Universal Subscriptions Agency (better known as USA) is trying to scam me. On July 4th, a young girl knocked on our door. Her story was that she was selling magazines to win a trip to Europe. She needed to get a certain number of "points" to win the trip and beat the boys' team. She fed us her story, and we digested it, and decided to order a 2 years subscription to Nickelodeon for my wife's little sister.
Everything went from there, and she put a little sticker on our door telling the boys' team to "beat it" because she was going to Europe. She left, and we were thinking that it may have cost us 73.00 dollars for a 2 year sub., but we did it for our little sister. Well, a few days later my wife was talking to her mother about the mags that we ordered, and she told us that we shouldn't have done that because USA is a ripoff, yada yada.
After hearing the same story from a few other people, I became concerned and checked USA out on the BBB's site. Of course, they have an unsatisfactory record. My wife and I decided that we needed to cancel our order, but it was too late. Luckily, our check hadn't been cashed, so we put a stop-payment on it.
For some reason our little sister still received the magazine, and when she did, my wife's mother wrote a note saying: "Did not order", and she sent it back to USA. They didn't receive another issue. Well, we thought we were ok. Sometime in early December I received a letter from Check Game Solution (USA's collection agency). They said that they were seeking to collect a debt on behalf of USA for 103.00 dollars. 73 for the mags, and 30 for the cancelled check fee.
Needless to say I called CGS (check game solution) and inquired about why I received the letter. They told me that they were working on behalf of USA, and they couldn't cease collection unless USA gave them the order to. They said I needed to write USA a letter. I did, and sent it certified mail. I still haven't received my receipt for the delivery of THAT letter.
About 5 days later I get another letter from CGS stating that this was my second notice, and that they would send my cancelled check to the State Attorney and report it to Equifax (to screw with my credit) if I didn't pay them. I called them AGAIN and told them I wanted to work it out, but I wasn't going to pay for the magazines because I wasn't receiving them.
They told me there was nothing they could do, and to call USA and talk to them about this issue. So I call USA, and their rude rep feeds me the same line of bull they all do. I didn't cancel the order through procedure, so I am responsible to pay the amount indicated. I told her that I cancelled my check due to lack of confidence in their business. I said, "I decided to cancel my check because of your bad BBB record, and it was about a day or two too late to cancel it through your procedure!".
She told me that she knew that they had a bad BBB rating because people got mad about the 3 day cacellation rule and contacted the BBB. My question: "If you know you have a bad BBB rating, why don't you try to resolve it?" She said that there was nothing she could do, but I could write a letter of complaint to Steve Ingram (the supposed head of magazine sales) and he would contact me. She said that they forward him his mail every Tuesday.
Ok, I wrote Mr.ingram a letter stating my situation and why I did what I did. I had the letter faxed to USA that Tuesday morning. I also called CGS and left them a message stating that I was trying to negociate a settlement with Steve Ingram, and to back off of me while I'm in the process of doing so. I didn't hear a peep out of anyone. No contact from Mr.ingram, USA, or CGS.
Yesterday, on Jan 5, I get a THIRD letter from CGS stating that my failure to remedy the situation leaves them no choice but to turn my check over to the State Attorney. At the bottom of the letter is says that if I wished to to clear things up before they go any further, contact their collections manager.
OK, now I'm royally pissed, and I call USA and let them have it. I told them that this bullcrap has gone on long enough and I've tried to remain professional, but if they can't resolve things with me, then maybe they can do so with my lawyer (s). I asked if I could speak with someone ELSE who could help me resolve this issue. She said, "No, and they would tell you the same thing I'm telling you sir. That you didn't cancel the order through our procedure." She tells me that the only way to stop this is to essentially pay the 103.00, then they will reinstate my order, and CGS will leave me alone. I don't want the damn mags anymore!
Ok, fine. I call CGS and they are closed (of course), so I leave a message with them stating all this crap, and that I would like to settle this without any more legal action. I urged them to call me, and gave my number and all. Knowing that they wouldn't call me, I contacted one of my lawyers, and he told me that the reason they keep pressing me is they know no attorney would touch my case because it's just too small. But he agreed to write them a letter on my behalf anyway, so I faxed him all the documentation. Today is Jan. 6. CGS hasn't called me. Steve Ingram hasn't called me. USA hasn't called me.
I contacted another of my lawyers, and said that to fax him the letters I wrote them, and the letters they sent me. Tomorrow I will fax him several documents including: the three collection letters the sent me, the two letters I wrote them, a copy of my receipt, and a copy of the BBB's record on their company. Hopefully my two attorney's can put the fear of God into them, but I just don't know. I tried to remain professional, and work with them, but all they want is that money. The don't even care about what people think of their company.
If a USA magazine sales person comes by your home, remember my story, along with all the others. If you have internet access, sit them down and show them what type of corrupt and unethical business they are representing. I pray another sales person comes by so I can "Show them the way".
And please, if you've been scammed by this company, file it with the BBB, and contact me. Perhaps we can file a class-action lawsuit against these mongrels and put them down for good. Contact me by using the rebuttal box below. I hope this story serves as a source of inspiration and hope.
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