Complaint Review: Longwood Inc. 501c3 Aka 'Brad'

Jan. 2013, just posted my Jeep for sale on Craigslist, following business day I get call no other than the above mentioned Matt Carter with Longwood Inc, caller ID is "Unknown", but, call back # is 888-550-2703. Same story, if I pay them now, they guarantee to sell my Jeep fast, they have folks lined up just for that type of vehicle.......blah blah blah

Searched web for Longwood Inc., found same as others here, long list of scam reports, BBB failure and complaint record, etc... They are actually listed as a NonProfit 501(c)3 charity with the BBB?

Matt identifies himself as being from Longwood, however, he is actually with AutoMarketing Systems, which is a subsidiary having been in business for the past 10years. This is the beginning of the deceit though. It is all a play on words from that point on. And if you go to www.longwoodinc.org you get a warm fuzzy feeling like you are dealing with people from the Salvation Army.

Real site is www.amsvehiclesales.com and read all words slowly. All they do is list your car in a database and then give you access to that database for 90 days or until the car sells. Thing is, I cannot find a way to log into their car database without putting up a car for sale. As a result, there would be darn few buyers since only people looking to sell a car have access to look at the listings.

They officially have no scam since they do exactly what the writing on their website says they will do: Other than the deception of the sales person that calls you leading you to believe it will be a much more successful process (as salespeople do), the carefully structured verbage on their site, violating the Craigslist do not contact rule, and the fact that buyers dont seem to have access to the sellers database that is.



Thank you ROR

I too was called by Matt just today and immediately googled Longwood Inc and here I am! On ripoff report...I see comments on here from 3 1/2 years ago. Why are these d bags still getting away with this? At least now I know who the unknown number is that doesn't respond when I answer....

I also got a call early this week from One Stop Motors saying it would cost $499 to sell my truck. She knew I was selling it for $8300 but said they would ask $9900 for it and except no less than $8900. I checked them out too just like I did with Longwood Inc., but can't find anything bad on them. It looks legit but I doubt it is. Anybody get a call from one stop motors as well?

We put out 1978 f350 on craigslist 2 days ago and got a call from Matt saying he could sale our truck. We call back to debbie who advises of the upfront fee to sell our truck, that she has clients looking for this kind of vehicle. She said it should take a very short time to get like $3000 for it. We just had give them $249 1st. We explained our money issues, dont have it so they dropped that to like $99 but if we wanted to get $4000 for our truck we should pay of fee of $149. This is where I decided to look them up. So glad I did, thanks to everyone for the info.

I put my Pontiac Solstice up for sale two years ago and this company contacted me with a similar story. They saw my add and offered to sell my car for me. They gave me guarantees as well. I was suckered for $300. They never came through with even one legitimate offer.

I am now trying to sell my Dodge Challenger RT. Once again, they have contacted me with the same offer. I'm surprised they're still in service. I'm sure they must be doing great business with gas prices rising and people like me with gas guzzlers to sell.

Same story. Listed a vehicle on Kijiji. Received a call from "Unknown" number. When I answered, got no response. When I didn't answer there was a message left from a Matt Carter from Longwood Inc. - same spiel about how they had buyers lined up to by my vehicle. Msge said to call this number 1-866-326-9921. (June 28/2012)  I never bothered calling. Decided to research Longwood Inc. Most of what I've found says it is a SCAM.

Same tactic, smaller take.

I'm curious, how did they want payment to be made? Western Union? Cash?

If the money was to be paid at closing that would be a different story but when you're told 'payment up front' that's the classic scam flag.

What is the purpose of this Report?

In the end did you get ripped off?

I am confused cause all I see is a complaint. You posted your vehicle on a website that indicated no commercial use, violation of Craigslist's terms and conditions for them to have contacted you.  

I don't mean to sound rude I am just curious how you got ripped off- I have received a voicemail like yours but from Matt with Longwood Inc..

    I also recieved a call from Longwood Inc 2 days after posting a car for sale on craigs list. This time it was not an automated system, but it was "Matt Carter". It was an "unavailable" number on my cell so I let it go to voice mail. He starts off saying, "I am so glad I got ahold of you, I have several clients who are interested in your type of vehicle, and I would love to sell it for you. There is a nominal fee, which I will discuss with you when you call me back. I promise you it is worth it. I will be here till 5 today, and my number is 866-326-9921." I work in telecommunication, and know the difference between a legit callcenter and a scam, but my interest was peaked. I like to know how my info gets out there. So, I call, and "Debbie" answers the phone. She says that "Matt" is not available and she would be happy to help me. I told her I would only talk to "Matt". She said she has his notes, and can help. I said, "That's funny, because there are no notes." She says "Could I have your number that he can call you back at." I gave her my office line, and she says that number isn't pulling up in the system, and I told her I know that, I will only talk to Matt and he can reach me at this number. She said ok, and hung up the  phone. I was even more intrigued, and decided to get on here, and found all you fine people have had the same thing done to you. I just can't bring myself to understand how people can be so willing to take peoples hard earned money, so easily. I want to say a big thank you for all of you who cam forward, and warned people like me. It has been a great service. I just wish there was a way to stop "corporations" like this one, from being able to continue what they do!

