Sue
Lake Forest,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, August 15, 2003
Kimberly from NME, I followed your instructions and talked to Richard in your Cust. Serv. Dept. I told him I wanted contract cancelled, he said 3 years, collection people had said 4! He asked me for $25 since NME had paid up front, I said it was illegal; null and void because girls are under 18. He was pleasant and gave me a cancellation #. I told him collection agents are rude, ignorant and not a good company to have represent NME, if in fact NME wants a better image generally - he thanked me. Called collection hustlers and spoke with Rodriguez - put on hold, one word, hold, hold, hold, then spoke to someone else - they were playing with me like a cat with a mouse. So I adopted more rapid,strict,dictatorial tone, gave him account #, daughter's name, and cancellation # from NME, he asked for no further information. I then asked to be transferred to the "cattle auctioneer", Keisha, on her extension, dead silence! So I called back. Got through to her extension spoke to a man instead by the name of Steve. She was not in today! However, I proceeded to give him all of the same information I had given Rodriguez, but Steve had the sense to ask me to validate who I was: name, address, phone no. etc. I sincerely suggest that anyone else that has similar problems, just follow the advice I have been given, do not pay, call the appropriate people and be very very stern with them - do not let them take the "upper hand". I will still send letters by Certified Mail to all involved including the Attorney General. If you are not strong enough/unable to do this yourself, then get someone who is to do it for you. Don't enter any free sweepstakes without knowing the full implications - nothing is free!
Kimberly
Clearwater,#3UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 15, 2003
Sorry you got the Sales Department here is the number to the Customer Service Dept 1-800-235-3623 they are the ones that handle cancellations etc. And they would be able to verify if it was cancelled or not. I'm not sure how a Debt Collector could have the right/ability to cancel it themselves since they are an independent company (even if it should be cancelled). Secondly, you are correct that is a very rude collection agency or representative at the very least. I would definitely be writing about/to them regarding the situation. No one deserves to be treated that way not even those who are delinquent which you obviously aren't. Please do Contact NME regarding this collection agency as well since they definitely want to have the right companies representing us.
Kimberly
Clearwater,#4UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 15, 2003
Sorry you got the Sales Department here is the number to the Customer Service Dept 1-800-235-3623 they are the ones that handle cancellations etc. And they would be able to verify if it was cancelled or not. I'm not sure how a Debt Collector could have the right/ability to cancel it themselves since they are an independent company (even if it should be cancelled). Secondly, you are correct that is a very rude collection agency or representative at the very least. I would definitely be writing about/to them regarding the situation. No one deserves to be treated that way not even those who are delinquent which you obviously aren't. Please do Contact NME regarding this collection agency as well since they definitely want to have the right companies representing us.
Kimberly
Clearwater,#5UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 15, 2003
Sorry you got the Sales Department here is the number to the Customer Service Dept 1-800-235-3623 they are the ones that handle cancellations etc. And they would be able to verify if it was cancelled or not. I'm not sure how a Debt Collector could have the right/ability to cancel it themselves since they are an independent company (even if it should be cancelled). Secondly, you are correct that is a very rude collection agency or representative at the very least. I would definitely be writing about/to them regarding the situation. No one deserves to be treated that way not even those who are delinquent which you obviously aren't. Please do Contact NME regarding this collection agency as well since they definitely want to have the right companies representing us.
Kimberly
Clearwater,#6UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 15, 2003
Sorry you got the Sales Department here is the number to the Customer Service Dept 1-800-235-3623 they are the ones that handle cancellations etc. And they would be able to verify if it was cancelled or not. I'm not sure how a Debt Collector could have the right/ability to cancel it themselves since they are an independent company (even if it should be cancelled). Secondly, you are correct that is a very rude collection agency or representative at the very least. I would definitely be writing about/to them regarding the situation. No one deserves to be treated that way not even those who are delinquent which you obviously aren't. Please do Contact NME regarding this collection agency as well since they definitely want to have the right companies representing us.
April
Waldorf,#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, August 13, 2003
I can almost gaurentee that this account was not cancelled. In fact, if you call them again, you'll find that out. This is one of the reasons there are suits filed against NME. My suggestion, send a copy of these letters to your Attorney General, they'll love to see what other laws NME are breaking.
