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Report: #10432

Complaint Review: Consolidated Media Services Also known as W C P - Bakersfield California

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  • Consolidated Media Services Also known as W C P 4450 California Ave, Suite K#268 Bakersfield, California U.S.A.

Consolidated Media Services ..Sweepstakes Rip-off

*Consumer Comment: I got the postcard today.

*Consumer Comment: I received a card today.

*Consumer Comment: IMS continues to pillage a small town near you

*REBUTTAL Owner of company: for free magazine

*Consumer Suggestion: Winner's Choice Publishing, there is a way around getting billed the insane amount of money, but you have to act fast.

*Consumer Comment: the new name of the company is IMS, rip up this rip-off and throw it away.

*Consumer Comment: now the companies name is I.M.S.

*Consumer Comment: shocked at this, but ideot that I am they already have my credit card number

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: CMS WCP Connection?

*Consumer Comment: I knew it! ..ripoff report confirmed my suspicion.

*Consumer Comment: Thanks alot! Going to call them and get off the list immidately

*Consumer Comment: Thanks alot! Going to call them and get off the list immidately

*Consumer Comment: Thanks alot! Going to call them and get off the list immidately

*Consumer Suggestion: CMS WCP Norcross Connection?

*UPDATE Employee: NOT ONE TIME have i EVER pulled the verification tape

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Winner's Choice Publishers Fraud and schemes

*Consumer Suggestion: Free up space in your physical mailbox! Here's how:

*Consumer Suggestion: Free up space in your physical mailbox! Here's how:

*Consumer Suggestion: Free up space in your physical mailbox! Here's how:

*Consumer Suggestion: Free up space in your physical mailbox! Here's how:

*Consumer Comment: About WCP AND about the B.B.B.

*Consumer Comment: Thanks...

*Consumer Comment: Dear Mr. Employee of the Month:

*Consumer Comment: To Chris

*UPDATE Employee: clearification

*Consumer Comment: Thank You.

*0:

*Consumer Comment: Another address for Consolidated Media Services/WCP

*Consumer Comment: Another address for Consolidated Media Services/WCP

*Consumer Comment: Another address for Consolidated Media Services/WCP

*Consumer Comment: Another address for Consolidated Media Services/WCP

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We received a postcard stating "We're going nuts trying to reach you". Curious as I was, I called the 800 number and found out my husband had been entered into an "All Cash Giveaway" Sweepstakes with the drawing to be held March 31st, 2002. I asked how he was entered into something like this and they stated it was our credit card company that had submitted his name into the drawing because of his "preferred status" with them.

The lady said they sent out the postcard so that we could be notified that we had been entered. At first I thought they might be legit and didn't give it any more thought. After speaking with my husband he had more questions and so I did some more research.

I called back a second time and spoke to "Marla", she gave me a website address of www.cmsmags.com, which is a web site but not a very professional one. After talking w/ Marla, the bottom line is they do want you to give them your credit card info and subscribe to their magazines, which it looks like you won't receive them anyways.

Marla said they have these so called drawings 4 times a year. Three of which are for $5,000 and one for $50,000. Marla read me her script and tried to give me a Diamond Watch and two free magazine subscriptions, if I "helped" them out by paying for a Sports Illustrated and another magazine ( I can't remember the name of ) to receive a total of 4. I told her "uh NO, I'm not going to do that."

They have a very good way of manipulating you into saying "yes". I ended up calling back a third time to make sure they removed my husband's name and address from their mailing and calling list. However we are still weary that they may have some information and use it with out our permission and we don't know for sure they removed us from their mailing list.

Please be careful out there and ask questions about any and every thing before you get into something you will regret later. Thanks for the heads up on this company, it really verified what we had been thinking all along.

I also wanted to let people know that the W C P stands for "Winners Choice Publications". Just so you know that this company operates under another name as well, so be on the lookout for either one. Thanks.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/02/2002 12:00 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/consolidated-media-services-also-known-as-w-c-p/bakersfield-california-93309/consolidated-media-services-sweepstakes-rip-off-10432. 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. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
30Consumer
1Employee/Owner

#31 Consumer Comment

I got the postcard today.

