AT&T YellowPages.com does what they want

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Complaint

0
James
Country: United States
Hello,

A warning for anyone that gets a telemarketing call from AT&T YellowPages.com. My wife and I own a small mom and popbusiness and my wife received a call and listened to the person go through their services, but when he gave my wife the pricing she told him that she would speak with me and he'd contact her the next day. When the next day came she told him no not now.

They proceeded to bill us and said that from part of the conversation they consider it an ok for the expensive but totally useless service. A billion dollar company screwing over a mom and pop. Know they are trying to sue us for failing to make any payments in a service which we did not want.

I guess billion dollar companies and their lawyers think it's ok to screw mom and pop stores and my guess is that the idiotic court system will probably side with them since the supposedly have a voice recording, but coincidently without the end section nor the day after part just cut down to what the contracted telemarketer (who no longer with them for some undisclosed reason) are using as the ok. I guess that since they can no loger use their marketing tactic on people now they have started on mom and pop's.

Jim Tabele

Comments

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  • 0
    Z Aspacio
    Bait and switch, I met in person with Natalie Klawiter the account manager with yellowpages.com. Natalie presented a mini lap top and provided me with a 2,500.00 contract "the lowest available figuring for running the ad" , she then introduced a 6,000.00 plus quote to which I was very uneasy with however, Natalie explained the nationwide campaign would work better for my business. She encouraged me with services I was not secure about obtaining. Account manager, Natalie had me sign, a “e-contract” and never presented me with a complete contract for my viewing, she complained about her PC not working properly and she would get me what I needed. Needless to say, I found myself with this enormous bill, incomplete internet listing which did not measure to quality I was told would be given.  She listed business in a unrelated field, all calls that came in were for persons looking for a dermatologist and not looking to purchase skin care product.  In all, I'm currently faced with a 12month contract for services I did not agree to, and yellowpages.com has failed to make any changes 1. To the ad listing 2.For the over charge to my account 3. Broken Lines of Communication for services to cancel or continue.  I have been a loyal customer to yellowpages.com with a separate business for more than 3years up until this point.  I've been violated by the misrepresentation and dishonesty of this company, and since I've had to cancel any charges paid to yellowpages.com on my American Express Credit Card.
  • 0
    CharlieR
    | 1 reply
    - 54% of households dispose of their new YellowPages directories - regardless of the brand - without removing them from the plastic bag they are delivered in.  
    - 100+ Newspapers accross the country have gone out of business and dozens more are on the brink of failure.
    - With DVR and TIVO, viewers fast forward past the TV ads.
    - Premium satellite radio is ad free.
    - 68% of searches for local products or services start online with a Google, Yahoo! MS Live or other search.

    So; If you could have an inexpensive and attractive web presence that was
    o    fed to high-traffic sites like Google, Yahoo! or MS LiveSearch, as well as facebook, myspace, CNN.com, HGTV.com and others…
    o    requires very little technical skill to create and maintain allowing you to spend as much or as little time as you want in updates...
    o    includes photo and video albums to feature/highlight the best aspects of your business…
    o    delivers customer testimonials/reviews…
    o    presents printable coupons to track and measure results (ROI)…
    o    offers a map with interactive driving directions to and from your business…
    o    targets zip codes of your choosing...
    o    has a robust reporting and analytics console, and
    o    is available to you for about $5 a day
    would you be interested in learning more?

    If so, let me know...

    Charlie
    grow.biz.now@gmail.com
    • 0
      Joe replies to CharlieR
      I would love to know where you found the stats showing 54% of housholds dispose of their new  directories before taking them out of the bag that they are delivered in.  When they delivered the books on my street, I didn't see a one tossed out during that week.  Gee, I wonder what marketing products you have to sell?
  • 0
    Kent Truckenbrod
    Another unhappy customer. What's the next step?
  • 0
    Seattle Loves Yellowpages.com
    Unfortunately in todays internet environment people post reviews much like some people write on a bathroom wall.  They put all kinds of obsceen and innapropriate comments that have no verification or legitimacy.  This company has been the difference in me staying in business to say the least.  My income was down over 50% last year from the year previous, I can honestly say that my income has now come back to the level it was at two years ago.  In this Economic climate The bigger the internet advertising package with AT&T the better!! If you dont advertise how do you plan on staying in business??  This is business 101, just be cautious of comnpanys that say they are yellowpages.com, make sure you are meeting with an employee of AT&T,  If you dont do something proactive to stay in business, you will end up becoming reactive and that is usually a loosing battle.  Email me if you would like more info on my sales rep,  some are deffinetely better than others mine is very consultative and has answered his phone pretty much every time I've called him.  carcrasher007@hotmail.com
  • 0
    Paul I Perkins, Esq.
    CAN YOU CONTACT ME?
  • 0
    Tom Jin
    Dear  at&t!
    I applied to Yellowpage.com as condition as Google and Yahoo 1st page advertising about 1year ago . I have a phone recording(your agent : Terry &  Jeniffer  714.704.5598).
    But the real advertise hasn’t been same as original, so I complained to your company several times by mail and phone. There was no correct response, just sending to me a billing statement.

