Progressive Business Publications

Review: Progressive Business Publications (PBP) sent me trial newsletters followed by a bill which I sent payment for on March 1, 2007 check number 2425. PBP took it upon themselve to send the newsletter, I did not order or request a trial newsletter. Later they (PBP) sent me a form to cancel the newsletter; I filled this out and returned it. Several months later I received another bill, I sent this back to PBP and requested them to cancel this product, also I tried to call PBP & sent an email requesting cancellation (during this time I searched PBP on the web and found lots of complaints). Each year I would send the cancellation form back with no response from PBP but still receiving the newsletters. On April 4, 2013 a lady from [redacted] called & said we owe $195.50 for the newsletters. I told her no we didn’t because I sent the cancellation form, her response was she was doing her job & the newsletter had to be cancelled through the cancellation form because of a barcode PBP scans. In the meantime I talked to my Superintendent, he agreed to send the 195.50 but before we did so he wanted a letter stating we would be removed from PBP’s list and no longer be contacted. I called her back informed her of what we wanted, she replied back saying I was wanted her to bend the rules (sort of speak), then she came back saying we had to pay with a credit card or a certified check. By this time I had enough of the situation and turned it over to my Superintendent. He got on the phone told her what we wanted, she told him okay and faxed over an invoice (which I had never seen before) not a letter stating we would be removed from their contact list, newsletter and collections.Desired Settlement: I am formally disputing this bill. Upon receiving a letter stating we will not owe anything else to this company and we will stop receiving newsletters, our company will pay the $195.50. The letter should also state that our company will no longer be in collection status and our company name be in good standing. I would appreciate my name also be taken off of any collection letters as well. Please note a check will be mailed only after receipt of a letter in which all of our requests have been met.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Progressive Business Publications claims that I ordered a 1 year subscription to ADMINSTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL UPDATE .

I did not order anything from them. I asked for a copy of my order and they said it was verbal.

The first time that I heard of this company is when I got a notice from the credit recovery company mentioned below.

They have turned this account over to [redacted]. FOR COLLECTION OF $195.50.Desired Settlement: I would like them to contact the [redacted]. and tell them that $195.50 bill was done in error.

I also want them to get rid of the $195.50 they say I owe them and send me a letter saying the $195.50 bill is gone and I don't owe them any money for anything.

Thank You

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: I received a call from [redacted] saying that they were trying to collect a debt for a publication from Progressive Busniess Practices. They informed me that it was for a free trial subscription to some food safety newsletter that was not cancelled within the allotted time. I do not have any recollection of agreeing to this at all. I asked for proof of this and they gave me my month of birth as a "digital signature". This is information that I give to every free industry/trade magazine. I did not order this product nor have I used thier product. I told them that I was not going to pay for this since I did not order it. The lady tried to pressure me into paying it by saying it was going to make things "difficult" for my company. I told them not to call again. After I got off the phone I looked the company up on the Better Businees Bureau website and saw that many others have had the same problem with both this company, and their collection partner , [redacted] credit [redacted]. Both recieved an F rating from the Revdex.com.Desired Settlement: stop contacting us

Business

Response:

September 19, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/19/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/16/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent guality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], Quality & Reg. Mgr, placed an order on 2/19/13 for our Quality Manager's Alert publication. We were provided with a birth date of [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

The birthday information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by **. [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.

However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5 months, 2 warning notices plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 9/19/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

We initiated a request on the same day that the company name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 7-paid in full accounts and other accounts cancelled as we instructed without issue.

Please know that we do business continually with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Review: Demanding Payment for Products not ordered

Business

Response:

