I signed an agreement on November 24, 2008 with NAC (National Advertising Center) of Canoga Park, California (also apparently listed as Video Reporter) when their salesman came into my business. Along with the agreement, I provided a check to him for $199.
The agreement was for a total of $1,200 to advertise in a brochure to be placed at a specific location. The salesman advised I would have an ad proof to approve before publication and before any money would be deducted from my bank account. By e-mail, that day, I forwarded my company logo to NAC.
There was no contact from the company until January 19, 2009 when I was invoiced for $361. On February 4, 2009, I received an e-mail from NAC art department with a proof that required my signature with instruction to fax back with signature, and I sent an e-mail back with changes, and waited for a proof.
On February 12, 2009 I received an e-mail from NAC art department with a revised ad that required my signature and instruction to fax back to them with my signature. I made changes and faxed back to them. No proof after that was provided to me to approve before publishing.
On March 3, 2009, NAC made an electronic check and took $361 from my account, yet no proof was ever signed off.
On March 13, 2009, I sent a letter to cancel the contract and requested a refund.
March 20, 2009, NAC invoiced me for $325.
On March 28, 2009, NAC took $3,325 from my account. Same date I sent a letter to cancel the contract again, requested refund, and phoned NAC, left messages, and sent an e-mail to them.
On March 30, 2009, several more phone calls and messages left with the company. Finally spoke to Anna who denied knowledge of any electronic checks and asked me to fax the info to her which I did. When Anna received my document, she called to say they would handle the refund. I told her my bank was processing the paperwork for this.
I filed a fraud report with my bank, and also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. NAC lied to the BBB and said they would refund my money. My bank has been working with them and I have received not one penny at this point.
I canceled my bank account and opened another one so no more electronic checks could be taken out of my account by NAC.
I have a small business and this was a disaster. My checks bounced and I had to borrow money to cover my legitimate debits. They have been working with my money for well over two months and it has had disasterous affects on me from having to close my account to being in debt because they took all my money. I never saw the ad until after this occurred nor did I ever find it where it was to be placed. The promises made by their salesperson about nothing being printed until I approved and signed off was what I relied upon.
This company lied. All in all, they took an unauthorized $3,686.00 from my account via 2 electronic checks for some advertising that did not amount to 1/3 of that.
This company has about 170 complaints against it. They are unresponsive and could care less what they do to others. Several of my fellow merchants have also had trouble with this company. I would never recommend anyone advertise with this company.
The company finally refunded my money after several months. but I have been harassed with invoices ever since. Do not do business with this company.