Where do I begin? I'm a student from Ireland in the US on an internship, I have never heard of or read anything regarding this company until tonight!
Let me set the scene. I'm on my computer surfing the net when I get a call from an unfamiliar number (866-291-9470). As a general, personal rule I never answer calls from numbers I'm not familiar with but for some reason, unknown to even myself, I answered this call! I'm speaking to a guy named Matt who has just told me I'm entered into a sweepstake to win one of the following prizes: $25,000 cash, BMW 3 series convertible, a holiday to Venice and numerous other prizes.
At first, of course, I was excited with this news (being a student on a low budget the possible idea of winning $25,000 was quite appealing!). There is one catch though (I was waiting for this) I had to HELP them by subscribing to a magazine for the low price of $3.99 a week. I continued the conversation to find that not only would I get this magazine but four others for the same "low price".
This is where Matt began asking questions: was I single or married? What are my hobbies? Which prize would I prefer if I won etc. Etc. Etc. After I answered these Matt configured the order (I supposedly placed) to meet my personal interests! He offered to throw in Playboy magazine in order to win me over! Then Matt asked me to confirm some details they had on me (... What the hell). He gave me my full name, my address, my credit card details... Everything. Now you have my full attention Matt! I asked Matt where precisely he got these details from. Did you know its available from most companies? Rubbish! I delved deeper, Matt hesitated and transfered me to his supervisor to "go over details".
I'm now talking to Stephen Makowski. Steve (as he called himself) went back over the details again asking me to confirm them while consistently stating how good the offer of these magazines was and how they appeal to my hobbies (oh and offering me a diamond watch). He quoted an order number (wait I ordered something?).
I refused to give my credit card number and subsequent security number on the back of card. Steve got defensive. He gave me his full name, full company name and its address. I wanted out of this supposed order. But Steve continued to rehash the same information he had been given me about the offer for the last 15mins as if persistance would sway me! I wanted to cancel the order. Steve's answer, "Sir, I'd be delighted to cancel the order if you'd give me a VALID REASON why your cancelling". I explained that firstly I'm a student and couldn't afford it (it was $3.99 a week for 60 months, something Matt failed to mention!). Steve interupted, he said they'd charge 15 installments of $70, still way above my budget. He dropped the price to $50, this one time only. No thanks Steve still to rich for me... But wait Steve's boss had given him the thumbs up to drop the price further to $40 for me. No thanks Steve.
He insisted it was great. Sure if the money wasnt there they couldnt take it! Ah clever! I explained that I didnt like to read magazines and that they'd be sitting on the floor gathering dust. Steve interupts again..."thats the cool thing about magazines, they're not ment for reading (?) just to flick through a couple times a month!" I didnt fall for it (obviously). I then explained to Steve the impact of all this paper waste would have on the environment... Did Steve care? Hell no, all he wanted to do was make a sale! Thats it, I'm through being nice.
I asked Steve what would qualify as a valid reason. Steve said he didnt know. Ok Steve, you want me to give you an answer to a question which you dont have an answer for yourself? Ah another example of Steve's slyness, "But sir, if I give you the answer, you'll just say it back to me in order to cancel the order!". I liked this one! Yes Steve thats exactly what I want to do! He laughed. I got more forceful, I want to cancel the order! Valid Reason? Because I said so, it should be enough for you! Enter the General Manager.
This part of the conversation was the shortest! He asked me what the problem was, calling me by my first name none the less! I explained the situation, I'm an intern and will only be in the country for the next 3 months. He responded by saying that the offer was for 60 months! Obviously I knew that, I had had to listen to Steven for 40 solid minutes previously trying forcefully to get me to buy these magazines! He said fine we'll cancel the order and hung up!
I know I've ranted on for quite a while but a company who employs such forcefulness in order to gain customers should be banned from trading. Its goes against all civil liberties. If I dont want to spend money on an order I should not be forced or hassled into doing so. How dare they ask me for a valid reason to cancel an order I never made to begin with! Now a simple night of net surfing has resulted in me scrambling to contact my credit card company at home in Ireland to ensure they dont authorize any payments from this company.
I hope people read this because companies like Century Marketing arent going to go away and people need to be aware of them. If in doubt ask as many questions as you can, never give any details they dont have... Hang up if things get suspect. Dont play polite, you'll end up being the victim!
Extremely, Extremely Annoyed
Limerick
Ireland
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