I recently posted and sold another car on craigslist and received the EXACT same phone call as I did before. "Brad" was calling and when I called back "April" answered. I told her this is the second time they have called me using my phone number on Craigslist, which I typed out the words instead of numbers (ex. five five five- one two three four). That was suggested to me and I noticed several people doing that in different ads, apparently it didn't work on these people, though.

This time I asked her if they knew what kind of car I was trying to sell.  She told me "Brad" didn't put that in his notes.  So I said, then how do you plan on finding me the perfect buyer that will pay asking price if you don't even know what kind of car it is or what condition it's in? She said that after I paid the fee, "Brad" would be more than happy to explain this to me. I told her that IF I was interested, I would need to talk to "Brad" first. She then said "Do you think this is a scam? We have been in business almost 15 years!" I said, I sure do! She hung up on me (like she did the first time).

The company's website, www.longwoodinc.org directs people to www.AMSVehicleSales.com. Their User Agreement seems to contradict what they tell you on the phone. Here is a quote from the first paragraph:

"AMSVehicleSales.com is not in the business of directly selling vehicles."

Then it goes on to say that they are pretty much a paid version of Craigslist. Thanks, but no thanks!

Same thing as others posted, only multible calls off craigslist and eBay. Seems he pulled the photos on eBay a blew them up to get my phone number off a for sale sign in the window of the car. Multible names calling from same 866 toll free number claiming they could sell my car for a fee. Claimed they would pick up the car and transport it before it was sold. It is a 1960 Nash and thinking these are scammers and parting out cars without titles or those "buy here pay here" scam car lots without titles. Obviously a car theft ring with a toll free number. PICK MY CAR UP, before its sold???

I listed my car on Craigslist and received a similar call almost immediately from a restricted number which I didn't answer. On my voice mail was the same story, guy named Matt saying he was "glad he found me". I am skeptical by nature which prompts the following question.

There are a lot of people on this forum claiming this company is a scam. However, I didn't see any listing of anyone who actually used the service. It appears most of the comments are simply what people think the company might be doing. Is there anyone who actually used the service and can provide some factual information as opposed to mere speculation? That would be really be helpful.

I will admit that is sounds shady and they are clearly violating craigslist policy. However, there is a difference between violating a web site's usage policy and doing something illegal.

While I am not a fan of companies that operate like this, it does bother me that people are so willing to call something a scam without any facts whatsoever. If the company charges a fee and actually does what they say, then that's not a scam. I have seen no post here where someone actually paid the fee and didn't receive the service.

I have seen no evidence that proves this is a scam. However, there is plenty of information to make me skeptical, so I am definitely not going to return his call.

I also recently published an ad to sell my car on Craigslist. I made sure that I had checked the block the specifically states I want no commercial contacts.  First Brad called from Longwood Inc and left a message saying that he could help me sell my car. I ignored the call, then Matt called and said the same thing on my voicemail and left a number to call back, 866-326-9921. I called back and pressed option four, to be removed from the list, I was put into a cue that nobody answers for five minutes so I hung up.

If you have your phone number registered with the Do-Not-Call-List (www.donotcall.gov) you can report them for using your number for their personal business. Your phone number was listed to be used for sale of your vehicle, and these people have no intention of buying it.

I reported Brad today, and I encourage others to do the same.

/Rene

yep, i got the same voicemail. caller was unknown, so i didnt answer it. i listened to it again, took notes and came to this site. im glad i did. thanks every one

