Consolidated Media Services
Aka Magazine Sweepstakes, Ltd. Bait-n-switch high-pressure telemarketing fraud

Yesterday late morning I got a call from "Nikki in Atlanta", who was "calling long distance". She informed me that I had won a free men's watch with a diamond in the faceplate (nice!) and three free magazine subscriptions (also nice!). It sounded too good to be true—And I should have hung up then.

Despite my instincts, I stayed on the line. She was easy to understand (not fast-talking—she was new to the company), but she spouted words like "free" and "no obligation" at least twice every sentence. Funny that she'd say that when it -wasn't - free and there -was - an obligation.

Soon her supervisor came on the phone. He was personable, made it seem like I was helping him and Nikki out personally with my order. Yay. My order was finalized.

Then I came on complaint, and several other sites, and researched the company. I hadn't just dived in without testing the water—I'd forgotten to fill the pool. After reading all this and (on an unrelated note) losing my job, I realized that CMS was not, after all, a company I wanted to be affiliated with.

Because I had only had the account for a day, and so was still before that dreaded recision deadline, I tried calling their Customer Service number. This was today. A Saturday. Nobody was there. I found a number for them on the Internet and called it instead, and did get an answer. The man talked so fast I could understand only every third word or so, but... He assured me that my account had been cancelled and my card was credited for all charges.

Not two minutes later, I got a call from James at CMS. He was calling to make sure the details of my order were correct (yeah right, James—Iiii know about red flags). He assured me that the number I had called was the collection department, and they had no authority to cancel my subscription. Only he, at the processing department, did.

After a long process of repeating all my information and recording statements that I probably should have had a lawyer listening in on ("At that time you understood that the $540 would be split into monthly payments of $44..."), he informed me that he had cancelled my account.

I'll believe it when I see it. I got off light—many people have had worse experiences with this company. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

PS: I wonder why their customer service department is only open during normal business hours Mon-Fri, but their collections and processing departments are open Saturdays?

Kyle
St. Petersburg, Florida

Company: Consolidated Media Services
Country: USA
State: Georgia
City: Atlanta
Phone: 8003672921
Site: www.cmsmags.com

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