AUTHOR: Trade - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, July 14, 2005

It looks like they changed the company name, phone number, and address. The card is from:

A.C.G.
3610 Kennesaw N Ind Pkwy
Building 200
Kennesaw, GA 30144

It was mailed from Virginia Beach, VA

It says, "We have been trying to reach you! It's real important that you call Toll Free 1-800-593-5806. Thank you! Susan Wright"


I called, but I refused to give the "pin #" on the card. I asked what it was about, and I was told that one of my credit card companies had entered me into a sweepstakes. Then I was told that A.C.G. stands for Area Circulation of Georgia.

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#30 Consumer Comment

I received a card today.

AUTHOR: Ali - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Today in the mail I received a card from

IMS
4450 California Ave Ste K#268
Bakersfield, CA 93309-1196

The card just states they've been trying to reach me with good news & its real important I call them. Has the name Lisa Eastwood with hours to call.

Not recgonizing the name I did a google search which brought me to here. I am so glad I did the search before calling them. I am not sure how they got my info because I have not had any a credit card in 10 years. I only have my bank debit/mastercard. Thanks for all the info from the above reports, had I not read them I would have probably called them & would have been out a whole lot of money.

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#29 Consumer Comment

IMS continues to pillage a small town near you

AUTHOR: Andy - (CAR)

POSTED: Sunday, October 03, 2004

Thank you to all who have posted before me. Without you all, i wouldn't have ever known of the business ventures that lay inside my mailbox. This is the first time I feel the need to check on the validity of a company before I interact with them. Now I know, and just like GI Joe, "knowing is half the battle..."

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#28 REBUTTAL Owner of company

for free magazine

AUTHOR: Bankole - (Nigeria)

POSTED: Thursday, July 08, 2004

I want you to send me a free sport magazine
please kindly send it to me
my post address is
[DELETED]
thanks

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#27 Consumer Suggestion

Winner's Choice Publishing, there is a way around getting billed the insane amount of money, but you have to act fast.

AUTHOR: R R - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, January 26, 2004

If you gave these people your credit card number, but you did not specifically say "Yes, you can bill me this amount," then there is a way around getting billed the insane amount of money, but you have to act fast. Call your credit card company right away and explain what has happened. They can change your credit card number for you if the company hasn't actually billed you yet. I'm not sure what action the credit card company can take if you already have been billed, but they can certainly make suggestions to you on how to go about rescinding.

When I was called by this company, I was told by the telemarketer (she called herself a verifier) that she could not quote a price to me without first getting my credit card info. I resisted at first, but gave in eventually and gave her the info. The first price she quoted me added up to $985.32, which I told her was too much money. She then gave me a second quote for $59.12/month for ten months. I said, "That's a LOT of money." She then replied "Good luck with the sweepstakes" and hung up on me. When I attempted to call the company back to get a yes or no confirmation on whether or not they were going to bill me, I was put on hold by an automated system and then hung up on within five minutes. This happened each time I called. Fortunately, I was able to contact my credit company before WCP could attempt to charge my card. And I do still plan to send in notification to rescind whenever the "prize notice" gets here.

Bottom line: don't fall for this scam. But if you do get roped in, don't give up the fight, either. Call your credit card company, send in rescission notice, do whatever you can.

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#26 Consumer Comment

the new name of the company is IMS, rip up this rip-off and throw it away.

AUTHOR: Jamie - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, December 16, 2003

I just recieved this postcard in the mail. I saw the address and typed it in under a search online. I was directed to this site where i learned it is not a credible company. However, the new name of the company is IMS. Do not call this company at all, rip up this rip-off and throw it away. It belongs in the garbage with the trash that it truely is!

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#25 Consumer Comment

now the companies name is I.M.S.

AUTHOR: Bill - (United States Minor Outlying Islands)

POSTED: Sunday, November 23, 2003

now the companies name is I.M.S.

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#24 Consumer Comment

shocked at this, but ideot that I am they already have my credit card number

AUTHOR: BILLY - (Kenya)

POSTED: Friday, October 03, 2003

I have also receaved one of these notifications
and thouht it was good at least my luck was changing, untill a friend of mine told me to go
to the internet, to check out there past record,
and thats what I'm doing now, and I an shocked at
this, but ideot that I am they already have my
credit card number, but there's nothing in it,
in my judgement the only way to shut these dead
beet companies down , is to sut down there computor's with out these computors they go broke
that's against the law, so I quess one hand holds
the other.

