NME National Magazine Exchange ripoff Clearwater Florida

I worked for the company twice actually. The first time for a year or so and made great money hourly and more with sales.  I even won a raffle for 200 dollars only time I ever won anything in my life.  We did try to talk people into buying magazines but never did anything shady except maybe sell a phone number.  I did hear we did that.  I only left which I regretted later cause I missed the money and office job because I was bored out of mind.  Too repetitive exact the same thin everyday soon counted down hours and calls till end of day.  Went back to try to work there again for the money but program wasnt as productive anymore.  We even had a cafeteria with a chef I mean how awesone is that.  

I'm tired of people saying that this company is a scam i'v been with the company since 2006 and have seen the million bucks givin away several times we are leget and we do not scam people if u don't want to get a letter in the mail tell your dam credit card companies to stop selling your names i understand what people are coming from but this money is real and so is the comapany it's not a scam

It's been over 20 years and these clowns IMO are still krapping on the planet and everyone who is foolish enough to respond to their krappy mailer and accept the krappy magazine scheme. 

I haven't read these postings in ages.  Are Eileen and Chuck still out there watching?

Now they call themselves Think Direct Marketing.  They still have IMO some of the little skippy morons in play like Rob and Karen and Teresa and Julie.  Is that clown Chris King still there or did he fade out with the building change?

Robert Moravek will probably outlast them all.

PEOPLE DON'T BUY THE MAGAZINES!!!!                                                                                                                   With the liberals killng this country don't you need your money for better things - LIKE RENT AND FOOD.

Hey backflipper - Ever heard of the man "backflipping" the moneychanger's tables??

There aint no getting along with thieves - The man would send NME off tossing like the moneychanger's tables.  Get it? - bet you don't.

I sure hope that charles clown is gone as well as chris king snake.  I think King was a HiPo-kritsky-potamus, that is a jerksky.

no one really wants nme's magazine deals or any other krap they sell (by sell i mean shove down your throat)

comments anyone?

I usually do not like the annoying mail and incoming calls.. but come on guys get along.. what would jesus do?

First I'd say the above "employee's" response shows where the true ethics of this company are! Very clever with the bloody sweaty finger buyers' remorse comment, but certainly you can see where these people would have easily been fooled. Call centers in general prey on these type of impulse buyers. Scenario: Times are hard, they know if it sounds too good to be true it probably is, but for once they have that small twinkle of hope that just MAYBE they have a chance at "winning" a way out and into the "glamorous life" with a million dollar prize. Logic would tell you no company benefits from giving away millions of dollars to total strangers, but hey, Publisher's Clearinghouse is on TV so maye it IS real, right? Then they start to thinking that maybe they ARE the actual winner so buying a few magazines wont set them back. Classic bait and switch, typical in the sales field to pitch on emotions. By the way, according to "Pat Haines'" son (identified as Randy or Randall) she is deceased, so how on earth is she sending letters to winners from the grave? If you don't know who that is (to the inside employee) look up Randall Romanow and that will give you more information. And then research the other companies he's been involved with (because in fact, he was a part of the beginning of NME) such as grantsorloansassociation.com or IBD Marketing, and you'll see this company is not as kosher as you have yourself hoping they are. Just because they've found grey areas to run with, doesn't mean what they're doing is morally correct. But that's on your karma, and everyone else's that is involved with them. To everybody who feels they were ripped off by these guys, simply contact your credit card company and do a chargeback. You'll have to prove your case, but if you WERE legitimately "ripped off" they'll give you your $ back after investigating.

Can you tell us what happened to Jeffery Fix and Thomas Lord?
Have these executives left SDP?

Can you tell us what the sales rebuttal is to the "Rip-Off-Report"?

Thanks

Stop lying to your self you are truly brainwashed..

UNDERSTAND ONE THING,

I am an employee of NME, my name is charlotte I've worked at NME for over 1 year, out of all the call centers I've worked at this is the only one that cares, that you tell the customer the correct true and exact information. If you slip up one word you get written up if you are not verbatim and clearly state the Price the length of the program we have to repeat and confirm this not once but 3 seperate times through out the call. If you didnt listen to the billing or didnt understand it we have know way of knowing unless you open your mouth and ask.

By the way all confirmation is recorded and listended to a tela of people called QA its thier job to bust us when we slip up, when we miss even one word we get written up and can face fines and or termination. We don't purposfully mislead anyone. We are offering a Risk free 90 day trial - you get 10 mags two diamond whatches and a pda just for trying the program. If you cancel during the 90 day period you get all your money back even after the 90 day period you can call and cancel and you still receive a refund for any of the mags you didnt receive, so you never pay for mags you didnt get. and you get to change them to, its a great package.

I THINK THE SCAMMER'S I BELEIVE ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU GUYS COMPLAINING BECAUSE YOU ORDERED SOMETHING YOU CAN'T AFFORD "BUYERS REMORSE AND KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY OR WANT TO TAKE BACK WHAT YOU DID.

Well you cant after your 90 day risk free trial has ran out, you only get refunded for the mags you didnt receive. YOULL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MAGAZINES YOU PUT YOUR DIRTY SWEATY FINGERS ON DROOLED ON OR WHATEVER YOU DID WITH THE MAGS YOU RECEIVED THEM,YOU PAY. jUST LIKE IF YOU BOUGHT A SHIRT w***e IT FOR A MONTH AND TRIED TO TAKE IT BACK- "NOT GONNA HAPPEN"!!!!!

This is the real world, Even when you buy something at the store their is a limit to when you can get a refund. Dont try and pin youre choices to over spend or live beyond your means on NME, TRY AND TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS.

AND AS FOR THE SWEEPSTAKES YOUR ENTERED IN AS SOON AS YOU GIVE YOUR NUMBER TO THE REP, YOUR TOLD THAT IN THEIR FIRST COUPLE OF SENTENCES AND THAT THEIR IS NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT REQURED, ITS STATED ON YOUR MAIL PIECE TO.

wHEN YOU ENTER THE LOTTER YOU PAY FOR THE TICKET AND THE WINNERS ARE NOT PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED UNLESS THE WANT TO BE - PRIVACY IS ALWAYS USED WITH TACT AND INTEGRITY.

i THINK YOU GUYS NEED TO JUST FORM YOUR LAW SUIT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THE BASIS THAT YOU ORDERED MAGS GOT THEM KEPT THEM AND KNOW YOU WANT GET REFUNDED FOR WHAT YOU USED. I HOPE YOU DO ID LIKE TO SEE WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD ACTUALLY REPRESENT SOMEONE WHO IS RECORDED ON LIVE TAPE AGREEING AND UNDERSTANDING EVERYTHING. AND KNOW WANTS A REFUND AFTER THE FACT- WHATEVER i LIKE MY JOB AND YOU KNOW SOMETHING MY COMPANY IS LEGIT- TRY US BRING IT ON!

Charles go for it. These people are evil skanks from hates. They deserve all that you can throw at them. The employees are in denial and brainwashed by management and the owners into believing these mags and upsells are a good deal. The truth is that some people in management have been overheard saying that NME's products are crappy. Good luck.

these people wont stop calling my home so i took some others advice and sent this.

