I am a former employee of Magazine Services of America and not proud of it.in my time there I lied, I stole, and I cheated my way to the top. We had a deceptive script that was ment to confuse the potential customer into thinking they would recieve free magazines. I worked at MSA for one year and will clue you in on what the script sounds like, but first I will try to clarify the corporate shell game they play.
Chris Nelms is the founder, owner, and CEO of Magazine Services of America. His top two assistants are Jonny Nelms, owner of MagMax, and Michael Nelms owner of another "fake" magazine company. The company's physical address is 8301 W. McNabb Rd, Tamarac, Fl.
The three brothers all have there own company for tax reasons. While employees are representing MSA they are being paid my MagMax.
The scripts
Hello is (blank) there? Hi! This is (blank) with the office of the publishers and I was just calling to thank you for the way you have taken care of your account, it is greatly appreciated and we just wanted to tell you that the company has just issued an excellent credit rating to your account so if you ever need a good refrence feel free to use us. Are your magazines coming out o.K.? Well if you ever miss one or want to change any feel free to do so, there is never any charge!
Do you still live at...
How is the weather out there?
The other reason they asked me to call is because you have handled your account in such an excellent manner the company is going to cover the cost of your magazines for an additional 60 months, so if you ever recieve any phone calls or renewal notices, let them know you have already been taken care of and throw the notices in the trash.
Now this is a special promotion that we extend only to our preferred customers and the only thing we ask you to help with is the processing and I'm sure you know what that is! That's what it takes to get them typed, wrapped, you know the mailing; and thats only $3.98 a week. Now thats not for one or two of your magazines, thats covers all of them and for your convienence we charge you only once a month and that makes it only $19.16 O.K.?
Let give you my name again do you have a pen? My name is (blandk) and that small monthly payment is $19.16.
I just have to take a quick survey and I'll be out of your way.
Are you 25 or older? Really, how old?
Do you carry a Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or American Express?
Are you married or single?
I see that you have a checking account in your name who is that with?
You may have noticed, but I am a little new with the company and every now I've herd that my boss likes to call back and check up on me if he where to call you would you say that I did you good job. Thanks. Well actually my boss just became available could you put in that good word for me? Remember my name is (blank) and that small payment was only $19.16
TRANSFER
Hi this is (blank) checking up on the young trainee you just spoke to did they do ok? Great and do you remember whta the small monthly payment was?
Just so I don't send you any duplicates what magazines are you recieving now? (customer hopefully list a few you may add some but must fit in a price range)
As far a billing is concerned we still bill everything electroniclly through your (blank) card. Go ahead and grab that card so we can verify everything and I will be out of your way.
(if customer refuses to read card tell them you have first number, but the rest is behind stars for security purposes and we must verify everything is correct. Visa=4, Master=5, Amex=3, and Discover=6011. Some verifiers are so good they can remember the first four of your card just from your bank i.E.-wachovia visa=4828)
Now the first number should be (blank) go ahead and read me the rest in groups of four beginning with the first number. (at this point they run the card to make sure it is authentic and active)
Everything matches up. As far a your payments are concerned we like to charge you three months at a time so you get payed up in the first third of your service, the first 20 months which is only 57.48 o.K.? (if customer says no go for two months at a time 38.32 for 30 months. If they still refuse go back to 19.16 which will be paid for 30months as you can see this is a good way to double the amount the customer will pay while making think we are doing them a favor.)
RECORDING
Now before we go I just have to quickly review the order with you and while I do so I will record the conversation for quality assurance o.K.? Great!
Today is (date) and the magazines will be sent to you, (name) at (address).
You will recieve (list magazines) for 60 months.
We will bill you electronically 57.48 for the first 20 months, totalling $1149.60 and you will recieve the magazines for an additional 40 months. Through your (method of billing) card number reading (read card number and experation date) and like we discussed before we do have permission to use this method of billing correct?
Great! Rember the first payment will be taken in the next couple of days so right it down and the next payment will be taken on the (bill date). A thank you letter is being sent out to you if you choose to cancel you have three days to do so.
Now I know we have gone over a lot of information today did I cover everything to your complete satisfaction? Great!
As a special thank you we are going to send you a risk free trial to our preferred buyers club, you will recieve special discounts to shows, dinner, movies, and a lot more. If you decide to keep this after thirty days you will be charged $9.98 monthly in advance for one year. O.K.?
Well I thank you for your time and patience please right down that 57.48 and have a great day.
As you can tell I spent some time at MSA and have some knowledge of the inner workings. I hope this helps somebody out there, there are many other tricks such as calling people that have cancelled or calling people that are paid in full and convincing them that they are not or we want to give them a new even lower rate.
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