October 2, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 10/2/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 10/1/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address and asking for the person’s email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Sls & Mktg, placed an order on 1/29/14 for our Selling Advantage publication and he provided us with his email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general Custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 10/1/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 4 "no risk” subscriptions had been accepted before; we found a paid in full account for our Keep Up To Date On Accounts Payable from 2012 thru 5/20/15 while others were cancelled as we instructed without issue.We do show a "memo” On the account dated 9/17/14 @ 3:56PM (EST) that states that [redacted] was going to pay for 10-issues received or $122.92, he told us if we did not receive payment to contact [redacted]. We did speak to [redacted] but she refused to send any payment and the conversation ended there.We have initiated a request on 10/2/14 that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place "repeat” orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: We received a phone call from a collection agency ([redacted]) that stated we had signed up for a newsletter 5 months ago and had never paid or cancelled. They stated we owed $299. We supposedly had told someone on the phone that we wants a free trial of CEO & Controller Alert publication but I do not recall this phone call. They stated that they sent me an email confirming this. I do not have any record of this email either. I asked for them to forward me the email they sent. They sent a standard email with my name on it but no proof that it was ever sent to my email address. I also called the company directly and asked for a copy of the voice recording where I stated I wanted this publication but they could not provide that either. They stated they had sent me 10 publications and 5 invoices, none of which I received. I have read about this company online and know this is a scam. I refuse to pay this bill and hope you can get them to stop calling.Desired Settlement: I would like them to send me a letter stating that we do not owe them anything and this is resolved. I want the collection agency to stop calling my office.

Business

Response:

March 31, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 3/31/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 3/28/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Controller, placed an order on 8/14/13 for our CFO & Controller Alert publication and she provided us with an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computer shows that the email went through without any problems.Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, online programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation on the account or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2 warning notices plus and additional 30-day "wait period" the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 3/27/14 @10:49AM (EST) after being contacted via phone and advised the agency to cease collections and to cancel the account as requested the same day we were called. They have assured us that this has been done. There will be no ramifications due to the account being turned over for collection. There is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We several different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 1-paid in full account. Other accounts were cancelled as we instructed except this account.We initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If the company's name is misspelled or the zip code incorrect, our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, please call and we will remove that version too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who regularly place repeat orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in our newsletter. It contains our address and toll free telephone number. We, also have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####. Thank you.

Review: We have received phone calls asking us to pay $240 by Progressive Business Publications for "Foundation Corporate Funding Advantage Newsletter's". We do not have a clear recollection of ever ordering these newsletters and certainly would never have agreed to pay $240 for them as we are a small Not For Profit Agency and money is tight for us. We have never received any invoices from us even though the collection agency "[redacted]" claims that they had sent us one in March of 2013 addressed to myself and four other after that addressed to the "accounts payable" department. As I said, we are a very small agency and these invoices would not have been missed if they were ever sent and in addition they would have been disputed on the spot. In reviewing this company on your website and also on various others there have been many complaints about this company all mostly similar to ours. The Revdex.com itself has given it a "F" rating and also states that it has not clear understanding of this businesses purpose. I have also seen where this company has had a class action lawsuit filed against it.Desired Settlement: We request that this company stop calling us to try to collect this mystery $240 and that they reduce the balance they claim we owe them to $0. Thank you for your assistance.

Business

Response:

September 5, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 9/4/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 8/28/13. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth and asking for the person's email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Exec Dir, placed an order on 1/14/13 for our Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage publication. We were provided with a birth date of [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

The birthday information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows on this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as "undeliverable". If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.

However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5 months, 2 warning notices plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.

As a courtesy we did contact the collection agency on 9/4/13 and advised the agency to cease collections and cancel the account. They have assured us that will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on the account.

We initiated a request on the same day that the company name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found several different trial subscriptions had been accepted before.

Please know that we do business continually with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Cordially,

Review: My complaint is the same as thousands of others you have received on this company. Last year I was told I had subscribed to certain publications , which I had not. Since that time I have continued to receive the publications, have sent them all back and requested the service be cancelled. I am still receiving the publications. I know it is only a matter of time before I am invoiced and harrassed by their chorts in crime, [redacted]. I just want this stopped.Desired Settlement: Cancellation of services with no furether contact.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: I received a call today from International Credit Recovery representing Progressive Business Publications, stating that I had, through a service rep, responded to materials offered by Progressive, of which they have not received payment for, and it was going to collections. The person I spoke with had my name and street address right, but other personally identifiable information wrong. I nor anyone on our staff are familiar with PBP, have never ordered or asked for any of their materials, nor do I have any invoice or record indicating I owe them anything.Desired Settlement: Remove the fraudulent 'billing' to me from Progressive, remove any negative credit/billing information from PBP and International Credit Recovery, remove my name, and our company name from any of their mailing or call lists. This company has thousands of complaints against it for this very conduct.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

That said, I would also like to point out that one; my title is not nor ever has been MIS Mgr, and further, it can be confirmed that I was not even in the office on 11/12/12

as stated in their response. Additionally, I have as of this date received no invoices or any other deliverables, I can't cancel something I don't have. To close, a simple

Google query would quickly show that there's quite a number of people that have experienced the same treatment from Progressive Business Publications. I appreciate the help

of the Revdex.com in resolving this issue to satisfaction.