i have contacted these members of your so called compny

Better Homes & Gardens 800-374-4244

Road & Track 800-876-8316

Home Magazine 800-950-7370

Star Magazine 877-566-5831

to the national media this is my final letter to
N.M.E. AKA
National Magazine Exchange (NME)
aka Special Data Processing Corporation aka National Publishers Exchange aka USApubs Inc.
aka Clearinghouse Magazine aka Million Dollar Sweepstakes aka National List Exchange
aka National Telemarketing Exchange
National Publishers Exchange
aka Strike It Rich Sweepstakes
aka Trilegiant Corporation
aka Magazine & Membership Connection aka Team MMC
aka Trilegiant Loyalty Solutions fka Cendant Membership Services fka SafeCard Services fka CUC International Membership Services
aka NationJob Network
aka Clever Clubhouse
aka AutoVantage Gold (see also http://trilegiant.com/programs/autovantage.html & web site http://www.autovantage.com/
aka Buyers Advantage
aka Buyer's Appreciation
aka Cell Insure
aka Complete Home (see also http://trilegiant.com/programs/completehome.html & web site http://completehome.com/ )
aka Global Travel Assistance
aka Great Fun (see also http://trilegiant.com/programs/greatfun.html & web site http://greatfunonline.com/ )
aka Guardian Plus
aka Guaranteed Low Price
aka HealthSaver (see also http://trilegiant.com/programs/healthsaver.html & web site http://healthsaver.com/ )
aka Hot-Line Credit Card Registry
aka International First Class Select
aka Just for Me
aka National Card Registry (see also web site http://nationalcardregistry.com )
aka Netmarket.com (see also web site http://www.netmarket.com )
aka Personal Identity Protection
aka Privacy Guard (see also http://trilegiant.com/programs/privacyguard.html & web site http://www.privacyguard.com/ )
aka Purchase Refund Guarantee
aka Shoppers Advantage (see also http://trilegiant.com/programs/shoppersadvantage.html & web site http://shoppersadvantage.com/ )
aka Small Business Central
aka Ticket Shield
aka Travel Accident Insurance
aka Travel ER Allegiant Travel ER
aka Travelers Advantage (see also http://trilegiant.com/programs/travelersadvantage.html & web site http://travelersadvantage.com/ )
THIS IS MY LAST ATTEMPT TO SETTLE THIS MATTER IN A RESPECTFULL WAY
(please) i repeat PLEASE remove me from your mailing and calling list
im contacting my local attorney general to see if i can file charges against N.M.E. for harassment.
i have requested 4 times to be removed and still im being bothered by your company
kimberly from better homes and gardens also known as N.M.E.
STEVEN from road and track magazine
barbra from star magazine
im a 40 yr old father of 9 and i am a full time dad and i dont work so i have plenty of time on my hands
I WILL PRESS THIS ISSUE AS FAR AS I NEED TO TO GET THIS TO QUIT.
so please stop bothering me at my home

pat hines is a fake name and the people that are answering your phones are idiot's

i guess your company thinks that no one else can afford to buy the equipment to record a phone conversation

sorry to inform you but it only takes a mini tape player and a phone call.

im sick and tired of your company calling my home sending me mail and cluttering my mail box.

i have a $1000 check ready to hand to my attorney to start a class action lawsuit.

(if you go to ripoffreport.com there are many in waiting for someone to start this law suit)

like i stated before THIS IS MY FINAL ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THIS IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER

bhg.com/service was really helpfull

so to all the employees out there stop trying to defend your company and stop the lie's.
i will have my info removed

I understand, well, as best I can, sending and calling to customers who are subscribed to the company's products. But what about those who are NOT subscribed to their magazine. Those who have never talked to them. If they sent it to my parents, I might have understood better, but they sent it to me.

And Mindy, you mentioned how we are all over 18 and should act like it, and not like we're 6. I'm not going to act like I'm 6 or anything, but I would like to point something out.

Today in the mail, I recieved this little pink envelope, and when I first saw it, I thought, oh, this has something to do with my mother, or father. But when I looked at it again, I noticed it had my name on it. When I realized that, it creeped me out for a minute. I then opened it and saw it said

"We are trying to reach you regarding your $2,100,000.00 sweepstakes ID # ...... Please call..."

anyways, when I first saw it I was definately puzzled. Now I was going to mention this to my mother, but then began thinking. I thought "this has got to be a scam", so I decided to research it first. And I'm happy I did.

But back to what Mindy was saying about us all being over 18 that we should act like it. Well, that over 18 thing isn't true, at least in my case, because I am under the age of 18 (not even 17) and recieved this. And on the back where the rules are, it says you must be 18 or older. So why am I recieving this when I am not even liable for this contest?

And another thing is I am obviously not a customer, like many people have said they send it to their customers, well thats obviously not true, at least in this case, since I haven't bought anything from them. So what I don't get is why are they sending it to me? Are they really that desperate? Do they have that few of names? And one more thing I don't know, is how they even got my information. It's not even like I get an email from them (if they do send emails, like a mailing list).

Katie

Mindy Mindy Mindy
We knew we could count on you for a chuckle. Why does SDP need for you to spend 30 minutes on the phone making people happy? Why aren't they happy in the first place after spending hundreds on the magazines you sell?

so don't act like a 6 year old. Thank you.

Hmm. I call to check on their service. Most people do. We change magazines more than we get people to renew. I don't call to harass people & sell magazines, I am more of an cs kind of person. Most people in outbound are. We spend about 30 minutes talking to people, making them happy with our company. I have no clue who you are. Have you worked in outbound?

anyways, i understand sdp has things against them. but we have tons of lawyers to write our scripts make sure everything we say goes to every state law, we fixed a lot the past 4 years.

I just thought I would leave a comment or a "rebuttal" because SDP isn't out to "steal" money from people. no one understands why we sell magazines, and blah blah blah.

The publishers, Star, Good housekeeping, ESPN, Motor trend, etc tell us to sell their magazines. they have ads in their magazines that they need to get out. they have to have a certain amount of them out for people to see inorder for these people to pay to put ads in their magazines. we sell magazines so cheap, its not a scam.

I just don't understand how someone or anyone who has no clue about us or anything about us thinks its a scam, it makes me angry IF YOU DONT WANT OUR MAGAZINES OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH OUR COMPANY throw the mail piece away, or better yet CALL US, give the person who answers your ID number, ask nicely to take you off the call/mail list. they will do it. so we wont have to deal with your crap. you people are so ridlicious to talk bad about our company, seriously get a life. im done with trying to get a point across to anyone who simply just wants to argue. so you all wont hear from me anymore.

& if you work for sdp/nme and you talk crap here, quit go work at mcdonalds again. why do you waste your time going into work everyday trying to sell magazines when you will just come on the internet to talk bad about the company you, yourself work for?????? it makes no sense. i just think most of you need a life.

thanks & have a wonderful life.

=]

Mindy we are not "wackos".
SDP/NME is a high pressure magazine sales company. You do not call to see if the customer is satified - you in fact call people back to try to sell more magazines and additional "upsales". Spin it any way you want - but you are out to get the customer to spend their money buying magazines. And you are banned in Oregon, do not sell in your home state of Florida, are being fought by AARP, and you paid a fine to the FTC in excess of $500,000 because of the company's sales practices.

You know this because every sales associate is required to sign a paper that discloses the fine and some of the terms with the FTC. Blah blah blah - you are a high pressure magazine sales company - and you also try to sell a bunch of other "upsale" junk as well like the junk that got you into trouble with the FTC. And employee turnover is over 400% per year - because most people cant stand to work there. Go ahead lets hear your spin control response.

Mindy we are not "wackos".
SDP/NME is a high pressure magazine sales company. You do not call to see if the customer is satified - you in fact call people back to try to sell more magazines and additional "upsales". Spin it any way you want - but you are out to get the customer to spend their money buying magazines. And you are banned in Oregon, do not sell in your home state of Florida, are being fought by AARP, and you paid a fine to the FTC in excess of $500,000 because of the company's sales practices.

You know this because every sales associate is required to sign a paper that discloses the fine and some of the terms with the FTC. Blah blah blah - you are a high pressure magazine sales company - and you also try to sell a bunch of other "upsale" junk as well like the junk that got you into trouble with the FTC. And employee turnover is over 400% per year - because most people cant stand to work there. Go ahead lets hear your spin control response.

Mindy we are not "wackos".
SDP/NME is a high pressure magazine sales company. You do not call to see if the customer is satified - you in fact call people back to try to sell more magazines and additional "upsales". Spin it any way you want - but you are out to get the customer to spend their money buying magazines. And you are banned in Oregon, do not sell in your home state of Florida, are being fought by AARP, and you paid a fine to the FTC in excess of $500,000 because of the company's sales practices.

You know this because every sales associate is required to sign a paper that discloses the fine and some of the terms with the FTC. Blah blah blah - you are a high pressure magazine sales company - and you also try to sell a bunch of other "upsale" junk as well like the junk that got you into trouble with the FTC. And employee turnover is over 400% per year - because most people cant stand to work there. Go ahead lets hear your spin control response.

when i made an account i was in a rush, so i accidently put G instead of F for Florida.