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#23 UPDATE EX-employee responds

CMS WCP Connection?

AUTHOR: Claudia - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, June 27, 2003

I have read many many reports on different websites about WCP and all the other franchise companies which operate as independently run offices of the same outfit. I am also a previous employee of WCP in Atlanta GA.

The company I worked for and all the reports about CMS, WCP,and other AKA's they are operating under is and always will be a fraudulent operation. CMS is currently being investigated by the Justice Dept. and other agencies and the others will most likely be scrutinized as well.

There is nothing legitimate about any of these companies, they are NOT adhering to Federal Rules and guidelines or even laws governing proper telemarketing. All they are interested in is to sell their inferior services to gullible people who are being conned into this ridiculous offer via sweepstakes hype and misrepresentation of facts. The company I worked for "Winners Choice Publisher's"targets Senior Citizens nationwide and has no remorse in fleecing the elderly for $985.32 worth of magazines.

They do not care one iota about the circumstances of the victim and try to cover everything up by telling the world that they are going by the rules. Whose rules are you going by? Certainly not the rules of decency, certainly not th rules set forth by the FTC or the Justice Dept. or any other agency involved in telemarketing procedures.

I just hope that the National DO NOT CALL List will put all these evil empires where they belong....on the trash heaps of history, to be forgotten soon and never to be here again! Again, if you have been victimized monetarily by either one of these companies, please contact the Attorney general in your State, the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, the National Fraud Center Hotline and the League for the Elderly.

DO NOT PAY a dime to these crooks, they cannot force you by law to pay these fraudulently obtained orders. Do NOT be so trusting and so naive in giving out your Credit card info or other billing info to these people.

They are only in business and enriching themselves because there are people out there who fall for this fraud each and every day. There are no winnings for you Mr. or Mrs. Jones across the nation!You are being scammed by a ruthless bunch of people who are undermining the economy of the United States with their fraudulent operations.

call me a concerned citizen

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#22 Consumer Comment

I knew it! ..ripoff report confirmed my suspicion.

AUTHOR: Steven - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, June 22, 2003

I got a card from this company yesterday that said, "We are trying to reach you with Good News! It is real [sic] important that you call Toll free 1-800-449-3596". I knew something wasn't right because it said they'd been trying to reach me, and they'd obviously found a way to do so, but they didn't bother to tell me the "good news" in the card.

Why didn't they just put this "good news" on the first card they sent me, if it's so important? I did a Google search for their mailing address and found this ripoff report which confirmed my suspicion. Thanks for warning people about them.

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#21 Consumer Comment

Thanks alot! Going to call them and get off the list immidately

AUTHOR: Norm - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, June 22, 2003

Thanks alot for feedback, it's so nice to be able to look this stuff up on the internet... I just got one of these postcards in the mail, and now I think I'll call em up and tell them to kiss my A$$... I'm gonna try and get off their list, and not gonna take any s**t from them...

Thanks!

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#20 Consumer Comment

Thanks alot! Going to call them and get off the list immidately

AUTHOR: Norm - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, June 22, 2003

Thanks alot for feedback, it's so nice to be able to look this stuff up on the internet... I just got one of these postcards in the mail, and now I think I'll call em up and tell them to kiss my A$$... I'm gonna try and get off their list, and not gonna take any s**t from them...

Thanks!

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#19 Consumer Comment

Thanks alot! Going to call them and get off the list immidately

AUTHOR: Norm - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, June 22, 2003

Thanks alot for feedback, it's so nice to be able to look this stuff up on the internet... I just got one of these postcards in the mail, and now I think I'll call em up and tell them to kiss my A$$... I'm gonna try and get off their list, and not gonna take any s**t from them...

Thanks!

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#18 Consumer Suggestion

CMS WCP Norcross Connection?

AUTHOR: Claudia - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, June 18, 2003

The Winner's Choice Publishers office in Norcross GA was my employer for 2 years. Since they are all connected with CMS and WCP in Bakersfield it sure seems strange that CMS clains that the telemarketing scripts are FTC approved. I know that they are not, and do not let these phoney sales folks pull the wool over your eyes.

