Progressive Business Publications

Review: According to this company, they are billing us for $240.00 of services that were never delivered. This company according to Revdex.com has over 1000 compliants with on 8 resolved. I have received a bill for the $240.00 which according to the Progressive Business Publications stated that I have received 4 newletters and "unlimited access to paid subscription site." I have never agreed to accepting this newsletter nor have I ever received any publications. Plus why would I pay $240.00 for a newletter I am not interested in. According to our company Finance Director, this has been an ongoing issues with this company of charging us for something that we did not order nor received.Desired Settlement: Please void current and any future charges. Please delete our information from all computer systems associated with this company.

Business

Response:

September 18, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 9/17/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 9/16/14. 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 number 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], Fundraising/Develop. Asst, placed an order on 5/5/14 for Our Foundation & Corporate Funding publication. We were provided with birth date information as 6/29, 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 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 7/1/14 as they requested via U. S. Mail. There is no money due or owing on the account.We initiated a request on 9/17/14 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.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; 1–paid in full account while other accounts were Cancelled as we instructed without issue.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 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 [redacted].Thank you.CordiallySylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: Offered free white paper. No mention this was attached to a subscription or fee. Not once while we talked about the white paper was a fee mentioned. The white paper was something that applied to what I was working on at the time. This was a phone call. At end of call salesman said I would owe $299 and hung up. I could not even respond. This after getting my email address. I did not give them other information - it was purchased from [redacted] since that is the only company in [redacted] where I had attended a class. As soon as I was screwed on the call, I went to the web site - no way to cancel. I could not find anything. I have been overworked and didn't pay attention to mail - missed the invoice. I have now canceled subscription via email. I don't believe this is legitimate for the company to take advantage of people - offer them a free article and then charge them. Now I refuse to talk to any one that calls. This company makes it difficult to cancel subscription.Desired Settlement: Have them cancel subscription and leave me alone. They are jerks - they take advantage of people. I will never, ever believe any one in a technical field has a free article to read - this company has left me with a very negative impression.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: This company has charged us for a product we did not order.Desired Settlement: To take us off their call list. And send us an invoice indicating zero amount owed for the product we did not order.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: We received an invoice for product never ordered or received, stating that account is over 90 days past due and unpaid bills are referred to a collection agency.Desired Settlement: Stop sending fraudulent invoices phishing for payment for goods never ordered or received.

Business

Response:

March 6, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 3/5/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 3/3/14. 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 and asking for the month and day of the person's birth date.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Office Mgr, placed an order on 10/10/13 for our Administrative Professional Update publication. We were provided with birth date information as [redacted]. 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 4-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.

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 3/5/14 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 several different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 2-paid in full accounts 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.

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

Thank you.

Review: I have already put in a complaint against Progressive Business Publications and this morning I went into my e-mails and there is now Progressive Business Institute coming up. This is what created this mess in the first place via e-mail, and then somehow a charge is tagged on without my consent or my knowledge. I have written cancel on the invoices and I have asked that they stop e-mailing whether they are under the Publications name or Institute and clearly they have not done so. I am not sure why they continue to send out information first under the Publications name and now under this Institute name. The next thing I will be receiving is a new bill under this Progressive Business Institute name which I DID NOT sign up for nor under the Publications for that matter. I want them to cease contact and stop sending me invoices for something that I did not sign up for and to stop International Credit Recovery from contacting my place of business.Desired Settlement: I want the invoice payment of $299 thrown out/dismissed and I want them to stop contacting via e-mail or otherwise Under the name of Progressive Business Publications or Progressive Business Institute or [redacted].

Review: Company states that we ordered services and we did not. there is no record they will provide so show this.Desired Settlement: void invoice

Business

Response:

August 14, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 8/13/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 8/5/14. 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 and it includes verifying the mailing address.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Quality Mgr., placed an order on 12/19/13 for our Quality Manager’s Alert publication. Prior to ending the conversation we clearly restated the offer discussed, including the liberal 60-day, no questions asked cancellation policy.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 8/5/14 as he requested the day he called us 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.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.Cordially,Sylvia N. Dir. Of Subscriber Services

Review: Progressive Business Publications began sending a 'free' newsletter to my business and then began sending me bills for $299.99. I did not agree to pay this money and yet they continue to bill me and have turned it over to a 'collection agency'.Desired Settlement: I would like Progressive Business Publications to stop sending me information, bills, or any other correspondence. I would like Progressive Business Publications to stop calling. I would like their collection agency to stop calling.

Business

Response:

August 15, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 8/15/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 8/13/13. 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 mistake or changes that need to be made.

Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that **. [redacted], V/P, placed an order on 2/4/13 for our Safety Compliance Alert publication. We were provided with a birth date of 3/14, 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 his [redacted]. 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 8/15/13 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 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 that **. [redacted] had an account with us before and he cancelled that account as we instructed without issue. The information on the current account matches the information on the account he cancelled properly.

