Complaint Review: Corporate Imaging Solutions

Our new sales assistant got a call from someone on or about May 1st, representing themselves as being with the regular company that supplies and services our copier/printer.  He said that he was aware we needed more toner, but that they were currently out and therefore needed to ship from another warehouse.  He said we would be called later by another company and asked our employee to furnish information to them when they called.  Not understanding what was happening, our employee provided the information they requested.   On May 3^rd, we received one cartridge of black toner, which is available on Amazon for about $35.00.  On May 12^th, we got an invoice from Corporate Imaging Solutions for the outrageous amount of $498.97! 

Even though they claim that they are not the "telemarketers" or "sales company",  that is just a diversion and an attempt to remove their liability. The whole thing is a scam, and they are fully culpable.  I confirmed with the president of the distribution company from where it was shipped, a legitimate company, that Corporate Imaging Solutions is their customer who placed the order to be shipped by them.  

I filed a complaint with the FTC and learned that this fraudulent practice is common.  We are under no obligation to pay the invoice, return the "unordered merchandise", or even contact the business, according to the FTC publication called, "Avoiding Office Supply Scams".  

I think their method of trickery is despicable, and others should be made aware of their deceitful practices.  From what I understand, what they are doing is against the law.   

I have also filed a complaint with the BBB. There are already a couple of negative complaints and reviews in the BBB website all stating similar experiences, but that doesn't seem to stop them. They have responded to each one like they are not the ones to blame. 

Refer to the BBB complaints against them, search for the FTC publication called, "Avoiding Office Supply Scams", search the FTC news releases describing previous sting operations on similar operations, and go to snopes.com, which describes the typical scam they employ. 

My hope is that they get enough pressure to stop their misleading, deceptive practices and subsequent bullying.  I hope that other businesses will not fall prey to them.