Sue
Lake Fores,#8REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, August 12, 2003
I called the number for NME, variety of companies for one number, got through to sales, put on hold, then cut off - what a surprise - NOT! The witch at the collection agency has been calling my daughter on her pre paid cell, from PA to CA! I called her on the regular home 'phone to tell her to stop - she would not stop talking AT me. I asked her to shut up for a minute and listen. She asked to speak to my daughter, I said "no" since this is not allowed since prior collector said it is illegal since daughter is under 18! Then she demanded money and said she had tapes of daughter's voice. Told her deal is null and void, against the law because of age and it is not even my daughter! She verbally harrassed me yet again. Told her to be quiet and listen for a second. Attempted to repeat law to her - mid flow she interrupts and says "it will be cancelled and that I am a bad mother, with a very bad daughter!" Hope she got her satisfaction from this. I will be sending two separate Certified Mail letters, 1 to NME stating facts and other to the 2 "oh so rude" debt collectors (that would make better cattle auctioneers) at the debt collection office. I wonder if this will indeed be the end of this? Any comments gratefully accepted.
Greg
Largo,#9UPDATE Employee
Tue, August 05, 2003
Let's try to tackle this in steps. First, someone, possibly your daughter or her unruly friend called in to the NME sweepstakes. NME has a strict policy of no sales to minors, the sweepstakes mailer even states "Must be 18 to enter". Didn't read the mailer, right? Second, even if a Minor does order magazines, they can call-in and cancel because the Law allows Minors to void a contract while still a Minor. So you can call the NME Customer Service number and cancel. Third, Tate and Kirlin Associates is a Collection Agency not NME. NME does not specifically condone these types of collections tactics. Contact NME Customer Service to resolve this, forget the Collection Agency. Fourth, NME records every verbal transaction digitally and Customer Service can review and verify if your daughter misrepresented her age. Last, Minors, be careful misrepresenting your age, this is the kind of trouble it can cause.
mr. employee
Miami,#10UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 11, 2003
Dear Sue I want to say that I am sorry that you are going through this. I still work for the company but I want you to know that I am very upset with the company and am willing to help you in any which was I can. Unfortunely I will not be able to release my name to you but all the info that you would need and like I can give to you. Because I know how hard it is to get the correct information when you need it. But I am willing to help you. I am sorry that I can not give you my name but anything that I can help you with please feel free to ask. This company has gotten to the point thatI am sitting here giving out all the info that I can for you. And I don't care what they think if they read this. If I can help 1 person on this site then at least I know that i have done a REAL job for today or tomorrow or whenever. So if you have any questions please drop me an email and I will get in contact with you A.S.A.P. Yours truly
mr. employee
Miami,#11UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 11, 2003
Dear Sue I want to say that I am sorry that you are going through this. I still work for the company but I want you to know that I am very upset with the company and am willing to help you in any which was I can. Unfortunely I will not be able to release my name to you but all the info that you would need and like I can give to you. Because I know how hard it is to get the correct information when you need it. But I am willing to help you. I am sorry that I can not give you my name but anything that I can help you with please feel free to ask. This company has gotten to the point thatI am sitting here giving out all the info that I can for you. And I don't care what they think if they read this. If I can help 1 person on this site then at least I know that i have done a REAL job for today or tomorrow or whenever. So if you have any questions please drop me an email and I will get in contact with you A.S.A.P. Yours truly
mr. employee
Miami,#12UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 11, 2003
Dear Sue I want to say that I am sorry that you are going through this. I still work for the company but I want you to know that I am very upset with the company and am willing to help you in any which was I can. Unfortunely I will not be able to release my name to you but all the info that you would need and like I can give to you. Because I know how hard it is to get the correct information when you need it. But I am willing to help you. I am sorry that I can not give you my name but anything that I can help you with please feel free to ask. This company has gotten to the point thatI am sitting here giving out all the info that I can for you. And I don't care what they think if they read this. If I can help 1 person on this site then at least I know that i have done a REAL job for today or tomorrow or whenever. So if you have any questions please drop me an email and I will get in contact with you A.S.A.P. Yours truly
mr. employee
Miami,#13UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 11, 2003
Dear Sue I want to say that I am sorry that you are going through this. I still work for the company but I want you to know that I am very upset with the company and am willing to help you in any which was I can. Unfortunely I will not be able to release my name to you but all the info that you would need and like I can give to you. Because I know how hard it is to get the correct information when you need it. But I am willing to help you. I am sorry that I can not give you my name but anything that I can help you with please feel free to ask. This company has gotten to the point thatI am sitting here giving out all the info that I can for you. And I don't care what they think if they read this. If I can help 1 person on this site then at least I know that i have done a REAL job for today or tomorrow or whenever. So if you have any questions please drop me an email and I will get in contact with you A.S.A.P. Yours truly
Kent
Sandy,#14Consumer Suggestion
Thu, July 10, 2003
According to California Law A company canot enter into a contract with a minor verbal or written and not knowing her age does not matter ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law if they are acknowledging she is the one who ordered it. if they try to put it on her credit they would be in violation of the fair credit act first off she is a minor that makes the whole thing null and void its illegal check your local statute