Complaint Review: American Poets Society League Of American Poets

My daughter received a letter signed by Teresa G. Starks (Senior Editor) on Feb 9, 2005 stating that her poem had been selected for publication in their upcoming Anthology entitled Expressions ISBN(0-9743429-7-1). Being very excited and proud of my daughter's accomplishment I sent this company a check for $184.75 within days of receiving the letter which they cashed on March 4, 2005 very promptly. This was for 4 hardbound copies of the books to share with grandparents and for her to have to show her children one day. I sent them emails on May 1, 2005, October 15, 2005 and today April 7, 2006 in which I have never received not one single response. I tracked down their number through the BBB for MD and called that number 410-288-8225 and to my surprise it went to another company which was not related to this one. So I went back to American Poets Society website and found that they are now operating under League of American Poets. I checked this company on the BBB website and found their number to be 410-602-0384 which no one actually answers. All you get is a recording. Both of these companies are operating out of the same address, using the same website, email address and fax number. According to the BBB of MD between the 2 companies they have had over 200 complaints filed against them with little to none being resolved. 411 doesn't even have this company by any of the names that I've seen listed anywhere. This is more than a rip off or a scam. These children put their thoughts on paper and are told as quoted, "Our editors are very particular people about which poems are approved for publication. We wish for the Anthology to represent only the VERY best poetry. Having been chosen is an accomplishment that signifies you as an artist, someone with the ability to put their thoughts into works and eloquently describe their feelings." As a parent you would never want to dimish the excitement and accomplishment of what your child has done by not purchasing the books. They are like a child molestor that's part of the family. They lure the child in by inticement and gain the trust and respect of the parents so you wouldn't think otherwise. This company can't hide behind different names and changes in ownership. As far as I'm concerned they're all guilty.

Jeannie
Macon, Georgia
U.S.A.