The pitches which are used by the sales peple are only used by new employees. All sales people very quickly fall into their own version of this pitch and the company doesn't really care about the gazillions of "guaranteed winners"they have produced over the past 13 years in the State of Georgia. The entire deal is nothing but a scam.

They cannot sell their magazines the normal way anymore because American households are saturated with them. So they send you ridiculous post cards saying they are going Nuts trying to reach you and try to convince you that you won the sweepstakes.

My previous compnay does not send out cards. They target the Senior Citizens across the entire nation via the telephone and automated dialers and tell them that they have been selected as a "winning finalist" from their state and that they will be chosing between $ 25000 in cash or a truck or a trip to Hawaii.

They spend more time telling you about the sweepstakes than on anything else. They do NOT divulge the name of the compnay, nor do they tell the customer it is actually a sales call.The company does not have a business license in the entire state of GA under the name Winner's Choice Publsihers nor is it incorporated, which is illegal.

The actual name of the company is Winner's Choice Reading Club. They bill the customers 12 pmts. of $82.11 to their credit cards which amounts to $985.32 for a 5 year subscription to magazines that cannot be cancelled.

All the sales people use phoney names like Ron Smith or Andy Davis and will go on and on about the sweepstakes until the Seniors agree to the purchase. People who refuse to pay the amounst for the magazines are brutally hounded and threatened through the company's collection agents which are ill mannered rude aggressive and non caring individuals.

Their customer service stinks to high heaven and is nothing but a scam in itself. The owner of the company has been committing employee staus fraud for over 13 years in 3 different compnaies he owned and is facing dire consewuences with the IRS and the United States Dept. of labor for violations against the employees.

A word of advice to the victims of these disgusting and fraudulent companies:
DO NOT ever respond to any postcards telling you to call someone and that it is urgent or that you have won something. It is a lie and a fraud 99% of the time. If you get a phone call from Winner's Choice Publishers in Norcross GA telling you that you have won the sweepstakes, ask for the persons name and report the company to the Attorney general of the State of Georgia.

Also contact the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs in ATL GA and the National Fraud Center Hotline.

If you get a call or a post card from any of the compnaies on this ripoff report site, contact the same offices in your state, keep all post cards or corrspondence from the company and forward it to the Attorney General as evidence of the fraud.

Do Not ever give out your Credit Card Number ofr checking account number over the phone, I mean NEVER! If you have already signed a Gift release Form from Winner's Choice do NOT pay them any money. Contact your Credit Card compnay and have these charges taken off your card as fraudulent charges.

The company will now hound you through their collections department. When they call, hang up the phone, do not pay them a dime. The orders are all extracted with partila and incomplete information, fals and misleading statements and they will not send your account to a collection agency as they try to threaten you with. Their sweepstakes chances are 580 million to one and it is not worth your hassle the aggravation and th financial devastation a deal like this could cost you.

Protect yourself and report these crooks to the appropriate agencies. Let the war on ripoff begin...

Thanks and be careful

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#17 UPDATE Employee

NOT ONE TIME have i EVER pulled the verification tape

AUTHOR: Ryan - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, June 18, 2003

i am an employee of cms in their collections department. now granted, there are a lot of gray areas with our business but it really is legit. i even have mags coming from our company to my house. as a comsumer i can understand how some people may think its a ripoff b/c it takes 60 to 90 days to get your magazines, but being a ripoff is not the case. as a collections specialist i deal with peoples problems with the company every single day.....NOT ONE TIME have i EVER pulled the verification tape and found out that it was not properly verified. included on this verification would be the recision rights of three days from the receit of the agreement or 10 days from the date of the agreement...not only do they say this to the customer but also ask the customer to repeat how many pymnts and the amount of each pymnt they will be making...to top it all off...the verification rep asks the customer if he/she can fulfill this entire service b/c we prepay the orders....i have had customers swear up and down kicking and screaming about they were never told this....then whenever i pull the tape its a whole different story....so excuse me if i dont take these comments with the weight of the world...ive seen it first hand...now, i have heard that there are some suspect things that are said on the sales call....but we still have to verf after that..

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#16 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Winner's Choice Publishers Fraud and schemes

AUTHOR: Pia - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, June 10, 2003

I am a previous employee of WCP's Atlanta Office. I quit the company last year because I was not able to work for a crooked and disgusting fraudulent company like WCP any longer.The company's owner is a greedy and unscrupulous individual with a prior prison record for I believe Federal Racketeering and has been ripping off Senior Citizens and other folks willing to listen to his lying sales people for the past 13 years out of the State of Georgia.

