- Report: #136492
Complaint Review: Top Gun Promotions
| Top Gun Promotions 448 E. Southern Suite 1
Tempe, Arizona U.S.A. |
|
Top Gun Promotions Fraudulent Home Sales Practices Tempe Arizona
*Consumer Comment: Top Gun Promotions job ad and BBB of Arizona
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: NEVERMIND----I actually do not recommend doing business with "TOP GUN PROMOTIONS"
*UPDATE Employee: still, you got your refund
*Author of original report: Here's the Proof
*UPDATE Employee: The facts are the same, you got your refund=not ripped off!
*UPDATE Employee: The facts are the same, you got your refund=not ripped off!
*UPDATE Employee: The facts are the same, you got your refund=not ripped off!
*UPDATE Employee: The facts are the same, you got your refund=not ripped off!
*Author of original report: The facts are the same - I was ripped off
*UPDATE Employee: REFUND WAS GIVEN
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After several unsuccessful attempts to call I left a message on 02/20/05. I received a call from Ms. Wenz who told me they don't normally give refunds unless they receive the card back within 3 days but she would pull the remaining 2 checks and that I should have called the number within 3 days. I reminded her that the law says they must provide an address but she only somewhat rudely insisted there was a phone number listed.
I researched the FTC and found that by law the company must provide a receipt, 2 copies of a cancellation form, and the name and address of the company. I received none of them. In addition they have 10 days to refund my money and 20 days to either pick up the item or reimburse me for shipping it back, despite the fact I was told I HAD to send it back before they would refund me.
I returned the card and indicated the shipping charges incurred must be reimbursed. Instead I only received a refund for 2 of the checks, and only 1 of the remaining checks returned uncashed. They then proceeded to cash the fourth check. I left a phone message last week and to date have not received a refund of the last check or reimbursement of my cost to send the card back.
This company apparently sells these cards in numerous states and despite the fact they claim they carefuly choose reputable service centers - they do not and they also make a habit of violating federal law as part of their business practices.
E
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/26/2005 05:25 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Top-Gun-Promotions/Tempe-Arizona-85282/Top-Gun-Promotions-Fraudulent-Home-Sales-Practices-Tempe-Arizona-136492. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 Consumer Comment
Top Gun Promotions job ad and BBB of Arizona
AUTHOR: Youknowwho - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, April 04, 2008
Reply to: job-626839856@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-04-01, 3:08PM MST
Receptionist / Office Assistant
Looking for a relaxed environment with steady part time income?
We are looking for a girl with a good phone disposition. Some computer skills are helpful. Reliable and trustworthy ... a necessity!
Our promotions office is laid back and the co-workers are too. We need someone who can fit in with the boys ... or at least get along well with them.
Please send resume and/or inquiries along with a photo. We look forward to setting up an interview with you.
This position pays $10 per hour with increase after 90 days.
Location: tempe
Compensation: 10 per hr
This is a part-time job.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
PostingID: 626839856
#2 UPDATE EX-employee responds
NEVERMIND----I actually do not recommend doing business with "TOP GUN PROMOTIONS"
AUTHOR: David - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, June 20, 2007
I don't recommend buying anything from any door to door salesman or solicitor. I don't even recommend opening the door. Many of the employees at Top Gun had criminal records, but no background checks were performed by the company. I also do not recommend working for Top Gun Promotions as I feel they might not have honest payroll practices as I feel they might have been taking money from my checks and lying about "returned" merchandise as well as insuffiencent funds from some of the buyers.
People are trained to know all the angles at the door. Customers are told to pay at 9.5% "tax" which is not actually tax, but a "nonrefundable service or distribution fee" (in other words, it's BS) but most people don't ask too many questions when the "79 dollars" somehow quickly becomes "87.54"
Oftentimes, at the shops the cards are used at, customers with the "free oil changes" are treated poorly because the shop gets backed up from doing so many "free oil changes" and they don't make any money from dolnig it. The shops then try to upsell the customer, so at least SOMETHING can be gained from giving away a free oil change.
The turnaround at TOP GUN PROMOTIONS is extremely high so they constantly have to hire new kids and others with all sorts of background. TOP GUN is also extremely discriminatory and will not generally hire African Americans on the basis of skin color alone. One Top Manager would always say "we are NOT an equal opportunity employer."
They wouldn't hire African Americans because they'd claim neighbors would call the police faster on an African American and it would shut down their whole operation for the night.
