greeting cards of america lies, deceit, and false claims regarding their business Plantation Florida *EDitor's Comment
I came across Greeting Cards of America on the internet. I called their 800 number to receive more information. After several phone conversations and verbal promises I made the commitment to buy 5 stands and 5000 cards plus a locator of their choosing for $6500.
The nightmare began when I was promised the items would be shipped within 7 days of receiving payment. It was after 3 weeks at least. I was told that Greeting Card of America and the locator work together to have them placed upon arrival.
Placement was 2 months after GCA received their money. During initial phone conversations I was given the assumption they did their locating or it was a sister company. They acted as if the two companies worked hand in hand and had a great working relationship. Boy was I frauded on that aspect.
The locator was totally unaccessible after he received his money. I had to work around his schedule. He sent a locator from out of the area who was a joke and complained about these companies who make all these promises of finding good locations. The locating company they solely recommended is a joke.
I am assuming the two owners are related somehow. After receiving the cards they were nothing as claimed in the brochures. They claim you receive only the top 10% best sellers of greeting cards by top manufacturers in the country.
They are all made in China and very few are ones that I would buy. They claim that their cards have a proven track record but the only track record is their ability to sit around and not sell.
After complaining for over 3 months about the cards I was able to exchange 1000 of the cards but still have 4000 cards that no one will buy $2.50 which is what GCA suggest retail price.
They made verbal guarantees on several conversations that the cards would be placed in locations that average 6-8 cards sold a day. I realized this was probably a little on the high side but figured half of that amount 3-4 cards a day was still a worthwhile venture.
It turns out that the average card rack sells 6-8 cards a month. They claimed to have a fund raising program but it is also a scam to get you to spend more money. It normally takes 3 or 4 calls to complain to a live person at the company and the response is always I will have to get back to you or I'll see what I can do.
Which is always nothing. I offered to resell them back their racks and cards for a reduced price (so they could keep some of their scam and frauded money) but was quickly told that is not part of their company policy.
I was told I would be given names of other people to sell my stands or cards to if I wanted to sell my business. I was then told this is not company policy. Their whole selling tecnique is nothing but lies and deceit.
james
dayton, Oklahoma
2 Updates & Rebuttals
EDitor's Comment to Alex ... Live and learn
#30
Tue, November 26, 2002
Alex,
It just amazes me how companies like yours won't refund money if a customer is unsatisfied. The problem is, companies today, once they get their grubby little hands on the money, they will not refund it. Well Mr. Business man/woman, when consumers read what has happened here, I doubt they will do business with this company. Alex, If you had chosen to write a different response like: Since this customer is unsatisfied, we are very willing to refund their money; We would much rather not make someone deal with us if they feel this is the wrong product/service for them. Please contact us for an immediate full refund. Owner of the company..???
Alex, don't you think you would have benefited from this web site if you chose to handle yourself as I explained, or something similar? This would have been priceless advertisement. But, instead, you have spouted the usual drivel
Live and learn
ED Magedson
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Nationwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
Alex Carr -Owner
Plantation,Florida,
it clearly states that payments are non refundable.
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, November 25, 2002
James was never promised that his merchandise will be shipped within seven days. Greeting Cards of America tells everyone that it takes about 3-4 weeks to ship. By law merchandise must be shipped within 45 days of receipt of funds. We never implied at any time that we did our own locations or that the marketing company was a sister company.
Greeting Cards of America and the marketing company are two independent entities. The reason we work hand in hand with the marketing company is to provide the best service possible for our clients.
As a courtesy to our distributors, we provide them with a marketing company which finds the locations for them. If James was dissatisfied with the marketing company, we could have provided him with the names and phone numbers of other marketing companies as well as self location guide for those who wish to find their own locations.
The cards are made in China so we can provide the most effective cost to our distributors. What James needs to realize is that most products in this country are made overseas. Greeting Cards of America does not guarantee profit or success. We only provide scenarios.
The fund raising guide was provided at no charge and is used as another avenue for a distributor to sell cards that are not selling in the stores. If James does not wish to make any additional effort with his distributorship, that is entirely up to him.
Greeting Cards of America always responds to any questions or concerns a distributor may have. Per the terms of the purchase order/bill of sale that James signed, it clearly states that payments are non refundable.
James was told that is not our policy to provide names of people who wish to buy another distributors merchandise. The reason why Greeting Cards of America does not buy back merchandise is we would have to sell it as used merchandise. As an EXCEPTION, we attempted to find people who would be interested with no success. What James is feeling is buyer's remorse.