To those who posted about this N.M.E Thank you for saving me time, money, and headaches. I to have received a second notice and thought I would check it out BEFORE I called.

To the employees of N.M.E. who have posted here. You can try to justify this occupation however you want, you too need to put food on your table and live with yourself while doing it. I'm sure you are all very nice people, N.M.E. needs you to be nice in order for people to trust you so N.M.E can get their money.

But know this, if the company you work for is using you as a tool to make their money through deceit and rip offs, you too will be their victim. I'm wondering how much they told you that you'd be making when you decided to apply for this job? And what are you going to do when they ask for your credit card number in order to receive your bonus?

Mindy
Are you really in Georgia? Does SDP/NME have employees in Georgia and/or opperate in Georgia?
I thought the company was only in Florida. Please clarify.

We call out to those who ORDERED magazines. not to people who thought we were a scam and didnt want anything to do with us.

we call out, make sure they are recieving magazines, check on their service, if you wanna change magazines, let us know. we help you out. we try to renew your magazines, they magazines you enjoy. if you dont. OKAY BYE. thats fine. but we dont call you over and over and over and over and over. its impossible.

we have an automatic dialer, it calls you. sometimes it calls too many people at once, we arent able to get to you when you say "hello" into the phone. but when our screen pops up. we make an effort to try and call back and check on things with you. yes, we have rude people. but most of the time i find myself just talking to the other person about whatever. thats how i found this website. i was trying to help this lady find our website to look up our magazines to change her current ones. she came across this site, told me about it.so i thought HEY why not check it out.

WE CALL OUT, not to bother you. but to keep you as our customer if you were satisfied with the magazines, if you werent we change the magazines for you.

all of you people are complete wackos.
seriously. its not a scam. it never was.
if you TRUELY think it is. do something about it.

thanks.

We call out to those who ORDERED magazines. not to people who thought we were a scam and didnt want anything to do with us.

we call out, make sure they are recieving magazines, check on their service, if you wanna change magazines, let us know. we help you out. we try to renew your magazines, they magazines you enjoy. if you dont. OKAY BYE. thats fine. but we dont call you over and over and over and over and over. its impossible.

we have an automatic dialer, it calls you. sometimes it calls too many people at once, we arent able to get to you when you say "hello" into the phone. but when our screen pops up. we make an effort to try and call back and check on things with you. yes, we have rude people. but most of the time i find myself just talking to the other person about whatever. thats how i found this website. i was trying to help this lady find our website to look up our magazines to change her current ones. she came across this site, told me about it.so i thought HEY why not check it out.

WE CALL OUT, not to bother you. but to keep you as our customer if you were satisfied with the magazines, if you werent we change the magazines for you.

all of you people are complete wackos.
seriously. its not a scam. it never was.
if you TRUELY think it is. do something about it.

thanks.

We call out to those who ORDERED magazines. not to people who thought we were a scam and didnt want anything to do with us.

we call out, make sure they are recieving magazines, check on their service, if you wanna change magazines, let us know. we help you out. we try to renew your magazines, they magazines you enjoy. if you dont. OKAY BYE. thats fine. but we dont call you over and over and over and over and over. its impossible.

we have an automatic dialer, it calls you. sometimes it calls too many people at once, we arent able to get to you when you say "hello" into the phone. but when our screen pops up. we make an effort to try and call back and check on things with you. yes, we have rude people. but most of the time i find myself just talking to the other person about whatever. thats how i found this website. i was trying to help this lady find our website to look up our magazines to change her current ones. she came across this site, told me about it.so i thought HEY why not check it out.

WE CALL OUT, not to bother you. but to keep you as our customer if you were satisfied with the magazines, if you werent we change the magazines for you.

all of you people are complete wackos.
seriously. its not a scam. it never was.
if you TRUELY think it is. do something about it.

thanks.

We call out to those who ORDERED magazines. not to people who thought we were a scam and didnt want anything to do with us.

we call out, make sure they are recieving magazines, check on their service, if you wanna change magazines, let us know. we help you out. we try to renew your magazines, they magazines you enjoy. if you dont. OKAY BYE. thats fine. but we dont call you over and over and over and over and over. its impossible.

we have an automatic dialer, it calls you. sometimes it calls too many people at once, we arent able to get to you when you say "hello" into the phone. but when our screen pops up. we make an effort to try and call back and check on things with you. yes, we have rude people. but most of the time i find myself just talking to the other person about whatever. thats how i found this website. i was trying to help this lady find our website to look up our magazines to change her current ones. she came across this site, told me about it.so i thought HEY why not check it out.

WE CALL OUT, not to bother you. but to keep you as our customer if you were satisfied with the magazines, if you werent we change the magazines for you.

all of you people are complete wackos.
seriously. its not a scam. it never was.
if you TRUELY think it is. do something about it.

thanks.

This is to shed some light to those that are confused and/or misinformed about NME. NME stands for National Magazine Exchange, which is basically a "screen name" for Special Data Processing. SDP was once a thriving and established company.

I was a sales rep and was most recently a non-telecom employee with access to many of the companies "behind the scenes" information. SDP used to get in excess of 300,000 inbound calls per week. The call volume was overwhelming for the "inhouse" reps that outsourcing was the only option.

MMC was a major part of the company that was dissolved when SDP and MMC could not come to an agreement. When the MMC department was closed, many of the reps, sups and managers were transferred to other departments. SDP then created another department to take place of MMC called MTD. That didn't last long.

AT&T, and Sprint were once partners with SDP but both soon distanced themselves from SDP. There have been other departments that were created to make it seem like the company was turning the corner and getting back on track (Enron?), but these departments never lasted more than 2 years. GO, OneSwitch, and Imagitas just to name a few.

There is an Outbound department, but they only contact past and present customers to renew their orders. The Customer Service department is now called Customer Retention. That goes to show you that the company wanted to the customers to spend every last penny on magazines while holding out the hope of winning the sweepstakes.

The "Strike it Rich Sweepstakes" is actually kind of like a pool with other companies. SDP and others would put all of their customers names in a hat and draw from that. That is why SDP can never tell you what the exact chances of winning the sweepstakes were.

Also, the winning prize of $1million does not come from SDP. It comes from the pool of money that SDP and partnering companies have put in so they can affford to give away $1million. Could you imagine SDP giving away $1million every two years?, the company would've been broke long ago.

The company spends so much money on recruiting because a lot of people in the bay area are aware of the way people are treated there. Did you know it costs the company $5,000 every Sunday just to run the add in the Times? Why else would they spend that much money to get people in the door?

The reps there are treated like 3rd class citizens and are scrutinized for everything they do. That is why the ambulance is called there almost weekly. People are under a lot of stress to make the sale eventhough the customer makes it clear that they do not want to buy anything.

The managers are all overpaid and underworked. Any given time you can walk into their office and see them surfing the web or smoking outside. Management and executives have really let this once good company go to hell in a handbasket.

Bill Hood has no heart for letting the front line soldiers (phone reps) work so hard for so little. The hourly pay used to be $10hr and $12/weebah, but now they are barely above minimum wage.

Did you know that Bill Hood's wife has to work at a hair salon? Why would a self-made millionaire make his wife work an hourly wage? No heart.

Regarding NME Employee "Chris"...

Several NME employees have claimed your company DOES NOT call customers. That means NME does not name phone calls without first being contacted by the customer. Can we assume this is a given, as it has been repeatedly stated by various employee comments?

You, in response to another post, claimed that contact "could have been", and "probably was" attempted by mail. This means you admit publically there is a possibility your employer has violated it's own business rules, and possibly attempted contact via a means NME supposedly doesn't emply. Would this be an accurate assessment of your statements here? That is a yes or no question, but feel free to elaborate on why, for whichever response you might give.

In regard to "which lies" NME is accused of telling, it is stated in each post making such an accusation. For clarification, in case you don't understand what a lie is, it has been stated that the mere sending of mailers certifies in some way that NME is compliant with laws. Since that doesn't in any way pass for a true statement, as even the most ill-minded person at NME likely knows, the statement thus is a lie. That is only one of the many lies mentioned. Feel free to ask for clarification of the obvious again, as often as you feel you need to.

