Complaint Review: Manchester Who's Who - Uniondale New York

Last month, I received a letter from Manchester Who's Who dated July 12, 2006. It said that I was "being considered for inclusion into the 2006/2007 Manchester Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women "Honors Edition" of the registry." It also suggested that I fill out a card with my biographic information "within five business days" and that "[t]here is no cost to be included." The card said that "[t]here is no charge or obligation for qualified individuals to be listed." I was flattered and found this appealing, so I sent it in.

On the afternoon of July 31st, I received a call from a representative who conducted my "interview," asking me questions about what I do on a day-to-day basis, why I chose the field I'm in, what professional organizations I'm affiliated with, my community service activities, and avocations. Then I was bombarded with membership levels (gold-5 years, platinum-lifetime) and was asked to provide my credit card number.

I made the mistake of giving to the rep who, of course, immediately charged my account. He said something about airline vouchers (which I'm starting to suspect are worthless) and Kravit jewelers coupons (which, according to another posting on this site regarding the same company) "are actually only good towards the purchase of an item three times the value of the gift card, meaning that it amounts to a 30% off coupon!"

Since I didn't recall the rep telling me that membership sales were final and since I assumed the company was legitimate and therefore should've seen this as an actual honor, I obliged.

Excited, I looked up Manchester Who's Who on the internet and found out that I may well have been scammed. Upset, I called my credit card company and they are currently disputing the charge (I'm expecting a form from the bank) but I saw from other postings on this site that the company "would play my recorded acceptance of the membership and it would be denied" and the one victim "immediately disputed the charge on with [his] credit card company and then received a whole host of lies from Manchester Who's Who around it was too late, [he] was already using the services and why hadn't [he] called them." I also saw from their new website that Manchester Who's Who and Empire Who's Who have merged to form Cambridge Who's Who.

I read another posting on this site from someone who had a similar problem with Empire Who's Who and they "contested the charge on [their] credit card and the credit card company issued a "charge back" against Empire Who's Who" and that Who's Who Directories "said [they] had to pay anyway and contested the chargeback. The credit card company charged [them] again. [They] countered their claim and the matter has been bouncing back and forth for fully four months without resolution" (this was posted on Rip-off Report back in March 2006). Is this what I'm in for?

I left messages for the rep to cancel my order but he never called me back. I finally got in touch with the Finance Director who told me that all sales were final and I told him that I don't believe the rep informed me of that and the Finance Director said "I'm not going to argue with you". He also said that the July 31st conversation was recorded. I told him that no one asked for my consent to record the conversation and he said that the company didn't need my consent. I also told him that the $508.95 charge would hurt me financially (as I'm dealing with cancer issues (along with terrible insurance plan) and increasing cost of living with no pay adjustments for inflation from my employer (in fact, I haven't had a raise in over five years dispute superior performance reviews).

The Finance Director emailed a letter for me to sign and return which would deduct $100.00 (that's alldespite my problems and their website says that the American Cancer Society is a supported charitythat REALLY offends me!).

The Disputes Department of my credit card company in addition to an ex-Who's Who employee who posted on the Rip-off Report suggested that I not sign anything. I'm also extremely worried that if the charge is successfully disputed (which I'm hoping for), Who's Who Directories (as it's called on the credit card company's records) will use this to damage my credit which I worked hard for years to build.

I am ashamed that I let them do this to me. I am a sensitive person and I'm not confrontational at all. I also really thought this was a legitimate honor and I didn't want to jeopardize it (I know better now) and I feel the rep's sales technique backed me into a corner (I really felt pressuredthis was actually the worst sales pressure I ever felt).

I don't believe I was told that membership sales were final and cannot see how they could be if I buy something and I'm not satisfied. And the original letter I received from Manchester Who's Who said "[t]here is no charge or obligation for qualified individuals to be listed." I don't believe the rep would've given me a chance to read any disclaimers or do research based on other postings I've seen on this company.

I have yet to receive anything they said they were going to send. When (and if) I receive them, should I send them back via UPS or certified mail? I can't afford this membership, which I won't even benefit from.

I'm considering reporting the matter to the BBB and to the Attorney General but read on two other websites that Manchester Who's Who threatened to sue a couple of people for slander if they said anything negative about their company.

I find this, along with the credit card charge dispute nightmares I've read about, as well as the fact that the company moves around, has people who falsify their names (this is according to a posting on this site by an ex-employee), very scary! Not to mention the fact the Manchester Who's Who and Empire Who's Who (which apparently has similar practices) have merged.

Given the high-pressure sales technique following the interview, the distinguished looking letter and website, the claim in the original letter that "[t]here [would be] no cost to be included," the supposed recording of the conversation without my consent, and the lack of a trial membership (all sales finalwhich I wasn't aware of until I talked to the Finance Director), I cannot understand how this can be legal.

I feel as if this company preyed upon me and it really hurts! Can someone tell me how I can get this resolved?

T

Franklin County, Ohio
U.S.A.