- Report: #500282
Complaint Review: IMA International Marketing Association - VIRGINIA BEACH Virginia
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Author Not Confirmed
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IMA International Marketing Association
3509 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD VIRGINIA BEACH, 23452 Virginia, United States of America
Phone:
7574974915
Web:
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IMA International Marketing Association - AMERICAN PUBLISHING GROUP - CENTURY MARKETING INC - COMMUNITY READING CLUB OF VIRGINIA - MAGAZINE READERS SERVICE - NATIONAL MAGAZINE CLUB - NATIONAL READERS SERVICE + 9 MORE COMPANIES I WORKED FOR THIS COMPANY AND THEY ARE VERY DECEPTIVE/A COMPLETE SCAM VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia
I went to work for this company and found it to be very Cruel as to what they do to the Public. I am still not sure how they get the consumers cell phone #'s and credit card information, but they have it all. In some cases, even social security #'s as well.
At the onset of the first phone call to the consumer, the sales department contacts the customer (victim). They use high pressured sales techniques and talk very fast. You might understand every third word they say, as they twist and mislead you into getting something for less than what they bill you for.
They offer a Diamond watch, which is just a brand name, not a REAL Diamond watch. Then when you receive your "Welcome Package", it's nothing more than a letter stating what you magazines are you ordered and your highly inflated balance, which is usually between $500.00 and $1300.00 to pay it off. Payments are between $19.99 for 60 months to $68.28 a month over 18 months. The diamond watch is a coupon you have to send in and pay s/h charges. It's not worth the postage.
I worked as a "Supervisor" and the position consists of nothing more than to inform the customer that they can "settle" the account or lower there payment. We were not allowed to cancel unless the customer demands to have it cancelled or threatens the Attoney General or the Better Business Bureau. Then the call gets trasferred to the Manager. They smooth it all over and tells them they will cancel.
The problem is, that the consumer is made to believe they can not cancel because there is a recording of the customer that states he will make the payments. This is held over there heads. So, assuming they can not cancel they take the settlement or lower payments depending on there financial ability.
The settlement is between 30% and 70% off the full balance on the account. There is incentive for collecting as much as possible. We are paid approximately $10.00 an hour to $13.00 an hour and 5% on everything collected. Not a lot of money, ut the incentive can be good.
I just left the company yesterday and I feel I have a moral obligation to the public to make them aware of this SCAM. I only worked there a little over a month and could not wait to leave, as most of the employees. Just to let you know, the employees are people for whatever reason, are stuck in this job, (whether it be sales rep, supervisor, manager, collector etc.), no one likes working there. We are people that have morals and to be perfectly honest they were some of the nicest people I have ever worked with.
The owner needs to be STOPPED!!! This field needs to be regulated by local, state and federal administration.
Bottom line is this...Call the company and tell them that you want to cancel. Threaten the BBB and the Attorney General. You'll get a manager and they will cancel. Demand a complee refund and if you don't get it, threaten the BBB and the Attorney General. Two can play this game. Get your account closed and money back and demand to be put on a "Do Not Call" list.
I hope this helps and I am sorry for all those I had duped into paying. I hope you all get your money back.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
kc
nowhere,USA
IMA and your Credit Report
#2Author of original report
Sat, December 05, 2009
They do not report to your credit bureau. Be aware!!! Do not pay them a thing, demand a refund of every penny they STOLE from you. They prey on people that do not stand up for themselves. Stand up for your rights!! They can not hurt you unless you allow them too. Advise them you Will report them to the Attorney general and BBB. You will get a refund. And yes DO REPORT them. GO GET THEM AND GET YOUR MONEY. You DO NOT have to pay them anything. They may start to brow beat you and say "well, you said your were Not going to cancel"....bull. Cancel!!! Good luck to all...kc
JC Mayo
roswell,Georgia,
United States of America
Magazine Readers Service. can they send my account to collect agancies and hurt my credit???
#3General Comment
Wed, December 02, 2009
unfortunatelly I had the same expirience in sep 09 with magazine readers service. I had my card canceled the moment I realized that it was a scam. I called MRS to have the membership cancel but they said that I have a pending amount of more than 100 dollars and that I needed to take care of that payment first in order to make arrangments to the account, and only then they would transfer me to costumer service. My question is, if they dont want to cancel the membership, can they send me to collection and hurt my credit?. One more thing, I just got a magazine today, which is the first one, and of course I dont want it, I want to send it back but there is no address showing where is coming from, does anybody know where to return it, or does it make no difference?
D/
Christiana,Tennessee,
USA
Don't just threaten- Report this company!!
#4Consumer Suggestion
Sun, September 27, 2009
Report: # 500282 response My experience with National Readers Service back in August absolutely confirms what you have said here, kc. My daughter had made no progress in cancelling her account herself other than being offered a reduced payment plan or a settlement just as you describe. However, when I called on her behalf over a month later, the moment I turned the conversation to the fact they had already been reported to the Federal Trade Commission and of my intentions to report them to the Attorneys General , the National Consumers League , and the Better Business Bureau they listened. They immediately agreed to close her account and refund her payment. In fact, they agreed to refund it twice !! Your apology to those scammed and heartfelt desire for customers (victims) to get their money back was not missed and is much appreciated. However, for there to be any possibility of this company being held accountable and stopped, the process cannot end with using idle threats to simply get our money back. We must follow through on actually filing complaints against this company. Official investigations (which numerous complaints may trigger) make their ability to continue doing this type of business more difficult . These links may be helpful for reporting unacceptable business practices. DO NOT CALL COMPLAINT LINKS Federal Trade Commission: http://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2 Federal Communication Commission: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall/#howtocomplain Business Practice Complaint Links Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ National Consumers League: https://secure.nclforms.org/nficweb/nfic.htm Find any Attorney General with this sites handy map: http://www.naag.org/ Better Business Bureau: http://www.bbb.org/ Good luck to all of us!! D/ www.theNRSscam.blogspot.com
kc
nowhere,USA
More info
#5Author of original report
Fri, September 25, 2009
aka: Nationwide Readers Servie, Premier Readers Service, Readers Choice Promotions, Readers Mart, Reading Club of America, Santa Fe Marketing Group, World Class Maketing, and the Best for last United Benefit Service or Associates...all these names are subject to change and they are all a scam. College students beware. Elderly and middle america. DO NOT DO THIS..hang up, better yet..DO NOT ANSWER UNIDENTIFIED PHONE NUMERS>>>>EVER