I listed my motorcycle on Craigslist three days ago, and two days ago, got the exact same voice mail as everyone else has described, except it was from "Computer Matt". I thought it would be worth calling the number he left to find out what the "small fee" was, and got "Judy".  I began asking her dozens of questions, which to her credit, she fielded fairly well.  Until I bluntly asked her, "how do I know this isn't a scam?  I've never heard of your company in the 11 years you say you've been in business.  Why would I authorize you to charge my credit card for a service that may not exist?"  Judy calmly responded by telling me that she wouldn't rip me off because, "I don't want to go to jail, and I don't want to go to hell".  Really?!  Wow, NOW I can trust her! (not!).  She continued by telling me that older people such as herself (and pointed out with a name like "Judy", she was from an older generation!) have morals and ethics and would never be part of any scam.  When I asked her to send me information from her company via email and that I would conduct my own research on Longwood, Inc., she asked for my email and said that she would.  Still nothing, but I haven't received any further calls, either.  Upon my research, I discovered this site, and am sooo glad I did.  Thanks again to everyone who has shared their experience with Longwood, Inc. and for those who have reported their violation practices to Craigslist and other advertising companies.  Oh, incidentally, the price offer to me as of July 20, 2010 was $249 (what?!) for the money-back guarantee to sell my bike, or the "High Demand" package of $149 with no money back guarantee.  Thanks to this site, I still have my $$$.  So, anyone interested in a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja in Central California?  Just kidding, don't shoot me! :-)

I got the same message on my voicemail. It was from "Matt" however, As a diehard cynical person. I did not call them back. Instead, I googled them. Came across this page. It's definitely a scam. I've reported them to CL and to Washington State Atty. General.

It is a good thing that people write about these scammers. Informed people are smart people. (most of the time anyway)

Thanks for this post!

Cheers


Yotafan

I have been recieving a lot of calls recently from several numbers, such as an 877, 866, and unknown number. I have answered the unknown once, and the 866 once, but there was noone there, so I stopped answering these... These calls have continued for 2 weeks, sometimes half a dozen times a day, but never a message until today.

The message was from an unknown caller, and was an offer to help me sell my vehicle, which I posted on CL about 2 weeks ago; he left me the 866 number to call him at, which confirms that all  my mystery calls have had the same source.

He claimed to have left me a message about a week ago, but there was never a message before today... Just tons and tons of calls.

I googled the company name he gave me, and found this posting, and many others...

Same thing as all above! Only I've actually tried to answer the Unavailable calls and they just hang up! Sounds like a machine is hanging up on me though.

wow, what a pathetic attempt to appear legit! this is very obviously someone working for brad the computer voice. the fact that the ONLY positive comment is from a plant only goes to show how much of a rip off this place is! hope all those nice sounding ladies go to jail :-)

My dad posted his car on two different sites, and two days later we got a message on the phone. My dad was considering to call so called "Brad", to see what he would offer, but insead he wanted to look up him and his company because he near heard of him, and we found this site and 38 reports about him... I fell sorry for everyone and anyone who fell for this scam and thak you for posting it so other like my dad don't fall for this guys scam.

I recently re-posted my truck on Kijiji Canada and AutoTrader.ca and I received a call from Longwood Inc, AKA Brad, saying he could sell my truck for a small fee.  The first time a few months ago I discussed it with them and then realized what they were trying to do and told them I was not interested.  He has now made several attempts weeks apart to continually try and convince me he can sell my truck... i no longer answer or discuss this with them.  Sounds like a phone scam to me!

Moosonee, Ontario, Canada

Be very careful before taking Mulligan 728's lead and 'taking a chance on this company' after being hung up on. This is an obviously planted letter, even though it makes statements against the interest of Longwood Inc. I don't do business with anyone who hangs up on me when I ask questions and I am certain most of you are intelligent enough to do the same... except Mulligan 728 who can kiss his hard-earned money good bye.

Same old story to tell you here, lost income, as many americans have, and posted my car online to Craigslist. I am unfortunately unable to continue payments on a vehicle I love.

This morning I get a call from "Brad". Well, initially brad's offer seems amazing- so I call in, but I get steve instead because "Brad" is making outbound calls. I initially know this was an automated outbound call because I have done some work in telemarketing myself.

Like every consumer in money-crunching times I ask questions, being cautious of such extensive features that AMS had to offer. Except there's no nintey dollar deal, I have two package offers. I can choose a $229 money back guarantee, which steve informed me that the cars are usually sold within a 7-21 day time frame- or I can choose a "high demand" package which costs $129, but is non-refundable. Now neither package expires- and as all calls are confirmed, there is "a guarantee for my car model.." there are seventeen buyers interested within a 100 mile radius of my area.

 He gave me information on the indepent company Longwood Inc., explained that they are a division of this company and that The main company Longwood Sells tote bags, and features items with graphic design.  Longwood is a NON-PROFIT company, Auto Marketing Systems IS NOT as well. They donate the money they recieve to different organizations, (Such as Charities, other non-profit associations affiliated with Longwwod Inc.)