Regards,

IT Manager, [redacted]

Review: Progressive Business Publications contacted our Administrative Assistant via phone and had her answer a few questions in order to agree to a free newsletter called the Administrative Profressional Update. Everything was verbal, and although she should not have answered any questions, she also did not sign anything nor want the newsletter. A few months later, she started recieving collection calls for the amount of $195.90 for the newsletter subscription. I personally contacted Progressive Business Publications today on behalf of [redacted] to dispute the agreement and charges. They did not have the correct mailing address, nor her correct email address on file. They said to disregard the collection calls and if they continue to call them back. We are a private non-profit agency who works to help people in our community. Collection calls from an agency running a scam interferes with our business operations and the people we are trying to serve by trying to collect money from us and wasting our time with phone calls because of collections. I also spoke to the so called collection agency and they said it was not a scam and her date of birth was "legally binding". They also said that we had to pay the $195.90 and she was "closing the book on the collection today". We inform our staff members not to sign or verbally agree to phone, fax, or email offers and any service that cost the agency money MUST be approved first. I understand they are legally allowed to call and sell their products, but they catch people unaware and off guard then our business operations suffer trying to argue over the validity of the charges.Desired Settlement: To stop calling us and speaking to people who have no authority to approve a service or approve recieving a service. Also, businesses who do fall for this type of sales call should not be held liable for the cost of a service just from a verbal discussion.

Business

Response:

August 19, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 8/15/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received 8/15/13. After review, of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on-line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], A/A, placed an order on 1/23/13 for our Administrative Professional Update Alert publication. We were provided with birth date information as 12/6. Prior to ending the call we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy.

The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 5- month period of time.

Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Review: Below is email sent to editor and customer service department at company.

I just received a call from a collections agency regarding the above publication.

I was informed there is a claim of $130 for 5 issues.

I was shocked to hear this! I recall the cold call solicitation for the publication and understood it would be a no risk free trial.

There was no mention that I needed to cancel nor was there any invoice or credit card number provided.

I did not receive any notification that this was my last issue or payment was due.

I do want to cancel the publication and do not wish to receive any future issues.

I also want to dispute payment above claim of $130.

I am also submitting a complaint to the Revdex.com as I am concerned about the above process.

Please find below and attached a copy of insert enclosed with publication.

I believe this contains the account number and other identifying information needed to process my complaint for payment and cancellation request.

Please contact me with any questions.

I look forward to your response to this unfortunate situation and hope to resolve it quickly.Desired Settlement: Cancel future publication delivery and withdraw $130 claim and calls from collection agency ([redacted]

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

I would like to clarify that the two (2) warning notices referenced by the business was never received, otherwise due action would have been taken to cancel. Also noted is the reference to paid subscriptions and trial offers. As the publication was sent to large company, it is possible that other representatives of the company participated with the business in the past and were aware of their invoicing processes. This was first personal encounter and therefore there was no historical experience to draw from.

Regards,

Review: My employer received an invoice for a subscription purchase that this company said I approved. I can't approve any purchases for my employer. This company said I gave my date of birth as the approval for this subscription. I NEVER give out my date of birth. I am currently having proble** with identity theft. When the company was called the customer service rep was extremely rude and did not care to listen to me. My employer has also called the company and complained. Her attorney is now involved with getting this company to stop the billing and collections for these services not provided. This company has sent the same invoices to three other employees where I work. I am concerned that this company may have something to do with my identity theft. Their business practices are not ethical AT ALL! I hope that you can assist me in getting the collections and harassing letter stopped.Desired Settlement: Stop sending me collections letters, stop sending me invoices, stop contacting me and remove my information from their data base.

