University Sports Publications - School District Publishing - Medical Publishing - Municipal Publishing scam, false advertising, steve farkas Elmont New York

I took a job with USP after having been laid off from a job in advertising. Before taking the job though & after having gone through the interview process (although I wouldn't really qualify their version of an interview a process) I looked the company up on the internet as we all do. The first site I found was this one! Even after reading all the comments posted here, I still went ahead and took the job. I should have listened to my inner instincts but given the current state of the economy I thought a job's a job. Boy was I wrong.

I could go through the way this company works but many of the other comments explain that I already. I am writing to warn others who are considering taking a job with USP. DO NOT work for them. The nice base salary seems like it will be worth whatever the job is, its not. My first day on the job, our supervisor screamed at one of the employees in front of everyone. This is not ethical business practice. You do not berate employees, let alone in front of the entire office. Also their office is disgusting. You want to seem like a legitimate place, update the office equipment circa 1998.

I don't even believe the comments from satisfied advertisers, I imagine that these must be current employees upset with what is currently posted here.

I could go on for days about this place but really just want to ge the point across to others thinking of working there, its not worth it. After a few weeks there, I had to leave, it became unbearable.  Listen to the things said on this site from other ex employees, their comments all are legitamite, so please be careful.

Hmm, seeing some conflicting info here. I think theres a little bit of this type of thing at any company. Ethical procedures here by USP? Maybe, maybe not. However, as a previous customer I can say I was dealt with fairly, why I was and some were possibly not, is a question I dont think can be answered. Hopefully this company will continue to work with advertisers fairly (or start to) and pay up when accountable regarding departed employee commissions. Business Ethics 101. If they are practicing these procedures unlawfully, its only a matter of time. Eventually, it will be the downfall of the company. But like I said, none, all, or some of the negetivety may be false. Who knows, but to all the advertisers out there, be careful, dont be foolish and if they can help your over/under in your business give them a chance. Be cautious with any company like this. I hope to use this company in the future at the same result as last year.

Thanks guys,

Mr. John

I enjoyed my time here for a couple reasons. First I had my ad(s) seen in multiple publications and it reached thwe audience I wanted to target for my products. They have a variety of publications that a company can use to target certain genders/ag groups/areas etc etc. Secondly, Its really encouraging to have my company next to some pretty large worldwide company ads. It makes my life easier and brings in clients/customers to my business. I hope to find more target audiences and find which new publication could be best for any new products in the future.

John

I've seen one poster already comment on the added business in the medical field when using these guys. My situatuion was a little different. I was part of an already established practice. We had a loyal customer base that has continued over the past decade and really have had no trouble staying afloat. We had never taken out ads before (high qulaity ads anyway) and decided to see how far we could push our already concrete practice.

Long story short, we have used USP loyally in many different publications and have extended our specialized services outside the state in doing so. Its really helped us get our name out there, not just locally, but statewide and beyond. Its been a mutual success and we plan to keep seeing our names in all type of publications.

Thanks,

Alex

I was searching for the USP website and came across them here. I got to say that Im now questioning my continued business with them. However, doing business with them before I did see some feedback from my ads. Although pricey, the ads seemed to boost my sells in my contracting business. I put ads in various municpal books from my general area. I'm not sure if they were directly responsible but I saw immediate boosts in my overall contracting numbers. Im seeing mixed reviews but unbiasly I can say that so far, nothing but good has come from these guys. For me anyways...

Frank S

I am very familiar with University Sports Publications and its affiliated companies. I have advertised with University Sports Publications and have been overly satisfied with the both the publications it prodcues and the exposure that has been gained for my company. Never have I felt misled or decieved. All of the reps that we have dealt wtih have always been polite and delivered on everything that was promised us.

DK

I am very familiar with University Sports Publications and its affiliated companies.

I have advertised with University Sports Publications and have been overly satisfied with the both the publications it prodcues and the exposure that has been gained for my company.

Never have I felt misled or decieved. All of the reps that we have dealt wtih have always been polite and delivered on everything that was promised us

Mike H.

I am very familiar with University Sports Publications and its affiliated companies.

I have advertised with University Sports Publications and have been overly satisfied with the both the publications it prodcues and the exposure that has been gained for my company. Never have I felt misled or decieved.

All of the reps that we have dealt wtih have always been polite and delivered on everything that was promised us.

I am very familiar with University Sports Publications and its affiliated companies. I have advertised with University Sports Publications and have been overly satisfied with the both the publications it prodcues and the exposure that has been gained for my company. Never have I felt misled or decieved.

All of the reps that we have dealt wtih have always been polite and delivered on everything that was promised us.

B.G.

I am very familiar with University Sports Publications and its affiliated companies. I have advertised with University Sports Publications and have been overly satisfied with the both the publications it produces and the exposure that has been gained for my company.

Never have I felt misled or deceived. All of the reps that we have dealt with have always been polite and delivered on everything that was promised us.

1. Yes that was the same Steve that was in the Youtube Video.

2. "Totally Disagree with Poster!" and "Satisfied Advertiser" both suspiciously appear to be written by USP's staff.

3. If you read the script they use to sign up contractors, you will see there are no clear lies.... But every line was intended to be misleading.

4. They have been sued by M.S. Wholesale Plumbing Inc., in January 2008, for misleading them into purchasing an advertisement in the ATU game program.

5. USP has never lost a wage claim because:

The sales people are never given any sales report on paper, so it is difficult for them to prove monies owed to them in court.

When USP is sued, they will drag you through the legal system to make it as costly and difficult for the person to follow through....  Most will give up.   It has taken most former employees over two years to get to the point where it can be presented in front of the legal system.... Then, at the last minute USP will settle and make sure the person signs a "Non Disclosure" clause.

5. USP have withheld commission checks in order as hostage to force employees to sign a Non-Compete Clause.  Signing the NCC will effectively prevent the person to stay in the sports/advertising industry if they leave the company.

In addition:

1. They have been known to bribe decision makers at companies with pre-paid credit cards.  They have caused scandals at reputable companies, such as L'Oreal. Many of USP's customers who have accepted they bribes have been fired over years.

2. They actively run interference with competing companies by.

a. Calling their competitor pretending to be the customer.  Such as calling the competitor's accounts payable asking for a copy of the invoice, or calling the competitor's production department saying the sale has been cancelled.

b. Calling their competitor's customers pretending to be the competitor.

c. Calling employees of their competitor pretending to be Human Resources or IT asking for email and voicemail passwords.

Examples of USP's tortious interference with their competitors business relationships can be detailed  in

Court of Appeals of Texas, Austin

Amalgamated Acme Affiliates, Inc & University Sports Publications

v.

Perry Minton and Dean Allen Associates, LTD

No. 09-00-00101-CV