Complaint Review: Samaritan Fundraising

I contacted Samaritan Fundraising in Jan. 2011 after seeing their advertisement on a Christian website (www.Biblegateway.com) to raise funds for LoveShares Foundation, a non-profit organization whose vision is to provide affordable housing & life skills training to domestic violence victims.

Once the initial $1,000 down payment was paid for 1,000 cards (+250 free cards), I received the cards at the end of February & my team diligently tried to sell them for one month, to no avail. The advertised promise of the cards was a far cry from the reality of what the card offered.

Needless to say, as we were using these cards to RAISE funds, when the balance came due in April, we did not have the money to pay the $4,000 balance. When I contacted Samaritan requesting to return the cards, my request was denied, partially. They're return policy is only 25% (which in our case was 250 cards). Well they made and "exception" to their policy and allowed me to return 300 cards (which I did) for a credit which they did not give me because I wasnt able to make their payment agreement of 4 payments of $631.25 to pay of the $4,000 balance.

Once again, I explained to them that we were trying to RAISE funds and therefore didnt have funds to pay for this fundraiser. I borrowed $1,000 from a good friend of mine to show a good faith effort that I was trying to pay down the balance. Even with that, they forwarded my account to Szabo Associates in Atlanta to whom I have been making monthly payments of $250 since Oct. 2011.

In Jan. 2012, Barry Mazor of Szabo contacted me to discuss a settlement. When I faxed over an offer to his office, he called to tell me that there was no settlement offer. When I asked about his prior offer (in Feb. 2012), his response was, "...At this late date, my client is not willing to extend to you any sort of discount. Matter of fact, I think you should realize how lucky you are that they haven't added any late charges or delinquency fees..." And they continue to try and collect money from me for this account!

When I tried to contact Samaritan first via email then by telephone about this situation, my emails bounced back and I could not get through on the phone. While trying to find a viable email/number on their website, I came across all sorts of complaints against them on this website and on the Better Business Bureau's website.

I should have questioned their return policy because most companies nowadays offer a 100% money back guarantee. I guess Samaritan didn't believe in their product enough to do so.

What a disgrace that this company would prey on non-profit organizations trying to RAISE money for worthy causes, and after receiving multiple complaints continue to maintain their website under false pretenses. But if you visit their website, they've taken down some information.

If there is a class action suit being filed against Samaritan, I would like to be added as a Plaintiff.