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: Our office continues to receive calls on a regular basis regarding charges for a service from Progressive Business Publications and claiming that an employee of our company authorized a subscription for $299.00 that is a completely false and made up claim. They claim that having this persons name and birth date is verification of said service. This person has not authorized this service, nor have they received any newsletters either by mail or by email. The phone calls are being made by [redacted]. on behalf of Progressive Business Publications and they have threatened reporting my employee and this company to credit bureaus if we don't pay. They have been rude on the phone to the point of hanging up on me personally when I questioned this whole invoice and charges, as well as continuosly threatening us. They ([redacted]) have faxed a so called "Invoice" (from PBP) to our office that has no real information on what the service / newsletter / subscription is and does not have any contact information other than an address for the company that we have supposedly made this agreement with. This is all a big SCAM!Desired Settlement: I wish for this comany to stop contacting our company in regards to anything ever again.

In a perfect world, I wish to see "[redacted]" and the associated "Progressive Bussiness Publications" company investigated and prosecuted for fraud, harassment, and any other applicable laws that they are breaking.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: This company has begun again to contact employees of this agency, receive identifying information, and then mail publications for which they later bill. Their bills are much to high for a private, non profit agency. The material is not authorized although they use the identifying information as a form of saying that it was authorized. They have been told in the past to discontinue mailing, phoning, or emailing any employee of this agency. They have again started their same, tired old methods of contact and then turn it over to a collection agency.Desired Settlement: Discontinue any contact with any employee at any address by phone, mail, or email. Remove from all lists. Cease collection activity.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: I authorized no purchase of any kind from this company. The Revdex.com shows a record of 2232 customer complaints filed against this business in the last 3 years, with 1524 having to do with billing/collection issues. This record demonstrates a pattern of customer complaints alleging billing for unordered merchandise, identical to my complaint. I did not authorize via the telephone, in writing, or through any other means, a trial subscription, free, or complimentary copies to be sent to me. No product from them was received by me, and no invoices were ever received. I have received an invoice titled '2nd notice - Payment is Overdue' , dated 5/17/2014, from the company alleging I placed an order for a one year subscription, and that 4 issues were mailed. and that I have had access to EnvironmentalComplianceAlert.com for 8 weeks. However, no order was ever placed with them for a one year subscription to a publication called 'Environmental Compliance Alert.' The company sells its publication through telemarketing solicitations that appear suspect and unbusinesslike, which undoubtedly has led to the high number of customer complaints about the company's sales/billing/collection practices with the Revdex.com. I checked their website, using the account number they provided on the '2nd notice' invoice, and found no information in the 'account' except my name -- there was no information as to the date the subscription was allegedly ordered.Desired Settlement: This business must cease contacting me with a goal of trying to collect money for a nonexistent account. I request that my name, address, and telephone number be removed from their computer files.

Business

Response:

June 5, 2014Dear [redacted] :Thank you for your email of 6/3/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received 5/30/14. 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 and asking for the persons 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], EnvirHealthSafety Dir . , placed an order on 3/12/14 for our Environmental Compliance Alert publication and we were provided 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 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 2-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.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.As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 6/4/14 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 many, many different trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 16 paid in full accounts 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.Feel free to contact the Customer Service Department if you have any questions at [redacted].Thank you.

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: We've received an invoice for the first time, stating that it's the "2nd notice and that payment is now overdue." Also that we "have already received 4 newsletters" (which we haven't, nor did we authorize to receive them) and that the "generous 60-day cancellation period has expired!"Desired Settlement: We don't want to receive any more invoices from them................or any newsletters.

Business

Response:

November 29, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 11/26/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 11/25/13. 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 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], Public Works Dir, placed an order on 9/17/13 for our Environmental Compliance Alert 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 2-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 ever receiving mail returned as "undeliverable", if it had the account would have been cancelled 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.

As a courtesy we cancelled this account on 11/26/13 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 3-different trial subscriptions had been accepted before by [redacted] and those accounts were 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: We did not order or agree to a trial of a product called the Environmental Compliance Allert. Alleged by PBP they made a phone call to our employee [redacted] in which he agreed to a trial offer of this newsletter, to be canceled or billed. He did not agree to the trial offer, and the next time we heard fom them was a phone call from [redacted] in [redacted], NY saying we had been reported to collections for failure to pay. We had to back track to fill in the gaps to understand what was even going on- and the best we can conclude is the phone call wheedled some information out of [redacted] that they used as the basis for starting the subscription. We did not receive or use their product, much less have any interest in receiving it. They could not provide the original confirmation email they stated they sent. We refuse to pay without proof of actually ordering this newsletter.Desired Settlement: We would like the charges removed and any invoiced deemed null and void. Any reporting of this situation to credit agencies must be corrected. We would like official confirmation to this regard.

