We started our new and first business in May. Two weeks after we moved to our new location, we received a Final Notice from Yellow Pages Directories (Nationwide America's Pride) regarding our listing in the yellow pages. The ad clearly stated: This is not a bill, Your listing will be omitted if you do not return this form, and Free enhanced online Listing So, we send them back the coupon thinking we were going to be included in the regular Yellow Pages provided by the telecommunication companies as we just opened a phone line with Bellsouth.
Two months later, we received an invoice from them for $298 saying that our account was past due and we need to remit the money now to avoid collection procedures. I contacted them and told them/him that I was never aware of that fee and that it should be a mistake. He said that I should have received a first invoice from them and did not pay it and then they fax me the contract I signed. Yes, actually, the coupon you returned is a contract and the very small letter on the back of the double cover letter shows that you need to pay $298 if you return this coupon. Ok, then, my fault, I haven't read that part, then I tried to find more information about their services for which I am supposed to pay. Here are the results of my search:
- They don't have website while they offer a FREE enhanced online listing. I called them to ask the URL of the website, they told me onlineyellowpages.com. Ok, I go to this website and send email thru the contact page of onlineyellowpages.com, the 3 emails I sent were returned as undelivered (it seems that the email address was not working). Then, I'm looking for more information on the Whois to know who owns the Domain Name and I realize that this website is owned and operated by another company located in another state. So, hoho, I'm start having some doubts about the company and their services.
- I call them to ask more information about the company, and the guy was unable to provide me information about the company. No toll free number, no physical address (just a PO box). Also, no company registered as Yellow Pages Directories in Texas, it seems that they/he is using the DBA Yellow Pages Directories. I then contacted my lawyer to see what we can do. He found out that the phone number they use is registered to a company called ADTEL AMERICA located in Carrollton, TX 75006. My lawyer is still working to locate their registered agent and to get more information.
- So, now I'm asking myself, what is the $298 for? If you read their terms and conditions, they/he says Your approved listing, in column, logo or display ad will appear in the next issue/update of the directory. They NEVER ask me our logo or an artwork for the ad but they still asking me $298. And then, it says: The directory is distributed to all advertisers and selected businesses.in other words, that means that we are paying to have our business listed in a directory that is send to all the victims of this SCAM.
Now, it makes no doubt at all that this is a SCAM. I contacted them telling them that I have been misleaded by their ad and I have no interest in participating in their program. They/he respond that I should have contacted him when I received the first invoice. But I did not receive that first invoice, while checking the address that they have, I realized that the address that they have was not correct. They were missing the suite number.in our case, the complex has more than 20 suites and without suite number, it's going to be very hard to locate our shop. I told them and they/he says that they cannot do anything and that I have to pay.
So, now, I will pay $298 to a company/guy for having a wrong address in a directory that is distributed to the same victims!!!
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