Business

Response:

February 27, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 2/27/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 2/6/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth date and asking for the person's email or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that needs to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Billing Mgr, placed an order on 11/5/13 for our Primary Care Coding & Reimbursement publication. We were provided with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 3-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.

As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 2/27/14 as requested. There is no money due or owing on the account.

We initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our

cancellation policy. We found a few different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 1-paid account while other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue.

Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in our newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a

24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

Please feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at ###-###-####.

Thank you.

Review: I was sent a trial subscription for a newsletter, when the first bill was received I sent it back marked cancelled. It was never cancelled and now a collections agency is calling me, saying I incurred a debt. At a former employer the exact same situation occurred. The trial subscription is never cancelled as they promise.Desired Settlement: I want the subscription cancelled and the company never to contact our office again.

Business

Response:

September 22, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/22/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 9/18/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the person’s birth date and asking for the person’s email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Fin Mgr., placed an order on 1/27/14 for our Primary Care Coding & Reimbursement publication and she provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as a fax number (###-###-####). Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the sameComputer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer System records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as \undeliverable”. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance. As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 9/22/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place "repeat” orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it Contains Our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour /7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted].Thank you.Cordially,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Thank you for intervening for me in this matter, It is too bad that a free offer has to come to this point. Repeated cancellations in writing meant nothing to Progressive. Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Review: Two issues, same company. They call to offer a free eval. Once you cancel, they never cancel, then try to bill you after the fact. They state that because they have date of birth from contact, it valid. Not true. They ask DOB at the time they offer the trial. First issue in 2012, now getting calls from [redacted] (which appears to be a problem company via the web research we did).

Second issue; ok'd a trial of a Supervisor Newsletter. Once off the phone I realized this was the same problem company and cancelled the same day. Have sent multiple cancellations in via email, fax, us mail. Product keeps being delivered.

Already talked to them several times to tell them we had not received the product on the first issue.Desired Settlement: Stop calling, fix the bill to reflect $0.00

We would also like all divisions and contacts for our company on their "do not contact" list, or opt out list.

Business

Response:

January 13, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 1/13/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 1/9/14. After review of our detailed electronic records we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.

Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the person's birth date and asking for the person's email or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that needs to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Sr H/R VP, placed an order on 11/12/13 for our Supervisor's Legal Update publication. We were provided with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address.

Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.

The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a 1-month period of time.

Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request.

With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry's general custom.

As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 12/13/13 as they requested. There is no money due or owning on the account.

We initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If the company's name is misspelled or the zip code incorrect, our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, please call and we will remove that version also.

While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 2-paid in full account and 6-other trials for [redacted], herself. Other trials were cancelled as we instructed without issue.

Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who regularly place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.

All of our contact information is in our newsletter. It contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 2 4 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.

Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any, questions at ###-###-####. Thank you.

Review: Without [redacted] authorization Progressive Business Publications signed [redacted] up for a 12 month subscription. "PBP" contacted an employee of [redacted], who informed them "PBP" he did not have authorization to subscribe and gave PBP the managers contact information, who they did not contact. The subscription has the employees name on the invoice so apparently PBP signed him up anyways. [redacted] did not become aware of what PBP did until the manager was contacted by [redacted]., a collections agency demanding payment, and a cancellation payment. Progressive Business Publications has billed and turned [redacted] over to collections for a subscription that [redacted] did not agree to purchase.Desired Settlement: [redacted]s desired outcome is for Progressive Business Publications to void any balance dues they think [redacted] owes them. Take [redacted] off International Credit Recovery Inc. collection. Cancel any and all publication/subscriptions that PBP signed [redacted] up to. Stop all contact from [redacted]. and from Progressive Business Publication to [redacted] and or [redacted] employees.