Ultimately, all door-to-door salesman are pests. They should be avoided at all costs. You never know the background of the person coming to your door. When it looks too good to be true, it typically is. Most of the time, they are pulling these scams without permission to do so in the area. I highly recommend you know your town's laws. If a stranger comes to your door trying to sell you something, the best thing to do is to call the police immediately. It forces rag-tag operation like TOP GUN PROMOTIONS---tyring to sell there "AUTO CARE SUPER SAVER" - to move to another area.
I once had a great attitude about the company, until I became a victim of their abuse as well. Now, I'm an ex employee with a grudge to bear, until they pay me the money they owe me (which isn't even that much, it's just the principle)---- and stop trying to come up with excuses and false "backup" for their claims that they don't owe it to me.
#3 UPDATE Employee
still, you got your refund
AUTHOR: David - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, April 06, 2007
Just an FYI, Top Gun Promotions sells the Auto Care Super Saver to THOUSANDS of customers throughout the USA per year. If the information regarding the 11 complaints to the BBB in the past 36 months (3 years) is even true, it is just a fraction of 1% of our customers---the overwhelming majority of whom are extremely satisfied with our product, the shops we represent, and our customer service.
On behalf of Top Gun Promotions, I apologize if you feel you were ripped off and if you think the company broke laws (which are currently under review by the company) but the bottom line is that although it might have taken some time, you did receive a full refund, and we will refund your expense for sending the card back to us, if you still have the receipt.
We are not bothered that people will see this, since again, a TINY FRACTION of our customers have any complaints, and those that do we usually take care to their full satisfaction. All I can do in your case is apologize and we wish you would have just given the new owner at Joe's a shot, as we are still confident you would have been happy with both the service and the savings.
#4 Author of original report
Here's the Proof
AUTHOR: E - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, April 06, 2007
The applicable sections are outlined below:
- The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) Cooling-Off Rule gives you three days to cancel purchases of $25 or more.
- Under the Cooling-Off Rule, the salesperson must tell you about your cancellation rights at the time of sale. The salesperson also must give you two copies of a cancellation form (one to keep and one to send) and a copy of your contract or receipt. The contract or receipt should be dated, show the name and address of the seller, and explain your right to cancel. The contract or receipt must be in the same language that's used in the sales presentation.
- Within 20 days, the seller must either pick up the items left with you, or reimburse you for mailing expenses, if you agree to send back the items.
As I've said repeatedly, I was not provided an address, cancellation form, or any of the items required by law. It was only after weeks of making repeated attempts to contact Top Gun Promotions that someone finally gave me the address.
As for the Better Business Bureau complaints, yes, they are in fact for Top Gun Promotions. There are 11 complaints in the past 36 months: (((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))
Go ahead and claim ignorance all you want but I have done the research and backed up my claims. I am content in knowing that Top Gun Promotions has been called out for their actions and that clearly the company is bothered that people will see this.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
#5 UPDATE Employee
The facts are the same, you got your refund=not ripped off!
AUTHOR: David - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, April 06, 2007
Certainly if you called the company and sent the cards to us, we provided an address to you and you continue to refer to laws which may or may not be applicable to this particual situation.
And again, you are confusing the promotional company with the Service Center. Top Gun Promotions does not have eleven complaints or an unsatisfactory raiting at the Better Business Bureau.
Many times Top Gun Promotions is hired to promote a shop under NEW OWNERSHIP, which was most likely the case at Joe's; that's why we are sent door-to-door with the promotions.
If you send me your address, I'll gladly refund your money for the shipping if you still have your receipt.
Top Gun Promotions DOES carefuly choose reputable service centers. Car maintence is a touchy and highly subjective topic. One person could be completely satisfied w/ a service center while another person may not. Depending on the length of time a company has been in business, 11 complaints (if that's even true--) is not excessive. Can you imagine how many customers these shops have in one day, let alone many years?
Could you please provide proof of these "11 complaints" and this "unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau."
Please don't confuse Top Gun Promotions with the Auto Service Center we were promoting. To our knowledge, we resolve all complaints to the best of our ability, we do not try to rip anyone off, and we do not have an unsatisfactory rating w/ the Better Business Bureau.
#6 UPDATE Employee
The facts are the same, you got your refund=not ripped off!
AUTHOR: David - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, April 06, 2007
Certainly if you called the company and sent the cards to us, we provided an address to you and you continue to refer to laws which may or may not be applicable to this particual situation.
And again, you are confusing the promotional company with the Service Center. Top Gun Promotions does not have eleven complaints or an unsatisfactory raiting at the Better Business Bureau.
Many times Top Gun Promotions is hired to promote a shop under NEW OWNERSHIP, which was most likely the case at Joe's; that's why we are sent door-to-door with the promotions.
If you send me your address, I'll gladly refund your money for the shipping if you still have your receipt.
