I registered for Superpages free business listing. I was sent a 'thank you for registering with Superpages' email. That was December. I figured I was simply getting a free business listing with them as there was no mention of any monetary liability mentioned at all. The next time I get an email from them is later that month (the 16th) and August both spam urging me to 'upgrade my account to pay per click.
On September I get an email from them, "Account management upgrade". They then begin sending me monthly reports that I believe to be spam.
In May I get calls from Superpages, regarding 'my account'. Seems like advertising calls so I ignore them. Big mistake. They send my 'account' to collections.
I begin to get calls from Anthony Oden from McCarthy Burgess and Wolf. He tells me to call him and I do. (I have very good credit and don't want any problems). He tells me that the 'account' is in arrears to the tune of $1900.00. Outrageous! Apparently as he and those at Superpages idearc explain, the account was set up as a paid account, a credit card number was used that was declined. According to an Idearc rep, the terms and conditions apparently state that if a card is declined that a bill will be sent anyway to the listed address. (I don't recall ever giving them my CC and when I ask for the number they have, they do not respond.) The address listed was my home address except that the city was wrong so these 'bills' are never received by myself. For a year and a half they apparently send these 'bills' without ever thinking to cancel said UNPAID account. Just letting them pile up for the final coup d' grace! My dealing with Anthony Oden of MB&W is difficult as I am so outraged that I try and argue my case with him and he keeps hanging up on me. A tactic I'm sure he is taught to confuse and unbalance. He finally gets me on the phone with a Superpages rep and I begin to explain the emails and my lack of any proof of financial liability. The gal brings up the fact that a CC number was given, I ask for the number and Anthony Oden begins laughing at me, "You gave a CC card and you didn't expect to be charged?" I ask again for the number and there is no response. The rep is purposefully unhelpful and keeps repeating the Terms and Conditions mantra over and over like a parrot.
Finally, I paid the entire $1900 just to be done with the harassing calls and to preserve my credits good standing.
I believe Idearc media Superpages is deceptive and begins to charge those who sign up for it's 'Free' business listings. Their terms and conditions more than likely state this. People don't expect to be charged for something they obviously had no intention of buying in the first place. Terms and conditions should not be the hiding place for subsequent charges to a free registration.
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