About why NME employees might be online defending the company, if you'll notice, most of the early posts by employees were made during normal business hours. This means, were you on the job, you would be legally acting as an agent of the company. So, if that was a workday for you, no matter what you say, you were acting on behalf of NME, and in no other recognized capacity. If you would like to defend NME in an unendorsed manner, do so on your own time, and do not make misleading, or untrue statements in the process.

Since every employee comment made thus far has been following a similar theme, it is highly unlikely that they are comments made by the individual employees not for NME internal purposes. However, as I am an honest person, I do admit there is a small chance that it's just a coincidence that none of your current employee statements is negative in any way toward the employer. It could just seem to be an effort by NME to distort the facts, or it could be so. I'll let the public be the judge.

Bear in mind, any misleading, false, or propagandizing statements made on behalf of NME will be challenged. So it is best to tell the truth in all statements you make. People are generally fairly intelligent and can sense when they are being lied to.

Good day.

These employees are right about one thing, when someone in a business situation commits fraud, it is criminal. This is one reason why "dodgy" companies don't like to put too many details in writing. A document you can show the court, on corporate letterhead, on corporate paper, is very difficult to dismiss. Phone records are also very difficult to argue with.

Just afew minutes ago I received a phone call from Clearwater, FL, and checked the caller ID. Lo and behold, I found 2 sets of numbers. One of these had the call information as "UNAVAILABLE", so I won't bother listing it, but I will say that it had the same area code, and the same prefix range, which would likely put the address in the same physical area, or same building as the other.

727-562-5868

Upon some research, this number is affiliated with EMC Promotions, which is affiliated with SDP/NME.

Gee, alot of affiliations with the same formulaic company names. But we won't delve too deeply into that issue.

I have NEVER received any written form, notice, or other document addressed from EMC/SDP/NME, and have thus had no "mail contact" with them, yet they are calling my home. This would seem to contradict their claim #1 that they wait for you to contact them, and claim #2 that they don't call people, rather let potential customers call them.

I would also like to point out, that the employee posts here designed to excuse the actions of the company, are very lackluster. The mere sending of mailers out does not in any way endorse a company as being compliant with the law. Oh, and to claim it does, can be construed as fraud.

Here is a suggestion..anyone who feels that NME (or any of their other "affiliated" firms) has done something criminal toward them, seek criminal charges. When money changes hands, it becomes more than a mere nuissance for internet debate. You could also simply refuse to pick up when they call, or throw their mailers in the trash bin when they are shipped to you.

To the "folks" at NME :

You can argue this fact for years, but someone is calling people, from your offices, or via proxy on your behalf. It would be more cost-effective in the long-term to seek new business practices, before unpleasant consequences arise. Not only is it good business, it also would show consumers you were as honest and trustworthy as your employee comments here would suggest. Look into making the public respect you, rather than claiming they don't know what they're talking about. No one likes to be called an idiot, so I have not resorted to doing such with you.

The outbound Department Calls current clients only.

That was a nice attempt to discredit me. Beside the number that appears on the caller ID is always an 800 number.

So again, SDP/NME does not back outbound solicitation calls to generate business...

Excuse me for assuming you had intelligence to realize the point I was trying to convey. Obviously the above posters would have know the reason why NME was calling.

Tell me Charles from Clearwater, when did the OUTBOUND Department close? You know the one where OUTBOUND calls are made to customers?

Don't tell us you never heard of it. It has been there AT LEAST since 1995 when I worked in it.

SDP doesn't call out - LIE, try again.

FIRST AND FORMOST John and Jodi. PLEASE MAKE YOUR OWN REPORT IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE AND DO NOT "Rebuttal" SOMEONE ELSE'S REPORT.


John - Federal Way, Washington

All I have to say in NO. The number that called is in Clearwater, FL, or so white pages leads me to believe. But so are 108,787 people, not to mention other businesses. NME is an INBOUND call center. Potential leads are solicited by mail. Its just a coinincedence that you got the call and the mail piece came.

"NME does make calls now and I have the incoming missed calls on my cell phone to prove it."

This statement is funny, and I hope it was meant to be comical. Your cell phone only shows the number, not any information about NME what so ever. NME does not use that number or make outbound calls.

Jodi - Seattle, Washington

I'm sorry I think that you were mislead by the search engine. Because of John's Mistake you were led here. NME did not call you. I hope that you find out who the caller is because it seems inportant.

P.S. Did either of you (john and Jodi) find out who called you?

I have received 18 calls from 727-562-5868. I picked up the phone twice to find no one on the line. Two other times I tried to answer and it didn't ring long enough to grab the phone next to me and answer.

This is extremely annoying. I tried calling back to get my name taken off this list, no answer. I did an internet search to find the source and it led me here. I called the 800 number listed in the other postings. No answer (after hours, but they called me 10 minutes prior). My phone number is on the national do not call registry and I have now filed a complaint with them. I hope they can help me.

I have been reading from employees of NME that NME does not call but rather the people call NME. However, for past month of so I have been receiving calls from this number:

(727) 562-5868

When you do a reverse lookup on that number it is registered in Clearwater, FL. Today I recieved a mail supposedly FedEx saying that this had been a "second notice" but I had never been received any notification of anything beforehand.

I would be weary of companies with this sort of marketing procedure. Also, though the company employees say that NME does not make calls to people on their lists (these were in posts from 2003-2004), NME does make calls now and I have the incoming missed calls on my cell phone to prove it.

Why they pay a person to use their name, i'll never know. You know, they do have a good service that is really just shot to ribbons with their lousy customer service, poor training of the managerial staff, and by possessing a level of greed unheard of in the course of human history. I mean these dirt-clods want us to hammer the elderly, sick, dying, mentally deficient, basically, anyone with a pulse! I would be willing to bet that I would get in trouble for not offering the wonderful magazine deal to a blind person, covered in purple blotches, with one leg, humpbacked, who lives alone in a shanty town outside Calcutta! The managers always have an answer for you, just the wrong ones.

I got the same thing in the mail that everyone else did from "Pat Haines" about my sweepstakes entry. I knew I hadn't entered a sweepstakes but I called anyway because I was curious. I talked to the phone rep and just didn't give him any info. He asked if I read magazines and I said yes. He said which ones and I said many. He asked which was my favorite and I said I had no favorite. I never gave him my credit card number (why would I do that) and so I haven't been ripped off. I agree that it was a waste of my time but that's all it was. I haven't lost any money because I never gave them the authorization. I agree the mailings are misleading but I think in this case you couldn't get scammed unless you agreed to be scammed by giving your credit card number.

Wow! Isn't this the same Chris from NME I made look stupid before on another NME post? Thought so Let's break the last Chris response down, shall we?

Why do you assume that NME had tried to contact you by phone? Again with stupid questions Doesn't NME's fake letters state so in BIG writing on their telegram? Is the state lottery a hoax? Duh! When ever someone wins the lottery or any type of sweepstakes, the whole world knows who simply because it is released to the public. On the back of lottery tickets, sweepstakes (real one's anyway), etc. it states that by winning their name is announced publicly. Do you really think that the government and the state of Florida would allow a company to advertise a fake sweepstakes for over 20 years? You seriously put your foot in your mouth here. Why? Because the government has been cracking down on NME not only by notices of intent to deceit on the FTC website about NME, but in previous and current lawsuits. As for the state of Florida, they also have been trying to rid the world of NME. The AG's office wants NME shut down for good, along with the AARP and other local agencies. So, why ask questions that will get thrown right back at you? Maybe you forgot I called you on this before.

Now as for publishers doing business with NME, it's like any business. No corporation of any kind cares how their product is sold so long as it is being sold. I can assure you one thing, when NME gets more heat, you won't be asking that question again. Corporations, in this case publishers, will pull out as soon as the heat gets too hot to handle. They don't want to go down with companies like this. Their PR will insist they were unaware of the unethical tactics used by NME and NME will be standing in this all alone. And they deserve it.