Consumer

Response:

From: Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC <[email protected]>

Date: Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 4:25 PM

Subject: Fwd: Complaint # [redacted]

To: [redacted] <[redacted]>

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: [redacted] <[redacted]>

Date: Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 2:49 PM

Subject: Complaint # [redacted]

To: [email protected]

The company Progressive Business Publications has dismissed all claims and charges against us.

Thanks.

###-###-#### Ext. [redacted]

Information in this message and any attachment is intended solely for the above named recipient(s).

Review: Progressive Business Publications called me under another service name, [redacted]. I was skeptical of the call to begin with. They solicited their service, from my understanding a free service. I was not interested. They were very pushy. I told them I was very unfamiliar with their company and product. I suggested that they email me their company and product info. They responded that they can not send any info out unless I provide my birthdate. I said I would absolutely not provide my date of birth because my wife has been a victim of identity fraud. I said sorry, not going to happen. They were still very pushy. I asked again as to why a date of birth was needed. They responded that it was their policy, and that I could cancel at any time. All I asked for was information about their company and service to be sent to me. Again, their response was provide a date of birth and then info will be sent. Anyway, had I known that [redacted] was actually Progressive Business Publications I would have hung up immediately. A few years back another employee of my organization fell victim to them. Some how a former employee signed up for a publication. A four page newsletter worth $200. Still scratching my head over it. I vowed never to let my organization fall victim to this again. Back to current events. I am receiving calls about an unpaid subscription service for Administrative Professional Update. Never seen it, but I can imagine it is probably 4 pages in length just like the one from 5 years ago. I feel strongly that Progressive Publications is an unethical organization, using manipulative methods to secure their sales.Desired Settlement: If Progressive Business Publications continues to reach out to my organization, I will consider reaching out to an attorney. The [redacted] needs to be removed from their call list indefinitely. If we ever need a service of theirs, then we will reach out to them.

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Progressive Business Publications issued an invoice to a collections agency for $299 for a 1yr subscription to a newsletter that was a few pages long and capable of being folded in to a normal business envelope. Personally speaking, $299 for any subscription is ludicrous for an individual, and that is not something I would ever authorize.

When originally contacted, I was offered 5 issues of a complimentary newsletter and distribution would continue providing I wanted to continue with the product.

According to Progressive Business Publications, several emails were sent to my personal email and several invoice letters were sent to my home. None were ever received.

According to Progressive Business Publications, they supplied 10 newsletters. I spoke with the representative from Progressive Business Publications, and after explaining that none of these were received, she explained that the only option was to charge me for the 10 issues that they had sent out reducing the total from $299 to $150.

I explained that I was uncomfortable paying for something I did not receive, and further expressed that their business practice is the tech equivalent to "slamming." Additionally, she was unable to answer the question: If it was up to me to cancel, how was I supposed to be able to cancel the subscription if I never received any of their mailings?

At that point, she said there was nothing further she could do for me.Desired Settlement: My total owed to this company should be $0 and this should in no way impact my credit rating.

I did not authorize them to bill me. I may have been coerced in to a 5 issue trial, but I did not authorize paying hundreds of dollars for a newsletter that is smaller than a child's homework.

Business

Response:

November 11, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you for your email of 11/11/13 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 10/29/13. 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], IT Mgr, placed an order on 3/20/13 for our Information Technology Adviser 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 records show the email 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 10/29/13 as he requested when he called our Customer Service Department that day 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 11/11/13 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 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.

Consumer

Response:

While I have had no verbal contact

Review: I recvd a call from a collection agency on 10/24/14 regarding an outstanding invoice I had from Progressive Business Publications from March. I explained that I never have ordered anything from them, never received product from them, nor had I recvd any invoicing from them. I contacted Progressive Business Publications on 10/29/14 to complain about this. I spoke w/ a Nikki in CSR who tried to tell me I did order the product and they had my date of birth as confirmation. I stated that in past years I had ordered from them 1x so they of course have my DOB and mailing address on file. I stated that every time their company has called here since I have told them "no" to ordering anything from them. I told her that they have called so frequently trying to push their services that I know for a fact they start the call "we are recording this for training purposes" so I told her I wanted to hear the call in which I allegedly ordered the product as confirmation. She denied having such a recording. I told her I wasn't paying for it and that I have had issues in past w/ their company sending items that we haven't ordered and I have had to send the invoice back marking "CXL - do not send anything to this address again". After arguing w/ her she finally stated she would cxl the service and invoice and call the collection agency to stop recovery process.Desired Settlement: I looked up this company's website and came across a number of internet postings of individuals who have been stuck in this same FRAUD SCAM w/ this business. It is ridiculous that they have they opportunity to send your company's information to collection agency when you haven't requested the product and then you have to spend your day calling to get this cxld. Their practices are fraudulent and something needs to be done about it. It is pretty sad when the collection agency agree they are w.