If you look at the websites I have posted you will see all of this information. Well, long story shorter, I told steve that i would look into the company, he's sending me more information via snail mail, and I contact him further if I'm interested. I have done some research on BOTH companies, this is what I've found:

Longwood Inc's website:http://www.longwoodinc.com/

Auto Marketing System's website: http://www.automarketingsystems.com/systems.cfm

Call me a fool If you will, but even 130 dollars is a small price to pay to get out of my current situation, especially being unable to sell my vehicle. The decision is yours to make. However, I think I'll give this company a try.

By the way, Longwood Inc, as well as AMS are exempt from FCC violations solely for the fact that they are indeed a non-profit organization.

I received a phone call like this one too! A man named "Brad" contacted me, and when I called back a gal said he was busy making outgoing phonecalls, but that she had my "notes". It was creepy because before I even told her what car I was selling she knew my name was Stephanie.

I knew that once she started talking my ear off I had to get rid of her, because I was afraid that the phone call would cost me money. She told me that she had "buyers ready to view and purchase my car lined up." So I asked her if I could have these buyers names and numbers, which she said was against a company privacy policy. I continued by asking why the "interested buyers" that saw my ad didn't contact me personally, as my car and contact information was posted on Auto Trader Classics. She hung up on me.

So I'd like to advise anyone to be ware of this, as I believe it is a scam. There is no website for "longwood inc". I don't want to pay the 90 dollar fee to find out if it is really a true scam, but I just don't trust it. I Googled "Longwood inc.", and all I got was a bunch of scam reports. So, I suggest that the next time this happens to someone again, they follow the wise advise of ytmnd's "how to prank a telemarketer"
http://howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnd.com/ and make my day.

Or file a lawsuit if they did actually scam you.

Same call, from "Brad" who claimed to have called multiple times. His number showed up as Unknown. I called the number he left in the message and a woman by the name of Marjorie answered the phone. I asked for Brad and he was unavailable but had left her "notes" about my vehicle. She ran down the same spiel as described above, telling me that for a $99, they would sell my car for me. She told me they had numerous buyers for my car "right now!" and that I would get exactly what I was asking for it, maybe more! Initially, I was pretty psyched on the idea. Then I thought about it and I said to her, 'Something seems to be missing here.' She responded by saying that she hears that from people all the time and that even though it seems too good to be true, it wasn't a scam and she would send more information via email. Never received anything. Did a search for "Longwood Inc." and found nothing but other people's reports about how this was a scam.

I got the same call from Brad. I didn't respond, but did a quick search on the company, and stumbled on these reports. They picked up my ad off of Autotrader. Sounds like a scam to me.

Same situation here, Brad initially leaves you a message. When you call a female(April) takes Brads calls. Identicle speach with previous posts. I'm glad I decided to look them up and found this site. However, I have to ask if anybody has actually been scammed by these folks, or do they actually try to sell your vehicle. I understand that they violated craigslist policy, but afterall I am looking to sell my motorcycle. Just wondering.

Same situation here, Brad initially leaves you a message. When you call a female(April) takes Brads calls. Identicle speach with previous posts. I'm glad I decided to look them up and found this site. However, I have to ask if anybody has actually been scammed by these folks, or do they actually try to sell your vehicle. I understand that they violated craigslist policy, but afterall I am looking to sell my motorcycle. Just wondering.

Same situation here, Brad initially leaves you a message. When you call a female(April) takes Brads calls. Identicle speach with previous posts. I'm glad I decided to look them up and found this site. However, I have to ask if anybody has actually been scammed by these folks, or do they actually try to sell your vehicle. I understand that they violated craigslist policy, but afterall I am looking to sell my motorcycle. Just wondering.

I am writing in response to Longwood inc. I received a call from a Brad. He left a message on my phone and it said....hi I am Brad I tried to call numerous times. As I checked my answering machine there were only one call and this was it. He explained that he could sell my car for a price. That he is with longwood inc. and to give him a call back.....so I did. When I called a female. Started talking about seeing my add on craigslist which in fact is there. But this is not supposed to be the way craigslist works.....total violation. She also explained for 99 dollars they could get my car sold by this weekend coming. Today is Friday. And that they had prespective buyers from all over willing to pay the price I am asking and for only 99 dollars by this weekend it would be gone. I started asking questions. She said that they were with the better business bureau and they have been in business for over 10 years. All I had to do was provide a visa card to start. I said I will have to check this out. As something doesn't seem right here. By this time the call ended. I checked the better business bureau and they do not have the number on file that this company called from as well as they do not have this company on there. I also checked online and low and behold nothing. Scams Scams Scams........thank god I was smart enough to ask questions and research before even considering such a strange idea...