Next time, think before asking stupid questions about a scam company you so much want to protect. But in the end, and I've told you before, don't come here crying to all of us that you have no job, no money and no one wants to hire you because of your affiliation with NME.

Well I got the notice today about calling them and at first glance I was encuraged to open the letter. So not only did they waste the postage and the paper, but they are now wasting my time.

Anything that says OFFICIAL NOTICE should be just that, OFFICIAL. Crap screams to get people to call just so you can read a scripted sales pitch with many loops that keep the caller in the sales pitch.

If you call and tell them up front that you do not want to buy anything you still get bashed over the head with the sales pitch. The reps get bonuses when ever they make a sale, so they push the sale harder. The more sales they make the more money they and the company make.

I would not have a problem with them offering the products if they gave the option to lisen to the pitch or just be entered in the drawing. But they do not do this. So in fact you still pay for the chance to be in the drawing, you pay by taking the change of breaking down and agreeing to buy there items just to just the rep up.

Some people have a hard time saying no when they are being beaten over the head and made to feel like low life scum if they don't buy something.

The reply that said it is an eithical thing was right. Companys like this as well as the big corperate companys need to offer good products for good prices, with good service. This force selling crap and then saying so sorry but we have to charge you to talk about or fix your issues with our crap products has got to go.

Marc, if your anger is genuine, use it for good purpose. Go see one of the Union reps and sign a authorization for vote card. This will give each of you a voice and pave the way for a contract where you can have your best interests represented. In Florida, without representation, employer - employee relations are based on master - servant relationships.

The price of redemption is not cheap or easy. They could always shut the doors if you are successful, if so - small loss, there are another hundred companies just like them around the corner.

Good luck

THIS COMPANY REPRESENTS THE VERY WORST IN AMERICA! FIRST, THEY WASTE TONS OF PAPER EVERY YEAR ON THE TRASH THEY SEND OUT TO PREY ON THE VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY (THE ELDERLY, YOUNG, MINORITIES, ETC.).

SECOND, THEY WASTE PEOPLE'S TIME WHEN THEY CALL IN TO ENTER THE SWEEPSTAKES, BY THE WAY, THE ODDS ARE 50 MILLION TO 1, YEA, O.K.! THIRD, THEY WASTE THE EMPLOYEES TIME WITH USELESS TALK ABOUT USING ALL OF THE RUBUTTALS! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

I'M SUPPOSED TO BEAT SOME OLD LADY TO DEATH WITH ALL OF THOSE FEEL GOOD WORDS AND PHRASES THAT DON'T AMOUNT TO ANYTHING? THEY HAVE NO HEART, ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS THE ALLMIGHTY DOLLAR! THEY SHOULD BE PUBLICALLY HUMILIATED AND SHOT!

AND, THEY OUGHT TO USE THAT BEAUTIFUL BUILDING AS AN AIDS HOSPICE TO CARE FOR SICK PEOPLE. IT'S TOO BAD THE BUILDING WAS BUILT OFF OF THE SWEAT OF DECENT AMERICANS WHO HAVE BEEN SWINDLED BY THIS CORRUPT, MISLEADING, AND MORALLY BANKRUPT ORGANIZATION OF STREET THUGS! THE EMPTY SUITS WALKING AROUND THIS PLACE DON'T HAVE THE BRAINS THEY WERE BORN WITH! THEY SHOULD BE THE POSTER CHILDREN FOR STAYING IN SCHOOL!

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPORTUNITY TO PUBLICALLY APOLOGIZE TO ALL OF THE CALLERS THAT I HAVE CAUSED TO BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE BULLISH VOCABULARY THAT THIS COMPANY PROMOTES. I FEEL A GENUINE NEED TO CLEANSE MYSELF OF THE CORPORATE FILTH THAT SURROUNDS ME.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS AROUND A LARGE BONFIRE COMPOSED OF THE TRASHY MAGAZINES THAT THESE CORPORATE ROBOTS PROMOTE. FINALLY, TO ADD AN EVEN GREATER LEVEL OF HUMILITY IMPOSED ON THE WORKERS OF THIS 'COMPANY', THE POWERS THAT BE HAVE INITIATED A PAY CUT TO PAY FOR THEIR GAS REBATE SCHEME. WELL, NOW THAT THIS SCHEME HAS FAILED (THERE'S A SURPRISE) DOESN'T IT STAND TO REASON THAT THE EMPLOYESS REGAIN THE RATE OF PAY THAT EXISTED BEFORE THE GAS SCHEME WAS INITIATED?

WHY SHOULD THE EMPLOYEES HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FAILED POLICIES OF THE COMPANY? IF MCDONALDS LAUNCHED A NEW SANDWICH THAT NEVER CAUGHT ON, SHOULD THE EMPLOYEES HAVE TO PAY FOR THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SANDWICH? NO, ONLY SCUMBAGS LIKE THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE EXCHANGE CAN GET AWAY WITH THAT! I WELCOME, AND WILL RESPOND TO, ALL COMMENTS BOTH PRO AND CON.

Once again NME is accused of lying. About what?

Why do you assume that NME had tried to contact you by telephone? Contact could have been (and probably was) attempted by mail.

Why do you assume it is a hoax? Is the state lottery a hoax? Who won it last? If you know, then the person in question agreed to their name being used publicly. Do you really think that the govenment and the state of Florida would allow a company to advertise a fake sweepstakes for OVER 20 years? Do you think the publishers of international known magazines would associate themselves with a hoax sweepstakes? Of course not.

I will agree that the primary purpose of the company is to sell magazine subsrciptions. So what? What's wrong with that? If you call in you will be offered the chance to buy a magazine subsription at a fantastic rate and the ability to change the magazines at any time at no extra cost. No hidden fees, no postage and handling fees either. Where's the ripoff? Do you have so little self control that you can be "trapped" by someone on the other end of a phone? If you don't want it, don't phone! If you don't like what you hear if you do phone, HANG UP. If you do order magazines and the feel that you were "trapped" call back and cancel. Its really quite simple. Hwy you feel the need to contact this site about NME when you must receive dozens of pieces of unsolicited mail.

Now if you choose NOT to buy magazines. YOU ARE STILL ENTERED INTO THE SWEEPSTAKES AND CAN WIN THE GRAND PRIZE. I know that you will not believe any of this because narrow minded people cannot accept any other opinion other than their own.

But ask yourself this, why do employees like me who have NOTHING to gain from doing so, come on here to defend the company? I'm not a manager or shareholder or owner. I don't even know what the owner looks like, I've never met him. I have nothing to gain by this. It's quite simple. I object to people accusing my friends, co-workers and I of participating in a rip-off, I am offended by the inference.

Sure there are people who try to mislead customers to get a sale. This however is not condoned by the company. The company goes to great lengths to prevent this. All sales confirmations are recorded and a large percentage are audited at random to ensure that the company or the services it operates are not mis-represened in any way.

The company has hundreds of thousands of transactions every year. In the last 12 months, the Better Business Bureau recieved only 75 complaints and as far as the BBB is concerned, the company properly addressed all the issues of the complaints.

If you really want to be ripped off in this day and age, open a bank account with a check card, get a credit card and use them. The banking institutions can certainly part you from your money more effectively than NMe ever could.

I HAVE BEEN PERUSING THIS WEBSITE AFTER RECEIVING SEVERAL "SWEEPSTAKES" ADVERTISEMENTS VIA MAIL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

AFTER JUST LAYING EYES ON NME'S $1,000,000.00 "SWEEPSTAKES" FLIER, IT WAS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT IT WAS NOT REAL, A HOAX. BUT WHAT I REALLY FIND AMUSING IS HOW EMPLOYEES (OR WHOMEVER ELSE) CAN DEFEND THESE PARTICULAR BUSINESS PRACTICES WITH SUCH ADAMANCE AND FERVER.

BOTTOM LINE: JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH..THIS IS DECEPTIVE AND REPUGNANT.

