On Nov 2 Michael Grant came into my business describing a great advertising idea with Movie News. He promised radio spots promoting Movie News and of course he only had one spot left. Consumers would have to fill out a form to get in the drawing and there would be 200 gift card winners per month. I signed up and wrote a check for $189.00 but declined having them taking the quartely payments out of my business checking account or via credit card. I had a old newspaper ad and Michael asked if he could take it. I said fine but only use it for our logo as it had a limited time special I was running, (which was a great deal, including a $10.00 gift card) and I under no circumstances wanted that ad run. I e-mailed them the ad I wanted on Nov 8th. I heard nothing. I got my first bill but as I hadn't gotten a proof yet so I ignored it. Mid-December I get a call from Monique asking why I hadn't responded to her e-mail with my proof. I said I had not got it and asked to send it again. Lo and behold there was the special I had told Michael not to run. I called Monique back explained the problem and she said she would take care of it. I said just put my business name, address, phone number and website. No problem she said. I never got another proof. Jan I get a bill. I call and tell them I will not pay till I see a proof. No response. I get another bill and I call and say the same thing. No response. I get another bill with the brochere and there is the ad I told them not to run. I sent a letter explaining the situation and to stop running the ad and I wanted my $189.00 back for breech of contract. I then get a phone call from a rude woman demanding payment, I once again explained the situation. I told her to stop running the ad because of the potential cost to my company which I would hold them responsible for. It became a shouting match with her telling me they were running the ad no matter what. I hung up. To date I have gotten letters, phone calls all saying the same thing. I have answered each letter with a letter of my own demanding they stop running the ad and demanding my $189.00 back. Now, I am getting phone calls from a "lawyer" and letters from this Law firm. I have reported them to the BBB and written a report to the Fair Trade Commission. This company is a major rip-off and uses strong arm methods. I believe they prey on small businesses like mine hoping we will just pay to make them go away. I hope some goverment agency will take note and stop Fanfare's unfair practices.
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