The company targets the elderly with sweepstakes hype and railroads you into agreeing to a $ 3.79 a week magazine subscription. Most people are asked to just renew their Reader's Digest at that rate, that is all the Publishers are asking them at that time to be a winner this time. Most folks fall hook line and sinker for the bullcrap they are being told, and even agree to give out their Credit card information over the Phone. WCP extracts the information by a host of lies about being outstanding members of the BBB and the Chamber of Commerce, and they will tell you that they are calling you from a privately secured line that is tied to all the major banks and the Credit card Companies when in all actuality they are calling from a regular line and write your Credit Card info on a piece of paper which they then throw into the garbage without shredding it first. Thus your info is ready to be picked over by any scam artist who wants to go shopping with your information.

DO NOT EVER GIVE IT TO ANYONE ON THE PHONE EVER!!!! hello...I SAID NEVER! hang up the phone and before you do blow a whistle into their ears ! This company targets Seniors over the age of 75 and will not care if you are over 80 as most sales people never bother to ask the age question and as long as you can say YES even if you are comatose on a ventilator, that yes will give you the services of "Da MagazineMan". None of the employees at WCP use their real name, all fictitous. They will send you nothing in writing within 3 business days like they tell you they will, it will take forever. A verifier will call you back after you agreed to the initial sales pitch and will railroad you into believing that you actually placed an order that you cannot rescind on.

They will hound you as long as it takes even if you hang up every time they call. If you made the big mistake and even signed their lying "Gift release Form" which most folks never bother to read ,you have signed you a contract for a 5 year long magazine service for the proud sum of $ 985.32..!!!!!! That's what 3.79 a week will cost you over the course of 5 years. This company has been ripping people off under the name CBI or Conzo Brothers Inc.from 1989 until the year 2000, the company then changed their name into Nationwide Publishers and the other Conzo Brother opened his separate office in Norcross under the name Winner's Choice Reading Club...they write you letters with Winners Choice Publishers on it not the real name of the company.Winner's Choice Publsiher's is their mother compnay out of Bakersfield CA, from which they branched off as a "franchise" if you wanna call it that. I could go on and on about all the fraud being committed there, but the page would bust out of it's seams.

Listen up, folks: IF YOU HAVE BEEN DUPED BY WINNERS CHOICE PUBLISHERSIN ATLANTA TO AGREE TO THE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION AND THEY ARE HOUNDING YOU THROUGH THEIR COLLECTIONS AGENTS,CALL YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL IMMEDIATELY AND ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. WE NEED PEOPLE TO STAND UP AND PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS AND NOT BE VICTIMIZED ANY LONGER BY THESE COLD AND BRUTAL FOLKS OUT THERE WHO DO NOT CARE IF YOU ARE IN A WHEELCHAIR, IF YOU JUST LOST YOUR HUSBAND OF 55 YEARS OR IF YOUR GRANDCHILD HAS JUST GONE TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A SERIOUS ILLNESS...ACCORDING TO THE COMPNAY: BUYERS ARE LIARS AND THEY COULD CARE LESS WHAT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE, ALL THEY WANT IS YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER AND A DEAL FOR THEIR SALES PEOPLE WHICH ARE BEING PAID $30.00 A DEAL FOR EACH PURCHASE AGRRED ON.

The owner of the company pockets the rest and is living large at ya'alls expense. Yes, he does sleep at night..cause he don't care about you one bit and he will continue his fraudulent journey on his earth for as long as you will let him and help him to get richer and richer. Wake up folks, there is no winner in a sweepstakes...only one and you ain't it..

Quit being naive and gullible and watch over your Seniors family members. Do NOT let them have access to Credit Cards let them let you handle their Credit Card purchases.

WCP and whatever else they call themselves...is a ripoff and a scam and the most heinous and fraudulent outfit I have ever personally encounterd, I am ashamed I ever worked for this damned company and I believe that justice will prevail somewhere down the line and the joint be closed down for all times to come. The compnay is currently facing dire consequences with the IRS and the United States Dept. of Labor for Employment Status Fraud and Failure to pay Overtime Pay. So,Justice is being applied. yet, as long as he still operates his company you can still be victimized if you let him.