TO KIMBERLY FROM NME: DON'T CLAIM THAT THE COMPANY'S OVERALL "PURPOSE" IS TO ENTER PEOPLE INTO A SWEEPSTAKES. WHAT AN ALTRUISTIC FEAT. I'M SURE THE COMPANY'S MAIN CONCERN IS DOLING OUT AWARD MONEY.JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF ANY CORRESPONDENCE IS TO TRAP UNASSUMING COMSUMERS ON THE PHONE. PERIOD. END OF STORY. MISLEADING

TO THE OTHER EMPLOYEE OF NME, I ENJOYED READING YOUR NUMERICALLY DETAILED REBUTTAL. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ARGUMENT YOU PRESENT IN DEFENSE OF YOUR COMPANY IS INCONSISTENT AND, WELL, DECEPTIVE. JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH.

RE: #4 (pARAPHRASE) NME IS A GOOD, ETHICAL, SOLID BUSINESS THAT DESERVES TO BE TRUSTED BECAUSE WE DON'T CALL YOU AND BOTHER YOU AT HOME...YOU CALL US. WHAT!?!?!? I THOUGHT YA'LL TOLD ME IN THE MAILOUT THAT YA'LL HAD BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME REGARDING MY SWEEPSTAKES ID. MISLEADING

LET'S TRY AN ANALOGY. I'M A DOCTOR. BUSINESS HAS BEEN SLOW AND I NEED SOME NEW PATIENTS. I GO OUT TO THE STREET AND START GRABBING PEOPLE'S SHOULDERS SAYING THAT THERE IS A NEW SUPER STRAND GENETICALLY MUTATED GENE THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN DISCOVERED AMONG PEOPLE IN THAT AREA. I TELL THESE PEOPLE THAT THEY NEED TO COME INTO MY OFFICE TO GIVE ME A BLOOD SAMPLE TO I CAN GET IT TESTED. BUT... WHILE THEY'RE IN THE OFFICE... I CONVINCE THEM THEY NEED CHECKUPS, PAPS, RECTAL EXAMS, ETC. $$$ MISLEADING

I KNOW THIS ANALOGY IS FAR- FETCHED, BUT REALLY...WHAT IF EVERY PROFESSION JUST ADOPTED THE BAIT AND SWITCH METHOD OF RUNNING BUSINESS. I WORK IN A RESAURANT. I'M SURE I COULD USE IT TO MY ADVANTAGE. BUT I WOULDN;T BECAUSE IT IS DISHONEST AND UNETHICAL. NME IS PANDERING TO ONE OF MANKIND'S MOST BASE DESIRES- TO ATTAIN LARGE SUMS OF MONEY OR OTHER GOODS SANS HARD WORK AND TIME.

LOOK, THIS IS SUPPLY AND DEMAND. CASH REALLY IS KING. NME NEEDS TO SELL MAGAZINES. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS...JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH AND QUIT CLOGGING UP MY MAILBOX WITH THE PROMISES OF UNATTAINABLE WEALTH AND BLATANT LIES.

I HAVE BEEN PERUSING THIS WEBSITE AFTER RECEIVING SEVERAL "SWEEPSTAKES" ADVERTISEMENTS VIA MAIL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

AFTER JUST LAYING EYES ON NME'S $1,000,000.00 "SWEEPSTAKES" FLIER, IT WAS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT IT WAS NOT REAL, A HOAX. BUT WHAT I REALLY FIND AMUSING IS HOW EMPLOYEES (OR WHOMEVER ELSE) CAN DEFEND THESE PARTICULAR BUSINESS PRACTICES WITH SUCH ADAMANCE AND FERVER.

BOTTOM LINE: JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH..THIS IS DECEPTIVE AND REPUGNANT.

TO KIMBERLY FROM NME: DON'T CLAIM THAT THE COMPANY'S OVERALL "PURPOSE" IS TO ENTER PEOPLE INTO A SWEEPSTAKES. WHAT AN ALTRUISTIC FEAT. I'M SURE THE COMPANY'S MAIN CONCERN IS DOLING OUT AWARD MONEY.JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF ANY CORRESPONDENCE IS TO TRAP UNASSUMING COMSUMERS ON THE PHONE. PERIOD. END OF STORY. MISLEADING

TO THE OTHER EMPLOYEE OF NME, I ENJOYED READING YOUR NUMERICALLY DETAILED REBUTTAL. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ARGUMENT YOU PRESENT IN DEFENSE OF YOUR COMPANY IS INCONSISTENT AND, WELL, DECEPTIVE. JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH.

RE: #4 (pARAPHRASE) NME IS A GOOD, ETHICAL, SOLID BUSINESS THAT DESERVES TO BE TRUSTED BECAUSE WE DON'T CALL YOU AND BOTHER YOU AT HOME...YOU CALL US. WHAT!?!?!? I THOUGHT YA'LL TOLD ME IN THE MAILOUT THAT YA'LL HAD BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME REGARDING MY SWEEPSTAKES ID. MISLEADING

LET'S TRY AN ANALOGY. I'M A DOCTOR. BUSINESS HAS BEEN SLOW AND I NEED SOME NEW PATIENTS. I GO OUT TO THE STREET AND START GRABBING PEOPLE'S SHOULDERS SAYING THAT THERE IS A NEW SUPER STRAND GENETICALLY MUTATED GENE THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN DISCOVERED AMONG PEOPLE IN THAT AREA. I TELL THESE PEOPLE THAT THEY NEED TO COME INTO MY OFFICE TO GIVE ME A BLOOD SAMPLE TO I CAN GET IT TESTED. BUT... WHILE THEY'RE IN THE OFFICE... I CONVINCE THEM THEY NEED CHECKUPS, PAPS, RECTAL EXAMS, ETC. $$$ MISLEADING

I KNOW THIS ANALOGY IS FAR- FETCHED, BUT REALLY...WHAT IF EVERY PROFESSION JUST ADOPTED THE BAIT AND SWITCH METHOD OF RUNNING BUSINESS. I WORK IN A RESAURANT. I'M SURE I COULD USE IT TO MY ADVANTAGE. BUT I WOULDN;T BECAUSE IT IS DISHONEST AND UNETHICAL. NME IS PANDERING TO ONE OF MANKIND'S MOST BASE DESIRES- TO ATTAIN LARGE SUMS OF MONEY OR OTHER GOODS SANS HARD WORK AND TIME.

LOOK, THIS IS SUPPLY AND DEMAND. CASH REALLY IS KING. NME NEEDS TO SELL MAGAZINES. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS...JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH AND QUIT CLOGGING UP MY MAILBOX WITH THE PROMISES OF UNATTAINABLE WEALTH AND BLATANT LIES.

I HAVE BEEN PERUSING THIS WEBSITE AFTER RECEIVING SEVERAL "SWEEPSTAKES" ADVERTISEMENTS VIA MAIL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

AFTER JUST LAYING EYES ON NME'S $1,000,000.00 "SWEEPSTAKES" FLIER, IT WAS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT IT WAS NOT REAL, A HOAX. BUT WHAT I REALLY FIND AMUSING IS HOW EMPLOYEES (OR WHOMEVER ELSE) CAN DEFEND THESE PARTICULAR BUSINESS PRACTICES WITH SUCH ADAMANCE AND FERVER.

BOTTOM LINE: JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH..THIS IS DECEPTIVE AND REPUGNANT.

TO KIMBERLY FROM NME: DON'T CLAIM THAT THE COMPANY'S OVERALL "PURPOSE" IS TO ENTER PEOPLE INTO A SWEEPSTAKES. WHAT AN ALTRUISTIC FEAT. I'M SURE THE COMPANY'S MAIN CONCERN IS DOLING OUT AWARD MONEY.JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF ANY CORRESPONDENCE IS TO TRAP UNASSUMING COMSUMERS ON THE PHONE. PERIOD. END OF STORY. MISLEADING

TO THE OTHER EMPLOYEE OF NME, I ENJOYED READING YOUR NUMERICALLY DETAILED REBUTTAL. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ARGUMENT YOU PRESENT IN DEFENSE OF YOUR COMPANY IS INCONSISTENT AND, WELL, DECEPTIVE. JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH.