Business

Response:

October 30, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 10/30/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 10/29/14. 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], H/R Mgr., placed an order on 3/19/14 for our What’s Working In Human Resources publication and she provided us with birth date information as 6/21, 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 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.When [redacted] called on 10/29/14, she did confirm that all the information we require to start a risk free subscription was 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 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 10/29/14 as she requested and we advised the collection agency to 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 many “risk free” subscriptions had been accepted before; 2-paid in full accounts while others were cancelled as we instructed without issue except 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

Review: Progressive Business Publications has forwarded information to [redacted] stating that one of our former employees ordered a newsletter from this company and we have failed to pay the invoice. I filed a complaint in 2012 against the same company for the same offense. In 2012 however we did receive several issues of the unsolicited newsletter; we have not received any issues since informing [redacted] of the complaint we filed to the Revdex.com.Desired Settlement: This 'business' should be out of business. How many companies or individuals pay when threatened by [redacted]?

Business

Response:

See Attachment:

Review: Billed for a newsletter that we didnt order or requestDesired Settlement: Discontinue any newsletter and zero our account balance

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: When I spoke with the rep they said they would be sending me information regarding their product, when in actuality they began sending it to me. I was really not interested, so I junked their emails and threw away what I thought was their advertisements. It turned out she signed me up for 30 day free subscription that required a cancellation that I was not even aware of when I agreed to the "information" to be send to me.Desired Settlement: We would like for the the subscription to be canceled and the invoices to be voided out without payment to them.

Business

Response:

March 6, 2014

Dear [redacted]:

Thank you. for your email of 3/4/14 regarding the above referenced complaint that you received on 2/24/14. 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 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], A/A, placed an order on 7/17/13 for our Administrative Professional Update 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 records show the email 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 3/6/14 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.

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; 2-paid in full accounts while other accounts were cancelled as we instructed without issue except this. [redacted] does state in this complaint that she threw all the information we sent away.

Please know that we do business regularly 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.

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

Review: I was contacted over the phone at my place of business and asked if I would like to receive a free "What's Happening in HR" newsletter. I was told that it was a free trial, and that I would not be charged for the newsletter. I agreed to have them send me the free newsletter, as it was easier to agree to that than to get them off the phone. I asked specifically if there was anything I needed to do to cancel or make sure I wouldn't be charged and they told me there was no action required. The call concluded with them verifying my date of birth in order to prove that they had spoken with me. I have not received any newsletters, and recently received a call from Progressive Business Publications collections for an outstanding invoice of about $230.00. They stated this invoice was sent to my company, and that I was required to pay it. I did not agree to subscribe to their newsletter and should not have been charged.

Progressive Business Publications used coercive tactics to mislead me into thinking I have to pay a subscription fee that I didn't agree to.Desired Settlement: I would like all charges to be dropped and to never be contacted again by Progressive Business Publications.

Business

Response:

November 24, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 11/24/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 11/20/14. 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 month and day of the person’s birth date.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], Staffing Spec, placed an order on 4/14/14 for our What's Working In Human Resources publication and he provided us with birth date information as [redacted]. 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 newsletter and invoices over a 5-month period of time.Thus the goods that were ordered by [redacted] were sent to him at [redacted], CA [redacted]. 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 11/24/14 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 3-different `risk free” subscriptions had been accepted before. All those were cancelled as we instructed without issue except 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.

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 received a call from PBP in January regarding a Human Resources newsletter/publication, they had a 60 day free subscription. On 7/21/14, I received a collection call from [redacted] regarding an outstanding invoice of $299. I explained that I recollected a phone call, but never received the newsletter, nor an invoice. I was told they had my email and my date of birth to confirm my identity. I asked for an invoice, which ICR produced from PBP with my last name misspelled. I was then told an invoice was sent directly to my attention, in addition 5 were sent to A/P. I contacted my A/P department and they have no record of ever receiving any invoices as well.Desired Settlement: I wish for PBP to remove this from collection, I never received the newsletter nor an invoice to have the opportunity to cancel this subscription. This business is disgraceful in their tactics.

Business

Response:

July 31, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for your email of 7/30/14 regarding the above referenced agency complaint that you received on 7/29/14. 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 month and day of the person’s birth date.Regarding the specifics of this situation, please note that [redacted], H/R Mgr., placed an order on 1/8/14 for our What's New In Benefits & Compensation publication and she provided us with a birth date of [redacted]. Prior to ending the call we 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 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 7/30/14 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 many, many trial subscriptions had been accepted before; 3-paid in full accounts, 2-of which were renewed for 5 plus years, 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.Sylvia *. N[redacted] Dir. Of Subscriber Service