
When I called the company today to tell them we had not placed or authorized this order and that we would not pay the invoice, the operator got huffy with me and said that her records showed the names of two people with whom my daughter spoke on that day. I am now waiting for their call back with details of the conversation with my daughter as noted in their logs, at which time I will advise them that if they do not cancel this order immediately and fax me verification of that cancellation today, my attorney will be contacting them and that all further correspondence will be done through him.
According to the Better Business Bureau:
"Our file contains a pattern of complaints claiming misleadingselling practices. Customers report that they received an invoice from Teleglobe Direct for a directory listing that had never been ordered.
"In June, the Bureau sent a letter to Teleglobe Directrequesting background information such as a copy of their directory and promotional materials, distribution methods andstatistics and the names and addresses of 10 satisfiedcustomers.
"The company has not responded to the Bureau's request andtherefore has an unsatisfactory business performance report for failing to substantiate their business practices upon our request."
I will keep you posted.
Lynda
North Hollywood, California
U.S.A.
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