RE: #4 (pARAPHRASE) NME IS A GOOD, ETHICAL, SOLID BUSINESS THAT DESERVES TO BE TRUSTED BECAUSE WE DON'T CALL YOU AND BOTHER YOU AT HOME...YOU CALL US. WHAT!?!?!? I THOUGHT YA'LL TOLD ME IN THE MAILOUT THAT YA'LL HAD BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME REGARDING MY SWEEPSTAKES ID. MISLEADING

LET'S TRY AN ANALOGY. I'M A DOCTOR. BUSINESS HAS BEEN SLOW AND I NEED SOME NEW PATIENTS. I GO OUT TO THE STREET AND START GRABBING PEOPLE'S SHOULDERS SAYING THAT THERE IS A NEW SUPER STRAND GENETICALLY MUTATED GENE THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN DISCOVERED AMONG PEOPLE IN THAT AREA. I TELL THESE PEOPLE THAT THEY NEED TO COME INTO MY OFFICE TO GIVE ME A BLOOD SAMPLE TO I CAN GET IT TESTED. BUT... WHILE THEY'RE IN THE OFFICE... I CONVINCE THEM THEY NEED CHECKUPS, PAPS, RECTAL EXAMS, ETC. $$$ MISLEADING

I KNOW THIS ANALOGY IS FAR- FETCHED, BUT REALLY...WHAT IF EVERY PROFESSION JUST ADOPTED THE BAIT AND SWITCH METHOD OF RUNNING BUSINESS. I WORK IN A RESAURANT. I'M SURE I COULD USE IT TO MY ADVANTAGE. BUT I WOULDN;T BECAUSE IT IS DISHONEST AND UNETHICAL. NME IS PANDERING TO ONE OF MANKIND'S MOST BASE DESIRES- TO ATTAIN LARGE SUMS OF MONEY OR OTHER GOODS SANS HARD WORK AND TIME.

LOOK, THIS IS SUPPLY AND DEMAND. CASH REALLY IS KING. NME NEEDS TO SELL MAGAZINES. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS...JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH AND QUIT CLOGGING UP MY MAILBOX WITH THE PROMISES OF UNATTAINABLE WEALTH AND BLATANT LIES.

As I said before. If you want to know who won past sweepstakes, write to NME 16120 US Hwy 19 North, Clearwater, Fl. Enclose a stamped addressed envelope. The company will be happy to give that information. The last winner was from Oakdale PA, a 33 yr Old truck driver. Even the staff were only told his first name. He has a right to privacy.

If it was a scam, how come the company has been in business for over 20 years, is a member of the BBB AND has thousands upon thousands of repeat customers?

Please explain.

There is no proof whatsoever that any sweepstakes at all even exists which is a fraud in and of itself. It seems refusing the magazine subscription is irrelevent when personal information is beig gathered under false pretenses. Who won last year's Sweepstakes Chris?

Fist of all THERE IS NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT REQUIRED TO ENTER ANY OF THE SWEEPSTAKES run by NME.

Callers are told this within the first minute of their toll free call. Incase you don't understand what this means, YOU DON"T HAVE TO BUY THE MAGAZINES TO ENTER. This is made perfectly clear.

Even if you get as far as having given out you credit card info and ask the question "Do I have to buy magazines" you will be told no. Obviously the rep is going to try to save the sale but the caller has secret weapon to thwart this... I'll let you into a little secret to avoid the Rep "forcing" you to buy the magazines, HANG UP!!!!!

Unless you agree to the sale by giving an affirmative to NME billing for the magazines through your credit card. Your card will NOT be charged. If you don't want to buy the magazines don't give out your credit card number and don't agree to the billing. ITS THAT SIMPLE.

As for changing how the sweepstakes is run why should NME change. Nobody dials the customers telephone for them, THEY DO IT OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL. Nobody takes their wallet or purse and looks at their Credit Cards, THEY READ OUT THE NUMBERS TO THE REP OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL.

Everyone seems to assume that people are being ripped off. How can up to 9 magazines for $67.08 per year be a ripoff. Even if you get the "special rate" from the magazines themselves, it still works out to be less.

As for taking the payments in advance, why not what NME is selling is a SUBSCRIPTION. Does Blockbuster let you pay, AFTER you watched the movie, do they let you change the movie for no additional charge if you don't like it. No of course they don't.

Buying magazines from NME is an impulse buy for a lot of people but at the end of the day Thousands of people renew their magazines through NME all the time, if it's rippoff why do they come back?

The people who complain only do so because they realise they have spent a lot of money on something they don't really need. They didn't read the confirmation information and haven't called customer service. Instead they come on this website and cry ripoff when instead they are proclaiming that they have no self control over their spending habits. Just because you don't want the magazine subscription, hundreds of thousands of others realise what a bargain the NME deal really is.

Here are some measures I think NME should take.

1. Fire Pat Haines. This is to make sure that no more of his cards are sent out in the mail making claims that clearly are seen by the public to be false.

2. Stop sending out "sweepstakes notifications." This means all notifications of the sweepstakes are to stop. Final, Semifinal, and Congratulations cards include.

3. Publish a list with past winners of the sweepstakes prize money with at least one form of contact on it. Make sure this document is has a notary signature to attest to the fact that it wasn't made under false contention.

4. Send this report to everyone that you claim to have found through their good credit or credit card.

5. Allow a one year time period for people to assess the validity of your report.

6. Begin a new sweepstakes and instead of going back to the old format send out a postcard that says National Magazine Exchange is hosting a sweepstakes and is offering consumers a chance to gain one more addition entry. To gain this entry they can buy a magazine subscription through you or try one of your "other programs."

7. When the winner is finally chosen, announce on national television the winner...yes just like the do for the lottery. Do a before and after reality show.

8. Repeat for upcoming years making sure that people know you're not just scribbling words on paper.

If you do that, I'm sure most of the complaints go away about your practices. While it seems like alot, you would actually make more money doing it this way than the way you are now....why? TV advertising for your shows each year...

Now consumers here is my response to you. Alert your friends and family. They will alert friends and family as well and the cycle will continue so that everyone will handle dealings with NME with caution. That is the best way to spread knowledge...word of mouth. I would also suggest that you put intense presure on the BBB, lawmakers, and policital parties to adapt policies and platforms that will put companies using the same shady practices and NME and Network Direct Inc. (NDI), as well as the numerous other named buying services out there, out of business. Continue to report here and make sure these practices are stopped.

First of all to all the people complaining about their Credit Cards being charged. The billing for the magazine subscription is taped. The billing is explained CLEARLY, the number of payments and the amount. It is stated that they are consecutive monthly payments. If you don't pay attention that's your fault. EVERY billing for every sale is recorded. There is a department where these recordings are listened to and if ANY misleading information is given by the rep, if the billing is not explained properly. The sale is cancelled. Nothing is done without the expressed consent of the customer.

Why do people complain after the fact, when you have given your consent to the length of magazine subscription, the number and amount of payments and given authoristion to NME to bill through your Credit Card.

If you would like to know the identity of past winners of the sweepstakes, write to the address listed 16120 US HWY 19 N Clearwater Fl enclose a stamped addressed envelope and the information will be furnished to you.

Finally why don't you do what I do put the junk mail in the trash.

Or would you like to buy some magic beans...............

Have there ever been any winners of this so called sweepstakes? I recall getting this same letter from a Mr. Haines 3 times over the last 3 years and just got another one this week. After all this time you'd figure there would be a list of winners of this contest but none can be found to prove the legitimacy of this contest/sweepstakes. This $1,000,000.00 Sweepstakes is nothing more than a poorly executed marketing scam.

The employee states that because they use the mail, they're in compliance with any laws. Sending junk through the mail is NOT a sure sign of anything, and definitely is no way to determine a company's legitimacy. According to the Postal Service, more scams happen through the mail than any other way.

My "official notice" came today. It states that they are trying to reach me regrding my sweepstakes entry. That's a lie. I never entered any sweepstakes. There is no mention anywhere on my notice regarding magazine subscriptions. Only at the very end of the fine print on the back, is there any mention of magazines at all.