Top Gun Promotions DOES carefuly choose reputable service centers. Car maintence is a touchy and highly subjective topic. One person could be completely satisfied w/ a service center while another person may not. Depending on the length of time a company has been in business, 11 complaints (if that's even true--) is not excessive. Can you imagine how many customers these shops have in one day, let alone many years?
Could you please provide proof of these "11 complaints" and this "unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau."
Please don't confuse Top Gun Promotions with the Auto Service Center we were promoting. To our knowledge, we resolve all complaints to the best of our ability, we do not try to rip anyone off, and we do not have an unsatisfactory rating w/ the Better Business Bureau.
#7 UPDATE Employee
The facts are the same, you got your refund=not ripped off!
AUTHOR: David - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, April 06, 2007
Certainly if you called the company and sent the cards to us, we provided an address to you and you continue to refer to laws which may or may not be applicable to this particual situation.
And again, you are confusing the promotional company with the Service Center. Top Gun Promotions does not have eleven complaints or an unsatisfactory raiting at the Better Business Bureau.
Many times Top Gun Promotions is hired to promote a shop under NEW OWNERSHIP, which was most likely the case at Joe's; that's why we are sent door-to-door with the promotions.
If you send me your address, I'll gladly refund your money for the shipping if you still have your receipt.
Top Gun Promotions DOES carefuly choose reputable service centers. Car maintence is a touchy and highly subjective topic. One person could be completely satisfied w/ a service center while another person may not. Depending on the length of time a company has been in business, 11 complaints (if that's even true--) is not excessive. Can you imagine how many customers these shops have in one day, let alone many years?
Could you please provide proof of these "11 complaints" and this "unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau."
Please don't confuse Top Gun Promotions with the Auto Service Center we were promoting. To our knowledge, we resolve all complaints to the best of our ability, we do not try to rip anyone off, and we do not have an unsatisfactory rating w/ the Better Business Bureau.
#8 UPDATE Employee
The facts are the same, you got your refund=not ripped off!
AUTHOR: David - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, April 06, 2007
Certainly if you called the company and sent the cards to us, we provided an address to you and you continue to refer to laws which may or may not be applicable to this particual situation.
And again, you are confusing the promotional company with the Service Center. Top Gun Promotions does not have eleven complaints or an unsatisfactory raiting at the Better Business Bureau.
Many times Top Gun Promotions is hired to promote a shop under NEW OWNERSHIP, which was most likely the case at Joe's; that's why we are sent door-to-door with the promotions.
If you send me your address, I'll gladly refund your money for the shipping if you still have your receipt.
Top Gun Promotions DOES carefuly choose reputable service centers. Car maintence is a touchy and highly subjective topic. One person could be completely satisfied w/ a service center while another person may not. Depending on the length of time a company has been in business, 11 complaints (if that's even true--) is not excessive. Can you imagine how many customers these shops have in one day, let alone many years?
Could you please provide proof of these "11 complaints" and this "unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau."
Please don't confuse Top Gun Promotions with the Auto Service Center we were promoting. To our knowledge, we resolve all complaints to the best of our ability, we do not try to rip anyone off, and we do not have an unsatisfactory rating w/ the Better Business Bureau.
#9 Author of original report
The facts are the same - I was ripped off
AUTHOR: E - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, March 26, 2007
Companies like Top Gun Promotions are the reason there are three day rules for door to door sales. At the time of sale I was told that Top Gun Promotions thoroughly screens and chooses only reputable companies for the services. This clearly was not the case based on Better Business Bureau ratings and experiences of friends, which is why I requested a refund - which I had every right to do. This is not like requesting a refund from McDonalds, this is like being sold something under the impression it is 24k gold and finding out it's gold painted - a complete misrepresentation of the product.
Additionally, the shipping charges incurred were more than a couple of stamps. I followed the recommendations of the FTC and sent the return through certified mail for proof of delivery since in my dealings with Top Gun up to that point they were not reliable.
Twenty years in business is not proof that a company is good. Eleven complaints and an unsatisfactory Better Business Bureau record indicate otherwise. Perhaps Top Gun Promotions in other parts of the country are more honest, but in Arizona they are not.
Also, regarding any Federal Law(s) which may or may not have been broken, we operate under all applicable US, State, and City laws. Top Gun Promotions has been successfully creating the Auto Care Super Saver for over 20 years with very few complaints. If the business was an actual ripoff, it would not exist for so long. Getting mad at a promotional company because one does not like the actual place the company promotes, is not the promotional company's fault. It would be like getting angry at a McDonald's commercial for not liking the service at a McDonald's.
Again, we refunded the money, despite the fact the person wanted a refund well beyond the 3 days they had to ask for one.

