Complaint Review: National Magazine Exchange & Magazine Services Of America

After reading on this site that I had one business day to call and cancel, I hurried and called back to cancel and "not take no for an answer." I was told to call another number to handle such things: 1-800-235-3623. (Open normal banking hours, and on Saturdays at 10:00 EST) Just wait on the line after the menu to talk to someone live. Explain to them expressly that you are not interested in receiving any magazines and you don't want to be billed. Of course they'll try to offer you more candy and gold to persuade you and offer to knock the bill in half or reduce your subscription. But say no several times, and they'll read you a nine-digit cancellation confirmation number, and will refund any charges made.

I'm not sure to the validity of the one-business day deadline. It varies from state to state I think. Here in Utah I've got three days to cancel such orders. When you buy thinks like storm drains, they won't install them for three days to make sure you don't cancel. I assume the same holds true to other verbal agreements made over the telephone with a series of "okays" and "whatevers."

Well Jack, someone isn't too bright, let's see who! Seems your the latest in a long string of Bill Hood sycophants that "don't know Jack" about who they are working for or what they do. Living up in Jacksonville you must work for one of their branch operations and are divorced from the day to day operations of SDP.

First of all Jack, unless you are paying postage due, all mail is free. You are also entered into the sweepstakes the second that entry number is in the system and you can no longer F7 (void) the entry, pitch or no pitch.

Secondly Jack the precise wording on the mailpiece is "...we have been trying to contact you regarding your Million Dollar sweepstakes entry number...", if it were for my million dollar prize, as you say it is, I'd expect my money in full and NOW.

Third Jack NME does not give away a Million bucks, they have hired Ventura and Associates out of New York City to do the sweepstakes on their behalf. It is an Annuity that the company purchases for a small amount of money. When it matures in two years, and the drawing Jack is every two years the pay out is $33,000. over a few decades or a lump sum of $400,000. - $500,000 dollars plus taxes.

Fourth Jack, NME does NOT work within the law, it skates the edges, it violates many of the Telemarketing laws in this and other states, and is unnecessarily evasive and misrepresentative in its professional dealings with the public. This is why it was fined a half million dollars by the FTC and was stripped of its contract with the US postal service and lost its VERY lucrative One-Switch program hacking off about $30 Million in annual revenue. That is the price you pay for being slick instead of being smart.

The building that they own in Clearwater was bought by Bill Hood personally in 1995 for a little over $5 million dollars, it is the former Fortune Federal Savings Bank training center.

Finally they employ fewer than 1,000 people now, the company is a revolving door with the average employee lasting 42 days, the pay is tied in to a shell game called "schedule adherance" designed exclusively to screw the employees and that pay has steadily been diminishing over the last decade or so because they prefer to hire half-wits who think anything over $7.00 an hour is a great deal, the benefits suck even worse than the pay. Jack, does any thriving company have to run half page ads in the St. Petersburg Times for new employees almost EVERY SINGLE WEEK???

As to the $10,000. given to the SSA who enters the winner...ya know its a funny thing, almost EVERY SINGLE winning SSA that I know of has been "seperated" from the company just around the time the winner has been announced...and if they are not actively employed by SDP when the winner is announced, well, care to venture a guess as to what happens to that $10,000. Jack? WHAT a coincidence...such a fine company too.

Is the magazine deal a rip-off, no. Everything else surrounding it is.

So before you accuse anyone else of being a "sausage head", you'd best check the proximity of the peppers and onions around your OWN ears Jack.

I understand I am "under investigation." I have not heard back from you. I think you people ought to be "under investigation." I've never worked for such sorry excuses for human beings in my life. I pray for the day when I drive by the office, and find it boarded up. That way the elder citizens of America can get a break from the strong-arm tactics you encourage your employees to utilize.

As a history major at a private university in Tampa, I am deeply offended that the likeness of the Statue of Liberty is being utilized to lure citizens to phone in, only to be hammered into submission by your agents. I found the job humiliating for a man of my educational background, honor role status, and my regular placement on the Dean's list for academic excellence. Try as you might, you can't take away the educational merits that I have achieved, or the drive that I possess to become the best teacher I can be.

After some contemplation, I realize that I was simply over-qualified for the job. The magazine pusher position should be reserved for the ignorant, uneducated, ill-informed members of our society, who will actually believe the things that you tell them in your daily "morale-boosting" e-mails. The people you attract are the result of dragging a $100 bill through a trailer park, ex-cons, ex-hookers, and ex-junkies.

Consider this a formal letter of resignation, as I would rather shake a tin cup than work for the likes of you.

Quitting this job is the biggest "Weebah" of them all! Rah! Rah! Rah!