Please wake up Folks and hang up the phone when these crooks call you and try to swindle you out of you meager incomes and your Social Security money which you can barely make ends meet with.

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#15 Consumer Suggestion

Free up space in your physical mailbox! Here's how:

AUTHOR: Nora - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, June 04, 2003

Kevin from Georgia an ex-employee says customers should listen up and then they may not feel like they've been taken advantage of, but it sounds lke the old shell and pea game has been revamped to the phone and telemarketer game. The process, of using telemarketer after telemarketer to confuse the consumer.

Yes, there is a way to end mailmarketers! You can write to:

Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel NY, 10512

Include your name and any alternate names you may have used, your complete address and signature. Contacting them will keep you off their list for 5 years, but not every direct marketing business is a member. I suggest visiting www.recyclingadvocates.org for suggestions on whatelse you can do to eliminate junk mail. You must submit one request per letter.

Unfortunately, since WCP is savvy enough to send their postcards first-class it may be difficult to rid them from your mailbox. Thanks to this website, I didn't fall prey to their scheme when I received my first-class postcard!

A Texan in Colorado Springs

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#14 Consumer Suggestion

Free up space in your physical mailbox! Here's how:

AUTHOR: Nora - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, June 04, 2003

Kevin from Georgia an ex-employee says customers should listen up and then they may not feel like they've been taken advantage of, but it sounds lke the old shell and pea game has been revamped to the phone and telemarketer game. The process, of using telemarketer after telemarketer to confuse the consumer.

Yes, there is a way to end mailmarketers! You can write to:

Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel NY, 10512

Include your name and any alternate names you may have used, your complete address and signature. Contacting them will keep you off their list for 5 years, but not every direct marketing business is a member. I suggest visiting www.recyclingadvocates.org for suggestions on whatelse you can do to eliminate junk mail. You must submit one request per letter.

Unfortunately, since WCP is savvy enough to send their postcards first-class it may be difficult to rid them from your mailbox. Thanks to this website, I didn't fall prey to their scheme when I received my first-class postcard!

A Texan in Colorado Springs

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#13 Consumer Suggestion

Free up space in your physical mailbox! Here's how:

AUTHOR: Nora - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, June 04, 2003

Kevin from Georgia an ex-employee says customers should listen up and then they may not feel like they've been taken advantage of, but it sounds lke the old shell and pea game has been revamped to the phone and telemarketer game. The process, of using telemarketer after telemarketer to confuse the consumer.

Yes, there is a way to end mailmarketers! You can write to:

Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel NY, 10512

Include your name and any alternate names you may have used, your complete address and signature. Contacting them will keep you off their list for 5 years, but not every direct marketing business is a member. I suggest visiting www.recyclingadvocates.org for suggestions on whatelse you can do to eliminate junk mail. You must submit one request per letter.

Unfortunately, since WCP is savvy enough to send their postcards first-class it may be difficult to rid them from your mailbox. Thanks to this website, I didn't fall prey to their scheme when I received my first-class postcard!

A Texan in Colorado Springs

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#12 Consumer Suggestion

Free up space in your physical mailbox! Here's how:

AUTHOR: Nora - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, June 04, 2003

Kevin from Georgia an ex-employee says customers should listen up and then they may not feel like they've been taken advantage of, but it sounds lke the old shell and pea game has been revamped to the phone and telemarketer game. The process, of using telemarketer after telemarketer to confuse the consumer.

Yes, there is a way to end mailmarketers! You can write to:

Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel NY, 10512

Include your name and any alternate names you may have used, your complete address and signature. Contacting them will keep you off their list for 5 years, but not every direct marketing business is a member. I suggest visiting www.recyclingadvocates.org for suggestions on whatelse you can do to eliminate junk mail. You must submit one request per letter.

Unfortunately, since WCP is savvy enough to send their postcards first-class it may be difficult to rid them from your mailbox. Thanks to this website, I didn't fall prey to their scheme when I received my first-class postcard!

A Texan in Colorado Springs

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#11 Consumer Comment

About WCP AND about the B.B.B.

AUTHOR: Michele - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, May 03, 2003

Hello.