Oh yes, the famous fine print. It states in there that I've been selected based on my consumer report, and that I meet their credit criteria. Another lie. They obviously got my name from a mailing list they bought. My name is so misspelled that there is no way it came from any credit report. And it was mailed to my parents address, where I haven't lived for 20 years. So even if they had spelled my name right, there still isn't any credit reports for me at that address.

So, as you can see, they do lie. They are unethical. They have numerous customer complaints. And this is a company that should be avoided. One more thing. Also, stated in their fine print, it says they don't want any unsolicited mail at their address. I think everyone should bombard them with unsolicited mail. Let them know how it feels.

I have read all of the above postings, and I have to say that I am shocked that this company is being put through this kind of abuse.

I am one of the inital people that you would contact if you were to answer the mailed invitation piece. We have a very strict guide line regarding the way the caller is treated, how many attempts are made to sell, what is said, and how we say it.

Consider this.

1) when you call the toll free number, there is no mention on the mailer that says that you won. PERIOD! Out of 60 to 75 calls a day. I may be asked once if they won. I am instructed to tell them that they had not yet won, and that the mailer was an invitation to enter. Very rarely does this pose a problem. Almost all of them continue with the entery process.

2) NME has been in Clearwater under the same name for 20 years. That alone shows that they are an honest company that follows through on their obligations.

Before working here...I have worked in healthcare for more than 8 years, and have worked for nursing agencies that have folded up and come back under a new names. So that they could avoid debt or a bad reputation.

3) NME sends a mailer out. This is a sure sign that they are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. If you send mail out and do business that could be considered fraud. This alone is a serious federal crime!

4) You call us. We have nobody telling us that we are bothering them during supper or watching survivor or whatever. That's because we wait for you to call us!

5) In order to place an order...YOU MUST READ YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER SEVERAL TIMES. How many people are going to read 16 (sixteen) numbers more that once if they are NOT convinced that they are happy with the deal that they are being given? Still...everyday...I sell magazine subscriptions to people. Even after the sale...the option is there to void your transaction. We honor all laws regarding the type of business that we are in here. One of them states that you can void your service within ten days of getting a written notice of your subscription (unless a different time has been posted by your state government.)

6) The deal is a very good deal. Think about this. NME has over 300 magazines at our fingertips. When you order a magazine like TIME (just to name one) you can't tell the people at TIME that you want ROLLING STONE. They would laugh at you. However, when you order from us, you get TIME and get tired of TIME so you call us and ask for ROLLING STONE. Next thing you know ROLLING STONE is in your mailbox (no questions asked!)

7) If you have a question about your billing...you should get in touch with the customer service department about it. They can't fix errors if you only post them on obscure websites. We are very honest and customer service driven here.

8) The hiring practices are very strict as well. If there is even one criminal charge that you fail to disclose...they will NOT hire you here. Honesty is very important in our business.

9) If you have any questions call and ask for yourself. Don't rely on second hand information. We always tell everyone that there is no purchase or payment required (and we mean it.) That's not to say I won't tell you about a great service.


Let me just close this by saying that I have chosen to work here because I have done my research and found this to be a great company to work for. The people are very pleasant and are eager to see all of your questions answered. I encourage you to ask questions before you buy anything. You can only cast aside your doubts when you have all the facts! This is true in all aspects of life.

SINCERELY,
(subscription sales assoc.)
NME (CLEARWATER, FL)

To Whom This Concerns:

I was also, Rip-Offed. August 2004, I received a 2nd notice concerning:
Call - 1-800-687-7606 - ID # 789090295
Dear Robert
We have been trying to reach you regarding your $1,000,000.00 SweepstakP9*HOMEWORKS 8778441326 CT 9.95es ID # 789090295. Please Call Us At the Above Number. Sincerely, Pat Haines, N.M.E. Sales Representative.

In September 2004, I called.

The 'WORDS' on the notice, the company used are a 'FAKE'. I had not 'WON" any money. That was the reason I was calling the company.
The person of the company I spoke too, asked the questions, and I answered and I was sold 'magazines' based on the 'mastercard number' I have the person'.

Todate, I have been charged with my 'Mastercard', the amount of two (2) payments of $67.33, a total of $134.66, with additional: AP HOMEWORKS - $9.95 AND AP CONNECTIONS - $8.95.

I have not won any money. Quite surprising is it not. I cancelled but have yet to receive any letters.

NME out of florida made a valid point with the choice to call. I believe however that the representative failed to be clear about the way the business actually handles calls. The Rebuttal that was made by the representative of the company does not make up for the numourous charges they place on one transaction.

Instead of paying a decent price for magazines, they charge an arm and a leg for other servises attached to the offers. Once the company takes an order for a magazine they will automatically enroll you in other servises that you do not want. Enrolly you in these other services will place a charge on your credit card every month. and sometimes several times a month.

Once they have you card number all they have to do is force through an authorization number to the bank every month for as long as they feel like it. It is a legal way of doing business, but is an immoral practice that takes some of guard. Another Company that does the same thing is MWI. These two companies should be avoided.

Legislation is in the works to address these business practices. No matter how much legislation helps there will always be those who will be after the quick buck. These companies will not go away. Sites like this are a good way to get the word out about these companies.

Getting on the No Call list does not help. As long as you have the phone turned on these people will call. If you have a mailbox outside your house, these companies will send offers that sound to good to be true. Publishers Clearing House is a prime example.

They are selling you things by offering you a chance to get rich quick. Very effective marketing ploy, than unfortunatley does the consumer wrong. NME has taken the ploy a little farther than Publisher Clearing House by taking advantage of loopholes in the system.

Best protection is not to deal with these companies at all. And if you do fall victim to these offers then it would be advisable to make note of it and keep your transactions in writing. Challenge all charges to your account demand cancelation by certified mail and contact you local legislators about the situation.

If you receive something in the mail that says you are the winner of a large amount of money and you never entered any kind of competition, then obviously it's not true. Throw the letter away and forget about it. No company is going to pick you out of millions of people to win anything just for being yourself. It's common sense.

As for the N.M.E. representative who responded: Of course it's not illegal, but is it ethical? There is no mention of magazines in the letter. This company is preying on people who can't think for themselves.

I work for N.M.E here in Clearwater Florida and have for the last 2 years. I started out as a sweepstakes entry representative and now am working in the billing dept.

My biggest problem with many of our customers is not the ones who don't take advantage of our offer but those who scream and yell at us as if we are doing something illegal.

If we sent a mailpiece to you that said call us for cheap magazine subscriptions would you call??? I doubt it. But all we ask of our potential customers is a few minutes of your time to consider our offer.

The purpose of our mailpiece is generate calls to our call center where you ARE entered into a legitimate sweepstakes. Second step we want to pitch our products. You don't have to buy them but at least if you call us be courteous enough to realize that the reps on the other end of the phone are people as well who are not out to rip you off (if they are they don't stay long in our company we have a strict code of ethics here).

Sadly, those who complain about our company are the same ones who didn't listen or ask any questions and just handed over a credit card number without thinking. I love my customers who ask questions because we have honest answers and will explain anything you don't understand.

Rather than thinking of us as a rip-off realize that we are really only treating magazines as a wholesale club would. You buy a package deal for a longer period of time and save money. If you don't like magazines then don't pick any out. If you want a good deal and enjoy reading magazines call us and even if you only want to enter the sweepstakes call us but realize that nothing in life is free. you don't have to buy anything all we ask is for a few min of your time. It is not illegal to solict some of your time and our mailer never states you have won.

Also in regards to the swamp land comment Clearwater is in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg area and actually has some of the best beaches on the gulf coast of Florida and i can assure there is only preserved swamp land around here (protected for enviromental reasons).

My last question to the original author would be were you required to buy anything??? cause if all you did was call in and get transferred to the grocery/cash sweepstakes and didn't choose to participate in any of the offers then you lost nothing but a few min of your time and if you do end up being the winner will you still be upset at spending 10 min of time to enter a free sweepstakes?

Thank you for posting that information. My husband recieved the same mailing you did today and I'm glad I checked here before he called the number. If more people post things about the various companies the con and rip people off, the more informed consumers will be.