Marc Pelicino
Convict Number xxxxx

Hey Jack, feel free to 'cut and paste'!!

Hey Jack, are you serious? These crooks wouldn't know what ethics were if it hit them in the head! "They treat their employees good, huh?" I just got fired this week for refusing to verbally bludgeon an 85 year old man! How's that for ethics? This man, and many other callers that this company targets, is a member of the 'greatest generation' that helped this country win a war.

Without these brave men and women, Jack, you would be eating sauerkraut and drinking warm beer you idiot! But, just keep on defending these losers. I'm not surprised, you don't know the first thing about duty, honor, or courage, and i'm sure you have no knowledge of history. Only ill-informed, ignorant, and uneducated people can work there.

The others, myself included, are far too intelligent, and see through the 'morale-boosting' daily e-mails that come from the 'managers'. It's the most retarded company i've ever had the displeasure of working for, and you Jack, should be ashamed of yourself! In the 4 months that I was employed for the 'company', I had 3 'managers'! How's that for having their stuff together?

I guess all of my former 'managers' moved up, huh? Jack, when you grow up and look back on all of the people you scammed during your time at the National Rip-off Deranged, I only hope you can contribute something positive to society. Until then, just keep thinking of yourself and the $300 a week they pay you to lose your dignity and self-respect you corporate pawn!

Hey Jack, are you serious? These crooks wouldn't know what ethics were if it hit them in the head! "They treat their employees good, huh?" I just got fired this week for refusing to verbally bludgeon an 85 year old man! How's that for ethics? This man, and many other callers that this company targets, is a member of the 'greatest generation' that helped this country win a war.

Without these brave men and women, Jack, you would be eating sauerkraut and drinking warm beer you idiot! But, just keep on defending these losers. I'm not surprised, you don't know the first thing about duty, honor, or courage, and i'm sure you have no knowledge of history. Only ill-informed, ignorant, and uneducated people can work there.

The others, myself included, are far too intelligent, and see through the 'morale-boosting' daily e-mails that come from the 'managers'. It's the most retarded company i've ever had the displeasure of working for, and you Jack, should be ashamed of yourself! In the 4 months that I was employed for the 'company', I had 3 'managers'! How's that for having their stuff together?

I guess all of my former 'managers' moved up, huh? Jack, when you grow up and look back on all of the people you scammed during your time at the National Rip-off Deranged, I only hope you can contribute something positive to society. Until then, just keep thinking of yourself and the $300 a week they pay you to lose your dignity and self-respect you corporate pawn!

Hey Jack, are you serious? These crooks wouldn't know what ethics were if it hit them in the head! "They treat their employees good, huh?" I just got fired this week for refusing to verbally bludgeon an 85 year old man! How's that for ethics? This man, and many other callers that this company targets, is a member of the 'greatest generation' that helped this country win a war.

Without these brave men and women, Jack, you would be eating sauerkraut and drinking warm beer you idiot! But, just keep on defending these losers. I'm not surprised, you don't know the first thing about duty, honor, or courage, and i'm sure you have no knowledge of history. Only ill-informed, ignorant, and uneducated people can work there.

The others, myself included, are far too intelligent, and see through the 'morale-boosting' daily e-mails that come from the 'managers'. It's the most retarded company i've ever had the displeasure of working for, and you Jack, should be ashamed of yourself! In the 4 months that I was employed for the 'company', I had 3 'managers'! How's that for having their stuff together?

I guess all of my former 'managers' moved up, huh? Jack, when you grow up and look back on all of the people you scammed during your time at the National Rip-off Deranged, I only hope you can contribute something positive to society. Until then, just keep thinking of yourself and the $300 a week they pay you to lose your dignity and self-respect you corporate pawn!

Hey Jack, are you serious? These crooks wouldn't know what ethics were if it hit them in the head! "They treat their employees good, huh?" I just got fired this week for refusing to verbally bludgeon an 85 year old man! How's that for ethics? This man, and many other callers that this company targets, is a member of the 'greatest generation' that helped this country win a war.

Without these brave men and women, Jack, you would be eating sauerkraut and drinking warm beer you idiot! But, just keep on defending these losers. I'm not surprised, you don't know the first thing about duty, honor, or courage, and i'm sure you have no knowledge of history. Only ill-informed, ignorant, and uneducated people can work there.

The others, myself included, are far too intelligent, and see through the 'morale-boosting' daily e-mails that come from the 'managers'. It's the most retarded company i've ever had the displeasure of working for, and you Jack, should be ashamed of yourself! In the 4 months that I was employed for the 'company', I had 3 'managers'! How's that for having their stuff together?

