I had reported this company for its deceptive business practices through the BBB. We had paid for our year of outrageous service which did not benefit us. When they called to renew I indicated I did not want the same service as it was outrageously priced and we received no referrals from the yellow pages. I was to have bare minimum with option to cancel as we were not happy with service. If anyone listens to the recording, this should be stated, but it appears things conveniently disappear on their end. I contacted centurytel as this was our service provider. We changed services through them and they never stated the Berry company had to be contacted as I assumed I was done with them. Then I get a bill from Centurytel for the amount of 517.30 as we failed to complete our contract which is an extreme amount as we are a small business that had stated we did not need their services. I made multiple contacts with Berry and only spoke with one person who said it would be reviewed. All other contacts involved me leaving a message with no response. I contacted centurytel on numerous occasions and they actually had a supervisor or worker contact Berry and leave messages as well so I have documentation of that through centurytel. Finally, they gave me a number to call directly and I received a disgruntled employee who had left Berry due to their practices. She gave me the number directly to Keven Albrecht who stated he had escalated my issue to John Gulas who was directly affiliated with Berry. I never received a response. I received in the mail a letter from the collection agency to collect a debt for the amount of $517.30 and was never contacted by John Gulas. I contacted Kevin Albrecht again who stated he would have John Gulas contact me. I gave him until 5:00 P.M. On 2/16. There was still no response. After reviewing the information here, I can see this has been an ongoing issue with them. I am truly frustrated by this entire process. They are horrible to deal with and I caution others in dealing with them. I have been dealing with this for several months with nothing resolved or contact made.
This was Gulas report back to them, which was lies. Ms. XXXXXX was contacted by our sales rep (Debbie Bowen) in regards to advertising in the July Columbia MO directory that we publish for CenturyLink. Debbie advises Ms. XXXXXX that we just need to record her acceptance of the advertising in the directory. On the recording Ms. XXXXXX agrees to purchase bold listings in the yellow pages of the XXXXXXXX core and companion print directories, for XXXXXXXXXXXXX. She also agrees to purchase internet advertising on yellowpages.com. Debbie explains to Ms. XXXXXX that the total cost of the advertising will be $75.90 per month, and that this will begin in July and will continue through the remainder of the directory. We fulfilled this agreement by placing the advertising in the two print directories, and on yellowpages.com. Debbie explains that the advertising will be billed on her CenturyLink phone bill for phone number 573-657-5252. When Ms. XXXXXX disconnected the telephone service on the 573-657-5252, she was billed by CenturyLink for the balance owed on that phone number, which includes the remainder of the directory advertising for the July advertising, for the two print directories and the internet. I did speak with Ms. XXXXXX and explained that we did have a recording of her agreeing to the advertising. She told me that agreement was null and void when she disconnected her phone service, and closed the business. I explained that she agreed to pay for the advertising for the life of the directory, and that we did fulfill our part of the agreement. I also offered to sent her the recording that was done on 1-29. She told me she knew what she agreed to and would not pay us anything and was going to take this to the Better Business Bureau.
I never closed the business and I never disconnected the phone service. The only information I received from Gulas was this, which is a far cry from the lies reported above:
I show that on 1-29, our sales rep Debbie Bowen, recorded your authorization for her to place 29.00 per month for a bold listing in the core directory, $2.90 per month for a bold listing in the companion directory, and $44.00 per month for a Bronze internet listing on line, all under the heading of “Automobile Customizing”. This was for the July Columbia MO directory. I show that the advertising you requested Ms. Bowen to place in the directories and online was done.
Since that time you have closed the business and disconnected the phone number. This caused CenturyLink to bill out the remaining cost on the phone number, which includes the remaining cost on the directory advertising.
John Gulas
Customer Relations
Investigator
Berry
100 Executive Parkway
Hudson, OH 44236
P: 330-655-4529
F: 866-422-5381John. [email protected]
How he got the above from that one email is beyond me. Must be the creative advertising. This was my response back to John pertaining to this (still far cry from the above):
I never said the $44 per month for the Bronze and I had told her I could not afford the program. I have been fighting this for six months now it seems like with no response from anyone. I only receive a response after I threaten to contact the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General's Office, plus involve everyone I know in protesting the Berry Company for advertising. That is truly sad. I have documentation from Centurytel where I had supervisors try to contact you as well as calling the regular number for the Berry company versus the 1-800 number for proof of my calling and that no one would work with me. I gave until 5:00 P.M. On 2/16 to have this resolved as it has been months of no contact. You did not contact me until 2/17. I already made reports with those two entities prior to your contact.
I sincerely hope this is published as I never spoke with the above individual in regards to this and this is false. I also had told Debbie I needed something cheaper than what was offered and that the internet posting was not providing us with business. It appears only part of the conversation was recorded and I was never once offered a copy of the recording. Wow, I cannot believe the lies here. It appears the posts online are true about how terrible these individuals are. I even had to have centurytel try to reach someone as no one would answer or respond to any contact I tried to make. I have proof through them as I had to get a supervisors assistance and no one would talk with them either. It was only when I got the direct number from centurytel's list for someone's home number who was a disgruntled employee who knew the direct line to a supervisor that I spoke with someone. He said he would have someone contact me and no one ever did. I called him back and wanted it resolved by the end of the day when I received a notice from collections and then three days later all I received is an email. I would definitely like to see the phone records and proof of the call from the above individual since they are lying. If they want to speak with me, it needs to be in written communication for official transcript. This is ridiculous the lies they are telling.
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