Complaint Review: United Quality Publications INC - Pensacola Florida

On Tuesday, August 17, 2010, our doorbell rang.  My husband answered and it was a young man who said he was selling magazines. He identified his self as Zac Jones. Saying he worked for a magazine sales company who helps young entrepreneurs open their businesses by giving them a portion of the sale price of the magazines they sell. And as an added bonus, the top sales person in each group (groups contain 100 men, and 100 women) wins a trip to Amsterdam. His particular group goes by the name of BUCKEYE528, and again his supposed name was Zac Jones. My husband apologized and told him no thanks. 

A few moments later I had went out to check the mail, and the man was knocking on our neighbors door.  He started chatting with me about all the childrens magazines they had, because he had noticed we had a small child when my husband had answered the door.  I told him he could come in since it was so hot out, and I would look over the list of magazines he was selling, and see if we were interested.

The entire time he was talking about his dream of opening a restaurant in southern California.  And how this company he works for helps them raise enough money to start it up, and as a bonus, the winner of the group comprised of 100 women, and 100 men, would also win a trip to Amsterdam.. he said he was in the lead with over 18,000 points. The whole time I felt something wasn't right, but I am always trying to help someone out, and when it comes to my own child, I have no limits.. so I figured buying him so magazines would be a great idea. And since it was a childrens magazine, the salesman got 1000 bonus points for all kids subscriptions.

We first picked out 6 magazines for a year and it came to $329.  I told him no way. So we narrowed it down to 3, totaling $151.  So I was like Ok- we will get 3 of them, and since he only needed 5 more orders to get to his goal, he'd only need 2 more from some other person. And since I'm always trying to help someone out... I thought I was being nice... and sure enough I was.

As soon as he walked out the door, I googled the company name and the first thing that popped up was all the rip off reports and bad info. So my husband ran out the door after him, and we saw him get into an old Brown Astro Van, with Ohio tags on it. There was a girl with blond hair driving. And they were high tailing it out of our neighborhood.  We jumped in the car and started to follow but we lost sight of them. We drove through a couple of neighborhoods near ours- but no sign of the scammers.  We did call police but there is nothing they can really do they said.  They took a report and said they'll keep their eyes out.

Even though we paid in cash, one good thing is that they don't have our check, which contains our bank routing, and account number.  So even though they got $151 from me, they can't wipe me dry.  I am so furious with myself, because I am well aware of these scams.  But for some reason, I let this one happen.  Live and learn I guess.

Just as I was writing online to let the world know, my mother phoned me. She lives 2 miles away, and I had already told her what happened to me.  She informed me there was a girl at her door selling magazines.  I told her to let her in, and keep her there like you were interested.  I flew to my moms as fast as I could, and on my way phoned the police again and told them they were at my moms. I gave them the address and they said they'd be on the way!

So I arrive at my moms, and tell the girl what happened and she admits that is the group she is with but she had no idea it was a scam. I don't believe it, and I gave her the chance to give my money back and get lost before the police arrived. But she said she didn't have it.  The police showed up, and the van that dropped her off, came back looking for her, and the police got them all!  The "zac" that took my money gave it back to me, and as police questioned them all, and got their ID's... the called for back up- and before I knew it, there was 3 police cars, a K9 unit, and undercover at my mom's.  Needless to say- they left in the back of cop cars with handcuffs on. I told the police that they should check the names and addresses on all the receipts they can find, so others could get their money too. 

It was my only intention to try to get my money back.  I would have been ok if the police let them go and told them to stay out of town... but I have to admit, I was happy to see them get into more trouble than just a slap on the wrist! I am thankful for whatever miracle happened to allow me to get my money back... and I have learned a valuable lesson... and thankfully it didn't end up costing me $151. 

In case the clowns get out of jail, and try this again... please be aware that these people are out there. And that you not be as lucky as my family and I were to get that money back.  It was mere coincidence that the same group hit my mom's house an hour after mine... but I thank god I told her, even though she chewed me out for falling for this.  But if I hadn't told her, she wouldn't have called me while they were at her house! It all worked out for me... I'm not sure the outcome for the scammers... but I frankly don't care. I hope the police are able to help others that were scammed too!