Chris, of Georgia, was right on the bullseye about the B.B.B.

I personally filed a complaint on a fraudulent company (who is going around ripping off many consumers in Texas.)

I was then shocked to see on the B.B.B. many months later that: "This company has not had a complaint filed against them in at least the last 3 years."

I promptly notified the B.B.B. and told them this was not true information...and that I found out that companies...(some of the pay up to $5,000)...to be so-called "members" of the B.B.B., in order to get their little display placque for their office desk !!

My, and others' opion of them is: They are dceptive to the public/consumers...THEMSELVES.
-------------------------

As for WCP company...I just got one of those silly cards in the mail today. I did an internet search for them...and ended up here.

We are on the "Texas NO-CALL" list. I see now we are going to have to find a Texas NO-Mail" list, too. (does one exist ???)

As for the WCP who isn't "authorized" to respond...just saying "We are a member of the B.B.B." means NOTHING in this day and age.
Consumers are wising up...due to consumers warning other consumers.

Please don't ever send me another "We Have Good News!!" with a smiley face on it...ever again.

I didn't call you this time...and I sure won't call you next time. (Save your First-Class postage)

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#10 Consumer Comment

Thanks...

AUTHOR: Texas - ()

POSTED: Monday, November 04, 2002

Thanks guys....
i'm glad you came foward to alert the rest of us about those "bullshit artists". nobody likes to get ripped-off, i sure don't. -again, many thanks.
TxBandit38

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#9 Consumer Comment

Dear Mr. Employee of the Month:

AUTHOR: Pam - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, July 10, 2002

You are either one of the CMS "pros", and/or you are terribly gullible & deceived by CMS. They are the biggest scammers I have seen in a long time. How could all these people, reporting about being charged for undelivered goods (happened to me initially too), being charged for long distance they never knew about, being sent extra magazines they didn't authorize (happened to me) & being charged outrageous prices far from any original quote (also happened to me), be wrong? You are seriously delusional!!!!

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#8 Consumer Comment

To Chris

AUTHOR: E - ()

POSTED: Friday, May 03, 2002

No offense and all, but first off, we are all WELL aware of how adamant and pushy sales people are, especially telemarketers. And especially those that work on commission.

Secondly, when my boyfriend signed up for these magazines, the company authorized some sort of third party subscription for long distance or some other such nonsense. Of course, it was not ever mentioned or authorized by him. He only found out a month later when there was an additional charge on his credit card.

Thirdly, where's my damned diamond ring? He complied with the scheme by purchasing the magazines, and as far as I'm concerned, your company had a breach of contract in not delivering what was promised.

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#7 UPDATE Employee

clearification

AUTHOR: Chris - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, April 09, 2002

I am not authorized to respond to these complaints by Consolidated Media Services. However, as an employee of the company, I feel obligated to clarify some misinformation made by some of the customers. Consolidated Media Services does business with about 34 independently owned sales companies throughout the United States.

The sales companies are given specific instructions on how we want our product to be sold. These instructions are in compliance with The TCPA, Telemarketing Sales Rule and individual States. On occasion the independent sales companies have representatives that stray from the approved scripts.

Therefore, Consolidated Media Services, places a verification call in an attempt to correct any misinformation. This call is not high pressure. It is scripted on or about a sixth grade level. The company does not want to commit money to the publishers if the customer does not want the product.

If the customer agrees to the terms and accepts the order. A confirmation packet is sent to the customer. The confirmation packet once again restates the terms and agreement so there is no confusion. There is a rescission period of ten business days or three days from the receipt of the agreement, or whichever comes later.

The order is then placed to the publishers and billing to the provided credit card begins. It is very straight forward. The sweepstakes is very legitamate. We are registered with the State of NY, FL and CT in accordance with their laws. The company is publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange.

We are members in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. We have been in business for about thirty years. I hope this helps clear things up.

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#6 Consumer Comment

Thank You.

AUTHOR: Karen - ()

POSTED: Thursday, April 04, 2002

Thank you very much for establishing this report and shining a light where one was needed. I too received one of those postcards today and just knew that something wasn't quite right. ""We're going nuts trying to reach you."" No messages on my machine, but lots of hangups. No snail out of the usual. So just how have they been trying to reach me??

