Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:17:34 -0400
From: Kathy Morris
Subject: “School Booster” rip-off?
Has any other local business owner experienced a problem with this outfit?
Some time ago, I was called by someone claiming to represent Northwood High School, asking if I wanted to place an ad on their 2009 Spring Sports Poster. I’ve done similar local advertising in the past, but I explained to the caller that times were tight and I was not interested this time.
Not long after, I received a letter from “School Booster Co” asking me to approve my ad before their printing deadline. I called the number on the letter and told them that I had not placed an ad and did not wish to change my mind. They apologized for their mistake and agreed to “cancel the order”.
Then, several weeks later, I got a bill from them for an ad. I threw it out. Now, I’ve gotten a pestering notice about my “unpaid account”. I called again, and was told by someone in heavily accented English that the account would be cancelled. I asked to have that in writing, no later than Friday (June 19). She asked for my fax number and promised I’d get a written notice. Today’s the 19th; I’ve received nothing.
This sounds like one of two things: Either this is a legitimate company who does a sorry job of keeping up with orders (if so, why in the world is Northwood dealing with an outfit from Albuquerque, NM to solicit ads from local businesses??), or it’s a ripoff outfit who’s matching up high schools and local businesses out of a phone book or some online directory. Either way, it’s soured me on responding favorably to /any/ telephone solicitation for advertising, even if it claims to be for something local that I’d otherwise be willing to support.
Kathy Morris
February Associates, Inc.