    I paid for around 1year your billing statement in spite of different ads.
    I don’t want to pay anymore. This billing statement is absolutely wrong.
    Your agent John Sevilla called me(10:00am 5/15/09) that it will be finish billing statement in  July . His phone number : 951.774.4340.

    I want to refund all my payment for around 1year and cancel.

    Thank you !
    J Limo
    P.O. Box 60654
    Irvine,CA92602
    949.295.1454
  • 0
    PAUL PERKINS
    I have filed a class action against yellowpages.com

    PLEASE CONTACT ME TOLL FREE 800.656.9529  or by email: paulperkins@lynchlawyers.com
  • 0
    Rebecca
    How can I file with the class action suit against Yellowpages.com?  They are outragious.
  • 0
    Thomas R
    I have an ad with ATT's print directory and also www.yellowpages.com. For all of you complaining about not getting business, please remember that advertising is to bring exposure to your business. Advertising brings you qualify leads. It is the business owners to close the leads and make a sale. If the business don't answer the phone or return a voicemail promptly, who's fault is it? If the business owner cannot close the sale, who's fault is it? If the business owner is rude, who's fault is it? You can get a 100 phone calls, but if you don't close the sale, who's fault is it? Please don't put up these nonsense about how it did not bring you business. Advertising bring in the leads, now its your job to close it. Please do a return on investment worksheet. For example: If your total ad cost you $500 per month, and your average job nets you $300, and you get 20 calls a month, can you close half? Can you close a quarter? Take that number and times it by $300. I try to close at least half. 10x300 is $3000. Net $2500 from a $500 ad? I will take that all day. Most business owners will be happy with a 20% profit. What is the profit margin from this example? You do the math. Business is a numbers game. You are in business to make a profit. Its working smarter, not harder. Advertising bring in leads, its the business owners job to close the sale.
  • 0
    CC
    Searches is different from propensity to buy. Only 5% who searches, buys. And who they buy from is another story. Most searches on search engines are for research purposes. When it comes to buying, most will go to the print directory or yellowpages.com for local businesses and only local businesses. Not ALL, but MOST.
  • 0
    AppleCreek General Contractors
    Please add us to this lawsuit. We have had abominable service and they haven't delivered one bit for 710/mo.

    Kristen Rhoades, MGR
    480-907-8524
  • 0
    Mike Pajunas
    We too have been cheated and lied to by AT&T Interactive / Yellow pages.com. We just started a small business ia April 09 and met with a slaes rep. from the Portland Office. He told us we would recieve 100-150 calls per month and get 5 or 6 six jobs per month from a $500.00 per month add. He said he would always be available for any problems and would make changes to the add if it did not perform as he said. He also assured us we could cancel the contract if it didn't perform. We opened an account with a signature. Our signature was suddenly put on a contract we never saw. Now, like you we are in a fraudlient contract and even the General Sales Mngr. will not cancel the contract. HELP ! We need to form a group and get the States attention to stop this. We have written the Attorney Generals Office, but havn't recieved a reply. We also have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Have you done similar things ?
  • 0
    AT&T YELLOWPAGES.COM STOP COLLECTIONS!
    http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/searches/stop-collection-calls.html

    Enclosed is an  extremely helpful link that will stop AT&T YellowPages.com bill collection / phone calls dead in their tracks.

    According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,  [15 USC 1692c] Section 805(c): CEASING COMMUNICATION: allow for protection against harassing phone calls from debt collection companies including AT&T YellowPages.com.  

    In order to stop collection calls at home you must send a certified signature  "Stop Calling Letter" to the collector. (see below)

    After sending the Stop Calling Letter, if the collection phone calls do not stop, the debt collector may just be liable to you for statutory damages of up to $1,000, plus any actual damages suffered, plus attorney fees and court costs!

    You will want to file a conciliation (Small Claims Court) action documenting the continuing phone calls from the collection company. Be certain to record the calls along with time and date to provide as evidence.  The telephone company maybe able to provide phone records. Also your cell phone records can also provide documentation of the harrassing phone calls.

    Conciliation or Small Claims Court is a very simple process (did I say simple!) with a filing fee of approximately $50.00.  If the defendant (AT&T YellowPages.com) does not show up to defend themselves, you may just end up winning a default judgment against them.  Small Claims Court can award damages from $5000 to $7500 depending upon limitations in your state.

    Alternatively, a junior attorney in a larger legal practice may be willing to take your case for a split of the damages awarded by the court.