I called the 800 number (twice, the first time no one answered) and as soon as I heard the word "sweepstakes" I informed the voice on the other end that my name and address were to be removed immediately from their call and mail list. The voice was very pleasant and, hopefully, complied with my request.

Is there a way to stop this completely? A question for the ages. However, I would suggest that you contact your credit card company and find out if they have an `Opt Out` choice. With this you can tell them to *not* share your credit data with other companies and that you *do not* wish to receive any solicitations. But each credit card company may be different. Doesn't hurt to call and ask.

Do the same thing with the 3 credit reporting companies -- Equifax-8005256285, Experian-8883973742, Trans Union-8006807289.

Again, thanks for that light.

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#5 0

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Sunday, March 31, 2002

Bakersfield, CA 93309
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#4 Consumer Comment

Another address for Consolidated Media Services/WCP

AUTHOR: Michael - ()

POSTED: Friday, March 15, 2002

Hi. I received a postcard today like the one
described in the original report. After reading
the report, it was obvious to me that it came
from the same sleazy outfit, and I didn't bother
to call them. (Thanks for the helpful report!)

However, several things on my card were different
from those on the postcard that the person in the
original report received. (The phone number was
the same though: 1-800-449-3596.) This outfit
apparently uses more than one form, so I want to
add this information to your file on it in order
to help others to be able to recognize it.

The postcard had a different return address:

WCP
4450 California Ave. Suite K # 268
Bakersfield CA 93309


The message on the postcard was also different:

Dear *****
We have been trying to reach you!
It's real important that you call Toll free
1-800-449-3596
Thanks
Lisa Eastwood
(Followed by a list of days & times to call.)

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#3 Consumer Comment

Another address for Consolidated Media Services/WCP

AUTHOR: Michael - ()

POSTED: Friday, March 15, 2002

Hi. I received a postcard today like the one
described in the original report. After reading
the report, it was obvious to me that it came
from the same sleazy outfit, and I didn't bother
to call them. (Thanks for the helpful report!)

However, several things on my card were different
from those on the postcard that the person in the
original report received. (The phone number was
the same though: 1-800-449-3596.) This outfit
apparently uses more than one form, so I want to
add this information to your file on it in order
to help others to be able to recognize it.

The postcard had a different return address:

WCP
4450 California Ave. Suite K # 268
Bakersfield CA 93309


The message on the postcard was also different:

Dear *****
We have been trying to reach you!
It's real important that you call Toll free
1-800-449-3596
Thanks
Lisa Eastwood
(Followed by a list of days & times to call.)

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#2 Consumer Comment

Another address for Consolidated Media Services/WCP

AUTHOR: Michael - ()

POSTED: Friday, March 15, 2002

Hi. I received a postcard today like the one
described in the original report. After reading
the report, it was obvious to me that it came
from the same sleazy outfit, and I didn't bother
to call them. (Thanks for the helpful report!)

However, several things on my card were different
from those on the postcard that the person in the
original report received. (The phone number was
the same though: 1-800-449-3596.) This outfit
apparently uses more than one form, so I want to
add this information to your file on it in order
to help others to be able to recognize it.

The postcard had a different return address:

WCP
4450 California Ave. Suite K # 268
Bakersfield CA 93309


The message on the postcard was also different:

Dear *****
We have been trying to reach you!
It's real important that you call Toll free
1-800-449-3596
Thanks
Lisa Eastwood
(Followed by a list of days & times to call.)

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#1 Consumer Comment

Another address for Consolidated Media Services/WCP

AUTHOR: Michael - ()

POSTED: Friday, March 15, 2002

Hi. I received a postcard today like the one
described in the original report. After reading
the report, it was obvious to me that it came
from the same sleazy outfit, and I didn't bother
to call them. (Thanks for the helpful report!)

However, several things on my card were different
from those on the postcard that the person in the
original report received. (The phone number was
the same though: 1-800-449-3596.) This outfit
apparently uses more than one form, so I want to
add this information to your file on it in order
to help others to be able to recognize it.

The postcard had a different return address:

WCP
4450 California Ave. Suite K # 268
Bakersfield CA 93309


The message on the postcard was also different:

Dear *****
We have been trying to reach you!
It's real important that you call Toll free
1-800-449-3596
Thanks
Lisa Eastwood
(Followed by a list of days & times to call.)

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