I was also scammed by this telemarketer. I recieved a call on my cellphone (how did they get my number?) in July informing me that I had won a pair of watches in a sweepstakes I didn't recall even entering. I was told that all Visa cardholders were automatically entered in this sweeps. All I had to do to get my free watches was to give them my physical address and Visa account number so that they could bill me a small shipping and handling fee. HUGE mistake!
After giving them my information I was offered a magazine subscription deal. I would receive a free trial issue of five magazines. I only asked for three as none of the other magazines interested me. If I didn't want the magazines after reviewing them I could cancel and keep the free issues. I was then transferred to someone to "verify" my information and explain further the "deal" I had just agreed to. I was told that the magazine subscriptions were all for multiple years (2 to 3 years) and that it was "an incredible deal". As I was sitting in a park and had no calculator handy I just agreed and figured that I would cancel later if need be.
The salesperson explained that my card would be billed 12 monthly installments of $63.95, to "make it easier to afford." They reiterated that I could cancel at any time within the first month after receiving my free issues. I figured "what the heck, a few free mags is worth the hassle and I get a couple of free watches as well."
A month passed and no watches arrived, they never did actually. None of the magazines I had requested were sent either. I called and was told that the delay was on the publishers end and I would get my magazines soon. What did arrive was the "written agreement" along with cacellation instructions.
By the time I received this, I had ONE DAY to cancel "by mail only"! I tried to call their toll free number and was unable to get to a customer service representative. There was just no option for that on their automated system. I sent the cancellation form in anyway, figuring that if they were that shady an outfit I wanted nothing to do with them.
A few days later I recieved two magazines that I didn't even want. Another call to American Marketing and I was assured that I would not be billed for those magazines as they were a "bonus". After six weeks I finally recieved the requested magazines. Then they began debiting my checking account even though I had tried to cancel. After several months my checking account was closed due to having no funds (I was unemployed at the time).
NOW I get a call from an actual human being! They wanted their money, of course. I explained the whole cancellation situation and that I did not want any magazines at all. I was told that American Marketing had pre-paid the subscriptions and would now demand their money. I complained about the timing on their cancellation form and was told that nothing could be done, I owed them the money and that was that! I refused to pay and told them that they were guilty of scamming, much to their displeasure.
Over two years later I am still receiving the magazines that I cancelled, along with two that I never ordered. They have now sent my "account" to collections, damaging my credit rating. This company deliberately misleads their victims and offers no real way to cancel once you are hooked. You won't even get your "free" watches you allegedly won. All you will be told is "There is nothing we can do."
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