Beautiful Manes
Well-Known Member
Hi Guys
Just wanted to bring up the subject of advertising scams, which I am sure has been discussed before, but always seems to be an ongoing risk.
Usually I am very vigilant of any kind of advertising and sales calls especially as I used to work in law, but this time THEY GOT ME.:cry:
Basically I have my own Hair & Beauty Salon in Northamptonshire and on Thursday of last week I received a telephone call from a lady who said that she was phoning from a certain doctors surgery just a couple of miles away from my salon. She explained that they are just in the process of having their new appointment cards produced and were looking for local companies to advertise on these appointment cards. She then went on to say that she was aware that we offer a wig service and that this would be a good advert to have on their cards, as presently they are sending their patience further a field for wigs. Because this was local advertising with a well established surgery I agreed to see their representative the following day. Along came the rep, who made this form of advertising seem like a really good idea. The catch (there had to be one) in order to secure a good place on the appointment card I would need to pay a deposit and I would have to agree to take the advertising over a 2 year period. He really pressured me into agreeing and (stupidly) I gave him my card details to take a 350.00 initial payment. As he left, I had a really bad feeling so I rang the doctors surgery concerned for peace of mind. Initially I was told that they were not aware of this company at all and that they had received a couple of calls that day by other people regarding it (my stomach felt sick). I asked them to double check with the surgery manager which they did and they then confirmed that they were aware of the company, however they did not really want to get involved as the company are responsible for getting the sponsors and therefore they could not commit to saying whether my advert would be successful. They also confirmed that nobody from their actual surgery had phoned me.
When I got home I did some internet searching and found a website forum regarding this advertising company (Leisure-Medical UK). Basically anyone who has gone ahead with the advertising has had little or no business from it and some people had lost their money.
www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=1453&mpage=1
I rang my bank straight away and could not believe how quickly this company had taken the money from my bank. I decided to write to the company immediately and cancel my advert and ask for my money back.
I made sure that I cancelled in writing within 5 days and sent the letter Recorded Delivery.
The company has now written back to me stating that the contract cannot be cancelled and therefore I cannot have my money back.
I will now write again referring them to the consumers rights law cooling off period and my rights and threaten them with court action.
I just wanted to warn all you business owners, as apparently these companies even target freelance people at home and they are becoming very crafty.
Just wanted to bring up the subject of advertising scams, which I am sure has been discussed before, but always seems to be an ongoing risk.
Usually I am very vigilant of any kind of advertising and sales calls especially as I used to work in law, but this time THEY GOT ME.:cry:
Basically I have my own Hair & Beauty Salon in Northamptonshire and on Thursday of last week I received a telephone call from a lady who said that she was phoning from a certain doctors surgery just a couple of miles away from my salon. She explained that they are just in the process of having their new appointment cards produced and were looking for local companies to advertise on these appointment cards. She then went on to say that she was aware that we offer a wig service and that this would be a good advert to have on their cards, as presently they are sending their patience further a field for wigs. Because this was local advertising with a well established surgery I agreed to see their representative the following day. Along came the rep, who made this form of advertising seem like a really good idea. The catch (there had to be one) in order to secure a good place on the appointment card I would need to pay a deposit and I would have to agree to take the advertising over a 2 year period. He really pressured me into agreeing and (stupidly) I gave him my card details to take a 350.00 initial payment. As he left, I had a really bad feeling so I rang the doctors surgery concerned for peace of mind. Initially I was told that they were not aware of this company at all and that they had received a couple of calls that day by other people regarding it (my stomach felt sick). I asked them to double check with the surgery manager which they did and they then confirmed that they were aware of the company, however they did not really want to get involved as the company are responsible for getting the sponsors and therefore they could not commit to saying whether my advert would be successful. They also confirmed that nobody from their actual surgery had phoned me.
When I got home I did some internet searching and found a website forum regarding this advertising company (Leisure-Medical UK). Basically anyone who has gone ahead with the advertising has had little or no business from it and some people had lost their money.
www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=1453&mpage=1
I rang my bank straight away and could not believe how quickly this company had taken the money from my bank. I decided to write to the company immediately and cancel my advert and ask for my money back.
I made sure that I cancelled in writing within 5 days and sent the letter Recorded Delivery.
The company has now written back to me stating that the contract cannot be cancelled and therefore I cannot have my money back.
I will now write again referring them to the consumers rights law cooling off period and my rights and threaten them with court action.
I just wanted to warn all you business owners, as apparently these companies even target freelance people at home and they are becoming very crafty.
i gave em a deposit on my card and was told that the next installment would be taken by cheque (they would write when it was needed!) well they took it off my card so i phoned em and was told it i had signed the contract so i had to abide by it (hence leting them take money off my card details ) i had gave the woman hell at this point !!