Business

Response:

August 4, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 8/4/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 7/31/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the person’s birth date and asking for the person’s email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours. This serves to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Safety Mgr., placed an order on 12/11/13 for our Safety Compliance Alert publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the Conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as `undeliverable”. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industry’s general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5-months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 8/4/14 and advised them to cease collection and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found 1-other trial subscription had been accepted before and it was cancelled as we instructed without issue.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued Satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at 1-800–220–5000.Thank you.SYLVIA *. N[redacted] DIRECTOR OF SUBSCRIBER SERVICES

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Regards,

Review: They have sent an Invoice for their publication of Quality Manager's Alert which was never ordered.Desired Settlement: The desired outcome would be for them to stop contacting and harassing us with their scamming invoices.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

However, I did not order this subscription and want it to be known that this company sends out invoices to trick you to paying for this subscription by stating that you have ordered this subscription by revealing my birth date, which is public record.

Review: Company began sending me publications and kept sending without my consent.Desired Settlement: Statement saying I owe them nothing.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: We were billed for an item that was not ordered. Additionally, we received a phone call from a collection agency in regard to this matter.Desired Settlement: I want Center for Education and Employment Law to stop sending invoices to Academy Hill School, and to cease collection action. I also want it to permanently remove Academy Hill School from its call list.

Business

Response:

May 12, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 5/9/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 5/8/14. After review, we would like to respond to your letter with the following detailed explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the mailing address, asking for the month and day of the persons birth date and asking for the persons email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or changes that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Principal, placed an order on 10/2/13 for our Private School Law In America book and its companion newsletter. He provided us with birth date information as [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the book, newsletters and invoices over a -month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer system records and tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show ever receiving a cancellation request or mail returned as undeliverable. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that is required is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return that and the book to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industrys general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after -months, 2-warning notices, plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 5/9/14 and advised them to cease collection on the book portion and cancel this account. They have assured us that this will be done. There will be no ramifications due to this account going for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account. We did receive a cancellation on the newsletter portion of the account on 11/22/13 and that was done, but we still have not received the book as of this date.While researching this complaint we did find that this company has done business with us in the past and is aware of our cancellation policy. We found several trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 3-paid in full accounts while others were cancelled as we instructed without issue.We have initiated a request on the same day that the name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and our excellent customer service.All of our contact information is in the newsletter and it contains our toll free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour 7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department if you have any further questions at [redacted].Thank you.

Review: I received a phone call last year offering a subscription service for monthly newsletters for Progressive Business Publications. While I was not notified that I needed to cancel the subscription within a certain amount of time, I was billed for the subcription anyway and pressured into making payment by the company saying they would apply the unpaid bill again my PERSONAL credit and not the Company's

I canceled this subscription both via email and in writing and have returned each and every monthly periodical I receive as refused, but they keep sending me the periodical and there is no one to speak to about this issue. I am concerned that I will be again, strong armed into making a payment on a subcription I do not want.

I need this subcription to be canceled and the bills reversed if they claim we owe money.

I have kept all of my correspondence cancelling this account.Desired Settlement: Stop sending the monthly periodicals and cancel my account immediately without requirement of any payment.

Business

Response:

April 10, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 4/23/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 4/21/14. After review of our detailed electronic records, we would like to respond to your letter with the following explanation.Please note that our primary method by which we secure orders is by telephone solicitation. In such cases, our representatives take orders with a 60-day right of cancellation to a 1-year subscription to one of our newsletters, books or on line programs. We have very stringent quality control procedures regarding our representatives making this offer. These include verifying the address, asking for the month and day of the persons birth date and asking for the persons email address or fax so we can send written confirmation of the order within 24 hours, as well as to encourage contact with us if there are any mistakes or corrections that need to be made.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], SVP HR, placed an order on 5/7/13 for our Communications Bulletin For Managers & Supervisors publication. She provided us with a birth date of [redacted], as well as an email address. Within 24 hours of the discussion, we sent a confirmation letter that clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked, cancellation policy. Our computers show that the confirmation letter went through without any problems.The birth date information is obtained, in part, to verify the conversation took place. Once the order was placed, the same computer system sent the newsletters and invoices over a -month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to the same address that shows in this complaint. This computer tracks all confirmations, invoices, on-line programs, books, periodicals sent and cancellation requests. It does not show that we ever received a cancellation on this account or mail returned as undeliverable. If we had we would have cancelled the account immediately.[redacted] states in her complaint the she "cannot contact anyone” but we have our toll free telephone number on the publication and if our Customer Services Representatives are helping other subscribers on the telephones, simply leave a message and we will call back as soon as possible.Further, our computer shows we did email her on 1/13/14 @ 11:10AM (EST) to verify all information given to us to start a trial subscription was correct and that we placed a "Do Not Renew" on the account that day.With all telephone orders placed, if the ordering person does not find the information helpful, all that needs to be done is to write CANCEL on the invoice and return it to us or advise us any other way and the subscription will be stopped with no payment required, as is the publishing industrys general custom. However, if neither paid nor cancelled after 5 months, 2 warning notices plus an additional 30-day wait period the account may be turned over for collection. That is what happened in this instance.As a courtesy we contacted the collection agency on 4/23/14 and they advised us that they have received payment in full ($432.00) on 11/20/13 for the subscriptions. They have marked this account Settled Satisfactorily. They have reinstated the account so that they will get the remaining newsletters of the 1-year subscription. Once it expires there will be no further issues, invoices or renewals sent. There will be no ramifications due to this account being turned over for collection and there is no money due or owing on this account. Once the collection agency receives payment there can be no refunds made.We have initiated a request on the same day that the company name, address and telephone number be removed from our computer files. This action takes approximately 30-days to process after the expiration date. In business we hesitate to say the company will never receive another mailing from us. If any company information changes our computers may not recognize it and something may go out. If that should happen, simply call us and we will remove that version, too.Please know that we do business regularly with thousands of companies who place repeated orders due to their continued satisfaction and excellent customer service.Once again, all of our contact information is in the newsletter. It contains our Toll Free telephone number. We, also, have a 24 hour/7 days a week voice mail system due to the large amount of calls we receive daily from our coast-to-coast subscribers.Please feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted].Thank you.

Review: A woman from [redacted] called me to say that we had signed up for Progressive Business Publications (which we had not) and that they have mailed us 5 months worth of publications and 5 months worth of invoices. Not only did we never sign up for this, we never received any of their products or their invoices. I had never even heard of Progressive Business Solutions until this morning when the woman called from Credit company. I then looked up the business and saw that both of these companies have an F grade with Revdex.com and this is a problem for many others.Desired Settlement: Please help me resolve this issue with them, we never ordered anything, and never received anything, we are not paying them any money.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Regards,

Review: I was contacted by this company in July, 2012 soliciting a newsletter. I informed the caller that I did not want their newsletter. The caller informed me that they wanted to send me and email and a free publication of the newsletter. I gave the caller my email address and ended the call. Today, February, 28, 2013, I received a call from a collection agency informing me that I agreed to the "subscription" and that I had received the publication for the last 5 months (which I did not) and that I had been billed by the company and the collection agency (which I did not) I made the mistake of being intimidated into "settling" with the collections agency for $110. The collection agency told be that even though I verbally made it clear that I did not want their publication that I was on the hook for the bill because I provided my birth date (which I don't recall doing and find it difficult to believe I actually did). This company and their collection agency are, in my opinion, criminal. I got scammed and I fell for it. This should not be allowed and these organizations should be shut down and held accountable for their predatory practicesDesired Settlement: I want my $110 refunded as I never received their alleged publication and made it very clear from the beginning that I had no interest in their service. The payment was made under duress and intimidation.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Consumer

Response:

This response is unsatisfactory because I told the person on the phone that I wasn't interested in their service and wasn't told that providing my birthday was an acceptance of their service. Regarding their "cancellation" policy; I NEVER received a confirmation, invoice or magazine that they claimed to have sent. There was no way for me to cancel the subscription when I never EVER received it. As to their claim that my business has worked with them in the past, my company has several properties that all work independently of one another and therefore has no bearing on this argument. The bottom line is that I didn't request the magazine, I specifically told the person on the phone that I did NOT want the subscription and frankly it should be illegal for someone to claim you owe them money because they happen to weasle a piece of personal information out of you. These people are criminals and predators who use intimidation tactics to steal money. If I ever received a magazine or an invoice, I assure you this would have been canceled. Can they prove that I received ANY fax, email, invoice or magazine?