I guess all of my former 'managers' moved up, huh? Jack, when you grow up and look back on all of the people you scammed during your time at the National Rip-off Deranged, I only hope you can contribute something positive to society. Until then, just keep thinking of yourself and the $300 a week they pay you to lose your dignity and self-respect you corporate pawn!

I can't believe my eyes! First of all someone says I got a FREE peice of mail and I made a FREE phone call and someone tried to sell me something. HOW IS THAT BEING RIPPED OFF??? Ripped off is when someone sells you something at a price that is above market value! The magazines are three for 1.29 per week for all three thats less than 6 dollars the price for one magazine per month.

Secondly the mail peice says to call concerning your million dollar prize. When you call in there is no purchase required to enter the sweepstakes or win.

Thirdly how do you think National Magazine Exchange is able to give away ONE MILLION DOLLARS? They make that money by selling magazines! DUH!

Fourthly, there is a WINNER!! this is not some fraudulent gimmick, the sweepstakes is real. Does anyone realize that the last winner of the million dollars did NOT purchase any magazines? The person that won the prior sweepstakes did buy magazines but you don't have to buy anything.

If all I have to do for a chance to win a million dollars is say no to some idiot three of four times to their magazine offer, to me that is a good deal that takes 6 to 8 minutes of my time at the most, and I made the call in the first place.

QUIT CRYING ABOUT BEING RIPPED OFF NOBODY RIPPED YOU OFF, NME WORKS WITHIN THE LAW AND DOESN'T RIP OFF PEOPLE ON PURPOSE. NME IS A 100 MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR BUSINESS THEY SELL MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF MAGAZINES AND OBVIOUSLY HOW CAN THEY AVOID UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS? ITS PART OF BUSINESS IN AMERICA SOMETIMES THINGS DON'T ALWAYS WORK THE BEST DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD TELL YOU THEY WERE RIPPED OFF BY VIRTUALLY EVERY COMPANY IN THE WORLD THAT DOES BUSINESS ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE?

FINALLY, check your facts this company is one of the greater employers in their city, they have over 2000 employees working for them and they have a huge office building right in the center of Clearwater Fl, that any one can visit anytime. Did anyone know that the csr who enters the winning sweepstakes winner also wins 10,000 dollars? They take very good care of their employees their pay is awesome and so are the benefits and promotions.

But joe sausage head had to listen to some person try to sell magazines for 6 minutes and the WHOLE company should be shut down.

You people are real bright aren't you!

I can't believe my eyes! First of all someone says I got a FREE peice of mail and I made a FREE phone call and someone tried to sell me something. HOW IS THAT BEING RIPPED OFF??? Ripped off is when someone sells you something at a price that is above market value! The magazines are three for 1.29 per week for all three thats less than 6 dollars the price for one magazine per month.

Secondly the mail peice says to call concerning your million dollar prize. When you call in there is no purchase required to enter the sweepstakes or win.

Thirdly how do you think National Magazine Exchange is able to give away ONE MILLION DOLLARS? They make that money by selling magazines! DUH!

Fourthly, there is a WINNER!! this is not some fraudulent gimmick, the sweepstakes is real. Does anyone realize that the last winner of the million dollars did NOT purchase any magazines? The person that won the prior sweepstakes did buy magazines but you don't have to buy anything.

If all I have to do for a chance to win a million dollars is say no to some idiot three of four times to their magazine offer, to me that is a good deal that takes 6 to 8 minutes of my time at the most, and I made the call in the first place.

QUIT CRYING ABOUT BEING RIPPED OFF NOBODY RIPPED YOU OFF, NME WORKS WITHIN THE LAW AND DOESN'T RIP OFF PEOPLE ON PURPOSE. NME IS A 100 MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR BUSINESS THEY SELL MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF MAGAZINES AND OBVIOUSLY HOW CAN THEY AVOID UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS? ITS PART OF BUSINESS IN AMERICA SOMETIMES THINGS DON'T ALWAYS WORK THE BEST DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD TELL YOU THEY WERE RIPPED OFF BY VIRTUALLY EVERY COMPANY IN THE WORLD THAT DOES BUSINESS ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE?

FINALLY, check your facts this company is one of the greater employers in their city, they have over 2000 employees working for them and they have a huge office building right in the center of Clearwater Fl, that any one can visit anytime. Did anyone know that the csr who enters the winning sweepstakes winner also wins 10,000 dollars? They take very good care of their employees their pay is awesome and so are the benefits and promotions.

But joe sausage head had to listen to some person try to sell magazines for 6 minutes and the WHOLE company should be shut down.

You people are real bright aren't you!

I can't believe my eyes! First of all someone says I got a FREE peice of mail and I made a FREE phone call and someone tried to sell me something. HOW IS THAT BEING RIPPED OFF??? Ripped off is when someone sells you something at a price that is above market value! The magazines are three for 1.29 per week for all three thats less than 6 dollars the price for one magazine per month.

