Complaint Review: Joseph Stevens & Associates - Ventura California

In late September 2007, we were harassed by JS&A to use their service to collect from a customer of ours that was severely delinquent. Seriously, four-5 phone calls a day to the owner of the company. The owner finally fell to the pressure against my will, and gave JS&A $1500 via a credit card to hold the 'Special' discount price' if we used their service. We were Crystal Clear with, Tim Burke, the salesman hounding us, that we were only holding the intro price with the $1500. We told him very clearly, repeatedly, that we wanted to give the customer one last chance to settle the delinquent payment before we used J&S's service. We instructed Tim Burke, that we were giving our customer until th 10th of October to resolve the payment. Immediately after being told we gave this company money, I googled JS&A, to see what we were dealing with. The first two entries on Google were a 'Rip-Off Report' and a Better Business Bureau hit against J&S. I immediately called J&S to cancel the order. No Forms had been signed-NONE. Tim Burke, the snake, asks, "What Happened since yesterday to change your mind?" I replied, that I wanted to give my customer until the 10th of October, we wanted our $1500 refunded now, and that we would call them back if we needed them. Tim burke said he would have to talk with someone first, but the refund would be credited back to the card with in one to two business days. Didn't happen. We talked to our customer after a few days, just to find out that J&S had sent them a nasty letter. As soon as I found out, I called J&S again, spoke with Tim, and told him we have cancelled, we did not want any letters going to our customer, we did not want to use their service at this time. He appoligised, made some excuse as to why it happened, and stated that we would receive our money back by that Friday, October 5th or at least by that next Monday, October 8th. In the mean time we contacted our customer and had numerous sain conversations with him to rectify the situation. We ended up reducing our price to get the invoice paid, realizing that it wasn't worth the hassle of using a collection agency. I called J&S to ask about the payment refund on the 29th of October, almost a month after getting a promise of a refund. Tim Burke said, "I am sorry, our accountant has been out of the office all month." He then transfered me to a vicious female that told me we could not cancel, we signed an agreement giving them permission to go after this customer. I disagreed, told her we canceled with in 24 hours of the hold payment, see exclaimed, "No you didn't, and started yelling that we can't cancel we signed an agreement. I reminded he we did not sign any documents. I asked her to fax me the so called 'signed document and she refused. I made the mistake of telling her we made arrangements to collect from the customer. She then demanded I tell her the amount I would be collecting, I refused and asked repeatedly for the 'signed' agreement that did not exsist. She refused repeatedly, getting angrier and angrier. She was very rude to us, their almost customer. I finally made up a number and gave it to her. She faxed me an invoice for 50% of the amount I made up, and the agreement that was not signed by anyone. For starters, the discounted price was 18% not 50%, and we cancelled with in 24 hours and never signed an agreement. I gave Tim one last phone call just to be 'black flagged' by the receptionist. "He is out of the office, no he is in a meeting." I asked for the manager of the building or Joseph Stevens, she said that person was in the meeting too." I finally reached Tim Burke, just to have him call me a f-ing joke and hang up. This is horrible. We did not sign anything, we canceled with in 24 hours, they have our $1500, and they are now threatning us that they will send their undeserved invoice to collections. I will be submiting a simular letter to the BBB, the Govenor of California, and both Washington and California Atourney Generals. Learn never to to accept solicitation over the phone or in the mail! If someone calls you to sell you something, BE RUDE TO THEM! Don't even listen to it for a second. Assume all incoming solicitation is a scam just like Joseph Steven & Associates.

Gary

Spanaway, Washington

U.S.A.