Complaint Review: Consolidated Media Services

Yesterday late morning I got a call from "Nikki in Atlanta", who was "calling long distance". She informed me that I had won a free men's watch with a diamond in the faceplate (nice!) and three free magazine subscriptions (also nice!). It sounded too good to be true--And I should have hung up then.

Despite my instincts, I stayed on the line. She was easy to understand (not fast-talking--she was new to the company), but she spouted words like "free" and "no obligation" at least twice every sentence. Funny that she'd say that when it -wasn't- free and there -was- an obligation.

Soon her supervisor came on the phone. He was personable, made it seem like I was helping him and Nikki out personally with my order. Yay. My order was finalized.

Then I came on Rip Off Report, and several other sites, and researched the company. I hadn't just dived in without testing the water--I'd forgotten to fill the pool. After reading all this and (on an unrelated note) losing my job, I realized that CMS was not, after all, a company I wanted to be affiliated with.

Because I had only had the account for a day, and so was still before that dreaded recision deadline, I tried calling their Customer Service number. This was today.. A Saturday. Nobody was there. I found a number for them on the Internet and called it instead, and did get an answer. The man talked so fast I could understand only every third word or so, but... He assured me that my account had been cancelled and my card was credited for all charges.

Not two minutes later, I got a call from James at CMS. He was calling to make sure the details of my order were correct (yeah right, James--Iiii know about red flags). He assured me that the number I had called was the collection department, and they had no authority to cancel my subscription. Only he, at the processing department, did.

After a long process of repeating all my information and recording statements that I probably should have had a lawyer listening in on ("At that time you understood that the $540 would be split into monthly payments of $44..."), he informed me that he had cancelled my account.

I'll believe it when I see it. I got off light--many people have had worse experiences with this company. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

PS: I wonder why their customer service department is only open during normal business hours Mon-Fri, but their collections and processing departments are open Saturdays?

Kyle
St. Petersburg, Florida