    Now here is the STOP CALLING LETTER:


    FREE Sample Letter to Stop Debt Collection Calls
    Today's Date

    Your Name
    Your Address

    Collector's Name
    Collector's Address

    Mr./Ms. Collector,

    I am writing in response to your constant phone calls!

    According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,   [15 USC 1692c] Section 805(c): CEASING COMMUNICATION: You must cease all communication with me after being notified in writing that I no
  • 0
    Kevin J.
    I have tried Yellowpages.com and have never had an ethical experience with anyone at that company.  I have been lied to, voice verification used to sell me one product but later I find I have been sold two different products.  The language their salespeople are taught to use seems like one thing but can be twisted to "prove" something else entirely.  One product as an example is where they sell you a "Premium Listing."  Three months go by before they put everything they are supposed to in the ad but charge you from day one.  They call the add-ons "free" so when you complain about a partial listing being put up, they use that free word and say you still have a Premium Listing.  My last experience was buying a click program.  The salesperson added a Dot.com listing to it without my knowledge.  But, I am sure something in the recorded message is twisted to their benefit.  I would gladly be part of a class action suit against them.  Nobody from sales to management can be trusted.
  • 0
    Kevin J.
    There are some ignorant posts on here.  What does closing sales have to do with unethical sales practises supported by ATT Management?
  • 0
    Rachael
    Did you already file?  Because I have a huge complaint!
  • 0
    Kevin Candland
    PLease add me as well. My story is just as long, frustrating and really about deceiving business practices.
    Terms not defined. Recorded offer not the same as billed. Web site contact not approved. No customer support to speak of. Cancellation letter lost. Continued billing after written and verbal cancellation.

    Please add me to the list for a potential Class action suit. This is just plain wrong.

    kcandland@sbcglobal.net
  • 0
    Ed
    Here's is what my att Advertising contact said:

    5. Renewals. We reserve the right at our discretion, but we are not obligated, to renew your Advertising for renewal Terms coinciding with the publication dates of the directory. We will send you notice of renewal by U.S. Mail, containing any change in Advertising rates and the accompanying terms and conditions, and you may refuse the renewal by giving us written notice within 15 days from our mailing, or by the deadline contained in the notice, whichever is first. We reserve the right, upon written notice to you at any time prior to renewal: (a) not to renew your Advertising for reasons set forth in paragraph 2 above or (b) to eliminate or modify any terms, conditions, standards, specifications, products, headings or policies (including without limitation priority placement of Advertising) affecting your Advertising. All Internet Advertising will automatically renew at our discretion at the then current rate unless cancelled prior to the publication date of the next printed directory. After renewal, only changes resulting in the same or increased level of Internet Advertising charges may be made.

    After reading this I wrote a letter to my sales rep informing AT&T of my desire to cancel and not renew my contract. I mailed the letter certified mail so someone at AT&T had to sign for it. I have a copy of the letter and a return receipt that proves the cancellation letter was received. Now if AT&T tries to do something stupid and auto-renew me, I have material evidence that proves my notice to cancel was delivered.

    Here is the text of my cancellation letter:

    This letter is to inform you that our advertising agreement for print and internet advertising signed on ______ is not being renewed.

    Our company is extremely concerned that our other marketing activities -- free craigslist ads, contractor review websites and targeted flyer distribution – all outperformed the yellow pages print and internet advertising. Our free craigslist ads alone generated $300, 000 in contracts, yet the paid advertising in the Yellow Pages book and yellowpages.com generated $ 0 in revenue.

    In regards to internet marketing, over the last ten months yellowpages.com generated only 24 clicks to the our website. This was an average of 2.4 clicks a month! If I factor in the total cost of the internet advertising ($42 x 10 months = $420 ) and divide by the number of clicks generated ($420 / 24 = ) the cost per click is $17.50. During this same time frame our website had over 500 hits from craigslist at a cost per click of $0.0.

    Unless AT&T Advertising can somehow refund a significant portion of the funds paid on this non-performing advertising contract Our Company will make it a policy to never do business with AT&T Advertising again.

    Thank you,

    <your-name-here>

    This Works, just remember to send the letter certified or registered mail and the letter must be received by AT&T by your renewal deadline or you will be automatically renewed for another year.
  • 0
    Vlad
    SCAM,SCAM,SCAM,SCAM

    AT&T YELLOWPAGES ARE SCAMMERS. CROOKS. THEY WILL NOT CANCEL ACCOUNT. THE ONLY WAY TO DOWN INTERNET ADVERT. IS NOT TO PAY AND ONLY AFTER 4-5 MONTHS THEY WILL STOP IT AND WILL SEND YOU A DEBT COLLECTION LETTER. WHO HAD THE SAME CASE PLEASE E-MAIL ME @ slavanin1@yahoo.com
    DID THEY HURT SOMEONE'S CREDIT HISTORY?
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