Secondly the mail peice says to call concerning your million dollar prize. When you call in there is no purchase required to enter the sweepstakes or win.

Thirdly how do you think National Magazine Exchange is able to give away ONE MILLION DOLLARS? They make that money by selling magazines! DUH!

Fourthly, there is a WINNER!! this is not some fraudulent gimmick, the sweepstakes is real. Does anyone realize that the last winner of the million dollars did NOT purchase any magazines? The person that won the prior sweepstakes did buy magazines but you don't have to buy anything.

If all I have to do for a chance to win a million dollars is say no to some idiot three of four times to their magazine offer, to me that is a good deal that takes 6 to 8 minutes of my time at the most, and I made the call in the first place.

QUIT CRYING ABOUT BEING RIPPED OFF NOBODY RIPPED YOU OFF, NME WORKS WITHIN THE LAW AND DOESN'T RIP OFF PEOPLE ON PURPOSE. NME IS A 100 MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR BUSINESS THEY SELL MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF MAGAZINES AND OBVIOUSLY HOW CAN THEY AVOID UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS? ITS PART OF BUSINESS IN AMERICA SOMETIMES THINGS DON'T ALWAYS WORK THE BEST DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD TELL YOU THEY WERE RIPPED OFF BY VIRTUALLY EVERY COMPANY IN THE WORLD THAT DOES BUSINESS ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE?

FINALLY, check your facts this company is one of the greater employers in their city, they have over 2000 employees working for them and they have a huge office building right in the center of Clearwater Fl, that any one can visit anytime. Did anyone know that the csr who enters the winning sweepstakes winner also wins 10,000 dollars? They take very good care of their employees their pay is awesome and so are the benefits and promotions.

But joe sausage head had to listen to some person try to sell magazines for 6 minutes and the WHOLE company should be shut down.

You people are real bright aren't you!

I can't believe my eyes! First of all someone says I got a FREE peice of mail and I made a FREE phone call and someone tried to sell me something. HOW IS THAT BEING RIPPED OFF??? Ripped off is when someone sells you something at a price that is above market value! The magazines are three for 1.29 per week for all three thats less than 6 dollars the price for one magazine per month.

Secondly the mail peice says to call concerning your million dollar prize. When you call in there is no purchase required to enter the sweepstakes or win.

Thirdly how do you think National Magazine Exchange is able to give away ONE MILLION DOLLARS? They make that money by selling magazines! DUH!

Fourthly, there is a WINNER!! this is not some fraudulent gimmick, the sweepstakes is real. Does anyone realize that the last winner of the million dollars did NOT purchase any magazines? The person that won the prior sweepstakes did buy magazines but you don't have to buy anything.

If all I have to do for a chance to win a million dollars is say no to some idiot three of four times to their magazine offer, to me that is a good deal that takes 6 to 8 minutes of my time at the most, and I made the call in the first place.

QUIT CRYING ABOUT BEING RIPPED OFF NOBODY RIPPED YOU OFF, NME WORKS WITHIN THE LAW AND DOESN'T RIP OFF PEOPLE ON PURPOSE. NME IS A 100 MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR BUSINESS THEY SELL MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF MAGAZINES AND OBVIOUSLY HOW CAN THEY AVOID UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS? ITS PART OF BUSINESS IN AMERICA SOMETIMES THINGS DON'T ALWAYS WORK THE BEST DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD TELL YOU THEY WERE RIPPED OFF BY VIRTUALLY EVERY COMPANY IN THE WORLD THAT DOES BUSINESS ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE?

FINALLY, check your facts this company is one of the greater employers in their city, they have over 2000 employees working for them and they have a huge office building right in the center of Clearwater Fl, that any one can visit anytime. Did anyone know that the csr who enters the winning sweepstakes winner also wins 10,000 dollars? They take very good care of their employees their pay is awesome and so are the benefits and promotions.

But joe sausage head had to listen to some person try to sell magazines for 6 minutes and the WHOLE company should be shut down.

You people are real bright aren't you!

First contact the State Attorney Generals office of your state, file a complaint. Second call the Florida State Attorney Generals Office in Tampa at (813)287-7950 and ask for Victoria Butler who is well versed on the company, again file a complaint. Third contact the Office of the US Postmaster General, file a complaint do the same with the Federal Trade Commission. Contact the various credit bureaus and make them aware of the situation in the event that they try to impact your credit file. Finally contact Ron Jordan at (813) 286-4100, he is an investigator for a law firm in Tampa that has filed a class action suit for the company regarding this very problem.

Good luck to you.